November 2023 surgery buddies

[Char V 52]

3 hours ago, SueCaudell said:

I'm 1 day post op. The only pain was in my shoulder. I'm sure it was trapped gas. But man it was really tough. The pain finally let up 24 hours later. The incisions have not hurt.

yep I had that for 4 days. Two of my 5 incisions were itchy from day one and those two stick out. I had chest pains as the incision there was bigger as they had to use retractors and they fractured a rib. (I had other issues repaired at that site)

21 days post op and I transferred to purée this morning for the next 3 weeks. I could stomach the puréed fruit. But when I did whipped potatoes with gravy they felt like they got blocked and I threw it back up. So now I’m worried the same thing is happening all over again.

[ChunkCat 687]

16 minutes ago, Char V said:

21 days post op and I transferred to purée this morning for the next 3 weeks. I could stomach the puréed fruit. But when I did whipped potatoes with gravy they felt like they got blocked and I threw it back up. So now I’m worried the same thing is happening all over again.

Potatoes are rather thick and goopy and heavy, I can see how they'd cause issues. My stomach seems to be very picky about what it wants to tolerate. I got quite sick with ricotta and sauce, and refried Beans with sour cream. But fresh mozzarella cheese is fine. 😂🙄 I wouldn't worry too much yet. Try some thinned yogurt or thinned pudding.

[ChunkCat 687]

Also, take really tiny bites, slowly. Smaller than your thumbnail. My nutritionist told me that often when we throw up a food it has more to do with how we ate it than it has to do with the actual food. And weirdly, I've found this to be quite true...

[Char V 52]

Yeah it was on the runny side.
yep. I previously had to chew food till it turned slop in my mouth just for it to go down.

the tiny bite do help. It does make your meal go cold.

[awoodw1 6]

I just had my sleeve surgery on November 14th. Already see a difference. How I feel on the other hand is really hard to explain. The stress of trying to get Protein in my system or anything for that matter other than Water and ice is almost impossible. It’s in my head, everything is so unappealing to me to the point where I’m literally disgusted. I know it’s a bit dramatic but while I’m ecstatic for the weight loss, I am really depressed. I don’t know why. I don’t feel like myself, I feel lost. Has this happened to anyone? Or maybe I’m just crazy.

[ChunkCat 687]

1 hour ago, awoodw1 said:

I just had my sleeve surgery on November 14th. Already see a difference. How I feel on the other hand is really hard to explain. The stress of trying to get Protein in my system or anything for that matter other than Water and ice is almost impossible. It’s in my head, everything is so unappealing to me to the point where I’m literally disgusted. I know it’s a bit dramatic but while I’m ecstatic for the weight loss, I am really depressed. I don’t know why. I don’t feel like myself, I feel lost. Has this happened to anyone? Or maybe I’m just crazy.

Not strange at all! Anesthesia can affect our mood and takes a while to get out of the system. Then the weight loss itself releases hormones that can trigger PMS on steroids 24/7 in some people. Plus, you just had a major surgery, depression is not unusual after major surgery. And on top of it all, bariatric surgery is stressful! The Water and Protein requirements are a full time job that first month at least! I'm 3 weeks out. It gets better once you can add food. Just focus on that water! If you get all your water in you'll feel a little better. Food will make you feel better still and will help you feel a little more normal. Hang in there! And if by change you are on psych meds you may need to talk to your psych if you continue to have mood issues, you may need a change in dosage. It's less common in the sleeve but it does happen for some people...

[ChunkCat 687]

Duplicate post.

Edited November 24, 2023 by ChunkCat

[Jessica 43 2]

Hi everyone! My gastric bypass was 11/22/23. The two week liquid diet was the hardest thing to do. I'm now post op 3 days & it's not been horrible. I'm extremely sore but that has gotten better & I'm not sure if I'm having spasms or if it's the feeling of being full. Tonight I had extreme pain over my stomach area & took a pain pill. The gas is everywhere too. I'm excited about my journey.

[RTL1234 99]

Hey all! Hope everyone is doing well. I have my revision from a sleeve to a bypass yesterday. I’m hoping my severe GERD will be done now. This recovering even just one day post op is way worse than my sleeve was. He also fixed my hernia which had almost my whole stomach in my chest wall. I’m just super sore and ready to go home to recover!

