Today is finally the day of my operation
The First Day of the Rest of My (hopefully extended) Life !!!
What I Expected
By now I will be back in my room settling down for a hopefully uneventful and pain free couple of days of recovery.
What Actually Happened
Checked into my room by 3:00PM (in time for Judge Judy 🙂 ).
Got connected to a whole array of machines and equipment
Heart rate monitor measures heart rate as well as blood oxygen levels (should be around 97%)
Drip – for hydration and nutrition, also with pain medication and anti-nausea medication added every few hours
Oxygen – warmed/hydrated oxygen
Air Bladders on legs – constantly inflating.deflating to “massage” legs and minimise risks from blood clots
I also had a remote control to call nurses, turn on/off lights and TV and control TV Channels/Volume… and an array of switches to raise/lower/adjust the bed.
Lots of nurses coming and going checking blood pressure and blood sugars every couple of hours. I had to page them a couple of times to disconnect me from everything (except the drip) so I could go to the loo… and on each occasion I took the opportunity to do a couple of laps around the ward.
Throughout, I had virtually no pain, just a little discomfort… which just really felt a bit like gas in my stomach/intestine… It this felt better each time I went for a walk.
I also felt like burping more than usual… but fought the urge a bit, not knowing what it might do to my stomach… probably shouldn’t have because later on when I had a bit more confidence burping helped with the discomfort.
Just 5 small dressings (little bigger than a standard bandaid) on my belly to prove that I even had an operation… maybe they forgot to do it. 🙂
Phoned my sister to let her know all was OK and she had already had an update form the surgeon and knew more about it than I did. I wasn’t feeling nauseous at all, but partway through the call I suddenly had to throw up (you know what little sisters are like). Didn’t have anything to throw up into, but managed to hold it (mostly) in my mouth until a nurse (who was handy) gave me a container… It was pretty much all blood… which is apparently pretty normal… Threw up again an hour or so later – just bloody liquid this time though… felt a LOT better after I had thrown up each time 🙂
Today is finally the day of my operation
The First Day of the Rest of My (hopefully extended) Life !!!
What I Expected
By now my Operation will be complete… I will have been wheeled into the recovery room and will come out of the Anaesthetic.
Surgical Nurses will come and go checking on me for a while, and then surgeon will probably drop in to let me known how the surgery went.
The nurses will help me to get up and encourage me to walk around a bit ASAP.  This is standard post-op procedure for laproscopic procedures, to encourage the re-adsorption of any Carbon Dioxide remaining in my stomach cavity.
Once they are satisfied that I am (mostly) OK, they will wheel me back to my room.
What Actually Happened
Came to in the Recovery Room around 13:30…. Oblivious of course of everything that happened during surgery. Not sure if the Surgeon/Anesthetist dropped past (but I can’t remember them if they did).
No walking at this stage, but I now also have air bladders on my legs (over the top of my compression stockings) which automatically inflate and deflate… This is again to mitigate against deep vein thrombosis, and will stay on until the next morning.
I dozed off an on for a while and was wheeled up to my Ward and into the room (a shared room with one other patient who had had a bowel cancer removed laproscopically earlier that morning).
Today is finally the day of my operation
The First Day of the Rest of My (hopefully extended) Life !!!
What I Expected
By now my Operation should be underway (or about to start)….
I will have been wheeled into the operating theatre and reminded the surgeon to take photos (I hope to include photos of the operating theatre, surgical team and maybe even some laparoscopic photos of the operation itself) .
I will be suitably impressed by how many there are on the surgical team and all the fancy medical equipment (especially the machine that goes “bing”).
What Actually Happened
Wheeled into the operating theatre at 12:00 (an hour behind schedule)… Transferred to  surgical bed (which was not as comfy as my other bed – but I guess who cares when I am out cold :))
Operating theatre very impressive – lots of important looking machines (no “binging” though). There were a few nurses around but everyone wearing masks so I don’t know who was who. Can’t really remember anything about this so I must have been knocked out pretty quick – didn’t even get a countdown (that I recall).
Update: – It took a while, but I have finally got my hands on a “highlights” vidoe of the actual procedure.. See: Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery – The Video – for more information but here is the video :
Next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, but here is what I learnt afterwards….
Oops – Liver Scarring !!!!
