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
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.
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!
| We were in great spirits |
| 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).
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.
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.
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!
My Hospital Bag Necessities Review
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.
