Lorraine Freeman

Try taking some liquid codeine, that's what my doctor advised and it helped me after first dose. I only took it once a day and it certainly helped me. XXxxx

Hi, it's totally normal how you are feeling, especially the feeling that you are obsessing about things. I thought I would share how things went for me immediately post op in the hope it helps. Day one post op went in a flash, I spent the first few hours post op very groggy but not in pain. Don't get me wrong, I knew I had had surgery and was uncomfortable where my stomach was removed but it wasn't an unbearable pain. I was on an IV for the first 24 hours with nil by mouth, just little sponge things to keep my lips moist. Day 2 : I was still uncomfortable and found that a few times I did have to ask for a little bit more pain relief, again nothing that a little top of mess didn't handle. On day two I was given protein shakes throughout the day and a jug of iced water to drink throughout the day. Drinking was hard and slow and I felt weird about not being able to just down water as I had previously. The wind (gas) as you call it, was really bad but walking certainly helped. I did laps 3 laps of the ward every 45 mins and pumped a lot :0s. Mid morning of day 2 I was given my leak test where they make you swallow what can only be described as the most fowl tasting liquid known to man. You swallow the liquid and they watch (on X-ray) as it goes down and into your new tummy, making sure everything enters and exits through the correct route. Sleeping was uncomfortable and as they kept checking on my oxygen levels etc during the night very disturbed. On day 3 I developed what can only be described as the worst case of the runs I have ever had in my life (sorry TMI) doctors were reluctant to let me home in case I became dehydrated but its amazing what some crying like a 2 year old can get you (cringes) so on the evening of day 3 they had had enough of the 33 year old cry baby and allowed me home, this was when they reality if the operation sank in for me. While I was in the hospital for some reason everything somehow seemed surreal like when I got home everything was going to magically be better after a good nights sleep or two. Obviously this doesn't happen and every day became like an obsession over the surgery, it was all I could think about from first thing in the morning til I eventually went to sleep. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't in a great deal of pain or anything I just couldn't get what I had done to my body out of my mind, it was like my mind was in delayed shock or something. Fluids were slow but steady and got better every day, however my mood and buyers remorse ( although you don't pay across here) got worse, the oh my goodness what have I done to myself hit along with the this is irreversible surgery what am I gonna do now? For about a week my mood was really low but with every day it got a bit better until about day 10 when I was feeling "normal" again. The best advice I can give you is take every day as it comes, don't be a martyr to pain if it hurts ask for pain relief, walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip and have a good support network back home waiting for you, not just for helping out in the house etc but for the emotional roller coaster that most people endure. I am 7 weeks out now and feeling great with no regrets but I am not going to lie and say its not hard because it is. However every day things get a little easier and I am a step closer to feeling in control of my life again. I know this is a bit long but hope it helps. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. XXxxx

Sounds like you have an infection and its best to catch it as early as possible. They will probably not keep you in but give you a sugar free liquid anti biotic to clear it up. XXxxx

Yep no fluids 30 mins before or after any food.

I also had the dehydration due to the runs. My doctor fever me codeine which I took daily for a week and this helped bind things and dry up the runs so that I could start rehydrating. I also only pee'd once a day and that was because I forced myself to, the feeling of needing to urinate escaped me until I cleared the runs and hot more fluids in. Merry Xmas eve XXxxx

I was on a 2 week low carb diet which allowed me to shrink my liver. I really enjoyed the food on it and there was plenty of it so I didn't feel hungry at all. I still have the diet, if you would like me to send you it then send me your email address and I will get it to you ASAP. Merry Xmas eve XXxxx

P.s yeah we have to have regular meetings with physch both before and after surgery, and they did say that around 80% of people do get depression straight afterwards but I thought I would be fine lol. XXxx

I think the depression is caused by a mixture of your hormones changing post op and the reality that it is an irreversible surgery. That coupled with the lack of sleep and feeling if helplessness as my family rallied round me doing everything for me, when I am usually a really independent person. This does get a bit better every day and then you just wake up one day (around day 10 for me) and its gone. I had a slight relapse last week but aunt flow came to visit, so again my hormones were all over the place. I am 7 weeks out tomorrow. I really don't regret having the operation done and am down 30 pounds which is great. Merry Xmas eve. XXxxx

You need to go get it checked straight away hunny. Go to your E.R and they will recommend what to do from there, but this isn't something to ignore. It may just be a pulled muscle or something but you are best to get it checked. Please keep us posted and I will be sending love your way. Xxxx

Have you thought about home fitness videos? That way you can exercise in the comfort of your own home after work. You get some fab ones such as boxercise and Zumba as well as the traditional ones. Then you could possible use the gym at the weekends or on days off?

Will do thanks for the tip.

Hi at 4 years out what is a typical days menu for you and is it true you can eat a little more as time goes on?

Hi girls, just a quick note to say that the first few weeks are the worst but it does get better every day. Keep walking and sipping and things will improve. Abdominal pain is totally normal and is caused by swelling and all the air they pump into you. Take things slowly with the second stage, there is no rush to have all the meals in one day if you are not up to it yet. I started on 1 a day and worked my way up. I started by having something at lunch time and progressed every few days from there. Try your best to get in your protein and most importantly your water. Again it gets easier to drink the further out you are, small and often is the key. I hope this helps calm your fears a bit, remember everyone who has been sleeved has been there and prob felt the same fears you have so don't be scared to ask. Xxx

You can have low fat custard or nas angel delight perhaps. Muller rice, I enjoy a bedtime cup of Horlcks or ovaltine. Soft cheese such as light laughing cow cheese, pâté. The puréed stage is when things start to feel a bit more normal and you get the full feeling. Keep your chin up and you will be there in no time. Xxx