I had my surgery!
I got approved on a Friday, get the call/email to schedule and they go 'can you come in next Wednesday?"
Holy Toledo.
Next Wednesday!?! So, of course I said yes. Bing, Bang, BOOM, surgery was scheduled. My new life was to start on Oct. 23rd, 2013.
So...I'll give a short little diddle about what went down. I actually wasn't that nervous. I was very chill and had my sorts together. They told me surgery was at 3:30 and to be at St. Mary's at 1:30. So I'm there a little early, they head me up to one of the prep areas, tell me to get changed and to start doing laps around the hallways every so often since they want you up and moving to increase blood flow before surgery. So every 30-45 minutes Bryan and I would walk the halls and do 3 laps. Well...3:30 comes around...and nothing. So I contact the nurse, who checks on my status and states that they are pushed back at least 2 hours. So 5:30 comes around...nothing...Well, at this point, I start getting a little sick. I had a lovely bowel prep the night before (pretty much a colonoscopy prep for those who haven't done that..it's damn near impossible and is TERRIBLE) and nothing to eat or drink this day. So I tell them to check and see what the time frame is, and if it's not soon to see if I can get some meds in my IV to stop me from throwing up. They check up on the time...yet again another 2 hours or so. So they come in, hook me up to fluids along with some nausea medication. I felt great. I don't' remember what time they came to pick me up, they put me in the bed, wheeled me down to the 'real' prep room a bunch of people came to talk to me about my procedure, talked to Dr. Rabkin and I was then walking into the surgical center. Hopped up on the table, the strapped me down, and off to dreamland I went. I went into the operation room around 8pm and was down around 11:30 PM. In under 4 hours I had 5 different types of surgery. Appendix and gallbladder removed, stomach surgery, intestinal surgery along with a hernia repair. All done laparoscopically. After I woke up from surgery, I have to admit, I was in shock. I have never ever felt that much pain. It was unbearable. I'd rather fracture another bone than have to go through that surgery again. They wheeled me upstairs and I was set up in my room. They highly encourage walking after surgery, so a few hours after surgery I was up and walking around. I couldn't go far, but it didn't matter. Walking is key. I did have one of the best rooms on the floor, a corner unit with a panoramic view of the golden gate. It was pretty spectacular to see the changes everyday of the city and it's fog habits.
So...I was in the hospital for 4 days, I could have went home after 3 but I was still in a lot of pain and I wanted one more night of pain management. When I left and came home, I was still in a great amount of pain and was popping my pills every 4-5 hours on the dot. I've been home for 2ish weeks now and I'm totally off of them. I dont' really have any pain from the DS surgery, but I definitely do have pain still from the hernia repair. It sucks. The thing that hurts the most is actually my belly button. TMI, but I am even thinking of not wearing underwear for a few days so it doesn't touch my belly button. That's my only real complaint.
I can actually eat a decent amount of food, as long as I eat really slow. It can take me up to 1-1.5 hours to complete a cup of beans. My favorite things so far are any type of beans (they really just settle in the tummy so well), anything cold like popsicles and soups. :) Eggs are okay, cottage cheese, any type of cracker. Today I actually ate a pot pie, so good! As of last Weds ( 11/6/13) I actually already lost 18lbs! 18lbs in 2 weeks! Amazing.
I've had a bit of a rough night tonight. I am letting my emotions come. I was warned with your body changing and your hormones, it gets to you. I found out that a good friend in highschool has passed away, then watching some shows that had mothers in them just made me cry tonight. My stomach wasn't feeling well since I tried my first homemade protein shake and it just isn't agreeing with me, then my emotions...I had a little bit of a cry tonight. Had to let it release. I feel a bit better after a good bowel movement.(haha)
One thing with this surgery...my bowel are definitely not the same, but I knew this would happen going into the surgery. The smell of your farts and your poop is like no other. And I no longer have silent farts, they all sound like a woopie cushion! So loud...and I have bubble guts all of the time. It's very weird.
But I have no regrets. If you have any questions please feel free to msg me on my facebook. I'm going to leave you with my surgery day photo :) I can't wait to collect all of the photos up. I'm taking photos on every 23rd of the month, weighing myself every Weds.
I can't thank you guys enough for your support, it's so nice to have so many people rooting for me and telling me how much they support my decision. I am definitely Blessed.
(you can click on photo to enlarge)
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