Free Fallin.

I woke up early on Friday morning. Ready to get to the surgery center and ready to change my life. I wasn't too nervous until we got into the car and I realized that this was it. The planning of the past few months would be behind me and soon I would be healthy.

The admittance process before surgery took about 15 minutes. More paperwork, more signatures, more "you might die" phrases. I took deep breaths and kept reminding myself that this IS what I want. I am going to die young if I don't do something about my obesity and I'd rather die healthy than die miserable. Once my paperwork was complete, it took about 10 more minutes for the nurse (Joy) to come get me.

She took me back to the pre-op room where I peed (not pregnant!), answered questions, tried to make jokes and met with the Anesthesiologist. I told him that I was very nervous and he said he'd take care of that! Horray! A few minutes later, John and Ruthanne came in to see me. John tried to keep it light but I was so emotional that all I could do was tear up. What if I never saw him again? Was this all really worth it? (I'm totally tearing up just remembering our exchanges.) Dr. Selim then came to check on me and told me how honored he was that I chose him as a surgeon. We had a few funny comments and he left to prepare. I gave John my ring and Joy took rolled me off into the operating room.

The room was small, probably the size of our bedroom. There were huge lights all over and so many people. Three whom I had met, the rest were just people. Staring at me. The Anesthesiologist then came over to me and said he was going to start giving me some fun meds and this was it! I couldn't help but notice that "Free Fallin" by Tom Petty was playing in the background. Really? Are you guys serious? Can I choose the song list? I think I'd prefer something more along the lines of I don't know, something happier and less angelic? But, three breaths of the juice and I was out.

I woke up at 9am to Joy looking over me. The surgery had gone really well and John and Ruthanne were eager to see me. The next few hours are somewhat of a blur. I had to pee and the rule is, once you get up, you can't lay back down. So, I waited a few minutes before I nearly peed my pants and went to the bathroom. OMG. I never realized how much I use my stomach muscles. The post op nurse, Jake told me to trust him, he would lift me. Ok, I'd like to see him lift all 300lbs of me. Go ahead Jakey, make my day. I gave him my right hand and before I knew it, I was up.

The bathroom experience was quite different. I had to brace myself before sitting down, slowly ease myself down and pee. Such a process! I swear it took like 5 minutes alone to sit down. Getting up was another process, washing my hands without touching my stomach to the sink and opening the door. Wow, wow. PAIN. Jake and I then took a walk down to the edge of the post op area and back to the room. He reminded me again of the no sleeping rule which totally sucked. After three hours of fun evaluations, resting and a few short walks, I was discharged.

The car ride home wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Getting out of the car? That's another thing. I really wasn't prepared for all of the pain. I felt like I needed to burp but couldn't. John and I made our way upstairs where we set the bed up for rest. Oliver got on one side of me and Susie laid in my lap, avoiding the sore area. I couldn't sleep. I kept closing my eyes hoping, but nothing. John made me take my medication every four hours and made sure I was drinking clear liquids. Apparently, I drank too much because when my gas pains got worse, John called Dr. Selim and asked if I could take tums or rolaids. "What for?" he asked. "She's in pain!". "No, what has she had to drink?" "About 20 ounces of water." "No, no, she should only drink 1 ounce of water an hour." WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL US THAT?

I then cried and pouted about my pain for 30 minutes, making my neighbor come over with a body pillow, and trying to have John burp me like a baby. I finally called my coworker Celene, who had the procedure done last year and whined about my gas pains. She said, "Girl, you need gas x. I told you that. Why don't you listen to me!" John went to Walgreens to make the purchase and as soon as I took it, I felt immediate relief.

I probably slept a total of 2 hours Friday night. Saturday was terrible. I was in pain and sleep deprived. I created a new way to get out of bed, the turn and slide. It's pretty handy. Once I was able to get myself out of bed, I felt a little less like a gimp and more in control.

More later...