KristenVSG2014

Update: Day 5 Post Op The numbness in my abdomen is completely gone and now I feel the full effect of the surgery. I'm extremely sore but I'm able to get out of bed by myself and take a shower without assistance. I cannot dry myself off or bend over yet though. Riding in a car sucks. I managed to walk 1 mile today with a few breaks along the way. Today was the first day I met my protein and fluid requirement. Genepro is a lifesaver! I had a gas bubble trapped under my right ribcage today that took my breath away. I had my husband beating my back to try and break it up. I'm still very tired each day. I seem to have little spurts of energy but then I crash again. I'm hoping by Monday, one week out, I'll feel better. :-)

It's not too difficult to get liquids in but getting protein in is a little different. I just don't care for the taste of Isopure. I am looking forward to full liquids next week.

I'm actually kind of hot right now so I have a cold compress on my head. I've been taking my antibiotics so hopefully nothing more will come of it. Besides that I'm feeling pretty good physically but I'm kind of frustrated with my husband. He brought home a hamburger and French fries. Now he's sitting beside me eating an ice cream cone. *I will not punch him, I will not punch him...*

I'm doing better than I thought I would be. We drove to my in-laws from Tijuana to Los Angeles. I'm here until next Saturday when I'll fly back to Florida. I still have a little bit of gas issues when I'm drinking but nothing I can't handle. There's a really bad pinch near my belly button when I move certain ways but as long as I'm still it isn't bad. I was able to get out of the bed on my own today so yay! I am, however, very very tired. I'm hoping I'll get more energy when I start regular protein shakes Wednesday.

WOW!!! You look absolutely gorgeous! I have the same starting weight and was sleeved Monday. I hope I look as fantastic as you soon. You are an inspiration!

I've been wondering how you are doing. I know we had our surgeries on the same day. I honestly don't think I would've been able to fly home so soon. My doctor only allows clear liquids and clear protein the first week. It is really strict but I can see why. Better to be safe than sorry.

I don't necessarily have spasms from it but I get what feels like a sharp pinch inside that makes me wince each time. It is right above my belly button to the left side.

I found this in TJ and it has been a lifesaver. Bottled Water is too rough on my new stomach but this tastes amazing, not sweet and is doctor-approved! I sent my husband out to find a case of it to get me through the first week of Clear Liquids. I'll alternate this with Isopure.

A cup of hot tea and two gas-x strips stopped the rumbles! Yay! Heading back to the States today. Woo hoo!

@@Becca R. They are just there. They don't hurt at all. I asked the doctor last night if it was normal and he said yes. The only pain I have is a weird pinch in my lower belly when I stand and the pressure in my back when I drink. Not bad at all. I feel pretty good otherwise. I'm actually riding to Los Angeles today to recover at my in-laws. I wanted as much time to recover as possible. I'm being pampered very well by my husband and mother in law. :-)

My insides are constantly rumbling. Not hunger pains. Just rumbles. All over. At first drinking was really easy but today I'm noticing I get a pressure-type pain in my back if I drink so I'm being extra careful about sipping and not drinking too much at one time.

My insides are constantly rumbling. Not hunger pains. Just rumbles. All over. At first drinking was really easy but today I'm noticing I get a pressure-type pain in my back if I drink so I'm being extra careful about sipping and not drinking too much at one time.

I got my drain out early! Yay!! It wasn't the worst pain but it only lasted about 20 seconds so I handled it. I'm sooooo glad to be rid of it.

14 pounds in four weeks. I followed it about 90% until I got to the clear liquids. I followed that 100%.

I'm feeling a little better each day. I had and passed my leak test yesterday and was given Gatorade. Mmmmm. No problem sipping it either! I slept much better last night. I still have periods where my chest feels heavy from gas and mucous. I finally coughed some of it up today. Walking helps immensely. I took a shower on my own today but hubby had to help me dry off. The nurse came and cleaned and taped my stitches (which look fantastic so far!) I'm supposed to go back to the hotel today and get my drain out tomorrow.

