Sharon Walls

Two weeks post op now. The last couple of days have had a lot of "deep ache" where the sutures were set on the left side. Any activity I do that uses core muscles hurts enough to send me looking for pain meds twice a day. Other than that, I am still doing well. Morning smoothie made from greek yogurt, almond milk, 2 scoops of protein powder (52 proteins), one raw egg, one small banana) is going down good. Herbal teas are going down good. Got to start liquid vitamins this week, and those are going down good. Walking several times a day. Sitting at the computer to do work uses those core muscles a lot, as does going up and down the stairs. And bending over to do simple things, like scoop dog food, feed my dogs, etc. is the type of activity that sends that deep ache over the top into full on acute pain. Anybody else having deep pain at their incision site at this stage? How long does it last? I'll be phoning my Dr. when his office opens later this morning to report and ask advice as well.

Had my 10 day post of exam yesterday. Incision and punctures are healing well. Still working at getting to goal on daily protein and fluids, but consistently hitting 80% of goal. Both the nurse and dr said the regular walks are a big factor in how well I am healing and recovering. I went back to work (office job) at day 6 post op. Taking pain meds once a day, usually mid-day. The sitting at a computer uses my core muscles more than I was aware. Stairs are still my nemesis, but I think within a couple of weeks it will be okay again. Can't do any of the prepared protein shakes, but I can do the unflavored Isopure protein, so I am adding that into everything. I'm down 10 pounds from my surg date. So far, so good.

I am 9 days out and pretty much living on Jello, creme/broth soups, thinned pudding, and thinned yogurt/kefir. Am finding the Protein shakes give me terrible gas, so I am sneaking a couple of tablespoons of unflavored Isopure protein powder into as much as I can and it seems to be sitting okay. Herbal teas seem to be sitting well. My stomach feels different when it is thirsty from when it is hungry - and my middle ear feels different when I am thirsty (weird). Not experiencing a lot of head hunger, but since my husband had the sleeve 3 years ago he is being really good about not making foods that would trigger issues while I am recovering from my surgery. Eating/drinking as such frequent intervals is a big shift, but I think that will phase back once I am actually getting some nutrition out of what I am eating.

The gastric sleeve surgery used to be the surgical treatment for stomach ulcers that refused to heal. My husband and my BFF girlfriend both know I had the surgery for bariatric reasons, and as far as everybody else is concerned I had the surgery due to unresolving stomach ulcers (which I actually do have a history of). It's really nobody else's business, and I don't want to hear any negative flack from the armchair quarterback gallery.

I had my first BM 4 days post-op.

I was sleeved on the 16th. Stayed overnight in the hospital and was released the following evening. Dr. said it went textbook smooth, but I had a rough couple of hours when I was moved from Recovery to my room as it took 11 hits of morphine at 10 minute intervals before I finally got comfortable. Found out the hard way that stuff I could drink before surgery I can't take now. Protein shakes now give me intensely painful gas - took several doses of Gas-X and 36 intensely painful hours to get that under control. I can do small doses of unflavored protein powder in my liquid diet, so that seems to be working. Have been walking 1/2 a mile a couple of times a day in addition to puttering around the house. Getting liquids in has been a challenge, but I am getting in close to 50 ounces a day in now. Jello and Kefir seem to be my 2 go-to foods that sit best right now. Been napping a lot. Am sleeping in a recliner, because if I go below a certain angle it feels more acidic/painful? First post-op visit is this Friday, but I don't advance past liquid foods until 21 days post op.

My husband has his sleeve surgery with Dr Goyal in NJ about 3 years ago. No complications, excellent results. His staff were all excellent as well.