When the surgeon “got in” he discovered that my liver was much more scarred than we expected (we were already aware there was some scarring – and potential cirrhosis of the Liver because of early testing). Scarring causes the liver to become less pliable – making it harder to “work around” during the operation and also potentially significantly increasing the risk of bleeding during surgery.
This was apparently a touch and go moment – deciding on whether or not to proceed with the operation…. But because the surgery was clearly the best option for my Diabetes and Weight Loss, and likely the best long term option for my liver as well, the surgeon decided to go ahead… I am SO glad that he did, because if he stopped at this stage, it is unlikely that bariatric surgery would be a real option for me again. He took a biopsy of the liver and I guess we will see what (if anything) needs to happen with regard to Cirrhosis further down the track 🙂
Everything else (apparently) went extremely well and an hour or so after arriving in the op theatre I woke up in the Recovery Room.
Note: I hope to add some extra photos here of my actual operation… Everyone (except the surgeon) seemed a bit nervous talking about photos, but he apparently took a whole lot (including some “gruesome”) ones which I hope to get hold of and include here 🙂 Â
Today is finally the day of my operation
The First Day of the Rest of My (hopefully extended) Life !!!
What I Expected
By now I am just about to be prepped for surgery…. Not sure if I go to my room.ward first…. or head straight for pre-op
This probably involves changing into a surgical gown… and maybe getting my my chest/stomach shaved… although because this is a laproscopic procedure I doubt if they will need (or want) to shave the whole lot.
I will be probably have a quick chat with the anaesthetist and surgeon (need to remind him to take photos) and will then be wheeled into the operating theatre.
What Actually Happened
Not my body (I wish)
Surgical Stocking – Not my Legs 🙂
Arrived in pre-op around 9:45 and got to dress in some “sexy” (not really) paper undies and a surgical gown…Â Also got to put on some “sexy” (not a great fashion statement but surprisingly comfortable) compression stockings which I get to wear for the duration of my hospital stay (designed to mitigate against deep vein thrombosis)
Filled in and signed some more paperwork and directed to a comfy chair to wait… No cups of tea or cookies in sight (I have been fasting – no food or liquid since 20:30 last night).
Was taken to a pre-surgical ward and got into a bed. Staff excellent – kept on asking me of I wanted a blanket… which I kept on declining (I don’t do cold). I had my tablet with me to read – and they are a bit wary at first about an “electronic” device but were cool once I said it couldn’t take photos (I don’t think it can anyway :))
Surgical Nurse came in and had a good chat about what to expect…. Anesthetist came in and explained the process, Surgeon came in and discussed the procedure… Everyone nice and chatty… got a group photo with the Anesthetist (nickname Mr Bean) and the Surgeon (Sister Snogger) before being wheeled wheeled through a maze of corridors into the operation theatre around 12:00 (1hr behind schedule).
Today is finally the day of my operation
The First Day of the Rest of My (hopefully extended) Life !!!
What I expected
I will be checking into the hospital around 9:30AM – for my surgery scheduled for 11:00AM.
This should be pretty straight forward as all the preliminary stuff and paperwork has already been done at the Pre-admission session last month… so I should just be checked in and directed to my ward/room to get settled in and “chill out” awaiting my surgery.
What Actually Happened
Pretty much on track… Checked in a little early but was directed straight to Pre-op so didn’t get to my room/ward. Check in process was simple, fill in and signed a couple more forms and then guided to pre-op by a hospital volunteer.
Today is the day of my operation The First Day of the Rest of My (hopefully extended) Life !!!
I’ve been out this morning to my regular weekly Business Networking Meeting/Breakfast. I saw no point in sitting around at home doing nothing but waiting…. although because I was unable to actually eat or even drink anything the “breakfast” was a bit light on. Great to get encouragement and support from the team though 🙂
Update: I didn’t make the networking event as the surgery time was brought forward a couple of hours form that originally planned so timing would have been a but tight.
I had a final “shower” using antibacterial soap provided by hospital, dried with a fresh clean towel and dressed in fresh clean clothes.
I have my bag packed and am pretty much ready to go… here is what I am taking with me to hospital :
Laptop and charger (I HATE blogging from a phone)
Phone and charger (need to be able to communicate)
Tablet and charger (want something to read)
360° Camera and charger (never know when it will come in handy)
Slippers
Couple of changes of clothes
Basic Toiletries (toothbrush, shaver, deoderant)
Diabetes Medications
… and that’s about it… I only expect to be in for a couple of nights, so should be out Saturday.
