katt1584

Day 6 post op. I gotta say I'm having a hard time getting all my liquids in. I have yet to hit 64 oz in a day. I'm feeling really weak because of that. I have my first pre-op appointment with my surgeon on Thursday where I can hopefully get my staples removed. I'm still in a considerable amount of pain-most of it from gas pressure and the internal stitches. I've been running a small fever on and off and I can see that my stomach is a little swollen. I dont have the most supportive of work enviorments and the thought of going back on Sunday is scaring me. i dunno if I can stand for a full 8 hours..if you were to ask me to do that today I would last probably 1 hour. So we will see how that goes. If any pre op's are reading this thread I guess the most important thing I've learned so far is that-THIS IS A PAINFUL SURGERY. THE PAIN WILL NOT BE CONTROLLED BY YOUR PAIN MEDS. Thats what I thought going in..that I would only have pain if I was off my meds...not true!!

So last night I learned that even though they SAY to call them if you have questions your surgeons DO NOT MEAN IT! I hadn't been gulping and I gave myself a lot of time to digest what I had taken in but I couldn't get ride of the swollen throat feeling. I had problems finding a pain med in the hospital and I didn't want to take my pain meds and fall asleep and risk an allergy that would close my airway off. I called the answering service and my surgeron was on call, he called me back and sounded half asleep and REALLY annoyed. He told me to take benedryl and kinda just brushed me off. I felt bad for calling but I was told that if I was having anxiety I could call to get answers..so I'm feeling a little crappy about that because I had previously really enjoyed my surgeon and his program. I think the crystal light I was drinking constantly was itching my throat..i've since switched to Water and the lump in my throat has gone down. Im struggling with some serious head hunger. I'm sick of broth, water, Jello and popsicles. Any suggestions to switch up the menu a bit? I had another rough night last night because I dont have the most conformtable bed and I also decided not to take my narcotic pain meds last night. I woke up in the middle of the night in serious pain...mostly my back. Finally this morning after my throat started to feel better so I started back up on my pain meds and got a little sleep. Feeling really weak but my incisions are healing nicley...just wish I could could a grip on the head hunger! It doens't help that today is my sisters birthday and theres cake and ice cream everywhere. I atleast know its not actual hunger because I feel full!!

Ive been having some trouble tonight..I have a lot of pressure on my trachea and in my throat. ..did I drink too much? It feels difficult to get a full breath in. uts not gas pressure. ..it feels different. ..any insight?

Recliner would be perfect...ive been trying to sleep completely upright because when I lay flat my lungs i just feel crushed. Feeling pretty good right now...my boyfriend made himself a bacon sasuage and egg breakfast and my sister is on her way to pick up an ice cream cake for her birthday and I dont feel like im missimg out on anything. Its kind of crazy how food just has a differnt meaning to me after this surgery and im hoping to keep that up! My sister is actually getting the surgery herself in a few weeks. I took my first bariatric fusion vitamin today and it was AWFUL..can't wait to do that 4 times a day. Fever did end up going dowm..probably because I had let my pain meds expire. How long after coming home were you guys still on narcotic pain meds?

Didnt have such a nice nights sleep last night. I woke up feeling really agitated with sharp stomach pains...the kind you feel when youre behind on pain meds. I have a tiny fever of 99.5 this morning...anyone ever experience anything similar 3 days post op ?

Just got home from the hospital and I'm feeling good. My surgery only took 1 hour to complete and the doctor said it was as routine as it could be. My incisions looked great this morning and I was cleared to go home around 10 in the morning. I was really scared to do this surgery and I can't believe that I can finally say I'm on the losers side!!! I did it!! The doctor told me the most important thing over the next week is to sip and walk. Pain in manageable..we finally found a narcotic that worked. I had to take it orally..it just the tiniest bit of syrup and oh boy does it work! Oxycoden I believe its called. It feels good to be home!! I have the next 9 days off of work and I'm hoping I can make a decent recovery by then. More updates soon!

Thanks Ren, it almost feels like if my bowels would move all of my pain would go away. I haven't had any pain meds since about 11 last night and I woke up feeling very little pain associated with the actual surgery. That damn hospital bed is a different story. I went on 1 lap around the surgical floor and I've already asked for water to start sipping. The plan is that I go home today which although I'll be happy to be in my own bed I have some anxiety about going home and discovering new pains on my own. Did anyone else feel this way leaving the hospital? Its nice to have an immediate answer to your questions here..any tips on how to get through it?

Hi guys, I'm going into my second night at the hospital. I had to be taken off the pain pump because of the itching. This morning when I woke up I was really far behind on my pain management because I stopped hitting my pump because of the itching. It took about half the day to catch up to the pain. I have been up walking whenever I can. My kidneys are working but my bowels still havne't moved yet. Hospital beds are AWFUL! I have so much additonal pain because of the bed on my back. I honestly have to say that I thought this surgery would be a piece of cake but there is some real pain associated with this. I am having a hard time taking down liquids..because my bowels aren't moving yet my body just feel so full air. So sipping and fluid intake is almost impossible. I do have some phlem in my lungs as a result of the breathing tube andI can't seem to work that out either because I can't force that on my inscisons yet. I just fell asleep typing this so back to sleep I go!!

