BetsyB0101

I was one week post op yesterday. I have been eating what I am supposed to and trying to get all my fluids in. May not be meeting protein goals but my NUT said that's okay the first couple weeks. I have had a few complications. I have had severe left side pain that kept me from even getting out of bed for about 4 days. Well, I got up for the bathroom and went back to bed crying from the pain. Yesterday when I went back for my one week follow up, they took my staples out and one of my incisions didn't heal on the inside and started draining this brown fluid. So now I have an open wound on my left abdomen that I have to pack with gauze. I guess that was the cause of the pain I have had. They said it isn't an infection, just a collection of fluid that kept the incision from healing. So now i have to keep it open and draining and let it heal inside out. It is still very sore. Walking hurts a lot. So here is the question. I haven't lost anything since surgery. Is that because I have just been laying in bed most of the time? I haven't ate very much. Just cottage cheese and yogurt mostly. Some soup. If anything, I may not be eating enough. So what do you think? Did you lose quickly after surgery? I am getting discouraged. It seems crazy to me that I am not losing. Thanks for any ideas!

Thank you Kathryn and Terry. I will try to be patient.

You're doing great, Vicki! Everyone is nervous before surgery. I had mine a week ago. I just had to keep reminding myself why I was doing it. Honestly, I didn't want to keep going on as I was doing. I know there are risks and I accepted that with the hope that I will really be able to live my life as I would like! We miss so much. I know exactly where you are at. I just decided I wasn't willing to live as a bystander anymore. Sounds like you have decided the same thing! . Good luck tomorrow! Keep remembering your great reasons and don't panic.

Thank you to everyone for the advice. I hope as I start moving more, it kicks in. I did a little better today, was up more. Trying to get my fluids in, I don't think I have been doing very well at that. That could very easily affect the weight loss too I think. Whoever said this was the easy way out sure didn't do it first!!!! LOL

That's a pretty good reason not to drink it LOLLOL! I agree!

Hi Sara! Welcome! I am not sure about the right side pain, maybe someone will chime in with some ideas. As far as the rest, I think what you are describing is a battle we must all fight. I know a lot of people are looking for new hobbies and things to do with the time they used to spend eating. And having a plan in mind for how you will deal with cravings and head hunger is a very good idea. I found a book called "Eat It Up" by Connie Stapleton, PHD. It goes into specific detail about how to prevent weight regain and the things that will help you deal. Hope I helped a little! And again, welcome!

I think it increases your risk for ulcers

Stick with it guys! You are doing the hard part! I was starving on my two week liquid diet. I wanted to give up too. Now I am one week post op and not hungry. And if I get hungry, it is a teeny tiny hungry, not like it was those two weeks. And my 4 oz of yogurt or cottage cheese completely fills me up. Sometimes I can't eat it all. You can do this!

Hi! Just need some advice. I had surgery Monday. Came home Tuesday. All was pretty good until Thursday night when I started having this burning pain in my left lower abdomen. If I try to get up and move it hurts so bad it makes me cry. No fever or vomiting or anything else that seems wrong. Called the surgeons office Friday morning, the PA said it sounds like I have an inflamed nerve that runs alongside a tethering stitch that they put in. He said it can cause referred pain all over the abdomen. It feels like someone lit me on fire. So I am to lay still and Ice my abdomen and hopefully the inflamed nerve will calm down in a few days. So I laid all day yesterday, except for trips to the bathroom. I have been putting cold packs on my abdomen off and on. Has anyone had this happen? I don't seem to be getting better yet and it is really scaring me. This is not a pain I can ignore and go on. It hurts so bad I get very nauseous. I am so afraid it won't get better on its own and then what happens? I am taking the lortab elixir they sent me home with and it makes laying still more comfortable but doesn't touch the pain if I move. Any advice??

Thank you! If not tonight, maybe tomorrow night. at least I have hope for feeling better.

I am going to try! Need to go back to work next Monday but not sure going to make it. I asked the doctor today and he said he doubted that I would feel that much better by then. ugh. Thank you for your help!

