2Bsmaller18

So I am 5 days post op. I burped some in the hospital but never passed gas. I think my intestines just took longer to wake up. Well yesterday they rumble and today it's worse. Will it settle down? If so is it just noisy right after you eat or an hour later? I need to try and plan for it to be quiet during a meeting next week.

Surgery today 7:30- don’t remember recovery room. Moved upstairs around 1:30.. lots of pain took morphine and slept until5. Thenup to start waking and drink 3oz water an hour

I’m in prep now. Getting nervous. I just want to fast forward this part.

I’m in pre op now. I’m shaking with nerves. Looking forward to tomorrow

Tonight is the eve before surgery. I am trying to feel calm by getting things ready etc. The bad part is I have to drive by myself for 1 1/2 hours at 3am to get to the hospital. My husband will be at the hospital a few hours later once I am in surgery after he gets the kids to school. I am feeling more confident now verses a week ago. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly.

Wow, you look amazing. You look tiny. I was 140 when I got married (same height) and you look smaller than that.

I am driving myself crazy. I am normal a very balanced person but the past week or 2 my emotions are all over the place. I am scheduled for surgery Monday morning. I have had fleeting thoughts of cancelling the procedure, silently wishing my insurance suddenly cancelled approval or the surgeon announced he was retiring. Then earlier today I went to this site (so happy to have you all!!) and now I am excited and can't wait to start the next phase. I feel jealous of those that are weeks and months out. I just want to fast forward a week and have the scary part behind me.

I'm sorry. That stinks. What treatment are they doing to help you heal?

I have read that some people used liquid Tylenol vs the prescription pain medicine. Did you just buy a lot of children's liquid? For the right dosage that seems like you could go thru several bottles in days. Did you purchase an adult/stronger dosage? If so where from? Is it a prescription? Also, I tend to get very nauseous. Did you take an over the counter or prescription? Was it a liquid or suppository?

That sounds amazing! What kind of surgery did you have?

I am so sorry that happened to you. I would have been very self conscious and would have had a hard time enjoying the experience. I have had tons of things no one else would realize but years ago an in law made a "fat" joke referring to me and it still bothers me. For me it's more wanting to not have my kids be embarrassed and me feeling comfortable in my own skin, not hiding in photos. I am looking forward to actually having a family photo done in a year. Something we have never done.

I had my nutrition classes and have the recommended daily total of fluids and protein. I know it's initially sips to get it in and the goal of 64oz, 60g protein. So my question is did you use a shot glass for 1-2 oz and set a timer to make sure you drank that every hour? Did you use a phone app or timer? I do know aobut the calcium chews separate form the daily vitamin. Do I not take the daily vitamin with a shake that's high in Calcium, Should I take that with water? Any suggestions?

I haven't had surgery yet but from what I have read people may lose hair around 3 months post op. and they say at 6 months you will notice your hair wont fall out as much and will start to grow back in. I would guess maybe you can cut down the biotin and eventually stop.

Thank you to everyone for adding to this post. I am scheduled for Monday and am getting very anxious. I am trying to remind myself that more people post problems vs. if everything is smooth sailing. I just want to fast forward a week and have it behind me. I am tying to "look forward" to relaxing and watching some movies etc verses my typical running around all the time.

I had my nutrition appt. today to discuss the first 2 weeks post op. One thing I didn't' know was they said to eat and drink sitting straight up vs reclining in the bed as it goes down easier. My surgery is next Monday. I am starting to freak out a little. I will have to go by myself since my husband has to get kids on the bus and I wont see him until I am out of recovery and back in my room. I am still having the what ifs in my head. Not just surgery issues but future complications etc. I think I will feel better a week form now when I have more control over my situation.

I have a few questions that I have not asked the nutritionist yet. So long term i.e. 12-18 months post bypass can you eat red meat? bread? ice cream? I read somewhere it said never chew gum due to increased air being swallowed but the nutritionist did say it was fine. I know be careful with alcohol and avoid carbonated beverages. I also know you should never have a 3 scoop ice cream sundae but can you have a few bites of pretty much any food on a rare occasion? Also dumping syndrome-- is that more of an issue initially or does it happen years after surgery too?

I had terrible gas pain in my shoulder from gallbladder surgery. I would try and position myself lying on one side for an hour, then sitting but leaning forward, then lying on the other side. I honestly don't know if it helped or just the walking, movement and time. but it was really bad day 2/3 and then went away pretty suddenly.

Test to see if you are under a lot of stress, if you have good family support, realistic about outcomes, motivated etc.

I started the process the beginning of October. I had the 4th nutrition visit in January (first one was in Oct, then every 28-30 days another so the 4th appointment for weigh in was on day #91 in january). Then I saw the surgeon a week later. They submitted the paperwork and Aetna mailed me the approval letter 10 business days later. From what I understand your weight can go up and down a little due to different clothing etc. (preferable down) during the 90 day nutrition visits but they want that final 90 day weight in to be lower than the first visit. During that 90 day period I did the other tests, blood work etc. For me my surgery is scheduled about 4.5 months after that very first appointment.

I work in the medical field and tell patients to go back to work mid week if they are able to. Then you can just get through a few days, rest over the weekend and then go the full 5 days.

I'm sure the nutritionist has heard it all before. I would come clean so you can get on the right path ASAP. You can't change yesterday but you can change today and tomorrow so just remember it was a lesson learned and now you are taking control of it.

I think the best way to handle anxiety pre surgery is to make lists, make sure you have everything ready so you feel you have some control. Have some good books or magazines and try to look forward to down time. I know that sounds crazy but that is my plan. I even added some silly games to my phone that are distracting and mindless.

Since my BMI is less than 40 there is no pre op diet.

My research was last year. Cary Surgical Center $15K for surgery fees, MD fees and overnight stay (doesn't include preop test, x-rays, 3-4 nutrition appointments etc). Dr. Enochs has a great rep there and had insurance not covered it that is where I would go before even considering price. These prices were also based on no significant co morbidities. Duke was about 22k, and Rex was 27k I think. Cary Surgical just merged with Wake Med and was a lot less before they did last fall. I'm surprised it is still that low. They might be doing it at a surgery center verses a hospital which makes the price sky rocket.

I am officially scheduled for 2/18. I am excited and nervous.