So on Monday I woke up super early. I'm talking about 4:45am early. I got in the shower so I could be so fresh and so clean for the hospital stay. Then me, my mom, and Michelle all headed to the hospital. I had the surgery at Innova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, VA. We got to the hospital and all checked in by 5:30am. I had to arrive by 5:30 but my surgery wasn't until 7:30. I guess they give you 2 hours of prep time but really it doesn't take that long. So I filled out all the necessary paperwork and then waited with Michelle and my mom for the nurse to call me back to start surgical prep. After only a short wait I was called back. Michelle and my Mom came along as the nurses poked and proded me. I had to have a final weigh in which I mentioned in the last blog which was cool because I found out I had lost 19lbs and was down to 365. The nurses took my blood pressure, started my IV, took blood and did various other things. I also had a very nervous research guy ask me about being willing to participate in a medical study. I agreed and then had to sign paperwork for that. So up until 7:30 me, my mom, and Michelle were all just hanging out as we waiting for the surgeon. I've attached a pic to the bottom of this email showing me in my hospital cap as I wait for the surgeon. SEXY!!! I know, I know! Girl you be killing them!
Right at 7:30 Dr. Moazzez came in and we talked briefly about the surgery and answered any questions my mom or I had. Then right after that I had to say good bye to Michelle and my mom and I was wheeled back to the operating room. Now at this point I'm still coherent. I remember being rolled into the room and the room being super cold and very bright. The nurses had me switch to a different bed and then that's the last thing I remember. I don't remember anyone telling me anything or asking me questions. I don't remember having the breathing mask put over my face or anything. I was out!!!
I guess at this point the surgery began. I obviously was knocked out so I don't know much about the surgery. I do know that it lasted about 3 hours. Next thing I know, I'm waking up in the PACU flipping out. I can't remember everything because I was in and out of consciousness but I do remember waking up flipping out about the pain. I kept saying "it hurts" "it hurts" over and over. The nurses just kept telling me they know it hurts and it will be over soon. And then I felt like I was going to throw up. I kept trying to rip off the breakthing mask and breathing tube because I just knew I was going to throw up. The nurses kept pulling my hand off and I remember one of them saying they would give me something. I started to dry heave (spelling). It was like I really had to throw up but there wasn't anything there. That's the last thing I remember.
Next thing I know I'm waking up in my room (shout out to 506), it was a corner lot-a very nice peice of property. lol So I wake up and Michelle and my Mom are there. They of course are estatic to see me. Eventhough I was never nervous I realized after surgery alot of people were nervous. Eventhough ten of thousands get this surgery every year it's still a very serious surgery and a surgery that although rare may result in death. Michelle and I actually had a co worker who passed away while getting gastric bypass. I realized that my family being nervous made sense. If I would have died it wouldn't have mattered to me much. Obviously I love my life and want to keep living it but if I went to heaven I would be in good hands and it would really affect my friends and family.
Back on point....So Michelle and my mom keep me company in room. I'm on some serious pain meds and I'm in and out of it. When I had this pain pump it was like I could never stay awake. I could be talking to you and be wanting to talk to you but I couldn't keep my eyes open. I'm not sure at what time but my Uncle Scott and my cousin Kelsey came and they visited. I'm not sure how long that lasted but I know they left and Michelle stayed. What time Michelle left I'm not sure. Like I said I was in and out of it.
From there I just layed in my bed and went to sleep. Like I said I was on some serious pain medicine and I wasn't playing with the pain pump. Pretty much everytime I could get the medicine I hit the pump. My mom even joked because even in my sleep I was holding the pain pump. lol I wish I could tell you I got tons of rest while in the hospital but that's not the case. The bed was super hard and hurt my butt and I would only sleep for so long before the techs would come in to take my blood pressure and temp. So at 5:30am I was back up and ready to start the day. I say start the day as if I had anything to do but I didn't. I basically spent the day laying in bed or the chair next to the bed because I found it to be more comfortable watching movies. The nurses would come in and out and give me meds through my IV and ask me if I was doing ok. I also spent time walking the hospital floors (see pic below). After surgery it's important that you walk which helps with gas, breathing, and with blood clots. Blood clots are the most serious complications so you gotta do everything you can to avoid getting them. I also spent alot of time breathing into my incentive spirometer. This is just a breathing excercise to work your lungs out. Michelle was there and we watched tons of TV and movies. Atleast the hospital had full cable and tons of great movies at no cost. I received lots of calls and texts while I was in the hospital but I really didn't feel like responding. So if you called or texted-I appreciate the support and I apologize. Hopefully by now I've responded to you.
Another part of my day was getting an x ray to make sure there werent any holes in my stomach. I had to drink some barium substance and take several x rays. This was all to make sure that I could start drinking liquids. I passed the test and was allowed to drink fluids and jello. On this day they also removed the catheter which I was really happy about because I had heard alot of stories about catheters causing urinary infections and I wanted no part of that.
On Tuesday I wasn't in pain because I had the pump but they later took that away. Once the pump was taking away I did feel pain. Mostly in the incision areas. The doctor made 5 incisions and one of them was very deep and it hurt like hell. Besides pain I just felt uncomfortable. It's hard to explain but I just never felt right. At this point the nurses were pumping me with a ton of liquids through my IV to get me to pee and no matter how much they gave me I didn't pee. I started to get nervous when it came Wendesday and I still hadn't peed. The nurse told me that if I didn't pee they would insert a catheter again. They did an ultra sound of my bladder to make sure it was cool and it was. Luckily eventually I peed. The next hurdle was to pass gas. And I could just not do it. lol kind of crazy that all I wanted to do was fart and I couldn't. That's never been a problem. They ended up having to give me a medicine that caused me to fart. After all that I was discharged. In total, I spent 2 nights in the hospital and was released on Wendesday.
So that's my hospital story folks. Next blog will cover my week after being released.
**Thank you for taking this journey with me**
THe blue cap brings out your eyes! Nope you haven't responded yet....but i know you're recovering...Glad to hear you're doing well...and that you didn't have any complications or even anxiety!
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