meggiep

I had major nausea in the recovery room and they waited to send me to my room until I was fine- even had me actually swallow two pills. Have not had nausea again. My pain was fierce off and on and would seize up from gas to stomach and back in an almost rippling effect. I used my diiaudid pump and it worked immediately- even on my gas pain. By the time I came home I was way down on meds and thogh I still take them it is for other issues and it controls little wisps of stomach pain as well.

Wow- that's harsh! Odd as it seems- the more you drink the faster it will flush out so drink drink drink!

I hear you- I am 8th day and so weak! They do say at least two weeks off so maybe you have pushed yourself a bit. Are you getting your fluids and Protein? What is the food phase that you are on? I ask that because my doctor started me with three weeks clear fluids plu Protein drinks and when speaking with the dietician today I realized I have had about 4 carbs max a day with all the sugar free stuff, broth, etc. Maybe 400 calories. I am probably weak because I am malnourished! Don't beat yourself up for not walking. I was too weak to do it yesterday or today. You are just out of the gate from major surgery and my doctor (GP not surgeon) told me you really ebb and flow with energy for a few weeks.

Mine was about an hour and fifteen minutes.

Thank you! I have come to a fairly good balance now. Of course I posted this in that awful period when I could not drink anything without pain and many things without vomiting! I truly just wanted to get a liquid in and nothing was working. I then finally found a couple of Protein Drinks with spenda in them I can do, the Propel water recommended by a reply totally helped, the Dreyers sugar free popsicles are WONDERFUL, and yes, I put half a teaspoon of sugar in the warm decaf tea that is also going down well. The last two days I have gotten all my water and protein requirements so I am definitely way way better! Thank you to everyone who helped! Swizzly dear I love hearing about how it is done in other countries. How wonderful to live somewhere not totally bound by fear of law suits and the risk management insurance people booting you out way too soon only because of money. I bet if we were all kept a week it would make a HUGE difference, both in complication rate and just in quality of life after the sleeve.

Hey girl- well we got moved again- and nobody comes over here to read so I give up. Why don't we have a plan that when you wake up, whoever is up first starts their thread for how they are doing that day without any RV mention and then we can at east all post there so we can know how we each are doing! I think when it is here the preops and newbies considering surgery lose out on seeing how post op is- so valuable to me so I guess we just can't have our post title mention May or Red Velvet. I myself will always feel bonded to you guys! I'm glad the pain is better! I have to start with a protein drink FIRST THING- 2 scoops of Champion Proscore 100 chocolate in 8 ouces cold decaf for 30 grams. Then I do another in the afternoon- yesterday was able to pack 36 into my afternoon drink- leaving only 4 or 5 grams for evening with unflavored in my broth. I resent the heck out of being on clears and PDs! But I know that protein is key to energy and healing. I am stalled already- but when I look at losing almost 25 pounds in three weeks how can I whine?

Oh dear I hope this clears up for you! Keep us posted- once you get through this early time you will move to where you don;t even remember when our thumby's ruled us like this!

I forgot to mention- I seem to have already hit a stall- on the 8th day. Happy happy joy joy. I didn't care really but wonder when I add more food does that mean I will gain? Will I be the first on that having the stomach mostly removed means nothing for?

Well of course we keep getting moved but I just don't go to the nether areas of the board plus I know other people (especially pre surgery) want to know how this journey goes for each of us. I woke up feeling much better than yesterday-still kinda weak but not unable to hold up the phone weak! Last night was the first night I did not have to take a pain pill before bed and then woke in a bit more pain- I have back and knee pain that are controlled with meds and they have really quieted down during this time of more medication! I hit my 70 grams of protein and 64 plus ounces of water for the second day straight yesterday- thing is since my entire world revolves around it- seems like a no brainer I would! I am home bound, not so energetic, and it is raining here in No CA. I start the morning with a series of fluid containers around me- decaf tea, propel, water, and my first protein drink. And I start drinking and noting it...an the day goes by and I hit my goal. I can' help but think that when I get a bit more food, as Swizzly said yesterday- I will be out more, up more. doing more. And I perhaps wont be so focused on food! I have had a small amount of diarrhea every day but today that has solidified. I think it may have affected me more than I thought because my urine was a bit dark today so I am going to up the fluids again today! I feel way too absorbed with bodily functions, and way too ruled by this thumby (thanks swizzly). I still have abdomen tenderness but the gas issue is gone other than the otherworldly burping- what I mean is the gas pain is basically gone. I notice I cannot predict what will cause a bit if pain when I swallow it. Last night it was water- plain water! How is everyone else doing?

