rln52

FYI FMLA can take time. Plan ahead I waited until BCBS approved and only gave me about 8 days to complete process but it was close. Also if you have enough sick time - at least at VA you do not have to use FMLA and get paperwork filled out so this keeps it private. The other option is to just ask for 2 or 3 week of annual leave and no one will find out if you don't want others to know. Here my paperwork was seen by AO, Timekeeper ,supervisor , chief nurse and director. Unfortunately I work with all of them so my whole story was on those papers. The doctors office writes so much information. I don't care anymore but at first I did. Also once you tell your supervisor you are going to be sick then AL cant be used except as FMLA.

Sleeved on August 10th and first 10 days were so ha4d kept thinking on and off how I should have tried harder without surgery. But today is better everyday is better. I look forward to the next day knowing I will be better and I have lost 20 lbs since preop diet on 7/27. It gets better and I get out more mow that helps. Good luck to all.

I have an increased sensitivity to the sun and heat and I am 19 days post. I noticed it 2 weeks post op when I started going out of home and the sun and heat were so bad i started getting tingling and sharp itching. Today I turned stove burner to high and felt sudden itching to arms then legs and had to move away and not think about it. My skin is so dry and my face is peeling. I think this may be due to low Fluid intake still cant get more than 30 oz per day. Anyone else had this experience?

Saw my surgeon and NUT discussed puree options pretty much its 1 Protein and 1 vegetable or fruit 3 times a day. 2tbps protein and 1 of veg or fruit per meal. Pretty much any food seems okay just best to stay with lower carbs like green Beans and cauliflower but must blend to puree.

My diet book given to me by NUT has puree vegetables I picked Beans because I like them and they have Protein. Not really sure I want to puree chicken. Tomorrow I see my surgeon and NUT will ask questions and post any new ideas. I can have mashed potatoes but too much starch I am trying to make good choices. Sweet potato is in my book. tuna, avocado,, mayo, even egg just not sure how puree form will taste.

How about sharing puree food ideas I just started this phase and could use ideas for variety. Please share.

I just finished my 2 weeks post op and puree diet seemed scary to try after having been on full liquids for a month now. But this morning I felt hunger and weakness so I decided to try it and I took a can of Bush's refried Beans fat free with no sugars and 9 gms Protein per 1/2 cup serving added a pinch of shredded cheddar and Pacific turkey Bone Broth with rosemary, sage and thyme and pureed it in my ninja chopper. It came out so smooth my doctor's guideline is to eat 2 tablespoons of a pureed protein. I warmed it up and it was delicious. But these past few days it had been much harder to stay on full liquids. I am glad I stayed on it. Even now just a little something different makes it possible to continue with mostly full liquids. I read it was good idea to only add one new food to my diet at a time to see how I tolerated it. Good luck to all still weeks from solids. We can make it. Think about the weight loss so far and the loss to come. Since starting preop diet to now 2 weeks post op I have lost 20 lbs thats amazing to me.

Niki15

I am passing gas and burping. I can feel stomach - intestines rumbling but no pain comes from this. I think its all that air they blew us up with and GI tract adapting to the change. But its okay so far. I don't use anything for it. Now that i have had Protein drinks for 2 days am wondering when I will have a BM. I take very small sips but yes i do feel gruggling in my intestine with the shakes. How is your mobility and are you able to drink 60 ounces of liquids per day?

Sleeved August 10. Tips for 1st 2 days in hospital. Take chap stick my lips were so dry. Remember toothpaste and brush i must have used it every four hours while awake. I slept most of the time. Try to get nurse to start IV on non dominant hand because you really need your dominant hand for lifting, drinking fluids and especially when going to bathroom. I found it was easier to stay out of the bed and in a recliner. Lifting forward using the arms of recliner to push me up was so less painful. I took a sweater I seemed to be colder than usual. My lips got swollen and my cheeks were red. This has gone away. The IV fluids kept me going to bathroom every 2 hours. I took my pillow to place over my abdomen during the car ride home. The staff wakes you up every so often to check vital signs. It was tiring but I walked down the hall several times. Also remember to do the incentive spirometer to help with lung expansion. Just remember the first week is only 7 days long and each day there is something that feels better.

