Gastric Sleeve Sandy

I just took my surgery receipt for $4500 into Medicare and received a $918.75 refund and $306.20 from HCF...not bad.  It's a shame the Anesthesiologist's gap is $1000 or else I'd be spending! Although I know he's totally worth his fee.... just saying, that's all.

Hi everyone, On the other side!!!!!!!!!! WooooHooooo!!!

I'm better today, a little giddy but 13kg down including pre-op diet...amazing. Okay, I'll write it blow by blow, some isn't pretty but I thought I was prepared and I hate surprises and I was totally overcome by the amount of pain I was in. 

I was the 3rd out of 4 people getting sleeved at Lake Macquarie. Flo (Debbie) was first. Wendy (who's lovely and hope makes it to the forum) was number 2, I was number 3 and last but not least was Eternlslady (Kasey). It was fantastic having a group of girls going through the same thing. We winged, laughed, talked about poo, vomit, farting, how we cried and wondered wtf we had done. I highly recommend asking your surgeon to see if anyone is having surgery on the same day as you and introduce yourself beforehand, it's a great support. 

I had to be there at 8am. Was weighed (9kg down on Opti, Dr was amazed and said we were the best group of Opti-ers that he's ever had with all of us doing between 7-9kg...he probably says that to all the fat chicks, I had a lot of fluid so that was the majority of my weight loss) got jabbed with an anti clotting medication in your leg that stings like buggery (you have one everyday you're in hospital). Then off to a waiting room for 5 minutes then up to my room. They estimated I would go to theatre by late morning but it was 11.50pm by the time they got me. Anesthetist checked my throat and lungs and explains the surgery before they take you to theatre. 

I was then wheeled into this tiny freezing room but they gave me a wheat pack for my hand (makes putting the canula in easier) and heated blankets. The anesthetist put the canula is which wasn't too bad as he gave my hand a local first. He then taped it to a board. He injected some "happy juice" that made me feel really relaxed and then the surgeon came out for a chat, said we can cancel since I lost so much on Optifast...I think not!

They strapped both hands and feet to a board as they do latter part of the surgery standing up...yes, gross, standing up! Glad I was asleep for that. The anesthetic really ached going up my arm but I didn't feel my eyes close or get tired, it was just blank.

Woke up kicking my legs and in heaps of pain. I wasn't expecting that much pain. Had a 'morphine" drip (it was like morphine but it started with F) and you push the button yourself. I made me feel sick. I was in pain for about 2 hours until the meds started working, IV panadol and morphine. I didn't vomit but heard the others did, poor things. 

Tuesday we had to drink little medicine cups of water and try for 30mls an hour. It was hard and it hurt like a stab in my chest. Tuesday night all this water started pouring out of my mouth, no dry retching but it was scary, apparently quite common. I felt better from then on. I got Nexium in my drip for nausea and 6 months supply to take home. This may have happened on Wednesday actually, I'm not sure, Tuesday is foggy.

Wednesday was much better with broth and juice. The gas pain is the worst. They blow your belly up and you end up looking 9 months pregnant, I went home looking bigger than when I went in. The gas was sitting under my diaphragm and really hurts, walking helps. It's hard to get comfortable. We all cried this day and I was wondering if it was all too drastic, funny that we all thought the same thing on day 3, it must be a anesthetic blues response.

There are 5 cuts in my stomach with a plaster over every one, no stitches, they can come off in a couple of days. 

I didn't wear any nighties in hospital, the gowns were comfortable and save on washing. I chose to wear undies in the operation but they get covered in Benedene so I suggest to wear some older ones that sit under the belly. 

Thursday was home day but not before I enjoyed strained pumpkin soup, runny custard..bliss.

Things that I think are essential. 
Nexium - anti reflux medication from Dr. He said one per day which I took at night, it's a small tablet and didn't hurt at all. I thought better to be anti nauseas at night and get a good sleep then through the day. He said I could take another in the day if I had to.

Liquid Panadol - tastes like utter shit but I've been having it night and morning before any pain happens. I might buy those little caplets though as the liquid really is nasty and I tolerated the nexium tablet fine.

Maternity tracksuit pants. I bought a regular pair from Target, Moda brand with a big belly in them but a maternity cheapy from Big W would do. My belly has gone down a bit but is still bigger than normal so baggy pants that go up to your boobs or below the cuts are the best.

A wireless sports bra, Best and Less have cheap bigger sizes.

I didn't use my DVD player or read books, it was hard to concentrate so only flicked through magazines.

When I got home yesterday I put some washing away and cooked the kids hamburgers then I got really giddy and tired and had to go to bed. I think you would be fine on your own if you didn't have to do anything for anyone. I had to get kids up and dressed for school and make lunches this morning and I'm stuffed. I've had a coffee Opti and poured it from the shaker into my medicine cup and drank 30mls at a time. I got to 150mls and got pain so I should have stopped at 120mls. I've drank half a bottle of water, I think it's a 500ml bottle but the label has come off. I haven't had any gas pain at all today. Dr said you can use Buscapan but I haven't had to get any.

I think that's it. It's exciting to be full, I haven't been full for years. 

I think I've gotten things out of order but wanted to write it down before I forgot.