heyheysaraj

I'm 9 weeks post op, and I've been struggling with nausea and consequently hydration. My doctor felt concerned and referred me for a barium swallow / fluoroscopy. This morning was the test day, and I have no idea how the liquid barium swallowing went, as I don't know what to look for on the images. However, the last test they did was swallowing a barium tablet. It only made it halfway down my esophagus! They had me drink more water, wait, more water, and more waiting, but after 15 minutes or so they gave up and said the tablet will dissolve soon anyways. So of course now I'm googling everything, and I'm thinking it could be an esophageal stricture. I know I should just wait for my doctor to call, but Lord knows how long that will take with the Holiday weekend and such, and I can't stop worrying. Would a stricture in the esophagus even be from sleeve surgery? Does anyone have any experience with strictures? Any input is appreciated! HW: 296 Pre-Op Diet Starting Weight: 278.4 SW: 262 CW: 228 Surgery date: 6/26/17

Strictures*** HW: 296 Pre-Op Diet Starting Weight: 278.4 SW: 262 CW: 228 Surgery date: 6/26/17

I'm six days post op, and I feel like I'm having a very different experience from everyone else. First of all, it's taken me all week to lose the 8 pounds I gained in the hospital, so I'm only down 1 pound now. Apparently that is pretty normal due to IV fluids. However, there's more... I have NO PROBLEM getting in my water and food. My plan allows for 4-6 full liquid meals of 2oz each, and I've never been full since surgery. I always wish I could have more. I can down a bottle of water (16.9 oz) in an hour and a half easily as well. It seems like everyone else is always full, nauseous, and struggling to eat/drink enough. I'm scared that even when I move on to 4oz meals of solid food, I won't have the restriction. I talked to my surgeon when I was still inpatient, and he said I should be happy that I can eat and drink so easily. I asked how small he had made my stomach and he said "very small." Has anyone else experienced this? Please tell me I'll be full and have restriction once I'm on solid foods. I feel like I did this for nothing (I had the sleeve) HW: 296 SW: 262 CW: 261 Surgery date: 6/26/17

I feel ashamed even having to ask this, but I'm freaking myself out, so here it goes... The week before surgery I was diagnosed with Pleurisy and put on 7.5 to 10 mg of hydrocodone, which I took maybe every other day or so at night. My job involves driving, so my use was very limited. Then for surgery I was on dilaudid (patient controlled analgesic) at Lord knows what dose, plus oral Oxycodone 15mg. At home I was on the 15mg oxycodone for a couple days, then 10, then 7.5, and then I didn't really feel much pain anymore by about day 7 so I stopped... And I felt like complete crap. Achey, cold sweats, goose bumps, nausea, etc. I took 7.5mg because I figured that's just how post op feels without pain meds on board, and it all went away. I tried again yesterday, same story. Then it dawned on me that maybe those are withdrawal symptoms? I have a 4th year medical student friend (with no bariatric training) and I asked her about it, and she said it's fully possible to already have physical dependence, and to just taper off slowly. But I'm just in shock that I could develop a dependency so quickly. I keep thinking that this is just how it feels at 9 days post op without any pain meds on board. Like absolute trash. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into how they felt at this time in their recovery? Is it normal to be achey, have cold sweats, goosebumps, exhaustion, and nausea? Or am I withdrawing off of narcotics after just over 2 weeks of use? Please nobody be rude, this is a difficult question to ask, but I need your thoughts... HW: 296 SW: 262 CW: 251.4 Surgery date: 6/26/17

I'm 48 hours "clean and sober"! It turns out I was just massively dehydrated and the meds were covering the symptoms, which made it appear to be a withdrawal. I had a couple bags of IV fluids and am a whole new person HW: 296 SW: 262 CW: 249 Surgery date: 6/26/17

I didn't really have any perspective on the Oxycodone dosage, so I didn't realize how high it was... Very surprising! I'm 21 hours from my last dose (7.5mg) and just had some light nausea when I woke up that went away with Ondansetron. I assumed as the day went on I would spiral again, but I'm ok so far. I'm not opposed to tapering if today fails as well, but so far so good. This stuff just scares the hell out of me, so if I can be done, I want to be DONE. Eek. HW: 296 SW: 262 CW: 251.4 Surgery date: 6/26/17

I haven't noticed excessive yawning or watery eyes I don't think... but thank you for your input and kindness! I appreciate it. HW: 296 SW: 262 CW: 251.4 Surgery date: 6/26/17

I had my sleeve surgery on Monday 6/26, and my weight was 262. When I was discharged yesterday my weight was 270! Now today I'm down to 268, but that's still a 6 pound gain since surgery. I keep trying to tell myself it's the IV fluids, but it still worries me a lot. Did this happen to anyone else? How long before you start really losing? Yesterday was my first day logging food and I hit 203 calories, so I really don't think overeating is the issue. Thank you for any help or advice you can give! I'm really stressing about this!

YES. I'm a complete wreck HW: 296 SW: 262 CW: 256.6 Surgery date: 6/26/17

I called my surgeon's office today and they said it's a combo of the minimal eating and the narcotics. They also said they don't expect the first BM until 5-7 days post op so not to worry too much, but definitely take some Milk of Magnesia. I honestly feel like hell. I'm exhausted, weak, shaky, emotional (I'll cry over ANYTHING), and starving. If there was a way to back out right now, I would, but the deed is done. I'm sure we'll both be having an easier time in a few weeks, though. That's what I keep telling myself. HW: 296 SW: 262 CW: 256.6 Surgery date: 6/26/17

I had surgery on 6/26 and I still haven't had a bowel movement. I've been taking Miralax and walking walking walking. Maybe tomorrow will be the big day? HW: 296 SW: 262 CW: 259.6 Surgery date: 6/26/17

Thank you so much for all the encouragement! I feel much better knowing that I'm not alone and this is normal HW: 296 SW: 262 CW: 261 Surgery date: 6/26/17

Will do! Thank you so much! HW: 296 CW: 268 SW: 262

Thank you so much! That's very reassuring! HW: 296 CW: 268 SW: 262

I'm really struggling too. I'm just so hungry [emoji174] HW: 296 CW: 271 SW: Pending (6/26 surgery date)

Me too! I started my pre op yesterday and I'm getting sleeved the 26th