MizzouGirl

Hi All - just wanted to give an update on my surgery this past Friday.... 5/31 - Surgery at 8:30, had sleeve, gall bladder removed and liver biopsy. Surgery done at 10am -- I was in a lot of pain when they woke me up but they fixed it within a few minutes. I think I was in my room at 11am and my husband met me there. The surgeon said all went well with the surgery and they did a leak test and all was fine. I was able to eat a small Popsicle, a cube of Jello and some Crystal Light for lunch. For dinner I had a Popsicle and some Crystal Light and got nausea. They gave me some nausea medicine and it went way. Had quite of bit of pain that night so took a liquid pain killer in addition to the pain ball twice that night. Didn't sleep well because of the staff coming and going, the pain and some intermittent nausea. Almost threw up but luckily didn't happen. Walked the halls twice for about 5 minutes and burped ALOT. Not a great day but could have been worse (like day 2). Oh, I also had to go #1 about every 1.5-2 hours because of all the liquids they were pumping into me. This was not pleasant as it was painful to get up and down. The frequency didn't change for the time I was in the hospital but it did get easier to get up and down. Here are the medications they gave me: 1. Pain ball - tubes inside me going to surgery points. Had to carry the darn thing around which was a bit inconvenient but I wouldn't have gone without the pain ball. It had run out when the Dr. took it out this morning. I didn't control the dosage on this -- it was automatic. 2. Liquid pain killer as needed - a liquid cocktail of vicodin and tylenol that I had to take orally. Not great tasting but did the trick. 3. Nausea medicine - inserted through my IV 3. Blood Thinner - shot in my stomach 4. Pepcid - inserted through my IV Also had to have massaging sleeves on my calves and oxegyn tube in my nose. Had to do that exhale thing where you lift the ball 10 times each hour I was awake. I think that's it. 6/1 - Couldn't eat without my stomach seizing then tons of gurgling. Was really worried it would be permanent so posted under the Post Op forum and got reassurance from several people that it happened to them and went away. Also talked to nurse and she assured me it was temporary. I was actually really hungry and couldn't eat and was regretting having the surgery. Broke down and cried for a bit but after the support, I was hopeful. At least the pain was reducing and no more nausea. Walked the halls 4 times for 10 minutes each time and still burping all the time. Was able to get much more sleep this night. 6/2 - Woke up feeling a ton better I think in part because I got pretty decent sleep. Was able to do 10 sips of Protein for Breakfast and lunch and lots of sips of Water. No stomach seizing and no nausea - still some gurgling but that is manageable. In the night I had my first toot and then have since had 4 BMs - pretty much all liquid. Walked in the morning for 15 minutes and found out that I was going to get to go home.... yippeee!!! Home now and feel pretty good. Can't wait to be off the liquid diet -- should get to move to full liquids this Friday which includes Greek yogurt, blended Soups with no meats, thin oatmeal, cream of wheat, unsweetened apple sauce and grits. That will be so much better. In week 3 I get to add eggs, soft baked fish, mashed potatoes, soft cheeses, mushy vegetables and bananas. I've got week by week acceptable food choices thru week 8 from my surgeon's office. The hardest parts for me were the 3 day post op liquid diet and how difficult it was to eat day 2. I'm confident in the upcoming weeks, I'll have plenty of "best parts" to post. Just taking it a day at a time and appreciate the support from my fellow sleevers.

Hi All - today was much, much better. I was able to do 10 sips of my protein shake for breakfast and and 10 more for lunch with no issues. I've also been sipping water as much as possible and again no issues. I've done a lot of walking so the extra gas isn't as bad but I still have a bit lingering. I got to come home today (so happy) but it's a tad tough getting around - especially getting in and out of bed. Need to stay on liquids until Friday then I get to add Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla), blended soups such as lentil, black bean and vegetable (no meats), thin oatmeal, cream of wheat, thin unsweetened applesauce, grits and a few other sugar free options that I won't be doing as I don't like/believe in artificial sweeteners. So glad you were all there for me at a really down moment -- can't express enough how much it meant to me and put my mind at ease!!!!

Thanks all for the quick replies and putting my mind at ease. Just talked to nurse and she said it's very normal. I feel a ton better now.

