3rd day post op

[2019CD 18]

I had my VSG surgery on May 2. I was in the hospital overnight and released the next day by 2 PM. Had a great experience, didn’t have any nausea didn’t throw up was able to keep down more ounces of liquids and I thought I could. The gas pain does come on in your sternum area but it’s not terrible you just need to make yourself belch and almost immediately it goes away. For the times it doesn’t go away just remind yourself need to be walking. The time I was in the hospital I got up and walked about every hour hour and a half.

Been home now since yesterday afternoon and I don’t feel terrible. The only thing that hurts is if you do get it a short gas pain. I absolutely recommend having Gas-X what you can get over-the-counter on hand. I take up to four a day which is the limit. I have also been taking my Tylenol with codeine every four hours just because of the soreness of the tummy muscles. I don’t think I’ll need to take it past the next day or two.

I’ve had two C-sections and a Tummy Tuck in 2007 with full muscle repair. In comparison to either of those, this is by far easier. I went into surgery super anxious, expecting the worst but was pleasantly surprised. Everyone’s experience is unique.

I recommend drinking out of a regular cup so you don’t get so much air drinking out of a bottle or even a sippy cup. I also recommend doing the breathing exercises with apparatus they will likely send home with you. Use it 10 times each hour so that you can avoid getting pneumonia. When you go under your lungs shut down and they build up with mucus and so you need to make sure you’re clearing that out after the surgery. This was something I didn’t prepare for but it’s totally easy to do.

[AZhiker 2,251]

So glad you are having a good recovery! Like you, I have had some painful experiences (fractured pelvis/ribs, thoracic surgery, and a total knee replacement). Bypass surgery was a breeze. Like you, I was up walking right away, and walked at home a lot. BUT... I still got a blood clot in one leg! Anyway, I hope you continue to recover well. Keep using that little incentivespirometor - pneumonia is not something you want to deal with. Congratulations!