Sleeved August 10. Tips for 1st 2 days in hospital. Take chap stick my lips were so dry. Remember toothpaste and brush i must have used it every four hours while awake. I slept most of the time. Try to get nurse to start IV on non dominant hand because you really need your dominant hand for lifting, drinking fluids and especially when going to bathroom. I found it was easier to stay out of the bed and in a recliner. Lifting forward using the arms of recliner to push me up was so less painful. I took a sweater I seemed to be colder than usual. My lips got swollen and my cheeks were red. This has gone away. The IV fluids kept me going to bathroom every 2 hours. I took my pillow to place over my abdomen during the car ride home. The staff wakes you up every so often to check vital signs. It was tiring but I walked down the hall several times. Also remember to do the incentive spirometer to help with lung expansion. Just remember the first week is only 7 days long and each day there is something that feels better.

4 days now post op. Feeling better today. Still having to be drinking constantly to try n get inu Protein n liquids. 60 ounces is really impossible for me

I think 30 ounces is what i may have done in the past. The pain is minimal. I don't get hungry. Walking throughout the day indoors since the heat outside is awful. Good luck to all going in August.

My doctor ordered the binder it helps me so much. The incisions on the right side of the body hurt the most. I put the binder over my blouse. Check with your doctor before buying one.

Thanks to all for the good wishes. Got home yesterday. Today much better. BS have been great 75 to 90. All meds are on hold for now. Getting along by myself on some things. First night was tough second day better still not great. In hospital i was not able to drink. My appetite was not there and the taste of Water was not appealing to me. T oday i am able to drink my Protein shake and Jello pudding popsicles so much better.

Today is 3 days post surgery. Doing better taking Tylenol with codiene once yesterday for the ride home and about one hour ago. I am in recliner at home just get up to walk and go to bathroom. Took a shower this morning and it went well. My mother is here and this has been my salvation. She does everything and more to help me. Like cooking for my husband washing clothes and fixing all my shakes. When my back starts to ache from lying on it too long i sit up in recliner without my feet up. Its good to change positions often. Walking is also part of my routine. I am doing my incentive spirometer several times in a day. I always have some Protein drink for me to be constantly sipping so I can get my fluids in and protein at the same time. Keeping track in log book. I can get up by myself go to bathroom by myself showered by myself today is better than yesterday. The anesthesia took longer to wear off on me, i asked why and was told the procedure lasts about 2 hours so the exposure to the anesthesia is longer than when i had my gallbladder out. I am not hungry at all. Watching movies and other recorded shows and sipping all day long. Abdominal binder still on. Good luck to everyone still going to surgery in August.

I came home today. First night was tough. With the IV had to go to bathroom every 2 hours and getting in and out of the bed hurt so much I decided to sleep in recliner. Felt better today. Wearing my abdominal binder all the time.

Pre op diet over. Today in 1 hour is my surgery! Final weight 194.9lbs preop. Lost 12 lbs. Feel lighter clothes fit better. Will start new post after surgery : post op diet. Look for me there! !!

My day is here one more hour for surgery.

1 hour left for surgery. Wow its unbelievable the day, the hour is here!

I have my pillow for ride home and chap stick. Surgery in 1 hour!!

Surgery in 1 hour. Looking forward to getting this started. Moving forward towards a new way of life.

Surgery in 1 hour. Kinda rushing got lost on the way to hospital had to take different route. But all is well.

I am excited today is my surgery day! I am ready to lose more weight. I have been planning since February so this is sort of unbelievable that the DAY is here. Today at 1:30pm.

Me too have to be there at 11am. Watching tv because i want to sleep late so i dont think about not being able to drink anything.

Monieanne

Ready. I spent afternoon cleaning and getting my apartment ready. Had my shower with special soap and npo now. Tomorrow is my day surgery at 1:30pm. Wish you the best of luck!!

Jfzimmerman

I am so happy to hear you are doing well! My turn on Monday the 10th. 12 pounds down and ready. Please give tips on post op care. So glad to hear all is well!