Thanks for the reminder about the peeling....mine will do that too. My fantasy is egg salad. Not even so far fetched! But about seven weeks away on my doc schedule. Glad you are doing well!!!

You're on your way babe! How exciting? What do you have to do exactly? Why go with a gross choice- there are some lovely ones (at least for now- they might make you puke after ) I didn't realize you have IBF too- yikes! You may face my situation- diarrhea every day so far but a teeny tiny amount. How much can clears and clear Protein drinks make?

Me too fellow May 9ther RVers! I think the cold is the main symptom because then we bundle- and if you sleep bundled you will wake up sweating for sure as your body generates heat while you sleep. I have had two of those sopping wet awakenings- ewwww! BTW sorry about not starting the RV thread early enough today- I will start it late at night so we can all chime in- I often am up late with insomnia since surgery and then sleep until noon and I want you to know where to post so we can all keep track of each other.

Oh to answer your other question Renee- no complications- the inability to get things down and vomiting with some liquids was it. Occasional insomnia but I sleep after it and into the day. Somewhat low energy - but- well you know-we have fibro! I expect to be slower getting back in to life. My pain is much much less...and you already saw the picture of my bruises in the hematoma thread.

You know- I am wondering about that myself! My doctor told me my liver was great and everything went well. The only inking I have is that my bloodwork showed possible anemia the morning I was to be discharged. My doctor asked for a stat CBC and said if it was lower I would be kept another night AND be given blood and that it could be "seepage" at the staple line. Not a leak. My CBC was normal. But it occurred to me that he wants clears and Protein powder so I put this little baby through the leas work right now other than clears only. All I know is it is HARD! My husbands delish broth is wearing on me. I fantasized about him taking porterhouse steaks, grilling them, and using them for beef broth. I would be so happy just for a cream Soup. Sigh. I think I would have more energy! I have had a little diarrhea every day- and there is hardly anything in there! So I wouldn't think of it as constipation - more nothing to come out. Truly- what have you drink that would make anything? ;-P SO glad you are doing so well!

Yipes I did that in the hospital- well coughed some up0 old dried stuff- expected after the surgery with some people. That he is 8 weeks out- yipes! Hope we hear from him soon!

Today- day seven for me! I cant believe it is my one week surgeversary! I was a bit concerned because I woke up feeling weak as a kitten and it did not improve after my first Protein shake but my doctor (my surgeon's office said to call my GP since my doc was in surgery today) said your energy can vary drimatically fter surgery and to watch for a few days and get back to her- also increase fluids (jeeze- I was so proud to have gotten all 64 plus ounces the last two days!) Of course my hope for her moving me from clears and Protein drinks to fulls liquids was absurd since it is of course my surgeon who will do that. I can't help wondering if the two weeks of this before and now another week hasn't just worn me down- we'll see. I'll come back and talk more about day six but I want a place for you all to gather your stories so we can check up on each other! I denied myself the forum to get some work done today- sorry it was late. I'll do it earlier tomorrow!

Yes- better every day! Ill keep starting RV threads in Post op so we can all post!

I put this in another thread and will attach it again- I totally understand your fear but know everything is amplified right now. Letters sound good in your case as yu are not wanting to tell your youngest sons directly. I thin the main reason for writing them is for YOU- to get whatever you are feeling out. This is for you, this surgery is for you and them- remember that! BTW I even told my husbsnd to post here if anything happened. The oddest things came up! It is all normal. "They are such hard things to discuss! It was really hard for me but the night before my surgery I had talks with both my husband and my son. Zach is his step-son and I wanted him to promise to always take care if him like his own- they are close and always have been, for 10 years- but I needed him to promise.Also a silly thing- not to stop feeding the feral cats in our neighborhood! It is odd what will come up. Then I told Zach NOT to think something was going to happen as the chances were uber remote- but that if it did- to remember I loved him with all my heart, would always be with him, and to try to make choices at least considering for a moment what Mama might have thought. This was VERY hard. My husband flat out thought I was almost bonkers to be filled with that much fear. I have had three other surgeries so this was not a new concept. Yet I felt it was needed, and had done something similar before. The interesting thing is that this time was a little bit more intense because my months here on VST have cracked me open in a new and different way. I have always been open, and expressive of my feelings. But one area I had never really allowed to surface, was my pain at being obese. Suddenly among these people here, the feelings started coming, the pain I had lived with for so long. SO having thought I wore as much of my heart on my sleeve as was possible I discovered there was more, hence the heightened talks. Know this- those talks comforted me. I said what I thought I needed to say, at least in the somewhat emotionally askew condition I was in- after 2 weeks on liquids and the night before major life altering surgery!"

