My VSG experience: surgery

Jul 23, 2010

WARNING: contains details that may bore some to tears (feel free to skip)

I got  the VSG 2 days ago! 

It went more or less as planned, just delayed about 3 hrs due to Surgeon's first case running long.  At least I got well hydrated w/ IV fluids during the wait.  DH stayed with me in the pre-op area until i went into the op room around 3 pm.  All the staff were very efficient and professional.  They did protect my arm from getting a pinched nerve (happened in my shoulder when it was outstretched  during a c-section 5 yrs ago...hurt worse than the incision for days), and the doc even took a pic of the removed part of my stomach as I requested  (weird, I know, but when will I ever get another chance to really see a piece of me fr the inside; plus, I was curious if it was grossly distended fr years of stretching...turned out not so much, at least not on the pic.)

I spent 2-3 hrs in the post-op recovery room after the surgery.  This was probably the worst part bcs of severe nausea and gas pressure.  They gave me every anti-nausea IV med in their arsenal, and finally a solution of D5 (which they were reluctant to give at first bcs of a high blood sugar reading).  I'm not sure if that did the trick, or if was a combo of all the meds, but the nausea did finally subside.  The gas pressure did continue to be uncomfortable, but tolerable.  I had 5 small incisions held together with surgical glue.  I did not have any drains or catheters.

DH met me in my room where nurses helped me to the bathroom, change my gown, and take my 1st walk around the "block".  In bed, they put these inflatable "stockings" on my lower legs which alternated pumping to help prevent blood clots. I dosed in & out for a few hours afterwards.  My pain was not bad ( I did have my own pain management delivery pump).  The gas pressure in my chest area was still present but slowly getting less.  I remember a really sore throat & dry mouth the most.  When I was awake enough again, i took a another walk then even watched a  movie. 

Sleeping later that night was difficult bcs It was hard to get comfortable lying on my back which was getting pretty sore, so i mosltly took cat naps between vitals checks, doing repiratory exercises and walking a couple of "laps".  A late shift nurse gave me tips on how to move withought straining my stiches, and helped me lie own my side (with pillows in back, under my belly, and between my legs). She also gave me some water witha little mouthwash and a swab to "rinse"my mouth.  She definitely was a godsend, and i actually got a couple of good hours sleep.

(tired now, will cont. later)

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