Hello all,

Hope everyone that has had the surgery is having a speedy recovery. For those yet to have the surgery, good luck and maybe my post op report below can help shed some light on my process.... everyone is different but this is how it has been so far.

Surgery day: Was told the day before that my surgery was at 3:15 in the afternoon... GRRRRR. I wanted the 7am slot that got assigned to someone else. The reason for this is I was told anyone with insulin diabetes will always go first. Makes sense because they can't have their shot before surgery. I received a call from the surgical team asking could I come to the hospital earlier than I was asked to, like 4 hour ahead of my scheduled time. Seems one of the patients before me canceled last minute. Anyway I got to the hospital checked in and within an hour was in the operating room. I woke up about 3 hours later and was told everything went well and carted off to my room. They gave me ice chips to take away that dehydrated mouth feeling and about here is where the fun started. Since being medicated, the incisions and tummy not bad at all. But the GAS pains in the upper chest area was very painful. After the nurses got me situations and a 1/2 cup of ices chips melted in my mouth, it was time to walk. The chest pain was not good at all, but walking helps. I walked around the floor twice with assistance, After the last walk I tried to get rest of which the primary care assistant woke me up every other hour. And it seems the nurse woke me up to give my pain meds as needed. As I mentioned the gas pain was far worst than the incisions.

Post Op Day 1: Started out with some chicken broth (damn that was good) nice an warm and wet. Got up brushed my teeth, washed my face then walked 6 laps around the floor. WALKING IS THE KEY TO GETTING RID OF THE GAS. About an hour after the broth I had a uninjury protein shake taking it slowly. I think it was like a 12 oz shake and drank it in about 45 Min. After that another 6 laps around the floor. Walking is a good thing and the gas pain started to subside. Lunch was more broth and another protein shake then another 6 laps around the floor. After surgery most will have elevated white blood cell count, which is normal, but could also mean infection. I was told that they would perform another blood test @ 3pm and if they was decreasing I could go home, but I certainly had the option to stay the second night. Got the results of the second blood test around 4pm and the call was mine to stay or leave. I wanted to go home. The gas pains went from a about a 8 on the pain scale to 1 by the end of the first day. Got home and took some medication and off to bed for a good nights rest.

Post Op Day 2: Got up in the middle of the night and took pain meds. Now the gas pain is pretty much gone and the incision area a little sore, but not bad at all. jumped in the shower and now feel great. The incision areas are not bad as long as you take it easy. Reduced the amount of pain meds and just had a protein shake and got my water to sip on. Getting ready to take my dogs for a walk (about a mile). All in all I"m doing pretty well and just focusing on small sips of water and spacing the shake out over 1/2 hour or so. No rush I guess is the key.

If I could recommend just a few things to make the early recovery go well it would be to WALK, WALK, WALK, WALK AND SIPPING WATER.

All the best to everyone as we embark on a newer better way of healthy lifestyle,

MassMan

5 hours ago, Colorado Cowgirl said:

Wow! Can't believe you are heading to the gym on Day 4! Good job! You gove me so much hope. Getting resdy to take my shower and then countdown to noon when I leave to the hospital. Have a great day and stay away from the beef broth!

Best of luck Colorado Cowgirl ! ! !

You got this.... If I can do it anyone can. As read on pretty much most of the posts on this forum the number one pain is gas pain. Walk, walk, walk and do more walking. About 4 hours after my surgery you can bet your arse that I did not want to get up and walk.... but it certainly started to alleviate some of the gas pains and in 1-2 days was pretty much gone. That and small sipping as much as you can....

Take your time... go slow and can't wait to hear how you're doing.

3 hours ago, DanaC84 said:

You’re doing so well and have such a great attitude @MassMan! Keep up the great work and good luck on the elliptical today . I made the mistake of doing some resistance bands too early (not realizing it would engage my core!) and set my recovery back by about a week.
That sneeze could be your new “I’m full” signal. Has something to do with the vagus nerve . I don’t get it as often now but right after surgery a sneeze or hiccups were my cue I was done.
Keep up the great work and I know your day to day posting is helping many ?

Hi Dana,

I was able to walk in the gym... first time in a few years and got on the elliptical and did 15 min @ 4mph. Nice and slow and that was it. I don't think I'm ready for resistance at this point but I more or less just wanted to get out and do some low end cardio. yeah... I won't be smelling the roses anytime soon... that sneeze hurt...

Hope all is well with you

Post Op Day 4 Finish: 

Was able to hit the gym for a very slow 4mph elliptical workout for 15 min. Then drove through a carwash and stopped and did some shopping. The pain has pretty much subsided and is only and issue if I reach to stretch or sneeze. Believe me... sneezing will get your attention. Able to get in water and protein, but now wanting to chew something.

