Sunshine

Thanks so much. So far, I have bought: - Tomato Soup - pudding - egg drop soup mix - sugar free Jello and sugar free popsicles (doing that now for clear fluid) - hot chocolate (diet) - cream of potato soup :cursing:

I have read everyone's post with eagerness! My surgery was Monday (it's Saturday today). And I have NO IDEA why I feel as though I should actually SEE and FEEL different....even if it's just a little progress. I've hardly had anything. Just broth, etc. I feel like a failure already. Crazy....I know. While I was in the hospital, I got quite dehydrated. So...I ended up receiving 8 bags of Fluid. Perhaps that caused me to gain some weight. Not sure. I know my thoughts don't compare to the people on here who have been doing this for months....but, to be honest....it IS a depressing feeling as though I haven't lost anything.

I have had the spasms since the day of surgery (Monday). They are called Esophageal Spasms. It's the bottom part of your espophagus that is having spasms. I have them all the time. The Dr. gave me a medicine called Levisil (spelling?)...which is a muscle relaxer and it helps TREMENDOUSLY. The spasm (from all my researching and talking to people) will only last a maximum of a few weeks. Yes, they are painful....but take that medicine religiously, and it works!! I am 4 days post op and I have had them all day today. They hurt like heck...but knowing that they'll go away soon is what's helping me. Good Luck hon....and ask for that medicine. You put it under your tongue and it dissolves. It's been a lifesaver for me!

I'll be thinking about you.

Soooo, I got 'sleeved' yesterday at 8am @ Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga. Surgery went well. The problem I had w/surgery, was the way the anesthesia made me feel. Although I did have an issue: I am having SEVERE esophageal spasms. These hurt. I I even swallow a melted ice chip --- my stomch will have a MAJOR spasm. So, because of this, I haven't wanted to drink anything. They have confirmed that it's not a gastric leak. The Radiologist stated that he could actually watch my stomach spasm through the machine. I had a morphine drip, but it didn't touch the pain. The gave me Levsil (muscle relaxer) and it barely did the trick. So they gave me a double dose of Levsil and then two Loritabs. FINALLY I felt better. The pain is tolerable (spasms)...but EVERYTHING else ran VERY smoothlyt. I am soooo happy.

I was getting scared too Dansha. I know that everyone handles this surgery differently. I was becoming severly dehydrated because the pain of the spasms made me not drink. My Dr. came in and basically stated that I need to suck it up and drink. Period. And I did --- and it helped. I am still having spasms this morning, but nothing like I had in the last two days. So I wonder if it's caused by dehydration itself. Thanks for all the support guys. The surgery was a hard one for me...and I'm still very sore, but I have hope by reading your posts...telling me that this WILL pass. Love to all of you!

I took Loritab.....I'm better now.

Thanks for the well-wishes....but I am in so much pain. I don't have a leak (that's been confirmed). No fever. But, I feel as though I've been hit by a mack truck. I started to become dehydrated in the hospital...so EIGHT bags of Fluid and a lot drinking...I STILL feel bad. I had a BM today and some gas FINALLY. I still can't burp. I haven't had Loritab in 12 hours and I'm going to take some now. Is it normal to be in a lot of pain like this? Will this pass??????????????

Well, I'm here @ the hotel. My husband and son are swimming and will be going out to eat @ Cracker Barrel. I live 1.5 hours away from the hospital, so it was easier to get a hotel close to the hospital since I have to be there @ 6am. My pre-op directions were for today only. One day of Clear liquids and also to take 1 bottle of Magnesium Citrate. I purposely barely ate anything yesterday so it would make it for an 'easier' and 'quicker' experience today due to the liquid laxative I had to take. So, I'm sitting here feeling all sorts of things. Weird things. Things I expected to feel. It's crazy. I just needed to reach out and share this with ya'll.

