Many people have asked me when I’m having surgery, what my recovery time is like, and what I have to do in the time until they cut my gut. Here’s a run-down of my next few days. If you want to get updates as things happen, join/like the Beauty and the Bypass Facebook Page. I will update when I can, and my husband will update the page for the times I can’t.
I’m starting out this morning fasting. I’ll be going to St. Mark’s Hospital radiology at 7:40 for a few tests. I will be getting an upper GI endoscopy to see if I have a hiatal hernia, and then I’ll be getting an abdominal ultrasound to see if I need to have my gallbladder removed. If I have the hiatal hernia or a diseased gallbladder, those will be taken care of at the time of my surgery.
After the radiology work, I can break my fast for a few hours. At 3pm, I can call the hospital to see what my surgery time will be for tomorrow. I’ll need to take a bowel prep drink called Citroma (yay!) and then begin a clear liquid diet. In the evening, I need to shower and wash my abdomen with a surgical prep antibacterial soap called hibiclens, which I’ll also have to use again in the morning. Beginning at midnight, I will be NPO (nothing by mouth) until I go in for surgery tomorrow.
My estimated hospital stay will be a day and a half. I’ll go into the hospital Tuesday morning, and likely be discharged Wednesday evening. I’ll be home recovering for 2-3 weeks. I’m glad that my husband will be home with me as I recover.
If you’re interested in visiting me at the hospital, send me a text, tweet, or Facebook message. I’ll let you know when I’m ready for visitors. If you don’t want to come into the hospital to visit, I’ll be anxious for visitors at home.
All the best for the surgery, and wishing you a speedy recovery. x
Nicole’s surgery began 08:20 MST.