Really rough first night! I was really behind on pain management because I stoppes pushing my PCA to avoid tge itching. The hospital bed is the worst part of it all..I cant get comfortable and trying to find the right stop has hurt my incisions. Ive started drinking but I feel full instantly. I could handle the pain in mu abdomen if it wasnt for the pain in mu back!!

Its very true when they say every hour you get better. I feel very week and extremely uncomfortable but my pressue pains are gone from yesterday. I havnt slept more than 1 hour at a time and I seem to be reacting to my pain meds a but with itching all over. Ive started to feel my insicion pains more. So the first night has been a little rough but more uncomfortable than anything else. Ill let you know how tomorrow goes!

Update- my back is killing me I think its 60 from pressure and 40 percent that im unable to get comfortable. I sent my boyfriend to get a back massager..which feels good on the pressure pains. Going into this I want sure how much discomfort I would have..I had this idea that I would be medicated and comfortable, but there is only so much they can do. Still no fluids but im not missing food! More to come!

Okay guys.... surgery lasted about an hour and waking up immediately after was very painful. It felt like my back and chest were in a vice. Do yourself a fqvor and ask for a heating pad as soon as you are able. Falling asleep while typing this so im gonna make it short. Thank you all for your amazing support. The power of your prayers and kind words helped me through a very scary day.

I'm hours away from surgery! Getting so scared!

I know exactly how you feel. Ive been living with severe OCD since I was a child and as an adult my obsessions are often about my health and fear of dying. I am getting sleeved in less than 24 hours and although im very nervous the doctors and this forum are a great support. I figured I could get answers for any little pain I had. Its scary but there will be someome to answer your questions day or night

Im a little thrown by the lack of preop testing ive had to undergo. I went to the hospital to get my blood drawn but all they did was take my history. I didnt have to do and preop EKG or Endoscopy. I meet with my surgeon tomorrow for surgery next week. I havnt seen my surgeon since November. Should I be concerned or does this sound normal? I have met with other from his office and took his preop class..so its not like he left me hanging. Just wanted to know if anyone else experienced a lack of preop tests before surgery

My surgeon is also part of a Center of Excellence, I read that a lot of surgeons have tge requirements that yours does which makes me even more curious as to why mine doesnt. When I see him tomorrow im going to ask him why I didnt need any of these tests. Anxious for the answer!

Thats great advice, my sister actually had something similar happen to her. She was getting the lapband so the bill wasnt that high but she was stuck with 30k (several years ago). I called my insurance company and asked them to send me the approval by mail so I had a copy. The letter I have says we're all good! I would recommend that to everyone too

*update- I totally know how to spell "experience" my phones auto correct, unfortunately, does not.

Pianoguy, I would really recommend St Lukes..I am a week away from surgery and the support system and entire program have been a great asset. I attended a preop class which let me know what to expect- ive attended support groups-ive met with a very helpful nutritionist who as part of my surgery cost I get to see 3 more times after surgery. The insurance specialist for the bariatric surgeons really goes above and beyond to help you through that process. Its also considered a center of excellence which some insurance companies require. Good luck!

Did anyone catch tonight's episode of "My 600 pound life"? It was completely eye opening about how important it is to be mentally prepared for this surgery. Penny had the VSG and 1 year after surgery she had gained 5 pounds. She never dipped below her pre surgery weight of 490 pounds...she had an excuse for everything. She refused to walk or stand and remained bed ridden. She lied to the doctor that she was doing EVERYTHING right when she was indulging in fried foods and carbs. Addiction can makes complete fools out of us, although after watching this episode I would say Penny wasnt just a victim. It was a powerful thing to see pre-op and I recommend you guys watch it!

Hi guys! I have an interesting problem here. My surgery is scheduled for feb 15th and I won't meet with my surgeon for any preop until feb 8th. I have to go to a class on the 29th about what to expect from surgery and ive already met with my dietitian. So im wondering when do I start my preop diet? I know all surgeons are different but I would like to do the preop diet. Any advice fr websites that will outline this for me?

"Fried feaking wontons"! Hahaha The reason I posted about this episode was because I found her excuses highly motivating. Although my weight has never been near her level..ive made excuses for my addiction before. Seeing how awful it looks on someone else helps me realize that I was only cheating myself. Getting this surgery is something ive wrestled with, forcing myself to accept that its not a magic fix and it will be hard work. Penny is the example of a woman who saw the surgery as the easy way out, someone else on the thread said "that is NOT going to be me" and thats exactly how I feel and am glad I saw pennys story. On top of all that though. .shes pretty insufferable. While being carted away to the hospital to be weighed shes telling the paramedic "ive probably lost about 350 pounds so far" when she had really just gained 5 pounds....its all those fried freaking wontons!!!!!

I got something in the mail saying that I can eat solid food until 4 days before my surgery...is that typical? Do some surgeons not require a 2 week liquid diet?

I really hated what her poor son had to go through..and it really bugged me that she had recieved finacial support from so many people and just blew it. Its one thing to stumble but to be so damn arrogant about it...

2 hours! Keep us posted! Good luck to you..you can do this!!!