jennlhp

Tomorrow I will be 3 weeks post op. My stomach muscles are still tender. Is this normal?

Thanks for replying! I am taking Pepcid 2x's a day. My doc's office today told me to try that for a few days and if it doesn't help they will give me something else. I am not drinking from a straw, and I'm drinking slowly. I hope this doesn't last.

Was sleeved on 3/11 so 7 days post op. Today I've had heart burn all day! Is this something forever now, or just something common post op. It hurts so much. I felt great yesterday. Today not so much!

Gorgeous!!!

What a difference a year can make - here I am at Christmas 2012 and after Christmas 2013! Thank you all for the support and for the ones who doubted when I said "I eat everything in moderation" - well - judge for yourself whether or not that taco bell taco hurt me at all LOL! I've been doing wonderful post surgery and consider my surgery a real success - ready to ring in the new year and loving my new life! 1/29 will be my official one year - Merry Christmas everyone and I encourage you all to take the journey - you won't regret it. Love to all-

Thank you for posting this. As of now, this will be my 3rd time chickening out. I'm ready this time.....I think. I'm still scared to death, and wondering if I'm making the right decision. I guess the only way to find out is to do it. I hope I'm making the right choice.

I thought I had Crohns but got tested and I was diagnosed with Post infectious IBS. That was a year ago. I was sleeved in July 2013. I know it is not Crohns but I have had no issues what so ever. I used to take pro biotics and now I need nothing and doing well.

your stomach will tell you. At first try teeeeenie sips constantly, but in my casr (two weeks out) I can take a fairly normal swallow with no pain. Don't plan on chugging anytime soon, and avoid carbonation!

I can swallow a normal sip, not a gulp, without any problems now 2.5 weeks out. I just can only take a sip every 7-10 minutes depending on what I am drinking or else I feel full.

a table spoon. I practiced sipping by measuring 1/4 cup of Water and taking FOUR sips from it.. that makes each sip a tablespoon...
Turns out I didn't need all the practice though.. My sleeve had no problem handling regular size swallows of Fluid right from the beginning... I never really had to do the small "sips" nor did I have to space out my fluids because it just ran right through my sleeve as fast as I'd drink it! I'm three months out and I just got back from working out and chugged half a 16 ounce water.. waited about two minutes and chugged the other half.... My sleeve is very good to me!

From recalling your pre surgery views it seems to me you were determined to regret this surgery before you even had it and I can not work out why you proceeded with it to be honest.
Thing is, you have done it now. There is little point in regret as it is not like you can go back and undo it. You made a choice and now you have to learn to work with the consequences of that choice. Only you can do that and it will involve changing the way you feel about it. Your feelings are your within your power to choose and you can. choose to feel differently about it all.
You don't have to be on these boards for more than a week before hearing all about stalls, especially at 3 weeks. You know this stuff already. What is it you are seeking to achieve by writing this OP? Is it attention you are after? Validation?
I know I seem harsh and I know I am blunt. I don't often notice posters, I more read the content than check to see who is saying it, so recurrent posters don't often stand out for me. But you have and I have to say it isn't in a positive way. I am noticing recurrent posts of negativity and really all of that is going to lead to self sabotage of your sleeve and, basically, a miserable life. Why choose to be miserable when you can choose to be happy?
Of course your clothes don't fit right, you just had bariatric surgery.
Of course your body shape is changing rapidly, you just had bariatric surgery.
Of course you can't eat what you want, you just had bariatric surgery.
Of course exercise feels hard right now, you just had bariatric surgery.
So you look dishevelled? Do something about it. Do your hair, give yourself a mani/pedi and a facial if you can't afford to get one done professionally. Choose not to look dishevelled.
Clothes hang loose? Use a belt, use a scarf, use a needle and cotton, use your head and use google for ideas on how to turn what you have into something that looks good and feels comfortable for little to no cost.
Choices. You have them. And make them knowing that you have to live with the consequences of the choices you make. Just like you now have to live with the consequences of making the choice to have bariatric surgery. You have to live with your decision, Janice, so you may as well chose to live happily.

I just had my sleeve on Monday 6/17. I have have 2 kids the pain in having children is the actual childbirth process not the recovery. Recovery from the sleeve in my opinion is only after the first 2 days after being released from the hospital. Basically it was the nausea. But you just have to literally walk it off. I marched in place for five minutes, sat down, sip, burp,rest, and repeat, and that got me through it. No pain meds at home, didn't need them. I'm on day 4 post OP and I'm feeling good. Good luck! I wish you the best.

