Had my surgery with Almanza 01/14/12

[mmarroquin]

Everything went GRRRRREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was my husband, another couple [danny and Patty{ and Andrew,, we all are feeling great and ready to leave...this is OUR last day at the recovery home and HONESTLY I felt like home,, I already past the worst part and had an excellent experience,, more details coming soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! best descision EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!,,,

[N2DVN]

Thanks for the post! Glad to hear everything went well!! Have a safe trip home!

Cannot wait to be there next week.

[N2DVN_Hubby]

Fantastic News. Can't wait to hear all about it!

[grammargirl0309]

YAY Monica, so great to hear that!!!!!

[DennyE]

Hope you guys had fun in the casino after we left. :-)
I have to agree, I really appreciated the recovery house. good staff, and most of the guests were great.
A couple of the earlier guests than us gave the weekend nurse a hard time, called her some very unkind things. I've been fuming about it since I got home, I'm regretting not giving them a piece of my mind, or more. She's a wonderful nurse and took excellent care of me and my wife. She left Monday morning before I could tip her, I do hope Cervero passes her the tip I left for her, she deserves it. (and more)

I think there's a bit of conspiracy of silence about the surgery. The first 12-18 hours after surgery was bad beyond words. But it's all better after that. I'm on day four now and I woke up at 5am and walked 3/4 mile, no problem.

I'm not ready to say it's the best thing I ever did, if so far I'm pretty happy with it.

Having a good group of people like Monica, her husband Albert, and Andy was really helpful. It's good to share going through the leak tests and everything. I know my wife Patti and I enjoyed your company.

-Denny

[mmarroquin]

Like any other surgery,,the first two days are BAD,. Hey Danny,how is Patty?

[DennyE]

We're both pretty good. Eating a little yogurt, broth what not. She tried some egg this morning. I think I over exerted my self yesterday, my incisions & stomach feel fine, but the rest of my body is _sore_ I'd be right as rain with a handful of ibuprofen and a cup of coffee (both no-nos) so I get to suffer with my sore knees and back today.

I'm really surprised by my blood pressure and heart rate. Historically, untreated, my blood pressure runs about 225/180. I haven't had a pill since the night of surgery and my pressure is running about 115/75 with a heart rate in the low 50's. If I didn't already have a follow up appointment for next week, I'd be making one :-)

-Denny

[mmarroquin]

We are so happy for you Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!! specially for the huge improvement in your BP,,,,,my mom made us broth and we ate it with a few shaved veggies.. we are doing fine.. and getting ready to back to work Monday.

[N2DVN]

glad to hear everyone is doing fine. Any suggestions to those of us being sleeved next week w/Almanza?

[DennyE]

Pack light, you won't need much and carrying it back was less fun than I enjoy.
The gas pains suck, take some gas-x if you can, one box was _not_ enough for the wife and me. The wife preferred chewables to the strips.
Once you get to the recovery house, have a lime popsicle. It's mexico, they call them lemon, but they're green and taste like lime - It's heaven the first day.
Be nice to the staff. They're good people and can make your stay sooooo much easier.
A hot shower is great, the water's a little finnicky, let the hot run for about 2 minutes before you get in. Make sure the staff know you're taking a shower first, if they run the washing machine, the shower gets very cold.
Make friends with the other patients, you're all going through the same thing and it helps to commiserate.
Walk, walk, walk. It really helps with the gas pains.

They do enough of these that they have a pretty solid routine. You'll be fine.

Good luck,
-Denny

[mmarroquin]

Danny is a PRO!!!!!!!!!!!!! he told you pretty much everything you need to know,,,don't feel scared,, everything will be fine

[N2DVN]

Thanks, you guys, especially for the shower tip! I have both chewables and strips packed.

If I said that I wasn't even a little bit nervous, I would be lying. It's major surgery. However, I cannot say that I am scared or too nervous. It's in God's hands and His Will will be done.

I'm just ready to start losing weight! I have been basically at the same weight since October, even though I have cut back significantly and have been under 1000 calories since Monday. Guess that I shouldn't complain b/c I didn't gain any weight after being on predisone in October nor did I gain any over Thanksgiving or Christmas. Both are huge accomplishments for me.

[DennyE]

I'll add another one,
Plan on checking a bag on the flight home. One of the medicines they give you is a ~10 ounce bottle of Maalox (off brand). I _think_ you can get it through TSA in your carry on as it's a prescription, but checking the bag just seemed easier.

-Denny

[DennyE]

I'll add another one,
Plan on checking a bag on the flight home. One of the medicines they give you is a ~10 ounce bottle of Maalox (off brand). I _think_ you can get it through TSA in your carry on as it's a prescription, but checking the bag just seemed easier.

-Denny

[devilishlilcat]

I never even open that maalox stuff.. I was never nauseous.