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Sleeve Truth

AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

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My surgery was February 11th and I wanted to write this blog about the surgery itself, my hospital experience and then at the end I wanted to review the hospital bag list and let you know what I actually ended up using and my thoughts on what was most helpful to have during the hospital stay. 

Arriving to the surgical center 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ys19VKiIWeglVoF7wKZ2siBw4_32-9F5

I arrived to the surgical center with my husband at 5:30am and I was pretty calm when getting there. I knew that I had a great doctor and I just had faith that everything would work out fine. I also think that going through two C-sections at the same hospital helped ease my nerves regarding the surgery itself.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1i5Ni8dRlddoA3e9GpH_QmQEc5NYzwA2J

After we checked in, we were sent to the waiting area to be taken back to the prep room. At the prep room, I as given a gown, socks, and a little hairnet and told to change and place my personal items in a plastic bag. My husband ended up taking that bag, along with my phone, when it was time for the surgery. 

Prep Room 

While in the prep room, I was greeted by my doctor early on and he let know that the surgery would be at 8 o'clock. He wanted to check on how I was feeling and answer any last minute questions. After speaking with him, I met my anesthesiologist and he answered all my questions and discussed what will happen in the operating room. Then, it was time for the nurses to get me ready by getting the IV in, and unfortunately that process took some time because they could not find my veins. They even used that little vein finder machine (I am not sure of the name) and after almost 40+ minutes, they found a vein and got my IV in! I think I was very dehydrated and in general the nurses have a very hard time finding my veins, because they are so small. After my IV was inserted, another nurse came by and told me that she would be in the operating room with me and I was off! 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1TZtMGsc-rtPbWIcU5nQKv5e6yKT1I4E1
We were in great spirits

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1rh2m2vVMXVQm1JDMqzF8q2j6iWz4Zczq
My support during the hospital stay

While in the operating room, I remember them transferring me from the bed I was in to the operating table and asking me if I was comfortable. After that, they placed the mask on my face and I do not remember a thing after that. 

Getting out of surgery 

The next thing that I remember was waking up with this throbbing sharp pain in my chest. I thankfully had the most amazing nurse with me, who was so attentive and reassured me that the operation was successful. He gave me pain and nausea medicine, and I remember dozing off. I was somewhat asleep, but I was able to hear people around me. When the pain returned, I would wake up and he would again administer the pain medicine. I think I was in the recovery room for couple of hours and once they had a room open in the hospital, I was transferred from the operating center to my room. This is also the time that they informed my husband that the surgery was successful and that I would be transferred to a hospital room, which is where he met me. 

At my hospital room 

I was pretty much out of it for the rest of that day. I remember them administering pain and nausea medicine throughout the day and night. I did not move much, other than to change my position a bit, and I did not get out of the bed that first day. My heating pad was a savior that day (and the remainder of the time at the hospital). Also, I was not allowed to drink anything, but I was able to take some ice chips and move them around my mouth to help with the dry mouth. As you can see from the picture below, I was a hot mess. 


Day 2 at the hospital 

I saw my doctor first thing in the morning, and he came to tell me that the surgery went really well. I also asked him how much of the stomach he removed and he said 90% and I asked about the different incisions and which one was used to get the stomach out and which one was used to hold the liver back. When he talked about the liver, I asked if he had any issues or did my 14-day liquid diet help in shrinking it. He explained that there were no issues at all and they were able to get to my stomach easily, and that made me feel better in doing the strict 14-day liquid diet. He also informed me that they needed to an x-ray to check for leaks and that I will have to get out of bed and start walking that day. He also said that I could have clear liquids that day and that I needed to take small sips (about 2oz every 15 mins). 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GWmhmKW1sLVBl4JHi-J_DpdK86sZQkw3

They installed this contraption (see picture below) on my bed to assist me in getting out of bed, which really helped because I was not able to use my stomach muscles at all. I got up and walked, but I was still in pain especially gas pains. The doctor explained that they fill the stomach with gas during the procedure and that in order to relieve gas pains, I would have to walk. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fLagalbR-Np1kZUmcMhAbxp_zkEM8OIQ

Day 3 at the hospital 

I felt like I was coming back to myself on day three. I was able to walk easier and sit on a chair more comfortably. They removed my IV and I was no longer getting my fluids through the IV, and my problem became consuming enough fluids myself. I noticed the difference soon, because I was not consuming close to enough fluids. I think they indicated that I have to have 48-64oz of fluids, and I think I was getting closer to 20oz. Below is a sample of my meals that they provided: soup, jello, popsicle and sugar-free lemonade. 


