Hi all..New to this site. Let me introduce myself. My name is Elizabeth and I am 48 years old. Been married for 30 years (in April) I am a night L&D nurse. Have struggled with my weight all my life..I know just like most of us have LOL!
Today is the beginning of week 2 post op for me. I have my sleeve placed on 8/29/12. I was in the hospital for 2 very long nights. It started of as a early day getting to the hospital at 0530, surgery start time was 0730. Met with my surgeon and my anesthesia guys that I was fortunate to pick ( I am a nurse at the hospital). So I know I was in good hands. Being a nurse does have it advantages but in my case I was really nervouse because I know just a little to much about what goes on LOL. Anyway, I was given Versed before going to the OR..It is a med used to relax you, which I needed. Only remember being in the OR for maybe 3 minutes and the rest is a blank...
Woke up in recovery with only a quick second of feeling nauseous and that was it. I was in recovery for about 5 hours while they tried to get the previous patient out of my room hehe Why would anyone like to stay longer than they have too? Moved to my room and did really well. My doctor does not believe in his patients being in pain and gave me meds round the clock and then extra was available if needed.
After day one I had to do a swallow study and I passed thank heavens..My mouth was as dry as a desert. Started off with 1 oz of water for 4 hours, then 2 oz for 4 hours then I could drink as much as I could tolerate...I have to say that first sip of water was the best water I have ever tasted..
Been doing really well the first week. Kind of tired from no rest at the hospital ; / Still sore but getting better by the day. Have had no problems with nausea or vomiting. I do have to say that yesterday I had a weird experience. I took my dog to training for the first time since surgery. I was there for maybe 10 minutes and all of a sudden I got the worst stomach pain, broke into a cold sweat and had to leave. I didnlt know if I was going to be sick or worse...the other end...TMI? Barely made it home and since I have been kind of queazy. had some SF pudding last night and I tolerated it well..This AM I am feeling the same, just kind of queazy, crampy like...
I am so looking forward to eating a soft diet, I go back to work next Wed night. I want to start eating a little before going back to work to make sure I tolerate it OK.. Looking forward to getting to know everyone and sharing their VGS journey with them...
Much love,
Elizabeth
Here in NE FL it is a little cooler this AM due to Hurricane Sandy blowing by. So I broke out the dreaded jeans from last winter. You know, the ones that were to tight by the time the holidays came around and the ones that didn't stretch...the ones that if I bent down with them buttoned to tie my shoe I felt like I was going to pass out....
Well guess what, I can bend over and tie my shoe, breath in them and they are actually a little big...And I have to wear a belt to keep them up...
30 lbs down in 2 months since surgery....YEAH ME!!!!!!!
After 4 days on a clear liquid diet and then 9 1/2 days on a full liquid diet (mush diet) I ate a slice of cheese today and it was YUMMY!!! Pain was much better today hardly any at all and no pain meds so far today..
Yeaaaaaaaaaa me!!
So today was my 2 week post op appt. It went really well. Weighted in at 225.8 lbs. My incisions are really looking good. Dr H said scar that is my left that is dimpled will start to look a little more normal in about 2 weeks or so. I was telling him about the pain that I experienced on Sun/Mon and he said it was from over doing it this weekend. He was telling me how common it was to have pain of this type about 10 days out from surgery.
One of the receptionists who had a VSG said that she wears a binder for support that really helps her a lot with jut everyday pain. So off to L&D I went to get one. I do have to say it is suprisingly comfortable and it does help with my belly pain. I plan to wear it tomorrow night to work to see if it helps...We'll see. Kind of nervous about going back to work. Hope i'm not to sore after working 2 12 hour shifts back to back...
I can now start to exercise as I wish. He said to use pain as my guide. Don't start off like crazy but start slow and use my body as my guide as to how hard I can exercise
As for eating. Dr H said I am good to go as far as food is concerned. Just be carefu and let my body tell me what I can handle. His comment was " the worst that can happen is you will throw up" LOL..
So this AM I woke up feeling good except for a pain in my left side right above my hip bone. It only hurts when I move a certain way. Can't lift anything or I feel like I am doubled over in pain...What is going on? I hope eating to early didn't cause any problems. When I push on the area it actually feels better. It almost feels like a pulled muscle...
Dr 's appt onTuesday..