Days 1 - 3 in the history books!

Here I am, day four from surgery and I don't want to say this too loud but I feel good.  I have not taken the pain meds since day two when I came home from the hospital.  Yesterday I had a little headache that hung on all day and I did take two doses of liquid Tylenol.  I think it was due to eating no food per se and no caffeine.  The only pain I continue to have, although it is much less now, is from the largest of the 5 little incisions. This is the incision where  I believe a lot of action went on!  The stomach portion that was removed in the operation (85%!) came out of this hole and I'm guessing my band and port did also.

This is also the hole where my drain tubing is hanging out of.  I am sure the pressure of having a long tube with a pouch on the end is causing some pain.  I actually have the pouch attached to a lanyard around my neck in order to support the pouch and not let the weight of it hang from the incision.  I've noticed the red color is much lighter today and there is a lot less when I drain it.

I am going to see my doctor on Wednesday for the "leak test" and removal of my drain.  My doctor is so  adorable, when he signed me out on Saturday he told us "I taped your operation, we'll look at it together!"  Uh, yea, Doc, about that?  Maybe not.  It was hard enough watching it on a stranger on YouTube!  He also told me that I may experience more pain due to all the scar tissue from my band. He said he was surprised I had as much being I only had the band for about 15 months.  Again, on a pain scale of 1 - 10, I am currently at a 3 and at the highest it was maybe a 7 and that was day one into day two.

I have been on clear liquids for the first 3 days and today I move onto full liquids.  It amazes me how full I feel from just drinking liquids. I cannot imagine what real food will feel like!  My doctor also told me it was ok to drink caffeinated coffee but no more than two cups a day.  I am taking him up on that one for sure. I hope it gets rid of this little headache I still seem to have going on.

I took my first shower yesterday and that made a huge difference in how I feel.  I may even put on some makeup today after i shower and take a pic to share with everyone!   I have no plans on leaving the house because I look ridiculous with this bulge of the drain sticking out from under my shirt!  I may take Brutus for a little walk in the yard but thats it as far as socializing.  Wednesday will be here in no time and than I can face the world again!

Thank you for all the love and support you have given me through this drama.  While I pray that no one else needs to revise from the band, it is great knowing that there are options out there for us!  Please know I am always here if anyone needs more info.  My email address is jdt36x@yahoo.com if you want to talk to me privately.  We can even exchange phone numbers from there and I am more than happy to share everything I've learned from my experience!