Edeeva01

Hi there. I just had the surgery on July 18 & wanted to share my experience.
I walked a few hours post-op and then every few (daytime) hours after that. I am now pretty mobile although mornings are a little rough (dizziness, wooziness) and I do tire easily. But I’m walking now maybe 5-6x a day for 15 min at a clip and feeling pretty solid.
Ice packs helped me tremendously. I heated my shoulder when the gas pain was a little rough post-op, but ice packs helped my incision pain sooooo much.
I really only felt hunger the day before surgery (clear liquid diet). My kids ate deep dish pizza a few days post-op and it smelled good but it wasn’t a brutal craving or anything. Find post-op things that fit the requirements but also suit your tastes. I tried veggie broth and it sucked. I strained a veggie soup I love (using a super fine strainer) and boom, crisis adverted. Still a clear broth, but a much tastier one.
Can’t speak to this because I’m only 12 days out. But walking feels really good, so I can attest to that.
My advice is to listen very closely to your body. Follow all your surgeon’s instructions but rest when you need rest. Set timers to eat if you don’t remember the mini meals (a problem I never thought I’d have but here we are). Ask for help from those around you in the recovery process. I was so nervous I almost cancelled my surgery the day before but less than two weeks out…I’m so thankful I went through with it. Good luck! And feel free to message me anytime if you ever want to chat. :)

Hello, The nerves are very normal, we would not be human if we didn't. It is a very safe surgery.
1. They will expect you to get up and move around every hour or two after surgery to stop blood clots and help reduce the gas pains. the surgeon will fill your stomach with gas to give him as much room to work as possible. Its not released like wind but absorbed internally. Some people have problems, I didn't
2. I would use a hot water bottle rather than ice packs.
3. Do you mean pre surgery ? - You just have to suck it up. The surgeon needs you to do his pre op diet to shrink a fatty liver. BTW. Nobody has the same pre op diet. He could abandon the surgery if you dont adhere to his instructions. The thought of waking without the surgery having happened really motivated me to tow the line for the 3 weeks slog through mine. The first 4 days are the worst and after that you seem resigned and just try your best. Some people cut out sugary foods before hand but I went cold turkey because I had food funerals.
Post sugery ? - Water will fill your stomach and your time. Its a bit tough for most of us for a couple of weeks. The more you can drink then the better you will feel. The tiny amount that you will manage to eat will shock you.
4. You surgeon will tell you this. Like everything else, he/ she has their own rules that nobody else has been given.
5. Advice, Do not buy loads of protein shakes or foods that you think will be suitable post surgery. Your taste buds may change drastically
You may get a massive hormone rush because the hormones are in the fat cells. I felt like I was pregnant again { yes, at my age } food smells made me heave and I was so very tearful.
A recliner helps
Some people swear by 2 ounce cups to keep up their hourly water regime.
Remember its a bigger surgery than you see on the outside. Your internal plumbing has been rerouted and will be swollen and like a petulant toddler . Be kind to your self and do not rush the process.
Let us know how you are doing, there is always somebody here.