mclorrie

I think it's pretty much up to your surgeon. I was using a straw right after I got out of surgery. I had my endoscopy done before surgery, and a hiatal hernia repair during surgery, so taking small sips was not a problem for me. Using a straw was not an issue either.

Hello July Sleevers!! Congratulations to everyone! We made it!! I'm six weeks & five days out - and am down 51 lbs. I too am struggling to get my Water every day. Some days are better than others, it depends on how much I'm doing. The other day I went to the Iowa State Fair, and within four hours I had met my goal. Other times (like now) when I'm sitting at my desk working - I barely drink any. I'm finding it hard to get water in especially trying to follow the '10 minute before - 60 minute' after meals rule. I guess I'll just have to find what works best for me. I love Diet Snapple Raspberry Tea, but try not to drink too much of it because of the aspartame. I hope they jump on the band wagon like a lot of these other companies and find a more healthy alternative! I've graduated from the soft food diet to whatever I want. So I'm gradually trying new foods. I'm staying with healthy foods. I work on Proteins first, and by the time I get to carbs, I'm pretty much done with my meal!

I was told I could drive a couple of days after I quit taking my pain meds. For me it was around five days. I only took my meds for two days after I got out of the hospital.

Good luck to all of you!! You've got this!!

You're on a good start by cutting out alcohol and soda, and are practicing chewing your food. You're slowing down while you eat which I think helps you to get fuller faster! Don't get discouraged, if you have questions about dieting - ask your dietician! That's what they are getting paid for! I had to do a six month Doctor supervised diet before my insurance would approve me. I learned a lot from asking questions, here and at my appointments! Good luck!!

Congrats!! It won't be no time at all, and you'll be on the loser's bench with the rest of us!

It took 10 days for me. I have United Healthcare.

I don't know about everyone else, but I was looking forward to having a nice nap!!

I know it's easier said than done, but try not to be nervous about your surgery. I was afraid too, so I prayed about it, and it really helped! I was calm, cool, and collected during pre-op and my family were the ones that was nervous! I honestly feel that this helped me to recover so much faster! Don't worry about nausea. If your nurses are anything like mine, they will help you to keep your nausea under control with medication. Good luck with your surgery, and keep us posted on how you're doing!

I had trapped gas in my right shoulder (right in the shoulder blade). After getting a massage, the pain was gone!

Congrats!! Welcome to the loser's bench!! I'm probably a little late, but my best advice is - to try not and be nervous! Believe it or not, I wasn't the slightest bit nervous when I went into surgery! I didn't have any complications, what-so-ever, and it didn't take long for me to recover! I was off of pain meds in two days after being released from the hospital. Good luck to you, and wish you all well on your recovery!!

I have United Healthcare too. My PCP referred me to my surgeon, that way I knew that she was in-network.

My surgeon allowed me to have small sips of Water right after surgery, and I drank out of a straw. The only thing that bothered me was the swelling from the hiatal hernia repair. Other than burping, it didn't bother me much. I would ask your surgeon about using a straw just to be sure it's allowed.

@@mykdzmom - I've been adding 1 scoop of