The night before surgery I was given instructions not to eat or drink anything after midnight and to shower in the evening and in the morning with anti-bacterial soap. So I made a special trip to Walgreens for anti-bacterial soap (my brand of choice, Caress, didn't meet the criteria). Imagine my surprised when I scoured the shelves only to discover they had only two brands to choose from: Dial and Safeguard. I grabbed a two pack of Safeguard (on sale for $1) and went my merry way. I have sensitive skin; and it does NOT like Dial products for some reason.
The nurse phoned me the day before my surgery to advise that I was scheduled for a 10 am surgery and would need to be at the hospital by 7:30 am. Later they called to bump me to 11 am, with an 8:30 am arrival time. I was ok with that as it allowed me more time to sleep in, in the morning.
Kevin's boss would not allow him the day off as he (the boss) was scheduled to go to Seattle that week on business. His comment to Kevin was, "doesn't she check our work schedule before arranging surgery?". Everyone I mention this to laughs and says it's a chauvinistic thing to say. I, on the other hand, find it offensive. Guess it never occurred to him that I could possibly make more than Kevin or have my own work schedule to clear. We live in a home where we both contribute proportionately with monetary and workload division. Needless to say, I'm not looking forward to meeting the guy. Pretty sure he couldn't handle a gal like me!
So, now that I've completely digressed, we decided that mom and Abbie would accompany me on surgery day while Kevin worked. Kevin would come immediately after work. I also got a call from the doctor's office advising me that I would owe coinsurance of $2287 and some change. They wanted to know what I would be paying at admitting. My head was spinning with the surgery as it was, let alone the notion of having to pay $2287 some odd at check in (which, by the way, was less than 24 hours away). No pressure.
So I wrapped up my day at work and then showered up and turned in early for my big day on the 28th.
DISCLAIMER: I am going to document every nasty detail of my journey, including any "TMI" deets. I know my blog may bore the shit out of some of you. By all means, blow past them, block them, whatever ya gotta do. I am not journaling this for ANY other reason than: 1) me to look back on and remember how far I've come before I even think about sabotaging myself, 2) as a very honest and truthful "scoop" on all details of the process should anyone you know want to get a first hand account as they consider the same path and 3) for the close family and friends who are interested in following along in my life long work in progress endeavors. Other than that, NO, I don't think I'm so special that you're just dying to hear my story. It's not about that.
August 28th-SHOWTIME
I woke at 6 am and took my second anti-bacterial shower and got dressed and ready for surgery. I had packed the day before.....my laptop, my toothbrush and paste, a change of clothes to come home in and a stack of magazines to read. I was sure this procedure would be no different than that of my lap-banding.
Abbie (my aunt who is a mere 4 yrs older than me) and my mom arrived at our house by 7:15 am; and we promptly set out for Des Peres Hospital. We made good time and arrived way ahead of schedule. By the Grace of God, we managed to avoid major rush hour traffic. Once we got there, we checked in and were taken to admitting immediately. There I gave all my emergency contact info, handed them copies of my healthcare directives and a check for $2287 (luckily I had the money).
After I wrapped up there, mom and Abbie were asked to sit in the lobby and wait while I was ushered to the pre-op area, which was like no other pre-op I've ever experienced. They simply showed me a room, had me put on my robe, put socks on me, gave me my Lovenox shot (doctor is using these as a precautionary measure since I had history of a blood clot in 2009, it's a blood thinner) and attempted to stick me for an IV. I've always been a hard stick; so that was unsuccessful. Nurses there decided to wait and have the anesthesiologist do it later. I was not given anything to relax me or start mellowing me out. Instead, once they did their thing, I sat in my room with my mom and Abbie and killed a lot of time until a man came up with a bed to wheel me down to the OR.
A fun little man whisked me off to the recovery area so I could get my IV then I was going straight into the OR. I wasn't nervous at all about surgery. For me, the worst part is ALWAYS getting the IV. ALWAYS. So one hour later the IV was FINALLY in, that's 6 men on their knees looking in two arms for any place other than the wrist to stick. The first four men I met were final year med students doing a 4 week rotation at the hospital in prep for applying to the residency program at Des Peres. I really enjoyed talking to them. One was attending school in KC, one at OSU whose med program is in Tulsa and I can't recall the other two. Then finally I met the two full time anesthesiologists that were at Des Peres and assigned to my OR. We had fun conversations and talked a lot of NCAA football smack!
As soon as they had the IV in, I was carted off to the OR where I met the team assisting in the OR. Everyone was nice, in good moods and joking. I still wasn't nervous. They put me on the table, starting prepping me, put oxygen over my face and then administered the anesthesia. Next thing I know, I was OUT. Medicine is such an amazing science!
