blue_morpho

I'm almost 1 week post-op. I went back to work today without pain meds. The incisions are a little tender, but I've had my gall bladder out, and that was a lot worse. I had banded plication. I do not get my first fill until Feb. 2nd. I have my first post-op appointment this Friday. I was on a liquid diet one week prior to the surgery, and at the day of the surgery, I had lost almost 20 pounds. Haven't weighed in since the surgery, but I'm sure I've lost more, since my appetite has been significantly decreased since the surgery (which I totally expected while recovering). The worst part of the first few days was the gas pains in my neck, back, and chest from the carbon dioxide (that they inflate your stomach with during surgery) trying to escape. Since it has nowhere to go, it is very uncomfortable. I followed my doctor's orders and started walking the day of the surgery. This helped tremendously. Even though it wasn't very far the first few days, moving around helped. Once the carbon dioxide worked its way out (or resorbed), I had gas pains in my stomach / middle of my chest in the gastro tract. This was helped with chewable Gas-X Extra Strength. Even though I haven't had much of an appetite, I've been SO thirsty. I've been staying hydrated with Water, and Crystal Light. In the mornings, as directed by my doctor, I have a cup of decaffeinated, herbal tea to help wash the mucus from my esophagus. Some doctors say NOT to use a straw, but my doctor recommended it so that I take small sips and not big gulps. Some doctors ALSO say that carbonated beverages are ok in moderation, but my doctor insists I avoid them forever. I think it's a good idea to do that, since I know that once you get a taste of that soda/beer/champagne, you'll want more. And that only stretches your pouch. So far, I feel surprisingly well. Aside from the annoying stomach gas and wound tenderness while I'm healing, I feel pretty good. Of course, I'll be ecstatic when I can get back to 100% solid foods (right now it's just Protein shakes, mashed potatoes, creamy Soups, cream of wheat, etc) and when I'm completely healed. I keep thinking - every day I'll feel better than I did the day before!

I just had banded plication surgery on January 12th. I am on Cryselle birthcontrol, skipping the placebo pills each month (and taking them every 3 months so that I have a period every 3 months). The week before the surgery, when I was on my liquid diet, I started my period, even though I was not on placebo pills. Considering the drastic diet change, I wasn't surprised. I had my period during the surgery, and after. However, after the surgery, my bleeding was very, very heavy and full of large clots. At first I was worried - the last time this happened to me, I had fibroid cysts that had to be removed. But, after a little research, I'm fairly certain that the high doses of acetametaphin (found in the post-op pain meds Hydrocodone), along with the shot of Heparin pre-op (to prevent blood clots), and the addition of the post-op antibiotics interfered with the birth control, and caused the unusual bleeding. As I'm weening off the pain meds, and finishing the antibiotics, I'm noticing a significant decrease in the bleeding. I have also doubled up on my birth control pills (I've had to do this in the past for heavy bleeding at the doctor's request). I have a post-op check up with my doctor on Friday, and I plan to bring this up to him if it continues.