MizzouGirl

You look fantastic. Congrats!!!

I have Cigna and they have been great thus far. I think it depends on the type of coverage selected by your employer. Mine was approved in about a week and other than $20 co-pays for office visits, I only had to pay a $250 deductible to the hospital.

I'm just 3 days ahead of you and I promise, it gets better each day. You are in the toughest part right now. When I was feeling like you are, I read posts from people who were 1 week, 2 weeks, a month (etc) out and it really gave me hope that it gets better pretty quickly. Hang in there!!!

I had the exact same thing and was freaking out. It is totally normal and will diminish. I'm now 5 days post op and while it still happens occasionally, it's not as intense. Hang in there --- it gets better, I promise. This is just the hardest part.

I have not other than when I was in the hospital due to the uncomfortable bed. Is it like gas has moved back there?

I got my approval from Cigna in under a week. Good luck!

I made the same decision - the only people who knew were my husband, my trainer and my hairdresser. I had my surgery last Friday and I just told my family today but asked that they not share it outside the family. I have 2 close friends that I'm still on the fence about telling. It was tough sometimes as I felt like I was lying by omission but I'm glad I handled it as I did. I just didn't want a bunch of voices chiming in who hadn't done the research and might make me feel bad in any way. My family was super supportive when I told them today. Good luck to you --- it's hard not to share something that's such a big part of your life and everyone has to handle the disclosure as feels most comfortable for them.

Good morning all and welcome to day 4 post op. How is everyone doing? When does your Dr allow you to move to full liquids?

Welcome back Wags and thanks for sharing your experience. I can't imagine going through the process without my husband - he was with me nearly the whole time and was my backbone at the moments I broke down. You are so brave to have gone alone and I'm so glad you are back to the comfort of your family. In regards to your earlier post, I've been in contact with Kailisa and she is doing fairly well. I'm sure she'll see your post and reach out to you. Hope you have a restful nights sleep tonight --- I totally agree that the hospital bed got soooooooo uncomfortable.

I'm so there with you right now --- my surgery date was 5/31. Can't wait to add something, anything new to the menu!!! I spent quite a bit of time reading posts today from folks who are 2, 3, 4 + weeks out to see how they are doing and am comforted that it will get better pretty soon. This is just the toughest part --- hardest thing I've ever done. Hang in there!

I am so looking forward to the day that I'm far enough along post op that I have the brainpower and playful attitude to join in the fun. Right now, I'm taking it a day at a time but I'll get there. Thanks for the fun read tonight (not meaning any disrespect to the initial poster)!

I'm 3 days post op and struggling a bit - many of the same challenges you mentioned. Your post really helped me to feel better and give me hope that it won't be too long before I'm in a better place. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's really what I needed right now.

I wasn't given instruction on this but can tell you that they had a hard time getting my blood oxygen due to my gel nail polish. They put a thingy on your finger to measure it and the polish doesn't allow them to get a read or an accurate read. My level was always low so I had to wear oxygen tubes in my nose most of the time. Not the most comfortable thing but manageable. I would say take it off just to be safe. I think toes should be fine.

Get ready as once I had my first, they haven't stopped coming (had my first about 28 hours post surgery). They are total liquid and smell horrific but at list my system is functioning, right? I'm 3 days post op so just a day behind you.

Glad to hear somebody else vent as I need to right now! I'm 3 days post op and I'm up almost 11 lbs from what I weighed the morning of surgery. I've decided to stop weighing as it's too depressing especially considering I don't feel so great as recovering from the surgery. I guess it's all the IV Fluid they fed me in the hospital (on IV fluid for 51 hours straight in hospital) because it's certainly not the lavish spread of liquid stuff I've been barely able to gag down - I think I've maybe gotten 50 calories a day in since Friday and maybe 300 calories a day the 3 days before that. I'm usually such a positive person but this is the hardest thing I've ever done. Just trying to take it a day at a time and Celebrate the small victories. Best wishes to you and thanks for letting me highjack your vent with one of my own. :-)

I found the pre-op liquid only diet extremely challenging but sounds like many others (from what I've read) didn't have a tough time with it. I can do a strict diet but I can't stand artificial sweetener, I struggle with protein shakes and I just want real food - luckily, it's not that long that until I can start having real food again. As a former pro-wrestler, I'm guessing you will have better go at the liquid diet since you are maybe used to rigid diets/training. Best wishes to you on your surgery and on-going success!!

So glad to hear it gets better!!! I had my surgery last Friday (5/31) and it has gotten a bit better each day but by no means am I feeling great. I'm able to get 10-12 sips of Protein drink in at each meal and am constantly sipping Water. I'm still having some gas pains (yes, I'm walking like there is no tomorrow) and sleeping is still a challenge. Oh, and did I mention the liquid poop that's coming out every 2ish hours (sorry TMI!!!). So glad to know that you are much better 2 weeks out. I know this is just the toughest time and that it will get better --- sooooooo ready for that. Oh, in response to your weight lost question - I'm still up 10 lbs with hardly any calories in the last week. I'm told this is from all the liquids they pumped into me in the hospital -- I just got out yesterday afternoon. Hope I'll drop back down soon. Congrats on your progress and good luck at work today.

Good luck today!!!

I had my surgery yesterday morning and was able to eat small amounts of the liquid diet no problem. Today, when a take a sip of broth or couple licks of a sugar free Popsicle, my stomach seizes up on me and then gurgles and then it's ok. I know I need to ask my doc about this but he isn't readily available. Did this happen to anybody? Did it eventually go away? I'm freaking out that this is what eating is going to be like from now on. (Its not pleasant). Really hope some folks with experience can put my mind at ease!!!

Thanks for the advice! Baby wipes have definitely been my friend and I will try some salty broth today. I am propped way up when I sleep which isn't the most comfortable but does help with the reflux. Thanks again.

Survived my first night at home. Slept pretty well but still not super comfortable as I'm a tummy/side sleeper and that's just not happening yet. I did manage to find a side position that was comfortable and slept like that for awhile. I woke up once with really bad acid reflux (never had this before surgery). I sat up for awhile and sipped Water and luckily it didn't happen again in the night. I'm having bouts of diarrhea - almost total liquid now. Can't believe I even have anything in me to poop! (Sorry if TMI!). Seems like each day gets a bit easier - can't wait to have some more solid food. Would love to hear how everyone else is doing -- hopefully well. I'm going to take my first shower since surgery today (have just washed up so far). Can't wait to feel clean and have clean hair! And, today I must walk and walk and walk as I have so much Fluid in me and still some gas --- I weighed myself when I got home and I was over my highest weight even though I've barely had anything to eat (or drink rather). I understand it's all the fluids and stuff and should drop off. Just a bit of a bummer that I'm over 10 lbs higher than I was date of surgery. Best wishes to all!!!