Thanks for all the kind words: I had the surgery Monday and I jut got home (Wednesday evening). I can honestly say that I feel like crap. I'm assuming the upper chest/shoulder pain is from the gas. And, that the aches and pains in the mid regions are from the surgery itself. I have had LOADS of esophageal spasms which are horrific. The Dr. was going to make me stay another day if I didn't get more hydrated. After EIGHT bags of Fluid and 3 hours of drinking 1 ounce every 10 minutes..I was released. Question: is it normal to feel THIS bad after surgery? I keep reading how some people are jumping around after surgery. Not me.......at all.

To the person in Knoxville - I went to Dr. Rutledge. He is the Bariatric Director at Erlanger.

You'll be okay. I licked a chip today. he he he he

If you aren't fond of the shakes, try Isopure. It's like a Gatorade.

On the day of your surgery....are you allowed to drink anything at all? I keep hearing 'complaints' of being extremely thirsty and not having anything to drink. (just wondering............)

Ice chips it will be. I understand the reasoning behind...but I just wish I didn't have to have a dry mouth.

(sorry)...I hope you know I meant for you to get well before you go to a new Dr. Yes, the ER can help you. Heck, they HAVE to. What exactly does your PCP say?

First - I am so sorry you are dealing with this. It must be very hard. Also, the fact that you just want 'closure' as to the reason this happened....I wish you luck. Yes, we all know there are risks. But, if something has happened, ...the Dr. should give you an explanation. Period. What would I do if I was in your position: Get a lawyer. Period. Tell him the story. He can give you answers as to what your options are. There are Medical Boards that investigate things like this...but I can honestly tell you I don't know how to go about looking for them. But...go to a lawyer that specializes in medical things. Wish you luck, and please keep us informed. P.S. You can always request your medical records.

I have surgery in 1 week. In 2 days, I'm going to all the required appointments (nutritional, psych, exercise, pre-testing, Upper GI, etc.....all in one day!). I'm trying to do as much research as I can. And I know that I will be ordered to drink Protein drinks. Since I haven't been to the appointments yet, I haven't been told how much and what to drink. I'm sure they'll tell me, but until then, I was just wondering a few things: What exactly is the average that I'm supposed to drink a day? After surgery, when exactly do I start on the Protein Drinks? Also, I found a drink called NAKED. They have all sorts of flavors, but one is a Protein Drink. It's a juice smoothie. Here are some things off the label: (per serving which is 8 ounces) --It's flavored with apples, bananas, orange, pineapple and coconut. --No sugar added --Fat - 2g --Saturated Fat 1g --Trans Fat 0g --Cholesterol 30mg --Sodium 140mg --Potassium 480mg --Total Carbs 34 g (Diety Fiber 0g, Sugars 28g) --Protein 16g The taste is like a very thin and 'grainy' tropical milkshake Would I be able to drink this? Is this drink 'allowed'. I bought one today and I think it would be better than the vanilla and/or chocolate ones. Any advice would be wonderful.

If you don't like shakes....try Isopure. It's similar to a Gatorade drink. Full of protein. And, it's 'okayed' by my Dr. to drink instead of the shakes.

Was told NOT to drink it. But that's good. I've discovered Isopure. I will NEVER drink a protein shake. My surgery is in 3 days and Isopure has saved my sanity in regards to the protein stuff.

I havne't had surgery yet, but I can tell you that I DREADED the Protein drinks. I don't really drink milk, or anything like that. I had a sip of one protein drink (the grittiness) and it about made me sick. So, I tried the Isopure. HEAVEN. I can do those. Without a doubt. Dr.'s office stated it is allowable for my protein drinks, and that I wouldn't have to drink a shake or stuff like that if I didn't want to!!!!! Bring on the sugery!!!

My pretesting consisted of the following (it was done 2 days ago): - Upper GI (swallow test) - EKG (done it about 2 seconds...literally) - BP, P, R and they took blood That's it. It was all done in less than 2 hours.

I'm new on here too, and my surgery is the 19th also!!!

Thanks so much!! What kind did you get? Maybe I'll 'suck it up' and try one. Is it really nasty and gritty?

You seem like such a lovely person. I wish you all the luck in the world. I will be praying for you.