SMO

I was sleeved Feb 4. I was nervous too. The most discomfort I had after was dry mouth and the catheter. I hate catheters. They offered me pain meds shortly after I woke up and I accepted. They also provided me with morphine under my control. The pain was not bad. That afternoon, I had no trouble walking around the unit. It was easy and almost pain free. The next morning, I began sips of water and then protein drink. I stayed on the anti-nausea patch while in the hospital and have had absolutely no nausea either while in the hospital or after discharge home. I asked that the cath come out first thing Tuesday morning. I was able to void and drink enough to be discharged at 3pm Tuesday. So happy to go home. I met my fluid and protein goals today with no trouble. I am more tired than normal and taking some pain meds at bedtime, but feel amazing considering that surgery was only three days ago. Oh, also, I came home weighing 6 pounds more than check in and I had some gas bubbles in strange places. My arms and hands looked like sausages for a couple of days. Woke up this morning and the bloat and extra pounds were gone. Hope my story will help someone having surgery soon.

I have had four surgeries, two abdominal and each one was different in terms of pain and recovery. I had a splenectomy (laprascopic) in 2006 and the pain was awful so when I had my gallbladder out (also laprascopic) in 2010, I was very apprehensive. The gallbladder was virtually pain free. I have been told by more than one person that sleeving is less painful than gallbladder surgery. I am scheduled for Monday and appreciate everyone's story. Whatever happens, I am trying to stay positive and meet this as it comes.