So as mentioned before, walked to the hospital east tower and arrived at 6:03 am. Checked in at the front desk, just gave them the credit card to swipe then we were sent to the 2nd floor.
On the 2nd floor we checked in at the desk and waited about 5 min, then a black gentleman called me back, telling valerie he would bring her when I was "situated". He gave me a paper gown to change into, and a bag for my stuff. He brought be to a presurg waiting area, where there were 8 beds. Two other people were already there. In this area is where they put various bracelets on you, got your IV started, asked you about 1000 questions. You got a visit from the anethesiology team (both nurse and Dr) as well as the surgical team (again nurse and Dr). I had the opportunity to observe this as my surgery was scheduled for 8 am (first I learned this!) but since I had arrived at 6, I was lower on the totem pole than the multiple 730 surgeries they had scheduled. I also learned they didn't let your family back until your IV was in...and since I was lower priority they had skipped my IV insertion in favor of folks who arrived later, but had earlier surgeries. This didn't bother me at all (wasn't in a hurry for that IV!) but it did cause confusion for valerie as she saw other families who arrived after us getting called back. Altogether it was probably 1 hr 20 min before she was called back.
Just as they were about to (finally!) do my IV, the nurse asked if I had been weighed, and (to my surprise, though I didn't comment on it at the time), I told them I hadnt been. She immeidately dragged me to a "regular" (ie that only goes to 350) Dr type scale and voila 342! Hopefully she wrote it down, as this is my documentation of by 25 lb (367 to 342) lb pre op weight loss.
So back to the table, stick me with the GIANT IV. Did I menion I'd seen one or two IV failures during my period of observation of all the 730 surgical patients, and got to hear the apologetic description the nurse gave of the "larger than normal" IV needles they use for surgery. Anyway, it sucked as usual, but after a few minutes the pain was gone and then Valerie was there talking to me.
Got to meet the Anethesia team (nurse and Dr) and both seemed awesome. Checked air way and explained I'd have a breathing tube during surg, but the anethesia would all be IV.
Also got to meet with the surgical nurse and a student nurse she had with her. All of the above were meeting me for the first time, they were all super professional and sharp with their questions, were super re-assuring in terms of how good shape (relative to many surgical cases) I was in, how I was going to do great, what a great surgeon Dr G was. At some point in this period, they gave me a "happy shot" into the IV. Didn't knock me out, but my lucidity declined. Valerie called it an "instant six pack".
Then Dr G came by, had a quick chat, he seemed in a good mood. He told me the surgery would be 3.5 to 4 hrs. After a few minutes discussion, he asked if I was ready, when I said yes he said let's go. I kissed valerie and they wheeled me out of the prep area and into the surgical theater. I assume this was pretty close to 8 am but dont remember checking the clock.
My memories of this part are pretty vague. I mostly remember a frenzy of activity. I remember one of the nurses pushing the cart asking who was assisting, and they speculated on some Dr's (I think they mentioned primono). I clearly remember them talking about Dr G's very specific music tastes, how he insists on having a certain music (though I cant remember what kind) playing while he operates, and how he likes to sing a long (But is a terrible singer!). I remember having to scooch over from the gurney thing to a much thinner "operating table", and then they strapped me in as I saw what seemed like a dozen people buzzing around me. This was just random stuff I remember but I guess I drifted off...the next memory I have is waking in the recovery room.
In the recovery room, the breathing tube was already out (thank goodness!) and the nurse there kept telling me to breath. The first time memory I have is of seeing a clock reading 12.20, so assuming we started at 8, the surgey was close to 4 hrs. Not sure how long I remained unconscious after they were done. I think the nurse was monitoring O2 Sat. I got my breathing better, then she asked me to cough, and I gave a pathetic cough, and she yelled at me "that wasn't a cough, do it harder!". This was not easy since my whole stomach was not exactly in pain but it didnt feel like I should be coughing for the hell of it. Anyway, I kept breathing and coughing until she was happy. I also realized I was on a comfy wheeled type hospital bed, not the thin table they had me on in the OR, and I couldn't help but wonder how they had moved by 350 lb ass. Anyway, at around 2 I got wheeled to my room on the 5th floor where I would spend the next couple of days. Will detail out the remainder of the hospital stay in the next post.
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