Hello Everyone,

Today is my first day back after surgery (my surgery was April 23rd, 2015). My stay was longer than expected due to a leak during surgery, I fell in that 2% chance of the leakage happening during surgery. I needed a blood transfusion and was not able to have Water for the first two days after surgery. On my 3rd day after surgery i was allowed to have sip of water about 3cc every hour I had never wanted water more in my life... On the 4th day i was able to take a few steps and my water intake was a bit more, i felt very weak... not sure why i was able to start my shakes just two days before leaving the hospital but while at the hospital i drank two shakes a day. I never felt nausea after or before the water or shakes. Pain is what i felt.. I still have pain, i never knew how much pain i would be in. Wish that would have been something i knew or was talked about more. I felt pain since day one and even now 8 days after i feel so much pain. I guess it's expected after major surgery but for some reason i guess i didn't know how bad. They tried different pain medication for me while at the hospital and i ended up feeling better with Dilaudid... I take 4ml if the pain is really bad (mostly at night or in the morning) and 2ML so far once today. I haven't felt like ive found my "position" yet.. I feel that no matter if laying in bed, sitting on a recliner or walking i find comfort. The pain is one thing but not feeling comfortable any any moment is very stressful. Wish i could read more about how uncomfortable it is to even breath. Even now when i take a deep breath my left side hurts. My feel like my incisions are healing find, sure i have bruising and every color in the rainbow in my belly... but why so much pain still. My left side of my stomach feels hard, swollen and internally feels hard. when i walk i feel like i need to press my left upper stomach so it won't hurt as much or have that feeling like it's going to fall off. Is anyone else having this feeling of gravity pull while walking? I feel it even when i'm just sitting. Lying down feels the less comfortable but then the getting up..ugh! I've also notice numbness on my left arm and leg while sitting or laying down. I try to talk as much as possible, hopefully this will help. i just wish the pulling pain would go away... have my postop visit on may 6th and hopefully i feel better by then or the doctor could tell me why i'm feeling this way. I will continue to update how i'm doing here daily and hope to hear from you all and read your journeys. Good luck to us and hope it is all worth it

ps. i'll post of picture of my ugly bruised stomach and (blood pouch) sticking out of my stomach.. Fun times (haven't uploaded all my photos yet to my computer)

I just found out that the lower stomach swelling was all the IV.. while at the hospital i gained 30 pounds (YES 30), and when i got home i had a lot of pain on my lower stomach (swelling, hardness and really hot). This made my walking so painful (feeling like a gravity pull), sitting and laying down was terrible too. On my post op i showed my surgeon and he told me that all the weight i gained at the hospital was due to the IV (fluids) and it all has to go someplace, well mine went all to one spot my lower stomach and thus the pain. He recommended that i try to stuff as many towels under the belly to lift it and try to keep it elevated as much as possible. (i thought yeah right).. well it's working, everyday i notice my belly going down and i notice the rapid weight loss. Just wanted to share in case anyone was having the same issue.. towels did the trick..

This is a great soup when you start on purée foods. A pouch is 3 1/2cup servings you could have 1/2cup a day instead of a shake gives you 5g protein and 100 calories .. Plus it's so yummy .. It has a little butter, it did not upset my stomach and I had a good bowel movement today.

Here is the label :

Does anyone else miss orange juice!! crystal light has really great flavors.. But I came across "Sunrise classic orange".. Not OJ but close (tang like).. Just wanted to share

@@cvcyn I'm scheduled for bypass on May 27th and your posts are really helpful. Thanks for posting the ideas...I feel like I'm going to be lost post op lol. Glad you are doing well! Keep sharing!

@@cvcyn I'm scheduled for bypass on May 27th and your posts are really helpful. Thanks for posting the ideas...I feel like I'm going to be lost post op lol. Glad you are doing well! Keep sharing!

I was and am very lost and find myself with so many questions... It helps reading what others are trying and going through. You are not alone and best of luck, I will keep you in my prayers. Happy to share

Not good, I tried this with about 6oz of water and 3 ice cubes. It tasted like water with creamer and a hint of berries. It was very water down. It does have 20g of protein but I won't be having this brand again. Maybe later when I could add fruit and milk, because this way was just awful.

Today it's week 4 and I'm down about 40 pounds .. I tried this new recipe that was pretty good, not pizza but it was still yummy. Basically mixed one egg with a little salt and pepper, half tsp of olive oil in a pan and poured egg. Tried to make it into a pancake. I added one tbsp of marinara sauce and topped it with two tsp of Parmesan Cheese. Total was 150 calories and 7g protein. It was very filing and yummy.

I'm scheduled June 1st Thanks for all your sharing, I feel like you are my closest friend right now!

I'm scheduled June 1st Thanks for all your sharing, I feel like you are my closest friend right now!

Glad to share! Best luck, will keep you in my prayers.. Keep me posted

Have another great way to have protein during any period after surgery. In a cup add 8 oz of water, 1 or 2 tsp of decaf coffee and microwave for a minute or so. Add one scoop of flavored or unflavored protein of choice (I used chocolate pure protein whey) and mix for 30 seconds. That's it! This will give you 25g of protein, 8oz of water and only 160 calories. I added a pinch of cinnamon and you could add a little light whipped cream if you want (but don't forget to add the extra calories) .. I've had this both hot and cold and it's yummy. Also if coffee is not your thing, try sugar free hot chocolate mix instead of the decaf enjoy!

Edited May 15, 201511 yr by cvcyn

Haven't posted in a few.. Been busy going to the gym and keeping busy.. I'm down to 319.. Starting week 5!!! I'm still having the weird left leg dull pain.. And numbness.. The doctor thinks it might be a nerve, but won't know for another 3 weeks :/ I don't want to wait around to see what it might be so I decided to give myself electric message with jelly pads. I'll post a photo.. I got this on eBay for like $10.00 free shipping and it's been working so far, the numbness feeling is slowly going away Hope you are all doing wonderful, can't wait to post before and after photos ..