to any pre-op big babies-my story

[Guest guest]

Hello all----I too was very scared to have the

surgery.I had mine on 11-20-00.pre-op wt-344,now i am

at 324. It was a breeze. I stayed at extended stay by

the airport(20min to drh)for 275$ for the week. once

you check in in admitting,i was sent to 5th floor.More

paperwork signed,vitals taken,and weighed.you

undress-gown is really big.then ted hose are put on.I

was really nervous and thought i would have a panic

attack,but the reglan you take at 5am calms you down

and makes you sleepy.about 45 min later i was taken by

stretcher to the holding area. A nurse starts the iv

with a little shot of lidocaine first ,so you cant

even feel it.The anestheseologist comes in,says

hi-looks down the throat.5-10 min later,a nurse gives

you some versed in the iv,and from then on-you feel

nothing.I was then brought into the o.r. room--you are

barely awake,but you slide onto the table.Someone

secures your arms,and puts oxygen on--then the next

thing you know,i was in recovery,being told to breath

deep. I was able to open my eyes and see a male nurse

smiling at me and telling me i did fine.I then had

some pain(not terrible)in my left shoulder blade. They

gave me demoral,and i went back to sleep.shortly after

that was brought to my room on the 5th floor.Vitals

where checked.iv going fine,compression stocking

on,family with me.The room was large,very clean, and

cool. They even let my 11 year old son stay with me,

while hubby had to run to the store. the nurses were

very nice. I slept from 12 noon,until 8pm.Then i

suddenly awoke, and thought i'd had enough sleep. I

was able to get up easily out of bed. I had 5 4x4

bandages on,no bleeding. Minimal abdominal pain(like

you did alot of sit-ups),i walked the hall every hour

during the night to move the gas and speed up the

bowles.I had a demerol pca,but used about 10

times.Mostly before walking to ease the pain,but i

did'nt really need it. I was able to drink water and

juice that night.-start out with very small sips.Ice

was the best.the next morning, dr r was in by 7am,my

iv was d/c.I never had a catheter.I went home that

day(hotel) and slept alot. drank juice and soup, and

walked twice a day. Now i am doing fine.I can eat most

anything,except really dry foods, and bread-it feels

like it is stuck in my chest.so, for anybody that is

really afraid----don't be. I was terrified. I also am

a nurse and i know the many things that can go

wrong.Feel free to contact me with questions...Kecia

in KY pre-344/post324/mgb-11-20-00

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