Last night while watching TV, started to get bummed a bit since all I saw was these freaking juicy burgers, nice looking burritos, juicy steaks... candy, ice cream... damn they were certainly targeting my fat arse… I feel like a product of my environment of which instant gratification with food has certainly changed since I was a kid. We were lucky to go to a McDonalds twice a year as to now, just whip in for a big mac snack. I did start to feel like hummmm… is this the rest of my life now... protein and water.

So I'm a reasonable man and try to put things in perspective. I guess for me it boils down to Quantity vs Quality. I know for a fact that I should not be attacking a 1/4 pounder, fish sandwich, large fries and a large Dr. Pepper. I know this has gotten me to the point that made me start researching VSG 2 years ago. And to be totally honest with myself I know that a filet mignon with steamed veggies would taste better and be better for me. Might take a little longer to prep or wait in a restaurant for it, but would be much better all the way around.

So much for rambling on, but just some of the thoughts running around my head as my new journey with food and a healthier lifestyle is starting.

Post Op Day 5 Start: 

Rise and shine.... did a few chores, Headed to the gym for another 15 min bout with the elliptical machine and then stop at the grocery store to buy a nice rib eye steak, asparagus and salad fixings. Not for me of course but for my wife. I felt a bit guilty the last few nights as my wife did not want to cook or eat in front of me. She shouldn't have to change because I want change. If she wants to that's one thing, but she certainly shouldn't feel guilty to eat or prep food around me. I just want to make sure this doesn't separate us from daily conversation at the dinner table.

Humm….. I just re-read the last 4-5 paragraphs and seems my mind is certainly off the pain of the surgery and now feelings are surfacing. Believe me... not a cream puff here , but definitely want to be aware of those around me and my own choices moving forward.

Have a great day all ! ! !

Post Op Day 5 Finish:

Made it to the gym for the 15 min elliptical and then by the grocery store to pick up some rib eye steaks, salad fixings, asparagus and by the liquer store for some Greg Norman Merlot. When the wife got home I had already seasoned the steaks and candied the pecans for prep. The salad consisted of mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, dried cranberries, candied pecans, mandarin orange slices, strawberries and feta cheese with raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Dang that salad looks good... And I had 8 oz of tomato soup.... my first real meal and I loved it. We cleaned up and then went out to pick up a few spring time chore items. Good day all in all.

Post Op Day 6 :

Well my friends the fun was over. Woke up and had my protein drink and then made my water bottles and logged in to get some work done. A few hours later had an urge to go to the bathroom.... this is where the fun starts. I could NOT go.... tried.... tried again.... and ……..

Can you say CONSTIPATION This started with taking some collace a few days earlier and I had taken it since Monday. I added in some miralax three separate times during the course of the day, then asked my wife to grab me some suppositories. This was pretty painful not being able to go.... over the course of 9 hours, 3 doses of miralax, 2 suppositories, and 1 mini enema things finally broke loose. That was the worst I have ever been backed up and I will certainly need to figure this one out as I do not want to go through that again. And to top it off... I gained 2.5 pounds...WTH....

Sorry for the graphical depiction above, but Day 6 was NOT fun.

Post Op Day 7 Start : 

Well the day is starting off with the diarrhea and not surprise to the amount of things I took the day before. I had called he Dr. office yesterday and they told me to make sure to increase my water consumption as 48oz was not enough. I plan to up the water intake and will probably continue with collace or some other stool softener till I get this figured out. Right now sipping my protein shake and looking or a smooth (no pun intended) day.

All the best to everyone.

Day 3 for me and I don't feel well enough for all those activities. Please remember you underwent a serious operation and your body needs time to heal itself. We are supposed to take it slow at first. Constipation is normal I have read. It will pass as our bodies adjust to the new digestive tract. Give yourself credit for the positive changes but don't beat yourself up. Have a great day!

Post Op Day 35:

Well folks... this thing called life has kept me from posting days 8 - 34, but I can tell you I'm down 40 pounds and working. My biggest struggles or should I say my biggest change is that I have to pace myself and not over do it. That and getting enough water in. Once I'm at work I tend to get busy and forget to drink my alloted amount each day, but I'm still managing to get in 40-50oz a day. Getting enough water in is key as it will help with constipation.

Our golf league started earlier this week and I felt as though I was a bit tuckered out after about 6 holes. I have zero pain at this point and life is good. Some big adjustments to lifestyle, but my main goal was a healthy lifestyle, no diabetes, better mobility and hoping to extend my life by 10 years

Hope everyone else is pain free and enjoying life ! ! !

MassMan