https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1IEWfjkXeXdoFeM0xTbONno66cUn9R-Tx

Leaving the Hospital 

The last day was more procedural and I was discharged early in the day. I was given information on the different stages of my diet and told to follow-up with the surgeon in two weeks. As you can see I was excited to leave the hospital and get back to my kids! 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jcwDBqVNfCPdATnuY23sHhk3In3S4rSZ

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16ti1m0zjjEO0k65dA8TolYIWZcujyUGB


My Hospital Bag Necessities Review 


https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wQrNEA2Y0TI55g4k574RmbpQYHHlRabK

 Let’s discuss what I actually ended up using at the hospital from the list above. 

Essentials: 

  • ID & Insurance Card: I pre-registered and they already had my insurance card info, but when I checked in on the day of the surgery they did ask for my ID. 
  • Slippers/Flip Flops: I ended up using the socks they provided at the hospital and I used the flip flops when I was leaving the hospital. 
  • Robe: I used this as soon as I got out of bed and it was one of the best items I brought with me.
  • Loose Dress/ Sweats: I used this as my going home outfit (black dress and sweatshirt over it because it was cold)
  • PJs: I didn’t bring these but ended up using one of the tank tops on my third day at the hospital and I was so glad to take off that awful gown
  • Panties: Definitely glad I brought these. 
  • Socks: I did not use these at all, and again used the ones from the hospital, which were nonslip
Toiletries: I used everything on that list. Not right away, but I was in the hospital three nights and all the items listed came in handy. 

Health: Out of this list, I was glad I brought Gas X and the dry mouth spray. I did not use the hand sanitizer, they had one right on the wall. I also did not need or use the saline spray. I also kept dropping my masks, so I was glad that I brought extra ones with me. 

Electronics: The HEATING PAD saved my life! That was definitely a must for this surgery and I am so thankful to those that recommended it to me. I also brought the extension cord, which I used the whole time that I was there. I regret not brining my headphones, especially when I started walking. I feel like it would’ve been a nice distraction while walking the halls. As for the earplugs, I used them one night and I think that's the best sleep I got. 

Not listed: I brought my pillow and my blanket, and used those the whole time that I was there and I was very happy to have them with me. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1BWoOvOpVZD-9VymeA8vsWUNKamZ2ZUtL

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https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1BdECPx5eU_PSm93Zs84VDZj4TVtD-9Uj
I used the comments that I saw on the support group to compile a list. I am still in the process of packing but wanted to share the list in case it can help someone out. I know I can’t live without lists, so I need it or else I would forget half the items. I wanted to include most of the suggestions made, but I will probably not pack every single thing on the list. Once I am done, I will be happy to share what I packed and what I actually ended up using. If you see what I missed something, let me know and I will add it. Good luck to everyone getting the surgery, I still cannot believe mine is tomorrow!

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 2/5/2021 

-Heart racing (beating so fast like it's going to pop out of my chest)

-So dizzy, the whole room is spinning and it feels like this laptop keeps disappearing 

-White stuff on my tongue 

-So beyond weak, barely typing or holding a phone 

Called Dr at bariatric center, left VM, waiting for response 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well the above was one of the hardest days I had this far. I have never felt that weak before and like I did not have control over my body. I drank a protein shake, and tried to calm down and drink ton of water - and got better. The doctor wanted to re-do my bloodwork just to make sure that everything was okay, and I actually did that today and hopefully she gets them before the surgery (since it is literally days away). 

If I could do it all over again, I would definitely DRINK my WATER! Also, I threw up several times by taking my vitamins in the morning, and to be honest, to avoid that I really did not take them diligently. If I could re-do my liquid diet, I would take my vitamins (I only take the one-a-day) every single day and would do it mid-day or at evening. 

Overall, I am proud of myself for getting through these 12 days and the remaining two are hopefully uneventful. 