[Kadidra W 0]

Hey I’m schedule for gastric sleeve December 12th can anybody tell me anything

[HealthyHappy 10]

Hi everyone!

I'm 13 days post op today.

I had my gallbladder taken out at the same time because I had gallstones. My surgeon also removed a cyst from my belly button so I expected this surgery to be a difficult recovery but it hasn't been.

I stayed only 1 night in hospital, had no trouble with getting myself in and out of bed or using the bathroom, I could drink fluids, I was walking laps, and I had no trouble swallowing pills, so they released me before noon the day after surgery.

At home my pain was 6/10 for 2 days then 4/10 for 3 days. The pain was mostly attributed to the spot where the liver retractor was, probably inflammation too.

I didn't need to take prescription pain medicine, I only needed Tylenol for the first 5 days. I've been pain free since day 6, and I've been doing great with staying hydrated at home thankfully.

I had my first post op checkup on Monday (2 days ago) and everything looks great. They cleared me to start stage 2 Soft foods which has been going well too.

I can resume playing sports and start lifting weights in approximately 3-4 weeks.

I can't explain why it how my recovery has been so quick and easy. Before surgery I suffered for years with chronic fatigue, GERD, and insulin resistance. Which seem to be resolved as of now.

I stopped my metformin a week before surgery, and my blood glucose is now in the normal range!

My next goal is to ditch my CPAP machine.

I have so much energy and feel better than I have in years. This is why I wanted the surgery, to fix my health issues. Weight loss is just a bonus!

[HealthyHappy 10]

Duplicate post. Sorry!

Edited November 29, 2023 by HealthyHappy
duplicate post

[Melzie77 0]

Hi everyone, I had my surgery 11/14. I feel pretty good truth be told. Day 15 still on full liquids. I have struggled with some Water nausea, but no problem with the full liquids until yesterday and I drank a banana shake from Premier Protein. It took me 3 hours total to choke it down, and then I felt full for hours, as if it wouldn't leave my stomach. I couldn't drink water, I could not swallow. I was only able to get 38 oz of liquid in yesterday total. Today I decided to go back to my Unjury Protein and steer clear of premixed drinks. Anyone else have any issues with Premier? I used them before the surgery just fine.

I was wondering if someone could give a sample of what their meal plan looks like for when they go into pureed. Thanks- Melissa

[SomeBigGuy 105]

2 hours ago, Kadidra W said:

Hey I’m schedule for gastric sleeve December 12th can anybody tell me anything

Congrats on getting it scheduled! I am 9 days post op with the sleeve and doing pretty well. I'm down 14lbs since the day of surgery (39lbs since before pre-op diet last month), and already off Metformin and my blood pressure medicine. Still have my CPAP, but it feels like the pressure is too high now. I have an appointment Monday to see about getting it recalibrated.

I tend to overthink things, and I will say that what I pictured in my mind was way worse than the actual procedure was. Mine was performed outpatient, and I was back at the hotel by around 7:30pm that evening, and was walking a lap or two up and down the hallway every hour. I felt really groggy and restless from the anesthesia until around midnight the day of surgery, then it was like it cleared suddenly that night. I felt way better the next day!

I highly recommend picking up Gas-X to take after the surgery, because the gas pain and pressure was really the only thing making me uncomfortable afterwards. Walking also helps move the gas around and help your body absorb and expel it, so do as much as you can once you are able. Nothing too intense, but it seemed like the frequent short walks kept the gas pain out of my shoulders.

Again, the most discomfort was really just the first 8 hours, and then it improved significantly. Even then, I would call it discomfort and not pain. The incisions never hurt, they just itched a little about 5-6 days after surgery, but that was minor and it went away. To be honest, the pre-op diet was more difficult than the surgery or post-op diet has been, but that was due to my poor diet habits and overeating that led to this.

[christypdx 0]

On 11/22/2023 at 5:01 PM, SueCaudell said:

I'm 1 day post op. The only pain was in my shoulder. I'm sure it was trapped gas. But man it was really tough. The pain finally let up 24 hours later. The incisions have not hurt.

We’re op twins! How are you faring? My pain was low enough by Saturday that I backed off to Tylenol only. Ended up being SOOOOO constipated by the end of the weekend, I had to call the surgeon and get help. Oof. Hope you are doing well!