I was freaking out! Luckily it was just a pocket of fluid and not an infection! Yay! Though it is the reason I was in so much pain. They said it should get better now that it is draining. They took out the staples and it kind of opened up and now I have to pack it with gauze until it heals closed. It is so sore! But I am home and very grateful that it wasn't an infection.

Kraney, I am on my way to KC to my one week follow up. Still lots of left side pain but not as bad as it was. So guess what just happened? I crossed my left leg, felt this little pull, and wham, all this brown drainage starts pouring from my incision. It is the incision on the left side that they did all the work through. Great right. So now I guess I know why I have been in so much pain!

I had revision surgery bypass to bypass on 12/23/13 and I'm having a lot of left side pain. I can't bend over, sleep on my side, or ride in the car to long. I have no desire to eat or drink forcing myself. I am on soft foods now. I know I got to do better or there will be no wait loss.I am in the same boat. Had surgery January 6. Lots of left side pain. Today was the first day I actually got in and out of bed by myself. If I stay up too long, I get nauseous from the pain. I'm struggling getting enough fluids in. Everything tastes bad.

I am better today! I am still in pain when I get up but I would give it a 7 instead of a 10! I got a shower today for the first time since Thursday. I got really nauseous and had to lie down quickly afterward, but I think I am just weak from laying in bed for so long. So I think I am on the upward swing! The swelling in my abdomen seems to be going down. Tomorrow is my one week follow up so it will be a really long day on the road but I am glad to even be a little better. Thanks to both of you for all your help and advice!!

I called my surgeon back. Got the PA again. He was very nice. He still thinks it is probably the nerve inflammation but said if I think it is getting worse that I should probably come and have it checked out. When I lay flat and don't move, it doesn't hurt. If I try to do anything, it kills me. I haven't even been able to do anything other than go to the bathroom today and fall back into bed in tears. Can't even stand long enough to brush my teeth. The hospital I had the surgery done at is 3 hours away so I may wait and try to head up there tomorrow morning if I am still this bad. My husband doesn't get home tonight until at least 6, maybe later. I hope I don't have what you had, kraney, that sounded awful. I am glad you are okay now.

Kraney, I am not better. Did you have a fever with your leak? Maybe I should call my surgeon back again? Did it hurt all the time or was it okay if you laid still?

Thank you, KayP, for answering me. I was beginning to think I'm crazy. It hurts so bad! I am glad someone else has been thru it too and it did eventually go away. That makes me feel a lot better. I was envisioning lying in this bed forever. I know that sounds dramatic but literally that is all I can do. My mom went to town to try to find me an abdominal binder. I really do think that might help and thank you for the suggestion. I hope I don't have to lie here for a week like you did before you got better but guess I will do whatever I have to! Thank you again for sharing your experience with me.

When does the weight loss start? I am only four days post op but geez, eating hardly anything for four days should do something and I am at my pre-op weight. So I know there is swelling from surgery and all that, but when should I actually start to see progress? Getting a little anxious ...

Today is day 3 post surgery. I got to start full liquids! Yay! Had yogurt for breakfast, about 2 oz protein shake for lunch and some really yummy potato soup that I put thru the blender for dinner. I have pain in my left side, which I understand is normal. My BP was a little high this morning, but my meds got changed after the surgery and I doubt they are in my system good. All in all, I think I am doing pretty good. I haven't gotten all my fluids in today. The eating in between has thrown me off. I will concentrate on liquids this evening and do better tomorrow. When does the weight loss start? Lol! I know I am not eating much and just seems the scale would start moving a little!

So glad you are doing well! I had surgery the 6th too and came home yesterday!

Good luck to all of you having your surgeries soon!!

We are here for you urkeelingme! You can do this! I have faith in you and you will do great! Any questions you have please ask. I just had surgery two days ago so I can answer a few, but there is a wealth of knowledgable and supportive people here! Just think how awesome you will feel when you lose that weight and move on to the next chapter in your life.

That sounds like good advice ReaRaes. I agree. I will use what he prescribed me.

Thanks Cherryhair! When was your surgery? And I am in a recliner now. Lol. Not sure I won't stay here for the night.