I arrived at the hospital with Gene in plenty of time and after 6am we went into the room where they prepare you for surgery. There were many people there and you were allowed to have somebody with you to keep your company. They asked me to take off everything (yes, even under pants!!!) and put on a large johnny and gave me a nice warm blanket over my shoulders. They gave my clothes and shoes to Gene to bring back when I left the hospital.
After that I got on the gurney and they started the intravenous. I have nice veins, nobody has ever complained about having to insert a needle before. Then they gave me a Heperan shot in the stomach (sounds worse than it was,they use a fine needle and there's only a slight stinging sensation.
The surgical nurses who would be working with me came in and introduced themselves, and also the anesthesia doctor, and finally my doctor came by to say hello and ask how I was feeling. He was very pleased that I had lost those 14 lbs and he said I would have a successful weight loss experience when my band was in place.
Just before they took me down they gave me some sedation through the tubing and I was on my way. Gene (who hates hospitals) then went to eat btreakfast at the cafeteria and hang around until he knew I had made it through ok.
The operating room seemed small to me and it wasn't as cold as some I have been in. I saw the doctor and a couple of nurses. There was a lot of green around in the room and the big operation light overhead. They had me lay down on the table and then came the mask and "think pleasant thoughts" and my lights were put out
When I came to I was in a large room with lots of hustle and bustle, and people talking over and around me. I was aware of others on other gurneys around and the whole place was bright. This is where I overheard about a hernia they had found during my operation.
Next thing I knew they were whisking me down the hallway on the way upstairs. I passed my doctor who took my hand and said I did fine and then the elevator doors opened and I was in the ward.
HOSPITALS....uncomfortable beds which you keep sliding around in. My food wasn't food, it was clear liquids.. salt-free broth, tea, jello and the one thing I liked, some Italian ice. Also some apple juice. Supper and breakfast was the same, except I had a protein shake on my tray. Lunch was a repeat, only the jello was a different flavour.
Needless to say I was raring to get out of there, no decent food, etc, being woken up all night and my pills all screwed up. Everybody was very kind to me and the lady in the next bed was very nice, we talked some.
I was only kept overnight because I have sleep apnea and they wanted to see if I was OK. I did my shuffle up and down the hallway as I was told, and waited forever to be released as it was on a Saturday (and nothing is ever on time on the weekends, less staff)
As everybody knows, hospitals are only tolerable when you are too sick to care and need to be looked after...once you are better, it's past time to move on!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment