kalew

The drain is OUT!!!! yea!

Congratulations, the worst is over and it just keeps getting better. I get my drain pulled today, yahoo!!!

Good to know, I am taking tylenol and lortab, doesn't do much really. But maybe I am being a baby. Everything else is fine. No trouble drinking or eating, bowels are a little loose, but I was expecting that. And I was told that this area would be more sore, but didn't expect this much. I think it is the dimpling in the skin that bothers me, feels like the tissues want to tear away.

Pain is all at that incision site. I called the Dr. office today and was told it was normal as this is where he did most of the manipulation of the instruments from. No problem with drinking, I do feel full easy, but if I wait 10- 15 min can drink more. I'm just taking tylenol today, the lortab was making me nauseous, though I had zofran so no vomiting, I am opting to just hurt a little more. I am wearing an abdominal binder which helps and splint the area with a little pillow (small teddy bear acutally) when I cough or go to sit down, walk, etc.

I have an appointment Wednesday to get my drain out. Doing ok, still hurts on that left side a lot but that is evidently normal. Can't wait to get this drain out then I will feel more "normal" so to speak. no problem eating or drinking so far. Getting tired of the full liquids and don't like the isopure zero carb drinks really. went back to instant breakfast with extra protein powder.

one week I have lost 4 lbs off my pre-surgical weight. lost 12 lbs pre-surgical. After coming home from the hospital it had shown a big gain but I don't really remember the weight. They do pump in a lot of fluids and it takes a week or so for your body to get rid of it.

Anyone have an incision that looks like it is stuck in? I have one on my left lower abd that really hurts. Hurts to cough, move, deep breathe. And it is sort of puckered in like it was stitched out of place or something????

Day 6 for me, finally getting by without pain meds. Still have one area in my left lower quadrant that really hurts, have to splint it to move around. It's all puckered in like it's stitched too tight or something. We'll see what's what when I go back to the doc in a couple of days and have the drain removed. Drinking fine, no fever, everything is working, so can't really complain much. One more week of full liquids... ugh.

So how is everybody doing this week? I'm finally feeling better today, think I'll try and not use the pain meds today. I think they were making me nauseous.

Just had my sleeve by Dr. Nick. Had a great experience! Baylor Plano was a great facility and I have had more than my share of operations, the nurses were great and happy (sounds weird but a happy nurse is so much better all else equal). I didn't need a revision, so don't know what his requirements would be, go to one of his information seminars and talk to him. He is very approachable. I had an UGI pre-op due to hiatal hernia.

Not sure what size he used, but I am able to eat about 1/2 cup full liquids and I'm full. Anyone know what size Dr. nick in Dallas uses?

Some friends gave me a little stuffed bear and I have used him as a splint to press against my left lower abdomen when getting up and walking around. For some reason that is where the worst pain is. He has helped a lot and I also used him as a baby pillow under my tummy to help be able to sleep on my right side. Can't lay on my left side yet. Pain is much better starting about day 6 have used a lot less pain med. He also helped splint my tummy when doing the deep breathes and coughing exercises. Don't forget to cough and deep breathe!!!

Have lots of gurgles and burping as first week after surgery, started getting nausea yesterday but no vomiting. Making it hard to get my fluids in though. Feeling lightheaded too. Anyone have that?

Did you follow your pre-op diet? Sorry your having problems, hope you are feeling better soon.

Well the miralax worked, now just need to get it to stop. ha ha!!

Feeling better today, can tell that the pain is less and no fever today. They gave me a pneumonia vaccine before discharge because I am over 50, and I had chills and fever up to 100. for the past 2 days. Never got up to the dreaded 101 so all is well. I really think the chills and fever were due to the vaccine. Anyway, I can tell I have turned the corner so to speak with the surgical pain. Yea!! Go in on Tuesday to get the drain pulled. That will be great. So excited to be moving forward. Thanks for all the encouragement.