I obviously have no recollection of anything that happened after that and until I woke up in recovery. From what I was told, they had to get my CPAP from mom and Abbie while I was in recovery to help me take deeper breathes before they could release me to a room. I don't recall much of the recovery room at all; but per mom and Abbie, it was well after 1 pm when I went into the OR. My surgery took 2 hours total and recovery seemed to take forever as I wasn't taking deep enough breathes until they brought my CPAP in for me. The doctor did mention to my family that my surgery went VERY well and that he was surprised to see a hiatal hernia when he was in there; so he fixed that. He suggested that was why I had so many problems with the lap band. Still not sure if it led to the band problems or the band problems led to it. But it was a surprise for everyone. When I woke up in recovery I saw Kevin standing over my bed. It was a very pleasant surprise. I remember saying, "Hi Honey" but couldn't really figure out how it had gotten so late that he was there?! Soon thereafter, the same sweet transporter came to take me to my room. He was a nice man who had who had been working there for 21 years. Very upbeat and entertaining, gave us the history of the hospital, etc. Mom asked his title and he wasn't sure, so I called him the "Director" of Transport. He laughed while I continued to refer to him as such my entire stay. Sadly I don't remember his name; but he was a charming man.
I was assigned to room 338. The third floor nurses at Des Peres were WONDERFUL. I loved all of them. My night nurse, Dartina, was extra special. She took me on my walks and pushed me in a good way. She was real and I just really enjoyed her personality. Karyn my day nurse was great, too. She was a middle aged woman with gorgeous silver hair and perfect make up. Not southern; but reminded me of a southern auntie. Great experience overall with that hospital.
The night of my surgery, I felt like I'd been hit by a Mack truck. It was awful. My neck and shoulders were screaming in pain, presumably from the gasses they had to inflate my abdominal area with in order to perform the surgery. The cure for this was to get out of bed and take short walks 3x a day and release as much gas as you can. All of a sudden, farting was applauded versus embarrassing. I was at a level of misery to where I didn't care. Mom, Abbie and Kevin remained with me into the evening until I assured them they needed food and rest, too. I had pain meds every 4 hours like clockwork, morphine. But I quickly noticed the morphine was wearing off after 2 hours and I'd have to wait it out in 2 hours of pain before the next dose.
For that time, I was not allowed ANY thing to drink even. I had those nasty swabs that they'd dip into ice chips for me to suck on. And let me tell you, I was DYING of thirst. Hunger did not exist; but severe thirst DID. I did not sleep at all that night. I woke in 2 hr intervals. Had to have been the pain and all the nurse activity. I did use my CPAP while in the hospital.
At about 10:30 pm that night, my doctor stopped in to tell me my surgery went WELL and that I'm going to lose A LOT of weight. It was all still too surreal to me. But I wished him a happy holiday weekend and he advised me that Dr. Minnkin would be his back up. Bless his heart, Dr. Scott did well over 10 surgeries that day. It was an even longer day for him than me. Again, I am amazed by these professionals and the science. Truly Amazed.
Dartina, the night nurse, took me for my first walk tonight, think it was about 11 pm. I was lucky to make it 2 doors down to the nurses station. I felt like walking HELL. Everything hurt, the neck and shoulders were screaming with pain; and the stomach felt like I was pulling out all the sutures/staples and whatever else they used to glue me back together again. I took my second walk with Dartina at 2 am.
Friday, August 29th-The Day After
As I mentioned I didn't sleep well; so I was up at 6 am for my Lovenox shot. So I chose to sit up in the chair in my room for a while. I sat there majority of the day, actually. I was still on the swab of water diet, which, along with the IV is the worst part, in my humble opinion. With the help of meds, I can deal with pain. I can't handle thirst so well. I had a catheter in (which was inserted during surgery). Today I had two tests I had to pass in order to get the catheter removed and to be able to have a drink, the Holy Grail!!!
At 8 am they took me down to Radiology for my "swallow test". This test I've had before with my lap band. You drink a shot like of contrast and the radiologist watches it go through your stomach and makes sure everything is flowing properly. They watch it through a Fluoroscope machine. I passed that test with flying colors and returned to my room. Nurse Karyn removed my catheter; and I was finally able to use the restroom on my own!!! Mom and Dad arrived by 10 am ish for a visit. They kept me company most of the day. They brought me a fun St. Louis Blues decoration and a floral arrangement.
