new post-op
Hi all,
I am home, recovering and doing very well. I’m going to tell about my
surgery journey, because I enjoyed reading them so much when I was pre-
op. Here goes:
I had a surgery time of 4:30pm and was instructed to report to surgery
at 1:30pm. I had a terrible migraine all day and I do think a morning
appt. would be the way to go. Any way I was not called in for pre-op
until 4:00pm. They would not let my husband (John) in with me and said
it was against their policy. Once inside, I pressed the issue and they
went and got him. They got me all hooked up and I saw my doctor scoot
by once, but he didn’t glance my way. We waited and talked and I began
to cry. The pre-op nurse was very kind and compassionate, but I
couldn’t have done it without John. I also had pictures of my kids and
I kept looking at them. I prayed and said alot of affirmations about
healing.
At about 5:00pm the anesthesiologist came over and I told him I was
very scared. He said he would give me something and when he left he
turned and said, “This is it, there is no final call…no reprieve from
the govenor.” He laughed and split. John and I looked at each other and
were like what a weird sense of humor and didn’t he realize how much
that freaked me out. I cried some more. I expected my doc to be over to
see me any time, but he never showed. They took me to the OR and I
moved to the operating table. When Dr. funnybone (anesthesiologist)
started tying my arms down, I asked where Dr. Suh was and would I be
able to see him before I went under. The answer was no!!! At this point
I had an anxiety attack, and couldn’t breathe. The OR nurse was telling
me to take a deep breath and then I was out.
The first thing I remember was waking up in my room and asking for my
husband.(John said this was at 9:30 pm) I was in and out all night and
I would look up, see his face and feel relieved and full of love. By
about. At 4:00am I wanted to get up and walk, but they told me it would
be a while, because they were busy. At 6:00am John asked for help to
get me out of bed and once they showed him how to unhook things we
didn’t need to bother them anymore. I was up every 2-3 hours after
that. The pain was really not bad at all (except when I first woke up
from the surgery.)
Dr. Suh came to see me at about 10:00am and I asked if I could go home
that day. He said if I continued to do this good , “Yes” and he would
be back later to release me. He didn’t come back, but I was released at
4:00pm…less than 24 hours after my surgery. I was ecstatic.The best
part was walking in my door and seeing my 2 kids. I grabbed them and
hugged them and cried with happiness. Being home and surrounded with
love is the best “medicine” for me.
I’m really feeling great. I plan to write a letter to the hospital
administrtion and to my Dr. about the negative aspects of my hospital
experience. I believe they need to know so they can improve if they
choose to. My advice is if any of these things would bother you…ask
about them in advance. I assumed my Dr. would come to see me before
surgery and I assumed I wouldn’t have to negotiate for my husbands
presence in pre-op because this had been my previous experience . Each
hospital is different and you can not assume anything…you must be
your own advocate. I would not rcommend this hospital for the above
reasons and some post-op ones as well:
1) My husband was not notified when I was brought to my room after
surgery. The bottom floor of the hosp. was closed and he found a
security guard who called upstairs and found where I had been taken.
This postponed him being with me for about 1/2hour. Maybe not a big
deal to some, but extremely important to us.
2) A CNA shook her finger in my face and scolded me that I better
follow my diet after this. I had an overwhelming urge to grab her
finger and shove it up her nose, but I refrained.
If all of this seems petty to you than this facility may be fine, I
personally would not use it again.
With all that said, again I am really doing great. I am greatful to be
well and starting on my losing journey. This post is not meant to be a
negative one. Most if not all of the above could have been avoided if I
had advocated for the things that were important to me before surgery.
If you can’t get what you want at one place than you can go to another.
And we deserve the best there is to offer we are the consumers. I hope
this helps some in their process.
BTW, I’m on clear liquids and protein drink until my first post-op
visit on 8-7 when I will also get my staples out. I have 7 tiny
incision sites with 1-3 staples in each. I can’t stress enough the lack
of pain. It is really quite amazing. I highly recommend the laproscopic
surgery to anyone who is a candidate.
Can’t wait to update you on my progress!
Cheryl Vaught 43yo
Lap RNY on 7-31-02
270/