During my pre-op surgical appt., I was down 14 lbs

Latest picture taken Feb. 2021 
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Hey guys, and welcome back! I feel like things are just moving along and I am barely able to catch my breath and take it all in. I survived my first six (6) days of the 14-day liquid diet! I am also happy to report that I am down almost 10lbs! For the first three days I sort of used this blog as a diary and wrote down exactly what was happening and my feelings, and then when things got easier (and I didn't need to vent as much) I just wrote the overall impressions for those days. I learned during these six days that I am stronger than I thought. For the longest time I let food control me and allowed myself to give in to my every craving, so this was a real test for me and I am happy that I stuck exactly to my prescribed diet plan and made it to day six. Also during this time I learned that I was not a fan of chocolate shakes! I love chocolate so much, so I was in shock when those just did not taste right to me and I pretty much had three vanilla shakes a day. Let's see what happens during the remaining nine days. I will update sometime next week. Thank you for all the support and the well wishes for a successful surgery, I really appreciate it! 
Day 1
AM 
30 minutes after having my morning shake, I found myself going inside the kitchen to make a croissant sandwich. I am not really hungry but I think I went to make it out of habit and also because the croissants are right on the counter - very much in the open - so I think I was tempted. Let's see how the rest of the day goes. 

NOON
I am an hour away from my second shake and I am pretty much counting the minutes until 1pm. I am starting to get agitated and seeing the food out  in the open is harder than I thought. I think I will need to put it away - out of sight out of mind (let's hope). 

Late Afternoon 
I had to rush one of the kids to the doctor, so honestly I forgot about food and how hungry I was. Now that I am finally home, I am having the milk that I was suppose to have at 4pm and I do hear the sounds of my stomach rumbling. I don't think I ever ate less in my life - so this is definitely an adjustment. 

NIGHT
It definitely became more difficult as the day progressed. My energy levels were way off, and I felt weak. I think my body was just used to eating so much more. I had my last shake, gave my eldest medicine for his hives and went to bed and passed out. 

Day 2
AM
I woke up not very energized this morning, and I literally had to drag myself out of bed. I was excited to hear the alarm (I programmed my phone to alert me when I am suppose to have my shakes/milk) and have my protein shake. I am a bit better now and hope that this gets easier as the days progress. 

Mid Day 
Towards the mid day I was not doing so great, so I texted my doctor and asked if I could have sugar free jello or the sugar free popsicles. She said that that would be fine to add to my shakes and milk regiment. I just needed the sensation that I was chewing something, even if that is jello. 

PM
The struggle was real today. I think after having the jello my body was expecting and wanting more, so my stomach was rumbling like crazy. At night, I made chicken soup for the kids and ended up having couple of spoons of chicken soup broth. 

Day 3
AM
I am feeling a bit sluggish and having these dizzy spells in this morning. I forgot to place my shake in the refrigerator, so I am late having it. Instead I had jello, I am really getting tired of the jellos. I cannot wait to have that cold protein shake.

PM
TMI ALERT: I have been bad about taking my metamucil and today I paid for it dearly. I never had issues with my stool, so I really didn't think drinking some protein shakes would have an impact on me - but boy was I wrong. So my tip is drink tons of fluids, which I am still not great at doing, and take the metamucil! 

Since I was having stomach issues, I was not even hungry or thinking about the food. I drank my shakes and went to bed when the kids went to bed and passed out. 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1grzBAlo7F_aNmKgV_NYu2XiuCdFyHFL-
My everyday snacks

Days 4-5 (Weekend) 
During the weekend, the things got a bit better. It's like my stomach knew what to expect and there was no real struggle during the day, until I got to the night. I am a night owl, so I stay up late and either work, clean, journal etc while the kids are sleeping, and this is usually the time that I would snack and eat - so it was hard to train my body that that was no longer happening and that I was done eating for the day. 

Also this weekend, the kids wanted pizza and it was very hard smelling it and feeding the younger kid, and not being able to have even one little bite. I think that was definitely my real test. I noticed that I was anxious when I was in the kitchen cleaning or cooking and I just wanted to run away. I think this would have been easier if I didn't have to step inside that kitchen/pantry. Since that was not an option, I just turned my music up when I was in the kitchen and tried to focus on the music instead of the food that was around. 

Day 6 
I am definitely getting used to the liquid diet. I still have my weak moments, but I have been really good about sticking to the plan, but I need to get better at drinking more water, taking my vitamins and drinking the metamucil. I will work on those three things in the upcoming days, and hopefully it gets easier. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Yan7k3uoD4YjoJwd72Vsk2SWRbeXZA2k
by far my favorite flavor 

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About Me

Wife | Mother | Attorney| Blogger
With this blog I hope to share a glimpse of my world with you as I navigate life after my vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) procedure.

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