Nancy Rivers

Good luck!

I did get an incentive spirometer - it just has a small piece of plastic that makes a lot of noise when I suck on it. I can get it to do it 3 out of the 10 times I'm supposed to do it - which is the same as in the hospital. Yesterday I had a heck of a time getting fluids in. I did manage 8 ounces of chicken broth on top of the Jello cup that took 2 hours to finish (warm jello does not taste very good). Water has been much harder to swallow. I'm supposed to start full liquids today, and honestly, I don't know how I'm going to do it. I fall asleep at the drop of a hat - but it doesn't last long nor is it very restful as I have a massively stuffy nose that is making it hard to breathe. Most of my pain is related to the gas. I've been tooting and burping like crazy - each time the pain abates for a bit, so that tells me there is a correlation. The heaviness that I feel in the stomach area between the incision points is also getting to be less as the gas passes. I just wish it would hurry up and finish passing... I did have my first bowel movements yesterday - not much obviously, but it was something. Glad to see my digestive system is waking back up. LOL This had better be worth it. I'm really tired of feeling this crappy.

Most of the pain is when I go from sitting to standing. I have never eaten jello so slowly. It has been an hour and I only have half of jello cup gone.

No, I have to do the prescriptions myself. I will be taking it easy for sure. I was able to sleep on my side without it being too uncomfortable (I can't sleep on my back as it hurts my back). Changing position is the worst as it feels like the area that's between my 5 incisions is really a heavy weight strapped to my body. But, I'm taking it slow to change positions. The passing of gas has started! I never in a million years thought I would be excited to say that, but I am. I also have had a "dry cough" this morning - I've started sipping in hopes that will help.

Good luck to the July 14 sleevers. At least 3 more people will join the rest of us on the loser's bench! LaValeHawk sweetdreams my_year2011 Please update us when you can.

I think the pain medicine is starting to wear off now as I'm starting to have pain. Hopefully tomorrow I can make it to the pharmacy to get more. I had an Isopure when I got home, promptly took a nap, and now am trying to drink some more crystal light - but my new tummy isn't liking this particular crystal light. Either that, I have overdone the liquids now. I know I'll start feeling better as the days pass, but I wish that was now....

Back home already. Pain really wasn't a problem, but I kept myself really dosed up as I didn't want to take a chance. No nausea yet either. But I am still tired, so I think I'll take a nap soon.

That's terrific that you have lost 14 pounds already! That's terrific news! Good luck with your appointment tomorrow.

I hope all goes well for you tomorrow. Good luck!

Thanks biggriz - I just got home and was going to post it late, but I didn't have to! Good luck to those getting their sleeves today!

I hope you are making it home today Leslie. I just got home myself.

Glad you are doing well!

I just got home from the hospital. My surgeon said that it would be just an overnight stay and then they would release me if everything was ok. I had the leak test this morning and it was fine. I've been able to keep down 8 ounces of beef broth and 16 ounces of crystal light with no problems. Once I finally peed on my own (after they took the catheter out), then they released me. I really haven't had much pain - just around the incisions, but that was expected. They also gave me something for nausea which is why I don't think I have had any problems with it. The nurses were impressed with how well I was doing. Apparently there was another patient of Dr. Northup who had surgery yesterday too and was in a different room. According to one nurse even that patient was impressed with me as she saw me going past her room a lot. I hope she gets out soon. They gave me 2 prescriptions to fill, so hopefully I can get them filled tomorrow.

Thank you everyone. I have gotten some sleep and am feeling great now. At this point I feel some discomfort in my left shoulder from the gas, but otherwise have no pain that isn't being managed. I have walked 3 times now - further each time and that is really helping. My nurse just told me that I am a model patient and I completely credit you all on here for that. If it had not been for all of you sharing your experiences, then I don't think I would be doing as well. Thank you!

I am now in my room. Surgery went well. I have pain only in one incision so far. I will get up in a couple of hours to walk when they let me. Still rather tired though.

Glad to hear you are doing better! I'll be joining you on the loser's bench in a few hours!

biggriz - I made myself hungry when I typed that! LOL

Congrats to both of you on getting a date! It'll be here before you know it!

I was surprised that I didn't have to do a bowel prep. I'm not complaining mind you, just surprised.

Mine was LaRosa's Ravioli, Penne Chicken Alfredo, Spaghetti & Meatballs. Not all at the same time, but spread over a few days. I really loved LaRosa's - but no more.

Well, I'm having my surgery tomorrow, so I can't speak to the "after", but I do know that everyone experiences it a little differently. That said, virtually everyone that I have seen post on here has said that it was worth it in the long run - even when they had difficulties right after surgery. It's normal for us to be nervous about this. It's also normal right after the surgery to go through a period of "WTH did I do?" and of "Why did I do this to myself?" Again, it's normal and I wouldn't worry about it too much. Of course this time tomorrow, I might be singing a different tune. LOL

Good luck to all of us who are getting sleeved - there are at least 11 of us. It's the biggest sleeve day of July! July 12 sleevers: Nancy Rivers debgwoody Tara B kamay1234 aminahthediva73 Leslie jencomenz jflow75 mythreechildren2001 Bryn Dawson readytolive Hope it all goes smoothly. Please update when you are able to. (I'll update hopefully sometime late on the 13th when I get home.)

Glad you are doing well. Thanks for the update!

Glad to hear the surgery went well. I hope the pain goes away quickly. Thanks for the update!

Chewing gum has never been an option for me. I tried it 3 or 4 different times when I was a kid, and I always swallowed it after a couple of minutes! I went to work and puttered around, then I did my grocery shopping for the next few weeks (canned meats, veggies, etc) - except for the dairy which I will still have to go each week for. Tonight I have a computer to fix for someone, so I'm just "chilling" at the moment and sipping away on some broth, sf Jello and Water. When I was at the store I did get some Isopure alpine punch (the only flavor they had), so that's in the fridge to cool and I'll drink one of those tonight to get some Protein in (which I know will help with the hunger). Admittedly, I'm sure the hunger is more head hunger than actual hunger because I want to "chew" my food, not drink it.