SarahBeth1217

I just had my surgery on 7/25. My brother is getting married in Colorado (in the mountains about 5 hours away from Denver and civilization) on 8/10. I'm supposed to fly up there on the 8th and I've got this horrible internal battle going on over whether or not I should go. My whole family says it's ok if I don't feel up to it, but I'd feel guilty and sad if I didn't go. At the same time, I'm still dealing with pain in my incisions, some pretty foul smelling gas, and I'm an emotional wreck. I don't want to get up there and ruin everything because I can't hardly do anything for myself and I get very irritable very easily. Just the thought of traveling and airports stresses me out right now, which sucks because I usually love flying and traveling. Not to mention the struggles of still being on a liquid/puréed diet at a wedding. No dinner, no cake, no alcohol. Sounds pretty miserable. I'm just so torn. It feels like a bad idea to go, like everything added together equals disaster. But, it is my brother's wedding. I don't want to miss it. I've made it to all my other brothers' weddings (five weddings total, including this brother's first wedding and my baby bro's who had it in Hawaii) and I would just feel sooo guilty if I didn't make it. Anybody have any advice? Sorry about the rambling of this post, it kinda reflects my brain right now.

One last update. I'm really glad I went with my guy feeling. I ended up in the ER Saturday because of severe pain from my gallbladder. It would have been horrible to have that happen up in the mountains, five hours away from Denver.

I'm guessing it is probably the stitch in your muscle. But if it is really bothering you or it starts to get worse, go get it checked out. I started having pain above my big incision earlier in the week. I thought it was my muscle incision, but it didn't get better, just worse. So I ended up in the ER Saturday. They did some tests and told my I have sludge in my gallbladder. So, unless you're really unlucky (like me-I always seem to end up with the weird complications) you're probably ok. But it's always good to check in with your surgeon. :-)

I'm having gallbladder issues and I'm hoping some of you with more experience can help me out. I'm about 2 1/2 weeks post op and I had to go to the ER yesterday because of abdominal pain. They did some bloodwork and an ultrasound. The doc said I have sludge in my gallbladder and that eventually the sludge will turn into gallstones and I'll get my gallbladder removed then. My surgeon said my gallbladder looked good when she sleeved it. I'm not sure how it got so bad so fast. Most of the posts I've read said it was several months before they had to have their gallbladder removed. Has anybody else had something similar happen? Did the pain from the sludge go away? How long after the sludge was discovered did you have your gallbladder removed? Is there anything I can do about the sludge pain? Because it really sucks and it's making it hard to sleep and exercise and work in my garden and eat and drink.

Also, has anyone else had gallbladder problems so soon after getting sleeved?

I'm having gallbladder issues and I'm hoping some of you with more experience can help me out. I'm about 2 1/2 weeks post op and I had to go to the ER yesterday because of abdominal pain. They did some bloodwork and an ultrasound. The doc said I have sludge in my gallbladder and that eventually the sludge will turn into gallstones and I'll get my gallbladder removed then. Has anybody else had something similar happen? Did the pain from the sludge go away? How long after the sludge was discovered did you have your gallbladder removed? Is there anything I can do about the sludge pain? Because it really sucks and it's making it hard to sleep and exercise and work in my garden and eat and drink. Help!

Thank you everyone for your helpful opinions! I decided to go with my gut feeling and not go. I just felt like way too many things could go wrong if I went. It breaks my heart not to go, but I'm such an emotional wreck right now they are probably better off without me there. There would have been a very good chance that I would have a meltdown. Several of you suggested that I retreat to my hotel room if I felt overwhelmed. That actually helped me to make my decision. My family rented a cabin, so there probably wouldn't be anywhere I could retreat to. :-P Thank y'all again for all your support. I feel so much better now that I have made a decision and hopefully that will help me to heal faster!

I think I worded part of my last post wrong. I'm not worried about being addicted to hydrocodone (I don't like it, it makes me itchy and there would be no point in abusing it because it doesn't "get me high"), I'm more worried about my doc thinking I am because I keep requesting refills. Everyone feels pain and heals differently, it's just nice to know that there are others who are in as much pain as I am (that sounds horrible). I have an appt with my surgeon on Wed and I just want to be able to go in there and feel confident that I'm not a freak or a big wuss.

