Well, I finally can feel comfortable enough with my loopiness to post on here. I did want to share some things I was not expecting:
It hurts worse than a c-section
I only had 5 incisions - not 7
Water and ice taste sweet, like sugar is added
SF popsicles and jello are so sweet it almost burns the back of my throat
Broth tastes like overly salty MIso soup and I used my cup of warm water given for tea to water down the broth so it was somewhat enjoyable.
Breathing hurts, but the more deep breathes you do, the less gas pain you feel in your shoulders. Mine went away a few hours after surgery.
Walking does help relieve gas. For me it was burping. Haven't had it go out the other way yet.
Getting water down is no problem. I've already gone through 100 ounces today. I was a very big water drinker before anyway, drinking a gallon and a half a day.
I have never had so many hiccups as I do here. If I even talk or breathe a certain way, I get a long bout of hiccups. It's painful.
I feel a tightness in my chest/ neck when I'm satisfied and very uncomfortable stomach when I push it. So far it's liquids only but I still feel it.
Sleeping is the only thing I have wanted to do. I'll wake up, have water, take pain meds (which are glorious) walk the halls and come back to fall asleep in a chair.
I have only used my pillow, chapstick, travel lotion, and robe. The robe is unnecessary for me but I brought it so I decided to use it.
Surround yourself with pillows even when sitting. I have 3 pillows on me at all times if I'm sitting and it is wonderful. Comfortable with just the right amount of pressure. Plus I can adjust them to support my face for sleeping.
The first thing I did when I was able to walk was go to the bathroom and use a washcloth to wipe down my face arms and body. Then I brushed my teeth and hair. I wiped myself down every time I went to the bathroom the first 24 hours.
Know your nurses. My night nurse is a rockstar. He's funny and quick to make sure I have what I need before I need it. My day nurse leaves little to be desired. I've learned to ask for meds 30 minutes before I badly need them. If I ask when I badly need them, I won't get them for 30 minutes. If you absolutely have zero pain, awesome. I got this surgery because I was tired of trying to be stronger for everyone else and I'm taking meds to get a break from that. I don't need to tough this one out.
Know when you're tired and let yourself sleep. My eyes literally start getting double vision when I'm tired and I have to close one eye to be able to see what I'm typing. It took me 3 naps to get through this post. [emoji57]
Well, I finally can feel comfortable enough with my loopiness to post on here. I did want to share some things I was not expecting:
It hurts worse than a c-section
I only had 5 incisions - not 7
Water and ice taste sweet, like sugar is added
SF popsicles and jello are so sweet it almost burns the back of my throat
Broth tastes like overly salty MIso soup and I used my cup of warm water given for tea to water down the broth so it was somewhat enjoyable.
Breathing hurts, but the more deep breathes you do, the less gas pain you feel in your shoulders. Mine went away a few hours after surgery.
Walking does help relieve gas. For me it was burping. Haven't had it go out the other way yet.
Getting water down is no problem. I've already gone through 100 ounces today. I was a very big water drinker before anyway, drinking a gallon and a half a day.
I have never had so many hiccups as I do here. If I even talk or breathe a certain way, I get a long bout of hiccups. It's painful.
I feel a tightness in my chest/ neck when I'm satisfied and very uncomfortable stomach when I push it. So far it's liquids only but I still feel it.
Sleeping is the only thing I have wanted to do. I'll wake up, have water, take pain meds (which are glorious) walk the halls and come back to fall asleep in a chair.
I have only used my pillow, chapstick, travel lotion, and robe. The robe is unnecessary for me but I brought it so I decided to use it.
Surround yourself with pillows even when sitting. I have 3 pillows on me at all times if I'm sitting and it is wonderful. Comfortable with just the right amount of pressure. Plus I can adjust them to support my face for sleeping.
The first thing I did when I was able to walk was go to the bathroom and use a washcloth to wipe down my face arms and body. Then I brushed my teeth and hair. I wiped myself down every time I went to the bathroom the first 24 hours.
Know your nurses. My night nurse is a rockstar. He's funny and quick to make sure I have what I need before I need it. My day nurse leaves little to be desired. I've learned to ask for meds 30 minutes before I badly need them. If I ask when I badly need them, I won't get them for 30 minutes. If you absolutely have zero pain, awesome. I got this surgery because I was tired of trying to be stronger for everyone else and I'm taking meds to get a break from that. I don't need to tough this one out.
Know when you're tired and let yourself sleep. My eyes literally start getting double vision when I'm tired and I have to close one eye to be able to see what I'm typing. It took me 3 naps to get through this post. [emoji57]
HW: 328 (02/21/17)
CW: 275 (preop 53# disowned)