Today is finally the day of my operation – The First Day of the Rest of My (hopefully extended) Life !!!
I have a busy day of posting planned for today. But because for much of the day I will be “otherwise occupied”… many of these will initially be automatic scheduled posts (although I will come back and update the details later). Here is what I am planning :
Specifics will vary from hospital to hospital, and surgeon to surgeon, but here are some suggestions as to things that you are likely to experience on the day of surgery :
As part of the pre-admission process you will advised how to prepare for your day of surgery day. This may include :
Pre-op Wash Instructions (for evening before and morning of your operation)
Pre-op “fasting” recommendations
Pre-op changes to any medications
You will be admitted to the hospital on the morning of your surgery. You may be in the operating room for two or three hours, but the actual procedure typically takes about 1-2 hours depending on the type of your operation. Then you will spend a few hours in the recovery room.
Once the anesthesia has worn off, you may feel some pain or discomfort, which can usually be treated with ordinary pain relieve medication. The hospital staff will help you get out of bed and start moving as soon as possible to help prevent blood clots and respiratory problems.
A British Journal of Surgery study ( indicates that weight-loss surgery is cost-effective over 10 years and can save healthcare systems money over a lifetime.
The April 2018 study found that Weight-loss surgery was associated with reduced average costs to the UK National Health Service by €2742 (£1944), and a gain of 0.8 life-years and 4.0 quality-adjusted life years over a lifetime compared with usual care. It also had the potential to reduce the lifetime risks of obesity-related cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
“Despite increased rates of obesity in the UK, England has one of the lowest utilization rates of bariatric operations in Europe and issues with limitations in patient access to surgery,” said co-author Vasily Lukyanov, of Synergus AB, in Sweden. “The findings of the study justify non-limited access to surgery to all eligible categories of obese patients in England.”
 Borisenko, V. Lukyanov, A. R. Ahmed. Cost-utility analysis of bariatric surgery. British Journal of Surgery, 2018; DOI: 10.1002/bjs.10857
Just a few more days now until my Surgery… time now to start thinking about (and planning for) what I will need to “eat (and I do use the term loosely) when I get out of hospital.
The aim for the first month or so post-surgery is wound repair and recovery and the focus of diet is protein and fluid.
Liquid Diet
A fully liquid diet will allow for healing without placing stress on my newly formed stomach…. I will need to stay on fluids for 2-3 weeks following surgery. The consistency of the fluids I can drink should be about the consistency of milk.
Hydration and Protein
I will need to focus on keeping up hydration and obtaining enough protein to help with wound repair and recovery. For the first few days I will only be able to tolerate small amounts (20-30ml) at a time although this will gradually increase as I start to heal. After 2 weeks I may be able to slowly drink a whole cup (250ml) at a time (oh Joy:))
I will need to take a high protein drink (60-80g of protein) each day as well as a soluble multivitaim supplement.
I can contuinue to have OptiFast Shakes and Soups, for “meals” and have been recommended to try Protein Perfection Protein Water (who knew suxh a thing existed ???)Â and also take 2 x BN Multi Chewable Multivatimins each day.
Allowed & Not Allowed
Here are some examples of the types of liquids I can and can’t have :
Allowed
NOT Allowed
Skim milk, soy milk, lactose free milk
Porridge, Semolina, Weetbix
Fruit Smoothies (strained), Fruit Juice,
Vegatable Juice (such as V8)
Heart rate monitor measures heart rate as well as blood oxygen levels (should be around 97%)
What I Expected
What I expected
Laptop and charger (I HATE blogging from a phone)
As part of the pre-admission process you will advised how to prepare for your day of surgery day. This may include :
A British Journal of Surgery study ( indicates that weight-loss surgery is cost-effective over 10 years and can save healthcare systems money over a lifetime.
I will need to focus on keeping up hydration and obtaining enough protein to help with wound repair and recovery. For the first few days I will only be able to tolerate small amounts (20-30ml) at a time although this will gradually increase as I start to heal. After 2 weeks I may be able to slowly drink a whole cup (250ml) at a time (oh Joy:))