I have had 2 c sections, gallbladder removed, and now the bag..worst pain by far was the 2 nd c section..gallbladder was not reall painful but I was sore for 8 days because the went in through my bellybutton...vsg minimal pain the first day right after surgery by that night the pain was almost gone and the nausea was kicking butt but the great staff I had was definitely on top of their game and kept the nausea under control. By the way I don't have a high pain tolerance either. I'm actually a big baby when it comes to tolerating pain. So you should be okay. Just dontbe afraid to ring that bell and ask for pain meds before the pain gets bad. You want to keep it under control. And as soon as you can get out the bed and get to moving around.

I was wondering the same thing! My lap band surgery was my only surgery experience and it was AWFUL! I've read that alot of people say that about lap band vs the sleeve revision. Maybe its because you know kind of what to expect. Anyhow, I am super excited and lets see what happens!!!!!!
Hugs to you all!
xoxoxoxo

Piece of cake for me! Nausea was my enemy in the hospital, but I stayed - as scheduled - overnight and the nausea was whipped into submission by the awesome staff. My only "recovery" problem was lack of energy...but, then again, not consuming much in the way of calories (energy) justifies it! I'm 2 weeks post-op tomorrow and have been back at work all week (3+ hours of commuting each day). This surgery was definitely a piece of cake!

A piece of cake! Nothing compared to child birth. I had no problems, and after being discharged from the hospital, I only took pain meds before I went to bed simply because it was uncomfortable to turn over and to help me sleep. I took pain medication for nine or ten days.

Here is a whole thread for you: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/47767-anyone-have-a-relatively-easy-recovery-story/

I had a hernia, band removal and the sleeve. I was in the hospital for three days and although I had discomfort after I was home, it didn't require any pain meds.

Well I had a great experience! I have had both gall bladder surgery and the vsg and I think the vsg was much easier. The only pain I had was from the gas and it helped to get up and walk and also to keep GasX strips on hand (they were a life saver!) I got a little nauseated the day after my surgery but that was from some of the medicine I was on. I didnt really have much pain and didnt take much pain med. It wasnt bad at all. Hope yours goes well!

I've had 3 c-sections as well, this, for me, felt pretty much the same. The pain area was the same, the recovery was the same thankfully I didn't have to stay in the hospital for 4 days like I do after a c-section, only 2 days for me (no issues). I had a JP Drain when I got home, I really didn't need the pain meds after the first day of surgery, although my nurses kept suggesting after I did my 5th lap around the hospital floor they let up on my need for it. I want to also say that I DO NOT have a high tolerance for pain, I think I just had a very experienced surgeon and great nurses. I felt good after 3 days and pretty normal after the first week. I have 3 children 5, 2 and 9 months and I was back to work (as a full time homemaker) by the end of the week

It all depends. It's different for everyone. Mine was like going to the dentist and waking up.. As if nothing was done. A soreness like I did sit ups but nothing other than that. The pain can range from 0 to 10 for people. It's a huge variety and you ne er know what you're going to get.
Always try for mind over matter and maybe it will work.

For me it was just like my gallbladder.

I made the same mistake, in telling my very judgmental sisters. My husband and daughters are so supportive, and are backing my decision, which they know is based on my research and speaking to others, and joining groups like this. I went to seminars, met with 3 surgeons, went to a psychologist, a nutritionist, and my general practitioner. What I got from my sisters was "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Of course they are not me, they are all under 130 lbs. They have never been fat, but they call themselves 'fat' in that annoying skinny girl kind of way. I don't listen to them, but it still hurts. You deserve support and love, which is what I told them. I didn't ask for anyone's opinion (except for my husband) so I don't need any unsolicited advice and warnings about how this person gained all their weight back and its a waste of time, you're just gonna get fat again... Some people suck. Just believe in yourself and your decision, and do your best!!!!!!!

I have to say that I have been very lucky in that regard. I did not keep the fact that I was going to have surgery a secret. Just about everyone I told has seen me struggle over the years with weight, and they were all happy for me, but at the same time concerned over having such a major surgery.
I think it is great that we have forums like this so that we can all get the support we need. Like you said, your sisters have never had a weight problem and can't understand where you are coming from or what you are going through. Everyone on this site certainly does!
Good for you for taking charge of your health and doing the research to put your mind at ease. It is scary and exciting all at the same time. Good luck on your journey!

I was given a hard time too...exact same words, "your crazy" dont do it..etc..even lost a friend, and almost had a nervous breakdown...hugs to you..do what you think is right for you...it will work out in the long run...