I received a call from PCMH between 2-3pm on Wednesday (the day before) to instruct me to arrive at 8 am on Thursday 9/22/11 at the ASU entrance at the back of the hospital beside the emergency room. She reminded me to have nothing after midnight to eat or drink (except my metoprolol the day of surgery) and to do my surgery bath the night before and morning of. I remember holding on to my phone at work all afternoon waiting for that call. That call meant that the time had come and life as I knew it was about to change. My mother spent the night with me so that she could be with me. Along with her was my boyfriend and my father met us at the hospital. Upon arrival, we were greeted by an extra friendly and comforting representative at the check-in desk. She gave us our instructions of the process and gave my boyfriend the pager which sends text messages to the family while the patient is having surgery. Soon after our pager went off and I was taken to the prep area. First, I had to weigh in...255.9. Then I was put in my "space" and told to change into the gown and footies and someone would come to start my IV and get vitals. After awhile, a nurse came and did those tasks. I have small veins in my right arm and guess which side she went after - the right side. She attempted repeatedly and even did a "fishing" maneuver under my skin with the needle. OUCH! She finally gave up and used the left and had to do it right in the bend of my arm. Later, the Anesthesiologist came in and introduced himself and went over the process of what he does. He also reviewed my chart. Following him was Dr. Mann (my surgeon). He basically spoke to me and went over the chart. He had already explained the procedure during our office visit. The next thing I remember is someone coming to get me saying, "Ms. O'Neal, they're ready for you". Uh Oh! They rolled me down the hall to the OR. I remember 2 people hooking things up to me and getting me positioned on the table. I looked around at all the equipment and big lights. And...that's all folks! I don't even remember being put to sleep. LOL Total blackout in my brain. Kinda like the movie Hangover. I do remember a nurse calling my name and telling me that I was in recovery and that my family was on the way in. I remember seeing my family but for some reason my eyes could not focus on anything at all. I tried to squint and everything but could not get a clear view. Everything was blurry. Did they do my eyes instead of my belly? Naw, they did the right procedure. Just felt the tightness in my abdomen. I also remember being wheeled down to my from N331. I remembered certain parts of the hallways. After being settled in my room, the rest of the day is all a blurrrrr. I was in and out of it and didn't even know it. I had lots of visitors that evening but could not tell you what I said to them. My friends have funny stories but they're sworn to secrecy. I hope!!!