Just got home from the hospital yesterday. I know what you mean by the swelling. That is normal for surgery. Even my hands are swollen. They gave me a pneumonia shot prior to discharge and now I have been having fever and chills. Fever is low grade 99-100. Guess I'll call the office today and let them know. I drank as much as I could yesterday and I'm sipping on some crystal light right now. I'm thinking the fever is due to the pneumonia vaccine since it is so low.

Came home today from my sleeve surgery. Everything went well. What hurt the most was shoulder pain. That was terrible but is already gone, so only lasted 24 hr for me. Still on clear liquids for today, start full liquids tomorrow. Thanks for all your help everyone. I felt so much more prepared after reading all your posts. At the hospital I did use a light weight robe (knee length), nonslip socks, tooth brush, tooth paste, body lotion, body wash. deodorant. Brought my knitting but didn't really do much. The pain meds made me kind of loopy, family were lovingly making fun at that. Didn't get much sleep, so came home and slept 3 yrs. Everyone was wonderful, and very knowledgeable. So far so good. Will post more later.

Definately need the lip balm or whatever your favorite is. Body lotion (the hospital lotion smells bad usually); something to read, brush, toothbrush, whatever you usually use to wash your face with. I'm packing too for surgery tomorrow. Getting nervous, have been trying to keep busy all day, doubt I will sleep much.

Can't wait either, my husband still has reservations but is ok with it. My dietician told me I might want to get Isopure Zero Carb (20 oz) it comes in several fruit flavors and you can get it an GNC or Vitamin Shop. It has 40 gms of protein, so drink 1/2 bottle between breakfast and lunch and the other half between lunch and dinner. Has anyone tried it? I'm going to get a few as it would be just so easy in the beginning when I don't feel that well.

That's right, having a big stomach hasn't done me much good. In fact it has done much harm. So I am opting for a smaller stomach. There will be some changes in what I eat, and I will lose weight. It will help my health, hopefully my weight bearing joints will quit hurting so that I can do more. I'm looking forward to feeling better. It's all up to me how well this all works out. I hope my surgery goes well. It should, I have a great surgeon and a great hospital. No real big health issues for why it wouldn't. Surgery is Monday around 1pm or so depending on if he stays on schedule or not.

I ordered the unjury protein powder and tried to mix it with water, it too was milky, I made the mistake of sticking it in my blender to help stir it up and it all turned to foam. ick; it didn't taste bad however. There must be some trick to using the unflavored powders... any idea?

That is very fast! I have my surgery Monday, can't believe it is so soon, have lost 12lbs pre-op so far, but I bet that is a lot of water too. Anyway, can't wait to get going on this. It's a little scary for sure. I met with my dietician today, basically have to get down 60gms of protein a day and 6-8 cups of liquids. I can't drink that much now! never was able to drink a lot... as they say here... sip sip sip, walk walk walk.

I have my surgery Monday and I do know how you feel. I just met with the dietician today and it is really a life change. She said everyone pretty much looses weight the first year, if you start exercising and continue to watch what you eat you will keep the weight off. You can streach out your sleeve if you continue to cram food in and it doesn't make you sick. If I could do this diet without the sleeve I would do it. I have tried everything and it just comes back on within a year, I know I didn't stick with it. But that is why I am where I am and needing this surgery. This will be a great tool for me to use to make the necessary life changes. I am 57 yr old and the excess weight is really affecting my health. All the weight bearing joints hurt, I'm becoming diabetic, my cholesterol is up. It's a downward spiral, I need to stop it, now! You may not be there yet, you can't undo a sleeve so you really need to be sure before you go ahead.

Tiff, I note that you are taking fish oil supplement EPA/DHA that's great! I currently am taking 2 a day and was wondering if I could continue after surgery. I get sleeved Monday morning. The gel caps are quite large, about the size of an adult vitamin. I use a very high quality fish oil from Metagenics. Are your pills big too? I think they would dissolve ok, but what has been your experience?