Update On Me (Surgery: 5/19/21)

[SummerTimeGirl 579]

Just wanted to fill people in on what my experience has been like thus far since surgery. If you want to know something I forgot to mention, please don't hesitate to ask.

HOSPITAL STAY:
So I had my surgery May 19th around 10:30 am. I was in recovery and waking up by 11:45 am. All that went smoothly.

The first day I was so dang tired that I drifted off and on while sitting in the chair in-between walking around and drinking. I felt bad for my husband who stay with me all day. He was totally content and happy to be there but I knew he too was tired so about 7pm I made him go home (visiting hours ended at 8 anyway). LOL

When I first got to my room I was like, OMG I have HORRIBLE burning like heartburn and even complained about it. They gave me some sort of Gas chew and it didn't do jack. It wasn't until I got up and walking around that I figured out it was NOT heartburn but related to that gas inside and the walking helped that feeling subside.

They gave me nothing but Water or Gatorade Zero while there and I was totally fine and content with that. They mentioned medicine if I was nauseous but I never was. I felt totally fine and normal but for the one incision site that's to the right and up from my belly button. Doc said that's the typical complaint spot and where he pulls the extra stomach through so that's to be expected. But it hurt like hell when first standing from sitting and also wiping after peeing. Uggghhh. I slept in a chair sitting up that night when I could sleep which really only amounted to 3 hours total.

I was given Tylenol for pain and an Oxycodone once on that first night. They sent me home with the Oxycodone too for pain and so far I have only taken it once at night to help with that pain while sleeping.

The next morning they took more blood work and everything came back good and they allowed me to go home by early noon. Mostly because my pain was managed by meds and because I was easily able to get enough water down and I was not sick.

Also, I did not pack much but I did pack my cell phone, charger, kindle, Biotene, Chapstick, brush, toothpaste and toothbrush, extra underwear and that was it. I did not use ANYTHING but for my brush and, right after surgery, put on my own undies and a pad since I got my period the day before surgery. I did not even use my cell phone (maybe once to post here) cause I was just so dang tired (plus trying to get my liquids in and walking) and hubby did all the updating to others for me. I mostly watched TV as it was on for background noise more than anything.

MOVING AROUND:
Every day is getting better but this dang incision spot is a ******!!! Can't wait for it to stop hurting cause I'm really tired of sleeping sitting up. I tried every way possible to lay down and it's just not possible! The dang area feels like it's burning and tearing apart when I do. Otherwise I'm following orders and walking around. I do not feel I still have a lot of gas issues but I most definitely feel like I am swollen about my stomach area for sure.

APPEARANCE:
I was actually surprised at how weird my stomach looked after surgery. Normally my stomach is smooth/one size all over and flat/round-ish (except for my little fat pouch right under my left breast that's been there forever). But upon looking at my stomach after surgery, I feel like some spots are like poofed out and others dented in, if that makes sense. Especially the bad incision spot. Strange. Not sure how else to explain it. Today is day 4 and it looks like I'm starting to bruise around most, if not all, incisions. Just slightly.

FOOD/WATER:
So my after diet consists of 2 weeks FULL LIQUIDS, followed by 1 week PUREE, and 2 weeks SOFT FOODS, then finally normal foods. Strange enough, I have had NO problem getting in 64 oz of liquid at all. I've had no chest pain, full feeling or sickness. A few times I had what feels like if you drink too much how it creates a sorta air bubble that hurts for a split second but then it passes. Otherwise, no issues. In fact, a few times after trying to drink/gulp like I normally would, I had to stop and remind myself that I no longer could do that. So weird cause I feel, aside from the incision pain, I would never know I even had surgery. So right now since all I've been able to ingest is liquids, I'm not sure if this is gonna be a blessing or an issue. On one hand I'm glad I can seem to "eat" and drink normal and also have had no aversions to taste. But on the other hand, I worry that will not help me in the long run to lose weight. This remains to be seen but I am scared I won't lose for this reason.

So far I've had Protein Shakes, water, Gatorade Zero, the broths from creamed Soups, sugar free popsicles and that's it.

MEDICINE:
I was told I wouldn't be able to swallow anything bigger than a tictac. That was a lie. I have been able to swallow all my pills, even the big ol Metformin, with no issue.

POTTY:
Had my first BM on my second day home. Had several a day since. No problems there either.

WEIGHT:
Not that I expected anything yet but, I have gotten on the scale and it's the same as it was the day of surgery.

I think that's it. Can't think of anything else right now but if you have any questions please ask.

Edited May 23, 2021 by SummerTimeGirl

[ShoppGirl 3,204]

Wow. I’m sure this will be very helpful to those that are anxiously awaiting their surgeries. Glad to hear you are doing fairly well.

[laurenantics 76]

Thanks for all of this detail, it's really appreciated! Good luck on your journey!

[Elahnen 183]

Thank you so so much for the details! They are so helpful to me! Good luck with your recovery!

[blackcatsandbaddecisions 838]

I wouldn’t worry about the no restriction with liquids issue. It happened to me (and a lot of others) and I was just sure it meant my surgery didn’t work, but as promised, restriction showed up with solids.

Congrats on being on the other side!

[SummerTimeGirl 579]

Small update.

FOOD:
So last night I has some sugar free pudding, since that's on my list, and did fine with it. Today I had some Light Greek, Nonfat vanilla Yogurt. Had about 4 ounces in about 3 minutes and felt fine. Again I worry about this because yeah, I understand not having restriction with liquids but this? I'd think since there was/is more substance to it it would be different. Hope I'm wrong.

