QueenCityGal

Oh I LOVE the Syntrax Nectars! Such a nice break from the thick stuff. They're so nice and juicy. I love the Fuzzy Navel and the Vanilla Bean Torte. The Vanilla tastes so decadent and is good thin with Water on it's own or mixed with other flavors or even mixed with milk or added to other powders. Good stuff!
EDIT: I wanted to add that nothing about my taste after surgery has changed one bit so far. I thought I was making a mistake by stocking up on a supply of different products for post but there is nothing I don't like. I'm happy about this because I can actually use all the stuff I already have without gagging but not happy because I may still like all the old foods I used to... hmmm

I'm using syntax nectar, they have fruity flavors and sweet. Also it's a thin not thick which I like better. Roadside lemonaid and Twisted cherry are my favorite. I ordered a variety sample pack. Each pack has 23gm of protein. I also like the hot chocolate.

Day 3 update... got home yesterday and by last night the gas pains and cramping were kicking my butt! Had a horrible night last night, it felt like there was a war going on in my belly. Up and down, walk, bathroom, took Gas-X, drank Water, I had to force myself to dry heave to let out some of the "stuck" gas. With all the gas I let out in the hospital I was hoping most of it was gone but boy it was still there and putting up a fight!

I finally got my meds delivered this morning and thank goodness for the Bentyl. I took one this morning and it calmed down my belly almost immediately. Anyone else taking that? My doc released me with Reglan, Bentyl, and Prilosec (and liquid Lortab which I haven't needed yet). I never had an acid problem before and I hope I don't get one now
Trying some warm herbal teas right now, and it feels good going down. So far I have no problem swallowing pills or drinking liquids (knock on wood!!)... no abdominal pain now other than the gas cramps.

And about the gas, I wonder this - ok they fill your belly cavity with it, but it obviously has no where to go until it's absorbed by the digestive system? Which is the reason for the awful burping and tooting, right? Just seems like there is way more gas coming out that there was put in, lol...

Day 3 update... got home yesterday and by last night the gas pains and cramping were kicking my butt! Had a horrible night last night, it felt like there was a war going on in my belly. Up and down, walk, bathroom, took Gas-X, drank Water, I had to force myself to dry heave to let out some of the "stuck" gas. With all the gas I let out in the hospital I was hoping most of it was gone but boy it was still there and putting up a fight!

I finally got my meds delivered this morning and thank goodness for the Bentyl. I took one this morning and it calmed down my belly almost immediately. Anyone else taking that? My doc released me with Reglan, Bentyl, and Prilosec (and liquid Lortab which I haven't needed yet). I never had an acid problem before and I hope I don't get one now
Trying some warm herbal teas right now, and it feels good going down. So far I have no problem swallowing pills or drinking liquids (knock on wood!!)... no abdominal pain now other than the gas cramps.

And about the gas, I wonder this - ok they fill your belly cavity with it, but it obviously has no where to go until it's absorbed by the digestive system? Which is the reason for the awful burping and tooting, right? Just seems like there is way more gas coming out that there was put in, lol...

I'm going home shortly, yes!! My surgeon and the hospital were just amazing through my whole experience. The meds were good, the care was good, gas is finally almost gone. Just a little sore on the left which is to be expected. Incisions so small I won't notice them when healed. I had so much anxiety going into this but I was prepared in mind and body and now I am having no regrets at all. Everyone on the forum has helped so much I can't thank you all enough for tips and advice and support!! I hope all the December people do well and happy holidays to all

I'm going home shortly, yes!! My surgeon and the hospital were just amazing through my whole experience. The meds were good, the care was good, gas is finally almost gone. Just a little sore on the left which is to be expected. Incisions so small I won't notice them when healed. I had so much anxiety going into this but I was prepared in mind and body and now I am having no regrets at all. Everyone on the forum has helped so much I can't thank you all enough for tips and advice and support!! I hope all the December people do well and happy holidays to all

I'm going home shortly, yes!! My surgeon and the hospital were just amazing through my whole experience. The meds were good, the care was good, gas is finally almost gone. Just a little sore on the left which is to be expected. Incisions so small I won't notice them when healed. I had so much anxiety going into this but I was prepared in mind and body and now I am having no regrets at all. Everyone on the forum has helped so much I can't thank you all enough for tips and advice and support!! I hope all the December people do well and happy holidays to all