We sat around and talked most of the day, watched some TV and just chilled. I was so incredibly tired after a night of no sleep that I dozed off and on. Around 12:30 ish, Karyn came in with my second test, the infamous LEAK test. This test is done to ensure there are no leaks from the organs they cut and rerouted to your system internally. I was warned it was an unpleasant dye. I've always been one to approach things like, "if it's something I've got to do, let's just get it done". So they pour this bright blue dye over ice cubes and ask me to chew the entire cup of coated ice cubes. The nurse described it as tasting FOUL. That was a serious understatement. I powered through it; and the great news is that there was no BLUE dye showing up in my drain (I forgot to mention I had a drain in me, in addition to the catheter and pain ball). The catheter was the first to go. Back to the Leak Test. So I passed that with flying colors, as well, THANK YOU, JESUS. However, I became very nauseated post test. So they had to give me an anti-nausea medication via IV which helped tremendously. The good news is I was FINALLY allowed to drink and go back on the post-op clear liquid diet. They immediately brought me lunch of chicken broth, a bomb pop, jello and ice water. I was never more ready to drink, even if I couldn't gulp! Still not experiencing any sensation of hunger, I was able to take a few sips of broth, a few bites of Jell-O and a few bites of Popsicle. I drank my water. All was right in the world again!
I pretty much had the same menu for the rest of my hospital stay. It didn't seem to bother me. It was the least of my cares or worries.
Mom and Dad stuck around until Abbie and Jaimey arrived when Jaimey got off work. They walked in with a beautiful yellow mum and gift, which I certainly didn't expect after all she'd done to sit with mom for my surgery. But it was a lovely surprise. And I will get them displayed in the yard. I love Autumn and everything about it. So mums were perfect. What I also loved about the floral arrangement mom brought in was that the vase was an ice cream cone.....fitting since my mom is known to all her nieces and nephews as the aunt who always brings cone cupcakes. Very cute. Gorgeous flowers, too. I don't have a picture but will post one when I can get up and about and take one.
Abbie and Jaimey hung out for a bit, long enough for a good visit and to make sure Kevin got there safely. Then they headed out around 8 pm ish so they could get some dinner. Every one's been on wicked crazy schedules. Kevin arrived after work and a shower and stayed until 9 ish where he had to get food and to bed as he'd been working OT for 2 weeks ever since the day after we got back from vacation. He was tired, too!
I was so tired on Friday night, that I wasn't worried about company. I needed to walk and then get to bed. I still got my regular meds, with the exception of my Hydrochlorthiazide. I also got pain meds as needed, Lovenox (blood thinner) twice daily and random Pepcid and Maalox.
Friday evening I walked a figure 8 around the 3rd floor. My night nurse, Dartina was very happy with my progress and commented that I looked much better Friday night than Thursday night. She said I had NO color in my face Thursday night. I'm not surprised. That was my roughest night. Friday night I was simply tired.
I went to bed at 9 pm and slept through the entire night.
Saturday, August 29th-Operation Go Home
So I slept like a baby all night, to where the nurses were afraid to disturb me. I didn't have any overnight walks with Dartina, who I understand was waiting for me all night. Instead I woke by 8 am. Doctors made rounds and every one of them mentioned that I would be getting released today. I was ready! I still had the drain and pain ball (On Q pump for pain) in me; so those and the IV had to be removed, although I was disconnected from the big IV pole and never had to really drag it around with me, thank goodness. I was told they were shooting for lunch time. I didn't want to wake Kevin, as he had a long week as well, particularly with constant overtime at work. But he waltzed in by 10 am and surprised the heck out of me. I had expected him to phone first, per our conversation the night before. He sat with me most of the day and also awaiting my release, which did not come until closer to dinner time. He was tired and I was just nursing the pain from the surgery; so it was a pretty mellow room I had. I failed to mention, I did have a private room my entire stay. This was perfect for me. I liked the quiet and the privacy.
As soon as I was released Kevin got the car and pulled up to the door where I was wheeled by a transporter and off we went. As the transporter too me down the hall from my room and up to the main floor to the door, all the nurses and staff were saying goodbye and wishing me well. It was almost as if I'd made a host of new friends. Never have I felt bad leaving a hospital as I almost did then. It was really a nice send off. Wonderful Wonderful Staff at Des Peres Hospital.
We decided to make ONE stop before going home: Walgreens to drop off my scripts. I was given Lortab for pain, some anti nauseal meds and Lovenox (the blood thinner) so that I could self inject every 12 hours for 7 days. This, again, is just a precautionary measure to avoid any blood clots. I've done it before; so it's no big deal to me. Of course, when we got to Walgreens the pharmacist advised us the doc only signed one of the three prescriptions. JOY. So Kevin had them fill the one that was signed (thankfully that was the Hydrocodone pain med) and we headed home to get me situated. The pharmacy called the doctor and filled the scripts at another location for Kevin to simply run out and grab a second time (after he'd gotten me home and comfortable). I had dinner, meds and sat up for a bit then we turned in early. Kevin was still tired and I was in a little residual pain.
