Day One – Surgery – Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

My surgery for Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy was at the University Of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

This is a new hospital complex on the old Fitzsimmons Army base in Aurora Colorado, which is north-east of Denver.  The Army base was torn down several years ago and the Univ of Colo hospital complex is immense.  They are still building, so construction is everywhere.  It is a teaching hospital for the Univ of Colo.

Arriving at the Inpatient building was very pleasant and calming.  It has a huge atrium, sofas and plants like any high-end hotel.  The unpleasant part was being there at 5:30 in the morning.  It least we beat the Denver Rush Hour traffic and found a close-in parking space.  Check-In was quick; I also could have used the computer kiosk for check-In.  The waiting area is again, not like what I’m used to at older hospitals.  It had tables, sofas, and comfortable chairs, more of a lounge area.  There were also LED computer monitors for patient information.

I was then escorted into the surgery prep area. This was like a typical hospital.  I met all the doctors, nurses, aides, etc. that were involved in my surgery.  Since this is a teaching hospital, they came in pairs and triplets.  One reason I chose a “teaching” hospital was that there are so many additional eyes that there would be less chance of someone falling asleep on the job.

They took my vitals, inserted two IVs, and with a Sharpie, marked my tummy, just so they don’t forget which tummy to cut into.  

Last thing I remembered was being wheeled down a corridor and that was it for several hours. The surgery took about two and half hours and several hours in recovery.

Next thing I heard was my husband and a nurse yelling at me to “BREATHE!   BREATHE!”  This was also the first time I realize that this is a major operation, not to be taken lightly.  I think when people hear the word “Laparoscopic” it implies a quick operation, a “piece of cake” type of thing.  What it really means is smaller incisions and perhaps a quicker recovery.  Not a quick romp around the park.  I had general anesthesia, which was part of my recovery problem. 

What I remember of the post-op is not much.  I vaguely remember seeing my husband and not much after that.  I have no idea what the area looked like, how many beds, or who else was there, etc.  This was quite a contrast to out-patient surgeries I had, where I wake up in a nice leather recliner, with a heated blanket, snuggies on my feet and being offered Orange Juice with or without ice. 

Next thing I remembered are several people moving my bed from the Post-op to the 9^th floor room.  Within seconds, I realize that general anesthesia have side-effects, like nausea.  I don’t believe I’ve ever been that nauseated in my life.  I’m sure that it didn’t take but a few minutes to get to my room, but it seemed like several hours. 

The doctors and nurses were all fantastic.  I couldn’t ask for more service and attentiveness.  They did get the nausea under control and gave me a button to push when in pain, which I was utilizing at a rapid pace.  I found out that even though you push that button, there is a maximum of pain medicine you may take within certain time limit.  Bummer!  Yes, it was painful, but not for long.

Being still very groggy, I think everything did settle down late that evening. 

The room I had was great, huge by my old hospital standards. There was a sofa bed for my husband to stay overnight which he did and which I am thankful for, although I originally wanted him not to stay the night.  But it was nice to have him there looking after me.  It was also a single room; I didn’t have to share the room with another patient, which added much needed privacy.  That was a big plus in a speedy recovery!