I'm going home shortly, yes!! My surgeon and the hospital were just amazing through my whole experience. The meds were good, the care was good, gas is finally almost gone. Just a little sore on the left which is to be expected. Incisions so small I won't notice them when healed. I had so much anxiety going into this but I was prepared in mind and body and now I am having no regrets at all. Everyone on the forum has helped so much I can't thank you all enough for tips and advice and support!! I hope all the December people do well and happy holidays to all

I'm going home shortly, yes!! My surgeon and the hospital were just amazing through my whole experience. The meds were good, the care was good, gas is finally almost gone. Just a little sore on the left which is to be expected. Incisions so small I won't notice them when healed. I had so much anxiety going into this but I was prepared in mind and body and now I am having no regrets at all. Everyone on the forum has helped so much I can't thank you all enough for tips and advice and support!! I hope all the December people do well and happy holidays to all

UPDATE: I'm officially 7 days post op today and feeling great!!! Really! I can't lie, the day I woke up from surgery in the hospital (last Wed) I felt like I had been hit by a bus! It was really bad, but they got my pain under control immediately. Was in the hospital for 2 days. The nausea was the worst part for me. But as long as they gave me zofram for nausea I was ok. By the day I left the hospital I was feeling good. I'm still on pain med & anti-nausea meds but I'm just sore, and I think that's more from doing stuff around the house. Mornings I'm a little more sore than other times of day. I'm able to puree veggies and put them in my broth now which is a fabulous treat, lol! I find that I really have to chew things down to mush or it does feel like a hard bubble trying to down and I've realized what my "full" feeling feels like, so I'm learning to listen to my body.
Best part...I'm down 10lbs.6oz! I couldn't believe my scale this morning so I kept weighing myself over and over and it's definitely on track. I feel great! Can't wait to eat regular food again (healthy food!). I'm using this as a reset button on life. I've been given a "do over" and am now learning how to eat again, but the right way. I also can't believe the energy I have. So far having the surgery seems like the best decision I've ever made. Like a huge dark cloud that was hanging over my head has broken apart and is flying away. Best of luck to those awaiting their independence day!

Good morning and good luck to the 18-ers today! I'm about to go in for my leak test. A little dry heaves and gas pain last night, yuck. But still able to tolerate liquids well thank goodness. No real pain other than the gas. It stayed in my belly and didn't move to shoulder, phew. I have nice small incisions, my surgeon rocks! Feeling much better mentally and glad I went through with this hope everyone else is well too!!

Good morning and good luck to the 18-ers today! I'm about to go in for my leak test. A little dry heaves and gas pain last night, yuck. But still able to tolerate liquids well thank goodness. No real pain other than the gas. It stayed in my belly and didn't move to shoulder, phew. I have nice small incisions, my surgeon rocks! Feeling much better mentally and glad I went through with this hope everyone else is well too!!

Well I made it!! In recovery feeling pretty good except for the mild gas pain and dryness, it's tolerable. Everyone said I was a perfect patient. I saw pictures, my liver was small, yeah!! Sipped a little so far so good. Can't wait to get up and walk! I hope I don't start feeling any worse!! Cheers to all

Good morning and good luck to the 18-ers today! I'm about to go in for my leak test. A little dry heaves and gas pain last night, yuck. But still able to tolerate liquids well thank goodness. No real pain other than the gas. It stayed in my belly and didn't move to shoulder, phew. I have nice small incisions, my surgeon rocks! Feeling much better mentally and glad I went through with this hope everyone else is well too!!

Good morning and good luck to the 18-ers today! I'm about to go in for my leak test. A little dry heaves and gas pain last night, yuck. But still able to tolerate liquids well thank goodness. No real pain other than the gas. It stayed in my belly and didn't move to shoulder, phew. I have nice small incisions, my surgeon rocks! Feeling much better mentally and glad I went through with this hope everyone else is well too!!