My surgery was on 7/25 and I'm still having some pretty significant pain with my incisions. I'm glad to know that there are others out there who couldn't jump right back into everyday life. For those of you that did have pain for longer, what medication were you prescribed and how long did you take it for? My doctor seems reluctant to refill my Rx and I'd just like a little validation that I'm not a crazy drug addict. :-(

You didn't get any pain meds for at home? How are you doing? I'm over a week out and still taking my pain meds because my incisions still hurt. Bless you for your strength!

7/25 was my sleeve day too! I can't wait until the 15th comes around and I can eat puréed foods. In dying for something with texture! I was wondering how you are doing pain wise. Mine has gotten better, but my incisions still hurt and I can't seem to make it without my pain meds.

The pain meds can definitely make your whole body itch. I also have that problem in addition to the itchy steri-strips. Try some liquid Benadryl. It helps some. But be careful because it can make you drowsy and if the pain meds do the same thing it might be too much. Maybe talk to your Dr or pharmacist first. But, if you're like me and the pain meds have no effect on you then you're probably safe. Still talk to your Dr or pharmacist first. :-P

I just got sleeved on 7/25. I haven't had a bm since before my surgery. I'm still on clear liquids (I get to start other liquids tomorrow), so I don't know if not pooing is normal or not. Anyone out there have any advice? Sorry for the grossness.

Ha ha. I learned the hard way too! But at least I finally pooped!

I live in the Austin area. Was sleeved on 7/25. Slowly feeling better! Anyone else in the Austin area?

Joyetech, NOT Joyetecg!!!

My e-cig is a Joyetecg e-go. I got it from a store near my house called All About Vapor. If you live in a bigger city, just google e-cigarette store; I'm sure there is one somewhere nearby (there are at least 5 in the Austin area). If not, All About Vapor has a website (www.allaboutvapor.com) and they will mail your purchase to you. You could probably even call and they would probably help you out with what to get. Hope this helps! Sorry it took me so long to post a reply.

I'm 5 days out and feeling really irritable (I yelled at my dogs for barking, not caring that they are dogs and that is what they do). I think a small part of it is that my surgeon took me off my BC pills to reduce the risks of blood clots. But I've now started my period again, even though I had it a week before surgery. Small things are p*$$ing me off and I just want to scream and throw things. I'm not usually like this and I don't like being such a moody b*+ch. Anyone have any advice on how do deal with being so irritable? Also, does anyone know how to delete a post? I accidentally posted the same reply 4 times on another thread and I can't figure out how to delete them. Of course this doesn't help my mood and I want to throw my phone.

For those of you that like convenience, look into companies that make fresh, healthy meals. I live in Austin, TX and we have a place called "My Fit Foods." They taste really good (way better than Lean Cuisine) and my NUT said they are a good option for convenient eating. I know they have locations in several other cities in Texas and a few other states. I'm sure other cities have similar places. Google it!

I quit traditional cigarettes a year ago before I had surgery on my sinuses. The only way I was able to do that was by using an electronic cigarette. I was pretty proud of myself for getting rid of all the nasty extras that are in cigarettes. But my sleeve surgeon doesn't see it that way. She said that I had to be off nicotine or she wouldn't do the surgery. So I tapered down to 0mg in my e-cig (I was not a very pleasant person for several days). After my surgery (7/25/13), I asked my surgeon how long I had to stay off nicotine. She lectured me and said I should stay off. But I'm stubborn and I like my nicotine. She said it hinders healing, so I should wait until everything is all healed up. About 2 weeks. I am eagerly waiting for that time. For anyone trying to quit smoking, I highly recommend investing in an electronic cigarette. And not the kind you can buy from Walgreens. Here is a picture of mine. It is the most wonderful thing ever.

I was sleeved on 7/25 of this year. So far my family and a few close friends know. I'm really excited about my new chance to live a healthy life and want to be open with everyone about my surgery, but I am of course afraid that everyone won't see it the same way I do and be all judgey and mean. I thought I'd ask for y'alls experiences with either telling everyone or just those select few that are really close. Thanks!