Post-op: Gastric Sleeve, the 1-4%
I’m back! Surgery went well overall and I have been home for a couple of days now, but there were definitely some surprises along the way.
Friday, February 14th – We stayed at my MIL’s the night before so that the LO would have someone to look after her for the day and we could simply worry about getting me where I needed to be. Everything went well and we were right on time, although surgery itself was delayed by an hour or so. No big deal. I wasn’t anxious, nervous, scared or anything. It was… weird. I don’t remember surgery at all, but I do remember tremendous back pain once in my room (which was upgraded to private, yahoo). Morphine, morphine and more morphine. DH left while I was drugged out to get the LO who was now at his brother’s house having fun with her cousins. I knew going into this that I needed him with her more than with me.
Saturday February 15th – There is a first time for everything! My nausea, either from surgery or morphine, was out of control. I was vomiting blood due to surgery and asked for some help getting to the bathroom. The first attempt went well, the second did not. While helping me, I remember losing my balance and catching the door frame to steady myself. The next thing I remember is coming to with 3 nurses around me asking me 100 questions and saying that I scared them half to death. I was on the bathroom floor after having passed out. My blood pressure had plummeted, and I had lost all control. That has never happened before and I hope that it never happens again! I asked to be removed from the morphine and they agreed. And now the concern from the doctors set in. I was tachycardic (high heart rate), my blood pressure was all over the place AND I had passed out. Instead of going home, I was now under heavier surveillance for internal bleeding; something that only affects 1-4% of sleeve patients. Fantastic! To everyone’s shock, I wanted to spend another night in the hospital; I knew I couldn’t go home.
Sunday February 16th – Still unsure if I was being discharged or not, DH took the little one to a show that I had previously purchased tickets for and then brought her to see me in the hospital. It was the best medicine and I felt great! Unfortunately, though, they decided I needed to stay and have a transfusion because my vitals were not changing, and it was clear to them that I had a leak somewhere. Why they waited until 10:30pm to start the process is beyond me, but they did and I slept through it. Unfortunately, while the visit was great for me it really upset the LO and DH had a rough night with her. She didn't understand why she was at home and i was in the hospital and I don't blame her one bit.
Monday February 17th – Crazy day! I woke up to another set of blood tests and the nurses telling me I would be going home. Then, for reasons unknown, an orderly was moving me to a different room… with a bunch of geriatric patients! Why? I asked and asked, and no one knew. Finally, answers. I needed a second transfusion. This was infuriating. To move me, tell me nothing and then just expect me to be ok with it all? Why? I evicted myself from my room into a chair in the hallways and refused to agree to anything without explanation. Even the day nurses were furious. Eventually a surgeon came to see me with an explanation and said that I could leave after the follow up bloodwork, so I agreed. But, what had I agreed to? Apparently “I could leave after” meant anytime in the future to the doctor and not immediately. Shit! The nurses were annoyed, I was defeated and the whole situation was infuriating. Hearing what was going on, a co-worker decided to come and visit me on her way home from work and that was when the miracle happened! My surgeon, not a general surgeon or a resident but my actual doctor, stopped in to see me. He said that he had been in communication with his team over the weekend and he was aware that I wanted to go home. After some discussion back and forth, he released me! It was about 7pm, close to the LO’s bedtime, but I didn’t care! I called DH immediately and said put the baby in the car and get to the hospital! I didn’t want to risk anyone changing their mind!
And now I am home and I feel great, all things considered. More later!
Friday, February 14th – We stayed at my MIL’s the night before so that the LO would have someone to look after her for the day and we could simply worry about getting me where I needed to be. Everything went well and we were right on time, although surgery itself was delayed by an hour or so. No big deal. I wasn’t anxious, nervous, scared or anything. It was… weird. I don’t remember surgery at all, but I do remember tremendous back pain once in my room (which was upgraded to private, yahoo). Morphine, morphine and more morphine. DH left while I was drugged out to get the LO who was now at his brother’s house having fun with her cousins. I knew going into this that I needed him with her more than with me.
Saturday February 15th – There is a first time for everything! My nausea, either from surgery or morphine, was out of control. I was vomiting blood due to surgery and asked for some help getting to the bathroom. The first attempt went well, the second did not. While helping me, I remember losing my balance and catching the door frame to steady myself. The next thing I remember is coming to with 3 nurses around me asking me 100 questions and saying that I scared them half to death. I was on the bathroom floor after having passed out. My blood pressure had plummeted, and I had lost all control. That has never happened before and I hope that it never happens again! I asked to be removed from the morphine and they agreed. And now the concern from the doctors set in. I was tachycardic (high heart rate), my blood pressure was all over the place AND I had passed out. Instead of going home, I was now under heavier surveillance for internal bleeding; something that only affects 1-4% of sleeve patients. Fantastic! To everyone’s shock, I wanted to spend another night in the hospital; I knew I couldn’t go home.
Sunday February 16th – Still unsure if I was being discharged or not, DH took the little one to a show that I had previously purchased tickets for and then brought her to see me in the hospital. It was the best medicine and I felt great! Unfortunately, though, they decided I needed to stay and have a transfusion because my vitals were not changing, and it was clear to them that I had a leak somewhere. Why they waited until 10:30pm to start the process is beyond me, but they did and I slept through it. Unfortunately, while the visit was great for me it really upset the LO and DH had a rough night with her. She didn't understand why she was at home and i was in the hospital and I don't blame her one bit.
Monday February 17th – Crazy day! I woke up to another set of blood tests and the nurses telling me I would be going home. Then, for reasons unknown, an orderly was moving me to a different room… with a bunch of geriatric patients! Why? I asked and asked, and no one knew. Finally, answers. I needed a second transfusion. This was infuriating. To move me, tell me nothing and then just expect me to be ok with it all? Why? I evicted myself from my room into a chair in the hallways and refused to agree to anything without explanation. Even the day nurses were furious. Eventually a surgeon came to see me with an explanation and said that I could leave after the follow up bloodwork, so I agreed. But, what had I agreed to? Apparently “I could leave after” meant anytime in the future to the doctor and not immediately. Shit! The nurses were annoyed, I was defeated and the whole situation was infuriating. Hearing what was going on, a co-worker decided to come and visit me on her way home from work and that was when the miracle happened! My surgeon, not a general surgeon or a resident but my actual doctor, stopped in to see me. He said that he had been in communication with his team over the weekend and he was aware that I wanted to go home. After some discussion back and forth, he released me! It was about 7pm, close to the LO’s bedtime, but I didn’t care! I called DH immediately and said put the baby in the car and get to the hospital! I didn’t want to risk anyone changing their mind!
And now I am home and I feel great, all things considered. More later!
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