Returned to work yesterday, it was uneventful and absolutely no stress or pain. I didn't get tired or sleepy either. I was right back into the swing of things, like I never was gone for surgery.
Amazing.
The only discomfort I've had so far are the muscles in my stomach feel like I've been doing crunches. Probably from climbing the steps instead of taking the elevator most of the day, yesterday.
Came back to an office full of food and christmas goodies though..lol..this place is a junk food haven and they just snack way. I didn't feel left out at all. Everyone here knows I had the surgery and have been very supportive. But I think, I'm going to buy a small fridge for my office to keep it stocked with what I need and just let them have the one in the kitchen.

I sailed though the surgery but I am so damn thirsty. Waiting for someone to unhook me for a walk. Pain meds are doing their job.

Well I made it!! In recovery feeling pretty good except for the mild gas pain and dryness, it's tolerable. Everyone said I was a perfect patient. I saw pictures, my liver was small, yeah!! Sipped a little so far so good. Can't wait to get up and walk! I hope I don't start feeling any worse!! Cheers to all

Well I made it!! In recovery feeling pretty good except for the mild gas pain and dryness, it's tolerable. Everyone said I was a perfect patient. I saw pictures, my liver was small, yeah!! Sipped a little so far so good. Can't wait to get up and walk! I hope I don't start feeling any worse!! Cheers to all

Well I made it!! In recovery feeling pretty good except for the mild gas pain and dryness, it's tolerable. Everyone said I was a perfect patient. I saw pictures, my liver was small, yeah!! Sipped a little so far so good. Can't wait to get up and walk! I hope I don't start feeling any worse!! Cheers to all

Anxiety girl here checking in. My time got bumped up to 6:30 am... Holy moly guess who is not getting any sleep tonight??!?! I really hope my body cooperates tomorrow. Aaack.

Anxiety girl here checking in. My time got bumped up to 6:30 am... Holy moly guess who is not getting any sleep tonight??!?! I really hope my body cooperates tomorrow. Aaack.

Anxiety girl here checking in. My time got bumped up to 6:30 am... Holy moly guess who is not getting any sleep tonight??!?! I really hope my body cooperates tomorrow. Aaack.

Best wishes and super good thoughts for today's crew! Tomorrow I'm up, and my head is spinning trying to get all last minute stuff done and the snow here is not cooperating!
Hoping that our bodies will not reject what we are about to do to them... it's a continuous fight, but we gotta keep fighting the good fight I suppose! Hang in there everyone and good luck!!!

Hi everyone! Thanks for the well wishes. Surgery was yesterday morning at 9. I was so tired before that from going to bed so late (work) and getting up so early to get to the hospital.
The hospital and staff were amazing. Even though there are closer hospitals, given a choice, I will go back there!
Surgery went well. He found out that I have a congenital birth defect! I have a diaphragmatic hernia (hernia/opening in my diaphragm. He said he could only do one or the other so he did the sleeve and said I would need to get the hernia fixed at some point.
Due to my previous terrible recoveries I made sure they did all they could do. I took the emend when I got to the hospital, then they gave me of ran under the tongue and patch behind the ear. I still woke up a bit sick but nothing like before and it didn't last long. I have 5 incisions. One on my right side where he pulled out the stomach hurts the most. I was on dilaudid at the hospital. I was in no pain as long as I didn't move! I had some gas pain just in mid chest. I did take a gasx. Not sure if that helped or if it just went away on its own.
I peed all night long, almost every hour. I was able to do it all myself but needed help reconnecting the SCD boots. I would get up, go to the bathroom, quick walk down the hall, pee again and then get back in bed.
I am very fortunate in that I can drink pretty easily. I have to stop myself because too many sips causes a bit of pain in my chest but I'm even able to drink my shakes. I hated everything they gave me as it was all sugar free. I tasted all of it just to see if I could tolerate it, and I could.
When I got home, I made a shake with a dose of Miralax as I want stay on top of that. I'm pretty much staying put in the recliner in my bedroom. I only take the dilaudid when I have pain while not moving. No catheter, no drain.
I don't know when I will be able to add the new people to the list. If someone wants to copy and paste the most recent list into a new reply, they can also add the new folks.
I hope everyone is doing well on their preops and postops!