1 Week Update

This time last week I was waking up in a hospital bed in Juarez, Mexico.  CSI: Miami was on the TV in the background, I had no idea what time it was and I was soooooooooo thirsty I could lick the wall.  A few hours prior (2pm Juarez time to be exact) I had just had -% of my stomach removed in the Vertical Gastric Sleeve surgery for weight loss.  When I woke up I knew there was no turning back, no reversing the decision I just made and  no way I would ever gorge on pizza and coke in 1 sitting again.

I did not like laying there waiting to have surgery until 2pm.  I got up at 5am that morning to take a shower.  I knew they were coming at 6am to put the IV in.  So tick-tock, tick-tock laying there waiting until 2pm.  Was not so fun.  Especially since I could have no food or drink from 10pm the nite before. 

They finally came to get me around 2pm, prepped me for surgery, I took a few huffs of "oxygen" as they called it and......

Not sure what time surgery was over.  I woke up in my room about 8pm.  Didn't feel bad at all just groggy.  Slept off and on the remainder of the nite and all of Sunday.  I am a side sleeper so getting comfy with a sore tummy and IV on the top of my hand was quite difficult.  I managed but wanted out of the hospital gown, into my PJs and my bed! On the bright side, nurses not only checked on me around the clock, took blood pressure, temp, heart rate, checked blood sugar etc every time but if I hit the call button they were in my room in less than a minute or two.  Was amazing care.  The surgeons also checked on me the evening after surgery and both days following surgery.  Pubic relations came twice to ask me if I had any issues or concerns.  The care just kept coming and it was fabulous.

I will admit I was ever so happy to see the large pitcher of crushed ice be delivered to my room on Sunday.  Was like steak and potatoes as far as I was concerned. I got broth, jello, hot tea, apple juice, and ice on Sunday evening and Monday morning.  Still wasn't as heavenly as the pitcher of ice seemed upon arrival. 

Once they took the IV out early Monday, I slept like a baby until it was time to get ready to leave. Showered, got all dressed up and cute (I wore a dress.  Highly recommend this.  Your tummy will be quite swollen), and the driver picked me up at 1pm to take me back to El Paso. 

My trip to Juarez was fabulous.  Sitting for 2 hours to cross the boarder.....not so much.   HOT, HOT, and boring.  There are TONS of "vendors" walking up and down the miles and miles of rows of cars selling "trinkets and trash" as my dad would call it. 

Finally at the airport, 2 short skips home and back in Birmingham my midnight.  I was not uncomfortable sitting on the plane at all. I had an hour and 15 minute flight to Dallas and about 2 hours to Birmingham (weather).  I did check my baggage in this time.  Didn't want to deal with it.  You will not be able to lift it to put it in overhead by yourself anyway.   I bought a bottle of no calorie flavored water and it lasted me the entire trip home since I was doing my little sips.  I did have to get some hard candy on the way back.  Throat was soooooooo sore from surgery. 

Safe and sound at home and was ready to start my journey......