CRAVINGS:
Strange enough, can't say that I've been too hungry or starving or anything, considering I've only had liquids for like 3 weeks straight now....lol, but at times I do feel hungry. And during those times I find myself craving lots of strange things. Some of it is stuff I don't even eat like steak and liverwurst. Most of my cravings have been about meats and salads. Can't wait to have both!!!

SLEEPING:
A lil progress. I was able to lay flat and sleep in bed without too much pain and today I woke up feeling even better. I have been icing my stomach regularly for the last two days. Wondering if that's been helping?

[BDL58 86]

Thanks for the details and update! My surgery is just a week from tomorrow (June 1st) and I’m soooo nervous and excited and scared and all mixed up emotions so reading about your experience is very helpful and appreciated. I’m glad you are doing well!

[SummerTimeGirl 579]

12 hours ago, BDL58 said:

Thanks for the details and update! My surgery is just a week from tomorrow (June 1st) and I’m soooo nervous and excited and scared and all mixed up emotions so reading about your experience is very helpful and appreciated. I’m glad you are doing well!

You're welcome!! Best of luck to you!!

[Losing in in 2021 30]

We had the same surgery date. Glad you’re doing well! I ended up constipated. Not going to get into details, but it was painful and disgusting. I’m still on full liquids until Saturday when I start 2 weeks of puréed food. Keep us posted on how you’re doing!

[dal101 62]

Keep up with the updates !

[lizonaplane 1,596]

This is very helpful, the details of your stay in the hospital and your recovery so far. I know it varies so much person to person, but a first hand account is nice to read. Thanks!

[mamabear_2_2 39]

So glad things are going well for you! ❤️Please keep us updated! The details are incredibly helpful for those of us per-surgery! Take care!

[SummerTimeGirl 579]

UPDATE:
No new changes, really. Stomach feeling better and better each day. Still sleeping on my back. Had my one week checkup today which just amounted to the doc (one of his associates as my surgeon was not available this week) checking my stomach and asking if I was doing ok with fluids and my meds. He said the first visit they just concentrate on recovery but during my next visits they will start concentrating on weight loss and hitting goals. He said the tugging and burning I feel inside when I do try and lay on my side or move certain ways is normal and that it will be that way for a while. Said wearing a binder MAY help it feel better enough to allow me to sleep on my sides so I may try looking for one. But he said no turning or anything I do can hurt my insides so that at least was reassuring.

I also forgot to mention in the beginning of this post that my surgeon took pics while he was doing the surgery and gave them to me. I think there are like 6 or 8 views of my stomach before and after, my gallbladder, liver, a hernia he found, etc. LOL He said my gallbladder looked healthy and he did see a small hernia around my belly button but did not think it was gonna be an issue so he didn't touch it. Hopefully that won't become an issue later cause I think I'll be mad he didn't fix it while he had the chance.

[SummerTimeGirl 579]

UPDATE:
On nothing really in particular but for the fact that I am sooooooooooooooo over this liquid diet. On my final week of liquids right now. When all is said and done, at the end of next week, it will be 4 weeks total. I just want to eat some MEAT!! SOMETHING! Getting tired of just Water, Protein Drinks, broths/cream Soups, popsicles, sugar free pudding and Jello and yogurt. Uggghhhhh Today I did sneak and took a small bite of a banana and chewed it like 50 times before swallowing. LOL

[SummerTimeGirl 579]

UPDATE:
12 days post op and yesterday was NOT a good day. We were invited over to friends/neighbors for a BBQ and while the rest of my family went, I declined. Just wasn't ready to be around all the food and drinking (plus I can't always get comfortable sitting on the sofa let alone a camp chair). If perhaps I was out of this stupid liquid stage and into the puree or soft foods phase I would have. At least then I could have found SOMETHING to eat and participate in. Who knows. But after everyone was over there for several hours having a good time, I had myself a good cry and pitty party and asked my husband when he was coming home. He asked if I was ok and needed something I told him no. That I was just feeling bored and left out. He came home right away. I felt bad but he didn't mind, he said, cause he had already been there like 6 hours. Anyway, it was a bad day. He was asking why I was crying and upset and I just said I didn't know. I guess it was just the feeling left out that got to me and feeling hungry and not being satisfied any longer with these stupid freakin' limited liquids!! I've had enough of it!! Just can't wait to move on to the next food phase!

My second issue is sleep. Still can't sleep on my sides and sitting up/semi up has my back jacked up now. And now I keep getting that tugging/burning feeling BELOW my belly button. A place that hadn't bothered me previously and a spot, to my knowledge, they didn't even touch.

And lastly, I'm already wigging out that this isn't working/gonna work for me. I am only down like 7lbs since surgery and feel like I should have lost more. I know everyone is different. And I know people say it's early but, I DO NOT feel like I am dealing with that gas issue any longer and haven't since day 4/5, roughly. I can see it in my legs that I am not bloated and feel back to normal but for this burning/tugging stomach crap. So, considering I have been doing low/no carb/no sugar since March 1st and having the surgery May 19th, I would have expected to lose more than I have so far. I guess I'm just worried I'm going through all this for nothing and I won't lose as per usual. I mean, you would think if a body only had liquids for nourishment for almost 4 feakin weeks (and only roughly 400 calories a day) that the body would most definitely be losing weight. Of course, not me. SMH I can hear Dr. Now, now...."At your weight, in a mont, you should have lost turdy pounds by now". LOL I seriously hope I'm wrong and things move soon. I don't feel like this is that stall everyone talks about because I haven't really even begun the dang losing phase yet let alone be in a stall.

Anyway, rant over.

Edited May 31, 2021 by SummerTimeGirl