Memories keep coming up. I kept fighting to take my oxygen mask off after surgery. It made me feel claustrophobic and I would take it and the nurse would run over and put it back on. I remember being irritated that I was in pain and the gas was settle in my lungs and I couldn't breathe. I've been walking as much as I can. My lungs have some mucous buildup, I guess from being intubated. I want to cough but it hurts so I take breathing breaks where I try to breathe as deep as I can. The last thing I need is pneumonia. Tip: trying to sleep flat or close to flat causes more pain. If I sleep reclined the gas seems to be spread more evenly and allows me to hiccup.

Hi Everyone. I finally feel decent enough to give you all an update. Here's what went down: I got to the hospital at 12:00 and did pre-op testing. They told me I would meet with the internist and then the anesthesiologist and doctor. So I met the internist around 2:00. Then waited. And waited. Finally the patient advocate came in around 5:00 and said it would be another hour. Ok. I waited some more. At 6:15 I had a total nervous breakdown (like crying uncontrollably) because I hadn't had any fluids, I was starving and I didn't want to be the last surgery of the day. I finally sucked it up but when they finally came to get me 6:30 it started all over again. Then I met with the anesthesiologist and she was very sweet and reassuring. Then she pumped me full of Xanax and some other cocktail that made me feel a tad drunk. Dr. Lopez came out to meet me and I told him I was so upset because I didn't think I would be last and he said he always does the more difficult surgeries first. Everyone but me was a revision of some sort and I was last because I was smaller, my blood pressure was perfect and all my lab work was perfect. That made me feel better. I also was gauging if the doctor looked at all exhausted and he didn't so at that point I was comfortable with proceeding. I remember waking up in immense pain and dry heaving. This is not new. It happens every time I have surgery. Thankfully I had nothing to throw up. I had to be monitored longer than usual but eventually I made it back to my room around 10:00. I kept feeling terrible pain so they kept pumping me full of medications. Finally I was able to sleep. This morning I feel MUCH better. I only have minimal gas pain and it is coming out in the form of hiccups and little burps. Sometimes the burps feel like they are trapped in my chest and its a little scary but then it passes. The only real pain is where the drain is. I'll be soooo happy to get it out tomorrow. I took a shower a little while ago and soon I will be going to do my leak test. I'll try to keep you all updated as much as possible! Feel free to ask any questions. :-)

Yes...they had to do some digging to get blood samples. Thankfully I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. I'm so ready to go back and get this over with! I'm really not nervous at all anymore. I'm hungry...but that's about it.

Finally got my IV! I was getting a bad headache from dehydration. EKG and blood pressure were great. Now I'm waiting to go back and meet the anesthesiologist and surgeon.

Laying in TJ waiting to go back for surgery. Should be soon!

I got to the hospital and filled out paperwork, spoke with the internist. Now I'm waiting on EKG and IV. I was so dehydrated they had a terrible time getting blood samples. I'm sure the IV won't be easy. It's so late in the day and I haven't had any fluids so I'm pretty dehydrated.

Drink a giant cup of hot tea and look at before and after success stories. Works for me!

@@Becca R. Thanks, I appreciate it! We finally made it to the hotel but none of the patient advocates were there. I was trying not to panic but I was worried I didn't know anything about the next day. So I texted the shuttle driver who called them and they found out I was accidentally put on the wrong clinic's list. Whoops! Within 15 min an advocate was at my door. She said they will pick me up tomorrow at 12:00 pm then take me to run tests. The surgery will take about 2 hours and then I'll be in recovery for an hour. Unfortunately I cannot have ANY fluids tomorrow and with such a late surgery I believe I'm going to have a tough time keeping my mind preoccupied. Hubby and I ate at the hotel restaurant. I had chicken broth (soooooo yummy), Water and hot tea. I took another broth back to the room with me so I can get in as much Fluid as possible before midnight. They said the hospital has Wifi so hopefully I'll be able to give you an update tomorrow! :-)

YES!!!! We just landed in San Diego. I'm waiting for the shuttle to pick us up and take us to TJ. I'm so excited and nervous.