Officially a Post-Op

 WARNING! This is going to be a LONG Post!

The Surgery

I had Laparoscopic Roux En Y gastric bypass surgery on 9/21/2011.  I got to the hospital at 6:30 a.m.accompanied by my husband, Michael and my Mom, who flew in for a couple weeks to help out after my surgery.  I didn't sleep too well the night before, I maybe got 4 hours of sleep.  I was pretty anxious about the surgery, not about my decision to have it, but I was mostly just worried about complications, etc.  When we got to the hospital I was asked to give a urine sample for a pregnancy test.  I had a birth control implant placed in my upper inner arm about a week earlier because fertility can return when one rapidly loses weight and pregnancy is not recommended in the first year after surgery for many reasons.  First of all, pregnancy in the immediate post-op period can cause very serious complications with the actual surgical area-the weight and pressure from the pregnancy can cause stress on all of the newly stapled and sewn areas-very bad.  Also, because vitamins are not absorbed as well, these deficiencies can post major risks to a developing fetus.  Back to the surgery.  I then was given a gown and socks to change into-the gown was for someone much larger than me and I asked for a smaller one but was told that was the gown that all of the bariatric surgery patients were given, so I dealt with it.  Then my vital signs were taken and I went over to the scale to get weighed and reviewed my surgical consent.  My nurse went over my medications and some of my medical history and then started an IV, which took 2 tries to get a vein.  After that, the anesthesiologist, Dr. Chen came to talk with me.  He was so nice and went to medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, which is where I was born and raised and where all of my family lives.  He asked if I wanted a little something to help me relax and I decided that I did, so he ordered some Versed, which is a medicine that is given before medical procedures or before anesthesia for surgery to cause drowsiness, relieve anxiety, and prevent any memory of the event, but you are still awake and able to follow commands.  Dr. McPhee came by and signed my surgical area and spoke with me when he got to the pre-op area he answered some questions and then went to change for surgery.  Right after that, I was given the Versed, and do not remember much after that.  I know that the doctor came back out to check on me and my mom told him she didn't think I needed surgery and she and the rest of my family were worried-or so my husband told me.  My husband told me that Dr. McPhee told her that I was very sure I wanted the surgery and we had many talks about making sure that I wanted to have gastric bypass, which is absolutely correct. I guess she just needed to get that off her chest, I don't really care because I know she only expressed her concern because she loves me and she had told me that she would support my decision to have surgery. After that, I was wheeled back and that is all I remember.  The surgery itself was very uneventful and for that I am blessed and thankful. I absolutely love my surgeon and his partner. Their practice is incredible. It has a huge area for support groups with chairs in all sizes, a demonstration kitchen, and a gym with their very own exercise physiologists. I had the whole "what have I done" questions for the first two days post-op but I haven't felt that way since. My pain was pretty intense, considering I have chronic back pain and live with pain daily. I even asked to keep my PCA, which is IV pain medicine that I received by pressing a button, an extra day which my doctor was fine with. I remember at some points those first 2 days counting the minutes before I could push that button again.  The pain medicine also caused me to itch all over so I had to get benadryl shots every 4 hours to prevent me from scratching all my skin off.  The other main discomfort I remember was the amount of bloating and abdominal distention I had in my abdomen. My doctor discontinued my IV pain medicine at the end of day 2 and switched me to liquid Lortab, which wasn't as great for the pain but it was managable.  When I woke up on past-op day 3, my pain was a lot better.  I walked a lot more, was able to start sipping Crystal Light, and take a shower.  I went home later that afternoon but was scared to already be going home.

The Recovery

 I should not have feared going home, I had lots of help, had better sleep and was overall, more comfortable.  I haven't taken any pain medicine since post op day #5 and I have to say the worst part for me was the bloating and gas. The day after I had surgery I was 16 pounds heavier-crazy!  I bought some Gas-X chewables and they help a little bit as does walking. Now, 13 days later, I am amazed on how great I have been feeling and while I am not at my full energy level, I am pretty close to it, my exercise physiologist contributes it to my high level of fitness pre-op, which is one reason why I am so anxious to get exercising again.

Yesterday I had my first post-op appointment. I am down 16 pounds in 13 days. I told my doctor that I thought I would have lost more by now and he told me doesn't even look at weight loss amounts until 3 and 6 months post-op.  He scolded me for getting on the scale so frequently (2-3 times a day) which I know is bad, but I just can't help it.  My husband told him he would keep me off the scale but I have already weighed once today-I just can't help it, it is exciting to see my weight consistiently go down-something that never happened to me on the dozens of diets I have been on in my life.

I am working my hardest to get enough water in but not nearly reaching my goal-it was easier to get water in during the full liquids stage (Days 3-12) because I do not have to wait 15 minutes before and 1 hour after eating to drink. I am also not reaching my protein goals but my dietician told me that during the first few weeks post-op I need to gradually build it up and it is getting easier to achieve on pureed. After being on full liquid meals for the past 2 weeks, my doctor released me to start pureed foods yesterday.  Lunch was my first meal and I actually ate babyfood.  It was the brand started by Chef Tyler Florence inspired by his children called Sprout.  I had the Chicken with Mixed Vegetables, it looked like vomit, but with the addition of some sea salt, it tasted decent-kinda like chicken noodle soup that had been put in the blender.  I only bought a few baby foods, mostly fruit and plain veggies to moisten meats that I have finely chopped or shredded.  Dinner was probably about 2 oz of shredded Hormel Turkey Breast in Gravy (1 gram of fat and really tasty) and 2 spoonfuls of mashed potatoes.  I was absolutely stuffed!  Later I had a yogurt for a snack for more protein.  I scrambled 1 egg this morning and was stuffed after eating about 2/3 of it. My eyes are so much bigger than my stomach, it is mindboggling! But, when your stomach goes from the size of a football to the size of your thumb it makes perfect sense. 

I need to start Iron, my dietician told me to try crushing up a high potency tablet (I was on it pre op due to anemia) and mixing it in applesauce with lunch. I am pretty sure it is going to taste horrible so I probably should go buy a bariatric chewable Iron tab.  I also take 2 chewable multivitamins, twice a day, calcium chews three times a day, Vitamin B12 once a day.  That will be a regimen to follow for the rest of my life and that's a lot better than taking pills for multiple medical problems.  Speaking of which, my type 2 diabetes is gone and I now longer have to take medication for heartburn and gastric reflux-woohoo! I am also leaving behind high cholesterol, triglycerides, and sleep apnea (and that horrible cpap).

I love being a LOSER!