That is a bummer! Here is CA Blue Cross is the easiest to get approval from and requires (in my case) only that you comply with your doctors requirements. I'm MeginCA ;-P

I will keep all three of you in my prayers and get ready to see you on the other side! Keep us posted- I will have a Red Velvet (May sleevers) thread in post op - we have all been posting there. Next thing you know you new lives begin!

Hooray! Glad it is behind you and you are doing well- on day six I can say it gets better every day. Kelly isn't yours TOMORROW? Or has your date changed? I will be thinking of you !

That is an interesting concept- in fact after my surgery (wow- a week tomorrow- gotta look for your post from then and compare!) I remember thinking- well of course it slows down for a while- I just lost 18 pounds in two weeks BEFORE ! It is also why I consider day one of my liquid the start of my surgery. As for the carbs- I do believe (time will tell!) the we have a real honeymoon period where the restriction is major and I want to optimize it. I have never counted carbs before though I did Atkins YEARS ago and I remember now it was pretty good for me. The first You Tuber I watched back in February-Juliarh- has done 30 (I think net) carbs a day and she has lost over 120 pounds in 8 months. Not fat, , just carbs and protein and Water. I want to do that so at first I am going to have her be my sleeve icon. Given we know our sleeves will indeed be larger- and knowing I was brought to this drastic point by my own ability to subterfuge myself, I NEED to maximize this loss and not give it too much time so I hope to be near goal before my honeymoon is over- plus that will get the habits I want to really be in place. In the past before starting a "diet" I always felt defeated before I started. This time I know I have the best tool I have ever had. I want to ROCK it! HOWEVER- if this mini cupcake thing works too- I am ON BOARD! Cake is my THING.

It worked anyway I am at six days. 1. In post op the first day it was not so much regret as my brain and body scrambling to understand the severity of what had happened- which nothing can truly prepare you for imo. During that confusing and difficult series of impulses- wel, I would describe the thought as WTF? rather than regret. 2. Not an issue yet but bread is a trigger food for me so I will do without for a long long time- and I have heard rice is tough so any food I have heard described thusly will wait even longer. 3. I have slept on my left since coming home- it faces in to the bed where my family is! (DH and dog) It is a little incomfortable but is also the side I always sleep on. I switch back and forth from left to back. 4. I have had diarrhea a couple of times as well as a tiny amount of what I guess you would call poop (plop ;-P) but have not had to strain. Sure hopes that continues.

They are such hard things to discuss! It was really hard for me but the night before my surgery I had talks with both my husband and my son. Zach is his step-son and I wanted him to promise to always take care if him like his own- they are close and always have been, for 10 years- but I needed him to promise.Also a silly thing- not to stop feeding the feral cats in our neighborhood! It is odd what will come up. Then I told Zach NOT to think something was going to happen as the chances were uber remote- but that if it did- to remember I loved him with all my heart, would always be with him, and to try to make choices at least considering for a moment what Mama might have thought. This was VERY hard. My husband flat out thought I was almost bonkers to be filled with that much fear. I have had three other surgeries so this was not a new concept. Yet I felt it was needed, and had done something similar before. The interesting thing is that this time was a little bit more intense because my months here on VST have cracked me open in a new and different way. I have always been open, and expressive of my feelings. But one area I had never really allowed to surface, was my pain at being obese. Suddenly among these people here, the feelings started coming, the pain I had lived with for so long. SO having thought I wore as much of my heart on my sleeve as was possible I discovered there was more, hence the heightened talks. Know this- those talks comforted me. I said what I thought I needed to say, at least in the somewhat emotionally askew condition I was in- after 2 weeks on liquids and the night before major life altering surgery! I am glad if I helped you in any way at all.