The Actual Surgery

My mom and I traveled to Traverse City the night before surgery (September 16, 2009) to stay in a hotel since I lived an hour and a half away. We decided to go to the casino that night to kinda take my mind off of things. Of course, we didn't win anything but did have fun. :)

The morning of surgery I weighed in at 204 pounds. I arrived to the hospital 2 hours before surgery for prep. During the 2 hours I met with Dr. Slikkers, 2 anesthesiologists, and an assistant surgeon. My surgery was at 9am. I believe I woke up in recovery about 10am, the surgery took about a half an hour.

I was in recovery until 5:30pm waiting for a room to be available since my surgery was to be inpatient. Mom was able to visit me a couple of times; finally around 4:30 they let her stay in my "area" with me as long as the curtain was drawn.

I made it to my room and felt GREAT! I wanted to go for a walk, I did and then I wasn't so great. I over did it. Mom went home since she had to work the next day. I was very thankful that she was there.(She took me in for surgery and I told my husband to work 1 more day because someone has to bring home the bacon (he also works away from home) and mom would have been there if he was or not). I woke twice in the night, once for pain and once for a headache. They gave me dilated which made me nauseated, so they gave me anti-nauseating meds. The rest of the night I slept pretty good. I was very worried about snoring and keeping my room mate up but she said that I didn't snore at all.

My husband, Jason, showed up to the hospital first thing in the morning. I seen Dr. Slikkers and did my swallow study that was required before I would be released, which looked great. By 11:45am, I was released and on my way home. I rode the hour and a half with a pillow on my stomach to hold things in place.