Hello all,

I just had my gastric sleeve done yesterday 11/26 and I think I'm doing pretty well. I wanted to tell you about some of the things I am experiencing so you'll be expecting them.

When I woke up in the recovery room, my first words were "no turning back now" --- don't know where that came from, but it's true! I was in the recovery room for hours because I was experiencing a lot of distress from the gas. They pump your abdomen full of gas so they have more room to maneuver, and they actually pull your stomach outside your body through one of the small incisions they make. The gas pressure was so intense that I really couldn't get relief from it. It felt like an all-day heart attack. Gas was pushing up against my diaphragm and it felt like I couldn't inflate my lungs. I had to wear my c-pap when I was in recovery and I just felt like I was suffocating.

After several hours of huffing and puffing, some of the pressure subsided and they took me to my room. As soon as I got out of the bed and into a recliner, some of the pressure let up as I wasn't "folded" over. I spent the whole night and all of today in the recliner. In the evening of the surgery, the gas pressure had let up a little.

I hope you will not have the gas pressure I did, but I guess people reabsorb the CO2 at different rates. Yesterday and today, I have been able to sip Protein drinks, tomato Soup, milk, yogurt, and Water without difficulty, although I am feeling very dehydrated. I am having a hard time taking in enough fluids, but I think that will get easier. It is a constant effort to try to get enough fluids in.

At home, I am restless because I've been sleeping for almost 2 days! I feel like I would feel better to walk outside, but it's dark, so will wait til tomorrow.

Each day is passing and I will feel better as I go along. It's kind of a shock to feel that pain in the abdomen, but not surprising, I guess. Looking forward to feeling more ambulatory and in less discomfort tomorrow.

Good luck! Keep us updated!

Hope you feel better soon. Surgery is no fun and maybe we are all a little crazy for being excited and looking forward to our dates, but it will be worth it in the end.

Hi there Comstock

how are u feeling today ? Better i hope ..are u able to get dehydrated?. sorry I'm new here nd its almost time for my surgery nd I'm nervous

.:/

Hi Laurivgs,

I do feel better today. I slept in my recliner again last night as I am not looking forward to having to sit up to get out of bed. I think I will do it again one more night.

Today, I felt less discomfort and was able to drink 1/2 Protein drink, about a cup of tomato soup (took 2 hrs), a yogurt, and about 10 oz. of another Protein Drink. Not so much Water as yesterday, but wanted to try to get my protein in. I feel less dehydrated than yesterday, but still not getting anywhere near 64 oz. My protein intake today was about 50 gm.

Tonite, I coughed kind of hard a couple of times. It really scares me that I might be tearing at the staples and causing a leak. I hope NOT....the whole area feels a bit stronger today.

I even went for a walk around 2 blocks this afternoon and then promptly came home and took a nap! I think that's still my plan for getting though the next few days....sleep it off whenever possible.

In the long run, this is just a short stint, so I am practicing patience and know that every day will be better. Luckily, food has not been that appealing (my partner did fix himself a nice T'giving dinner and I'm glad he did that). Stay tuned....tomorrow I hope that there will be less discomfort and more a feeling that I DID NOT hurt my sleeve by coughing. Jeez. Always something to stew about, eh??

Hi everyone.....today is much better (day 4). I am quite comfortable and am moving around more normally today. I was able to finish my 30g Protein shake this a.m. and am sipping a chai latte now. It all feels quite normal. My sweetie and I even ran a couple of errands today and it felt good.

I only slept in the recliner a few hours last night and then went to bed. I was really comfortable and slept soundly til this a.m. I think it's because my incisions are far less painful than they have been in the past few days. It really is remarkable how fast we heal up.

Just want to report a surprise though: I checked my weight this a.m. and I GAINED 4 lbs since my surgery. What a shock!!!! I know it's just retained Fluid and no BM yet, but I wasn't expecting it. Still, I wanted a little reward.

Hope your journey is going well. It is so encouraging to have the pain subsiding and feeling more normal.

It sounds like you are progressing well. It definitely isn't unusual to show a little gain in the first week after surgery, you were pumped full of gas and fluids, as well as the swelling and bloating. Don't worry about it, it will disappear just as quickly as it appeared. Some advice that helped me when I had my surgery, put a pillow under your tummy in bed at night, it helps support it and is amazing how much more comfortable you will be.

Thanks for the reminder, Susan. I did turn over on my side last night and felt like a pillow to rest on would have felt good.

Looking forward to the day ..... say, next week, when I step on the scales again and have all the excess gas and fluids gone!

Congratulations on your surgery! My gas pain was the worst thing with the surgery. The gas would lodge up in my left shoulder and there were times I would swear I was having a heart attack. Lots of gas x and walking helped. Good luck and know that you will feel better and better as each day goes by!

Comstock,

Sounds like ur doing great! Thank you for Sharing. glad ur getting that Protein in. i read that having a firm small pillow helps. going to get one when i get my robe and slippers . keep us posted. in my prayers!

L

In the more detail than you probably want department, I have started taking Colace twice/day. I'd like to keep my intestines moving, ya know! I was having trouble with constipation even before my surgery, since I started a high Protein diet. Unpleasant, and I want to get a solution to staying with normal activities in the intestines.

Was able to get all of my protein in today (I think I even exceeded at about 87 gm) but short of Water. Most of the protein was in drinks and Soup, so will keep on sipping tonite.

Walked about 30 mins tonite and it felt quite good. I was pooping out a bit on the last leg, but made it home and am glad I did it.

Onward, all....thanks for listening.