Exactly Two Years Ago Today...

Two Years Ago Today...

I woke up at 4:15 AM. Took a shower and scrubbed myself down with antibacterial soap. After I dried off, S (my husband) helped me wipe myself down with the germicidal wipes that they had given me at the hospital, and then I got dressed. I took my Protonix pill to turn off my stomach acid as directed. We headed to the hospital and walked in at 5:30, exactly on time.

I was brought back to the prep area. I dressed in a stunning gown/bootie/hat ensemble. Two IV's were put into my arms, and I was asked about a bazillion questions by the nurses and anesthesiologists. They brought S back to sit with me until surgery time. The surgeon arrived and I asked if he had gotten a good night's sleep and had a good breakfast. He said he had so I said I was ready to go. :-)

I was starting to get really scared and my teeth started chattering. The anesthesiologist came over and gave me a shot of Versed (a.k.a. Happy Medicine) in my IV and suddenly everything was hysterically funny.

I couldn't stop laughing and I told S I loved him so much and the nurses asked how long we had been together. When I said we'd been together over 11 years, S said some of them got a little weepy and said it was so sweet that we're still that way together.

I was wheeled into the operating room and I was still laughing. They strapped me down to the table which I thought was hilarious. At that point, a mask went over my face and I don't remember anything after that.

I woke up in the recovery room in quite a lot of pain. I kept saying that it hurt and the nurse gave me some medicine that helped after a few doses. I had to stay in there for a couple of hours because they were waiting for my room to be ready. I started getting mad because I wanted to see my husband, but visitors aren't allowed in the recovery room. I tried to sleep but there was a patient on either side of me. The guy to my left was having a hard time waking up so people kept yelling at him and it was a lot of commotion. The woman on my right was crying and vomiting. She had just had gastric bypass, and it didn't really sound like much fun. At that point I remember thinking how glad I was to have chosen the band. I remember thinking that I had no regrets and was feeling very positive about the possibilities, but I wished I could sleep.

Finally, my room was ready. I was wheeled up and met my wonderful nurse, Kevin. The first thing I said to him was that I really had to pee, so he helped me get out of bed and onto the toilet. That HURT but it was such a relief to finally be able to go to the bathroom. I had asked in the recovery room but they said if I could wait it would be so much easier to go in my private room.

Yes, I lucked out and ended up in a private room, which was awesome.

When I came out of the bathroom, my parents and husband were there and it was so wonderful to see them! I was so much calmer when I saw everyone was there. S had a bad cold and I didn't want to catch it, so I told him he needed to leave after not very long, but my parents stayed all day. I was in love with my pain medication button. The morphine was wonderful! My throat was SO dry and the ice chips tasted and felt great too.

After a few hours I was ready to get out of bed and go for a walk. My parents helped me and I couldn't believe how good getting out of bed was. It actually hurt less when I was up and moving than when I was laying flat on my back. I walked as much as I could. Lunch and dinner consisted of chicken broth, sugar free Jello, and Crystal Light with protein powder in it. I wasn't really hungry at that point but the few sips of broth tasted really good and I loved the Crystal Light. I drank as much of that as I could. I was given Heparin (blood thinner) shots every 8 hours to prevent blood clots. I also had to wear these massaging booties that felt really good.

My night was pretty uneventful and I slept well after the nurse brought my Ambien. I was up at 5:00 in the morning, pressed the morphine button and slept until 6:30. Hit it again and slept until my mom called to see how I was doing at 7:30.

Every time I tried to nap, someone would come in for more blood, a vital sign check, etc. The wonderful nurse coordinator from my surgeon's office, and the nutritionist I've been seeing for 6 months came to visit and it was very good to see some familiar faces. Finally my IV was disconnected and I started the oral pain meds (liquid Vicodin). After lunch (more broth and Crystal Light), I was told I could go home so I got my stuff together, got dressed, and S picked me up.

I got home about 2:00 in the afternoon and fell asleep for an hour and a half. I had bad gas pains in my stomach, but was lucky enough to not have any shoulder pain, which is pretty common with this surgery. Walking helps with the gas pain, so S and I went for several slow walks. Other than that, I just rested and watched TV. I "ate" my chicken broth for dinner and a sugar free popsicle for dessert and was stuffed. I'm liking feeling full on so little.

I feel pretty darn good. I'm still on the liquid Vicodin but probably won't need it for long. I'm drinking my protein shakes and tolerating them well. I'm drinking one cup of coffee per day, and as much water, tea, and sugar free popsicles that I can.

All in all, it was a good experience.