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!!!

I must be a total wimp. I'm really uncomfortable, can't stand the liquids, battling bouts of nausea and my abs are killing me when I move which I have to do every 1.5 hours as they are pumping me so full of IV fluids. It seems like so many folks make this out to be a breeze. It has been far from that for me. Praying it gets better soon!!!!

Has anyone tooted yet? I've had lots of burps but haven't yet tooted.

Already had my surgery this morning luckily. Just had to be moved from my hospital room to the hallway for awhile. No damage to the hospital but tornadoes did touch down not too far away (I live in the St Louis area).

In the hospital and under tornado warnings. Sirens are going off and circulations are going overhead. That have moved all patients to the hallways. Takes my mind off the discomfort.

Just talked to Dr. Everything went great. No problems, 100% laparoscopic, leak test passed. She's in recovery for about an hour and then I'll see her in her room.

MizzouGirl's husband here. The surgery status board just updated and she's in surgery now. They bumped us to the second surgery so we're a bit later than expected. The experience so far has been great. All the staff here have been really good. She did fine this morning but had some anxiety after initial prep in pre-surgery. I was able to wait with her. I did the best I could to comfort and relax her so she got a pre-surgery neck and shoulder massage. So far this has been a lot to think about and process. Such an immediate and significant impact and eventual life changing benefits. It can be overwhelming. My wife has gotten a lot from her participation in the forums here. It's helped for her to be able to connect with all of you and share. I'd like to personally say thanks to you all for the stories, insight, support, and encouragement.

Today is my day as well. Very anxious... Leave for hospital in 10 minutes. Good luck to you!!!

On my way to the hospital in 10 minutes. Maybe slept 4-5 hours last night. I can't remember the last time I was this anxious..... Good luck all.

Best wishes everyone on successful surgeries tomorrow. May we all have no pain, no nausea and lot's of lost weight going forward. Please post how you are doing when able. Oh, and hope everyone is able to get a good night's sleep tonight!

Yeah --- better to be excited! I'm a bit anxious but not as much as I have been over the last few days. I think this liquid diet has just zapped me into submission. Hoping the post surgery liquid diet isn't as difficult as this has been. I have lost 7.5 lbs in 2.5 days on it, though. Good luck to you!!!

1 more day!!!

Good for you!!! I've decided to save my Isopure until after surgery. Hoping to have one thing that's not tainted by a pre surgery puke. I just really struggle with the manufactured protein stuff. sleep well and safe travels and let us know how it went when you get back.

Not great. The morning was ok but the afternoon was miserable. Tried the Protein shot and threw it up. Just glad there is only 1 more day of this liquid diet hell. How about you?

Just finished my first cup of the Unjury chicken soup and found it to be pretty good. Much better than other protein options I've tried. Not something I would choose to eat on a regular basis but I think it will help get me through the next few weeks.

My chicken Soup Protein broth from unjury arrived mid afternoon and I'm having a cup right now as I type. This is the way to get protein. It's pretty darn good and no gagging it down like my Protein shake this morning. My plan is to do the protein shake in the morning and the soup for lunch and dinner. The combination will get 65 grams of protein in me. Hope I still like the broth post surgery. I can do this. We can do this. PS - thanks for the words of encouragement!!!

Mine was just delivered today. Having it for dinner so can't tell you yet but it smells pretty good. And, I've heard good things about it.

This all liquids pre-op diet sucks! I don't know how people do this for 2 weeks. So glad my doctor only requires 3 days. I'm starving and the thought of another Protein shake is just not appetizing. I went to the gym at noon (could tell I was weaker than usual) and I'm getting a mani pedi soon so hope that takes my mind off of how hungry I am. So far today I've had a Protein Shake for Breakfast, some sugar free Jello, some chicken broth (so not the same without the chicken, veggies and noodles!) for lunch and 2 sugar free popsicles. I've also been drinking Water and grape propel. My stomach is not happy at all. And, it's only day 1! Sorry to be so whiny - hopefully tomorrow will be better. How is everyone else doing? Hopefully better than me.

I like Better Oats. My Trainer recommended it to me and it's really good. Won't be on my diet for awhile, tho, since my surgery is this Friday. :-)