My surgery was on the morning of 3/3/14 and it's already the 5th day out.

I've had a remarkably easy recovery and attribute it to God and all the prayers of friends and family that were lifted up to Him before, during, and after my surgery.

I woke up from surgery in minor pain -- on a scale of 1 to 10 it was about a 5. I could definitely feel something was cut inside me -- my stomach. It seemed like an eternity but was probably only 5 minutes before I was handed a morphine pump. I was allow a pump of morphine every 10 minutes and after several pumps my pain level was reduced to a 1 and never increased again. I used the pump a few more times that day/night -- once just to get to sleep because of minor discomfort. I used it once the following day for nausea and then they took it away. My discomfort level was around a 1 or 2 from about one hour post op until day three -- mainly from nausea. From that point on, I just felt tenderness in the incision sites.

I did struggle with nausea for about 2.5 days. I was told it was common with the surgery, plus I had a hiatal hernia repair which didn't help the nausea issue. I did have dry heaves several times during those first 2.5 days of nausea, but there was nothing in my stomach so I never vomited. Yay!
My surgeon also repaired a hernia in my belly button which I didn't know I had. I had a wonderful surgeon. I can't believe he repaired my belly button hernia at no extra charge. I would highly recommend him to anyone!

During my stay at the hospital, a nurse told me that the two-week liquid pre-op diet makes it much easier on patients after surgery. I'm so thankful my surgeon required it!

Each day I'm feeling better and better. I was released from the hospital about noon on 3/5. I made my post-op appointments today. I'm looking forward to the healthier future!