Hi everyone who is having surgery in October 2014. We can start a new topic for those of us who have had surgery already.

This is the spot were we will all end up, were we'll share our stories and recovery. It will be a new dawn for so many of us. Let's stay close as united we will conquer anything that comes our way!

BEST WISHES GLADIATORS

@@Bronxmerci, I am so sorry for your troubles, hang in there girl. I know it will get better for you.

Bronxmerci I drink 1 oz per 15 minutes. In other words, for one of those tiny cups it takes 5 or 6 sips. I can't drink 1 oz at a time.

You have to drink super slow that's why I call it work because you have keep at it for hours and you can't get distracted

Thanks @ smiley. Before the symptoms I was drinking 70oz of water and 52oz min @@Beni it was so easy but then it went all down hill. It was going through me, now I can't have more than a sip. I was even getting my protein in, then I had that constipated feeling and then I stopped eating. I feel like I went back completely.

@ Bronxmerci

I understand the blood cloth got to your liver. Not much you could do about that. Raw deal and it just plain sucks, there is no way to sugar coat it. But you can make it through this. One step at a time. Gladiators are fighters and so are you.

Are you able to go to bathroom?

If you can, I have a suggestion for a TMI bath of sorts. I asked for a couple towels and wash cloth. They also gave me a little bar of soap. I used the wash cloth with some soap for face, neck, pits and what I could reach. Then using one of the big towels which I wet with warm Water and a touch of soap and go it as twisted as I could to wring out the water. Very carefully I placed a leg on top of the toilet using the door handle for support. I then, after a few attempts was able to swing the towel between legs and catch it with the other hand. Then did a dental floss sort of clean working my towel. I felt human again because I too couldn't shower and felt gross. I used the last towel to dry up.

I decided to make this post public because I thought others may benefit from it. It is hard to keep clean as our tummy has 6 holes and is sore and we can't bend our waist as before. This is the reality nobody talks about but it can make such a difference in our outlook if at least we can feel clean.

@@smiley922

I was also told use a measuring cup and the total is to be 1/2 cup.

The first egg was recommended to do 1/2 an egg mixed with low fat maio. It it doesn't disturb your pouch then I can graduate to a full egg the next day.

The best advice I received was to take a bite read a whole book page before going on to the next bite. I think it takes a minute for your pouch to signal it is full and overfilling means throwing up and nobody wants that. I supposed to edge on the side of caution as you get after the halfway point on your meal makes sense. Also it is there to make sure you chew everything to death.

Can't wait to get there.

@@Bronxmerci do you feel pressure on your chest when you drink.

And TMI I've had my period for 10 days now.

Edited November 2, 201411 yr by layknee

@@Beni lmfao, I was doing something like that when I first got here, the sink is outside the bathroom so I was wetting the floor with the shower. Now that my period is here I don't want to make a mess I would die if I was seen dumping bloody towels. @@layknee no I don't feel anything on my cchest, it hurts when it hits the pit. My surgeon just left, he feels so bad for me. He doesn't know when I will leave but if this pain doesn't go away, they are going to make me swallow a camera pill to see what's going on inside. My son came to see me today, and he went from hugging me and kissing me to kicking and pulling my iv lol. My stomach hurts so much right now but not as bad as when I first got here. My doctor said that in 11 years I'm his only patient with this, and that in his group of surgeons only 3 people including me has had it. I could see how bad he felt for me lol. He has added tylenol to my morphene to see if it brings down any swelling and he told me that I don't have to eat or drink anything until I feel I can.

Oh I am so glad they are watching over you

liquids, my new full time job.

What are you all able to drink 4 to 5 days after surgery? I was told to sip 1 oz per 15 minutes and sip slowly and if I felt like something was stuck in my stomach to stop. Well, I sip, burp, stop. I am so scarred of bursting my pouch which can happen more easily in the first 3 weeks and yes, even Water can do it. Because I don't take any pain meds I feel everything.

At this point I am lucky to get 40 Oz in a day.

Wondering if I am expecting too much of myself.

. I was wondering about that because I drink in the even the most and I don't have to sip I drink slow but I don't feel full what does that mean?

@@Naynay31

I can't remember but did you have the sleeve or RNY? You may want to update your profile when you have a chance. It's an easy reference for us as to your date and surgery type. It's super easy on the very top of the page on right side is your circle icon click on it and the settings options drop menu appears.

You don't get a full feeling, it's more of like a feeling of having something stuck in your pipe. Like when you swallowed a bite before surgery too quickly that required a little drink to wash it down. It's a mild feeling not a, get me glass of Water I have an apple chunk stuck in my esophagus kind of feeling. Your pouch is full of gas and it is swollen and even a sip will cause it to feel something. I sip, walk, burp, sit and repeat 5,000 times per day. It also takes 3 seconds from the time you drink something to the when you feel your pouch. You are in a state of perpetual awareness of your pouch at this stage. At least I am. It is like a newborn baby. I have to check on it all the time and keep it happy, burped, hydrated, warm and cozy. But we are getting along and learning about each other and I kind of love it already as I have lost 16 lbs since this all started. Time to update my ticker!

Is anyone else tired of the bad taste in your mouth that is always present no mater how many times you brush?

Someone said this could last the whole first 1-4 months.

Edited November 2, 201411 yr by layknee

So sorry for our gladiators in so much pain!! My period is due tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it! Something else to deal with while I'm still trying to heal. Ugh...maybe it won't come. That'd be nice!

We went to Wisconsin this weekend to help move my Grandma into an assisted living place. I just hung out with Grandma while my sweet man and family did all of the work! Eating (drinking) was a struggle. I realized I didn't bring a bowl with to mix my broth/protein. So last night we stopped at culvers, I ordered chicken noodle soup and asked for an extra empty bowl. I drained all the broth into the extra bowl and mixed my protein in. That worked. Then this morning I realized I didn't save the bowl to my breakfast. Duh. So I decided I would try a bite of egg a day early. (I have my 2 week check up tomorrow and my dr. Said to try a scrambled egg before I come) I chewed until there basically wasn't anything left to swallow, lol. I ate 3 tiny little bites and that was enough. Felt amazing to chew!! :-) so far it's sitting just fine. We have a 3 hour car ride home and I get car sick so I'd better get off here now. :-)

And the people on puree, how are you guys eating 4oz? My nut said 2oz only and it only took 1oz to fill me up. I didn't feel full at first but once you dump the controlled meds you feel everything. I was looking forward to eating solids for thanksgiving, boo that's not going to happen. I hate food now, this surgery really works lol.

I can only eat 2 ounces also.

Layknee I have the same problem. My breath smells horrible.