I am still looking for a surgery buddy. May 20th!

[Heavy to Healthy 14]

I had my surgery at Nassau community hospital on Wednesday April 15. I had been on full liquid diet for THREE weeks. I was not released to go home until Saturday the 18th because I was not able to drink enough. My blood work showed I was dehydrated. I had a little diarreah in the hospital that I thought was normal. When I got home, I had great difficulty drinking enough. I began severe watery diarreah on Sunday at home. I was loosing two pounds a day, mostly Water weight. By Tuesday evening I was dizzy, nauseous and unable to drink. So I was readmitted on Tuesday evening and they tried to control the diarreah but could not. The more I drank the more I was in the bathroom. I was released 5 days later, still with diarreah but saw the doctor several days later and he put me on a medication to stop the diarreah called Cholestyramine. It's a cholesterol lowering drug but it works great to stop chronic diarreah. BOY did it cork me up. Since then, I have been better.

I can only eat 3-4 ounces of food but Iist eat very slowly or I get some pain. Be very careful not to eat unless it is chewed really well and do not drink for 30 minutes before or after eating or you will get nauseous. I have to sip water all day because drinking a glass of water would back up and may cause vomiting. It is trial and error.

How are you all doing? My doctor suggested setting an alarm every five minutes to take a sip of water. It does help. I am still tired but starting to walk more. I was working full time 16 days after the surgery. Maybe too soon but I was sitting a lot and only felt a bit dizzy. If you can, give yourself time to feel good before going back.

[SkinnyDown 409]

@ I'm so glad to hear you are slowly getting better. Some improvement is better than none, of course. I think that was a great idea your Dr. had, to set an alarm every 5 minutes to remind you to take a sip of Water. I think I'll do that.

Keep going! I'm assuming all the not being able to eat and diarrhea probably made you lose even more quickly. Not the best way to do it!

I'm 3 days away from my surgery. I am excited. On this liquid diet, hanging in there, haven't cheated, even once. I didn't expect I would. I'm pretty good about following orders, and I understand the importance of trying to help the dr. out by shrinking my liver so he can work more easily.

How's everyone else doing in the 20th club?

Keep drinking your Water and shakes and whatever else you are doing in preparation! Just a few more days!

Woot!

[Heavy to Healthy 14]

To everybody about to have surgery:

Hints to getting gas out of you in the days immediately following surgery:

1. WALK. WALK WALK

2. Gas X!! Bring it with you!! It works and is harmless. Don't ask... Just take it.

3. Drink Drink Drink.... If you have to: sip every few minutes. You can't go home if you aren't drinking enough. Dehydration is extremely dangerous. PLEASE DRINK

4. Walk and walk more.

DO NOT BEND OR LIFT....JUST WALK!!!!

Do not eat food before Doc says it's ok. YOU DO NOT WANT TO RUPTURE INCISION ON SLEEVE. It is CATASTROPHIC.

Good Luck and Please keep in touch!

Lisa

[pinkie1 36]

Thanks for the advice Lisa valins, I will keep it all in mind. I have been mentally preparing myself for a few more weeks of shakes or liquid diet as my NUT said that is what I have to do so I wont be pushing the real food too soon.

Good luck with your healing

[SkinnyDown 409]

@ Thank you so much! I already have packed my Gas X strips that dissolve under the tongue. I also packed Biotine. Hoping my Surgeon will be nice, and let me have it. He usually doesn't allow anything by mouth, the first day. I've had a perforated bowel before, so I can attest to the fact, that I don't want to rupture anything! lol

I really appreciate your advice! Thanks so much.

[diamondtammi 3]

Hey.... My surgery is the 20th too but I'm craving tuna fish ugh... I just want 1 tablespoon. I've not cheated up to this point. I'm also coming down with a cold so maybe I need food ugh

[DarcieR 8]

I have to give you all so much credit! I have one day of liquid diet, tomorrow, and I don't know how I'm going to survive! I have sticky notes everywhere!

[SkinnyDown 409]

@@diamondtammi You're almost there, are you going to call and cancel if you have a cold? If you are, then of course you can eat, if not, why ruin it now? You're so close. Stay strong.

[Heavy to Healthy 14]

You are allowed broth. Have chicken broth, or sugar free ice pop. It's all considered Clear Liquids.< /p>

[SkinnyDown 409]

I don't even know my own name half the time after almost 10 days on this liquid diet. I sing tomorrow night online at my open mic I host. (on Second Life). I sure can't wait to see how funny that is going to be!

My scale is showing no serious weight loss. Although I can feel my clothes are hanging loosely. I just bought that scale and it says I am maintaining or a 1lb loss at home, then I go to dr. and I'll have lost like 5 lbs. Come back home, and then it reads right. I think I'll return that scale.

I'm so glad I am almost done with this side of things.

I get my Hospital arrival time tomorrow. YAY!

I'm just babbling at this point, Nap time. lol

[DarcieR 8]

I get my arrival time tomorrow too!

[diamondtammi 3]

I have post nasal drip that's the onset of the cold so maybe I'm ok

[Heavy to Healthy 14]

Take Benadryl, it's harmless and it will tell you if its allergies or a cold. You can take 25-50mg before bed

[pinkie1 36]

Woooooo ????hoooooooo ????1 more sleep ????ladies and gents 1 more sleep.????????????

I never thought I would make ????????it here. It has been one long journey. ????????

Good luck ????to all the wonderful ppl ????I've met on here and all the best for tomorrow, I'll be right there with you ????

[SkinnyDown 409]

One day to go!!!!

For those who are in time zones ahead of me, I wish you the best!

Be strong, hang in there! You got this!

Any last minute concerns, thoughts? Post them here! I'm really excited. Not very nervous. So ready to do this.