Sunday, August 31-First Day at Home
Today was pretty uneventful. When I woke up, I tried pulling myself out of the bed. WRONG MOVE. It hurt like a son of a bitch...and I won't be doing that again any time soon. Kevin is sleeping downstairs to allow me room to move in the bed and he's afraid he'll roll over in the night and hit me where my sutures are. We did everything we could to protect my belly from any cats climbing on top and playing during the night. If they did, I'd never know. Once again, I slept like a baby. Very peacefully. I took pain meds only as needed, which ended up being 2-3 times today. One being at bedtime. And I had no problems with the injections. The worst thing is not being able to twist my abdominal area; and having to rely on someone else to do basic, very personal things, like wipe me after I use the restroom. VERY HUMBLING. Fortunately for me, I married a man who will do anything for me; and he's been as wonderful as he can be. He's not as nurturing as a female nurse; but he does the best he can with what he's got; and I love him for that. Time and again, he's proved to me that I've chosen the right man.
Monday, September 1-LABOR DAY
Day two at home was equally boring. Kevin helped me out of bed which made a world of difference in pain. Then I worked my way to the living room. It's a bit painful to raise my core to an upright stance. I have a ton of staples and sutures inside and out; and it feels like I'm going to pull them when I try to stand upright, when I laugh, cough, sneeze, etc Not fun. I am on a clear liquid diet for a week post surgery. So I had protein shakes, Popsicles and iced tea again, ho-hum. I'm looking forward to Friday when I see Dr. Scott and hopefully get his blessing to progress to full liquids which at least includes sugar free fudgesicles, cream of wheat and grits. C'mon Friday!!!
I spent majority of the day reading email and getting caught up on Facebook as well as playing my Vegas Slots game. I'm desperately trying to accumulate points to redeem toward free nights, meals, shows, etc when we are in Vegas in November.
I also spent a good chunk of time catching up on this blog. Then we had some dear friends (the Klotzs) come over to see me. So we asked them to stick around for dinner, too. Kevin grilled pork steaks and brats while we all visited. It was very nice and took my mind off all this medical stuff for a few hours. Lara tried waxing my legs; but was getting more peeling skin than hair. So she shaved my legs for me. I cannot bend and reach so well, yet. They also arrived with a very nice gift of a gorgeous candle holder and candle that looks perfect in my living room. At dinner time, they all insisted that I sit at the dinner table with them. I drank my protein shake while they indulged in some very aromatic barbecue. No worries, they assured me it was "horrible" and that I wasn't "missing anything" HA HA HA.
After dinner we all sat out on the screened in porch and listened to the rain while visiting until one particularly loud (and apparently CLOSE) thunderclap sent us all running inside. Time to end the party. It was 9 pm, the kids had school the next day, parents had work They left and Kev got me situated with my laptop in bed to complete my blog entry and wind down. He will be upstairs in about 15 minutes to get me lying flat and situated for bed. It was a GREAT day and I was glad to be in the company of great friends. It was THE best medicine.
Tomorrow Kevin returns to work; so my mom will come nurse me. I feel bad for using and abusing her; but she would have it no other way. I still need a lot of help yet. I'm anxiously awaiting for the days that I can get around on my own and not have to rely on others for help.
A very heartfelt thank you to all of those who have prayed for me, reached out to me with an email, a post, a phone call or text before or after my surgery. I cannot express to you all, how far all of that support goes to encouraging me to become a healthier Lori. I am really and truly blessed. I know this. Thank you.
I did step on the scale today, just for fun and I will tell you that I am only down a few pounds since the day of surgery.....but in no time, it will be falling off, I BELIEVE!!!
And now something I'd never have the balls to do........share my weights.
At my highest weight I was 367 pounds. Makes me sick considering I promised myself I'd NEVER allow myself to get closer to 300 than 200 once I went over 200.
I was yo-yo ing with weight all while seeing Dr. Scott, between an empty band and going through the process of fills again up to surgery time. I was losing weight (I believe water weight) shortly before surgery as I'd started a month early by giving up carbonated beverages. That's when I began dropping from like 358 ish down to 350 and on to 341 on the day of surgery.
Today I weighed 339...but it still went down. I figure I still have swelling and such from surgery and that once I am more able bodied, the pounds will drop off....so long as I am following the recommended diet and exercise plan.
I hope to share a very good success story with you as I continue along my way. Thank you, again, to my friends and family for being THE best support group a girl could ever have. I sincerely love you all.
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