MizzouGirl

I posted this for my fellow May 31st sleevers but thought it might be good to post here as well..... Hi All - just wanted to give an update on my surgery this past Friday.... 5/31 - Surgery at 8:30, had sleeve, gall bladder removed and liver biopsy. Surgery done at 10am -- I was in a lot of pain when they woke me up but they fixed it within a few minutes. I think I was in my room at 11am and my husband met me there. The surgeon said all went well with the surgery and they did a leak test and all was fine. I was able to eat a small Popsicle, a cube of Jello and some Crystal Light for lunch. For dinner I had a Popsicle and some Crystal Light and got nausea. They gave me some nausea medicine and it went way. Had quite of bit of pain that night so took a liquid pain killer twice that night. Didn't sleep well because of the staff coming and going, the pain and some intermittent nausea. Almost threw up in the night but luckily was able to control it. Walked the halls twice for about 5 minutes and burped ALOT. Not a great day but could have been worse (like day 2). Oh, I also had to go #1 about every 1.5-2 hours because of all the liquids they were pumping into me. This was not pleasant as it was painful to get in and out of bed. The frequency didn't change for the time I was in the hospital but it did get easier to get up and down. Here are the medications they gave me: 1. Pain ball - tubes inside me going to surgery points. Had to carry the darn thing around which was a bit inconvenient but I wouldn't have gone without the pain ball. It had run out when the Dr. took it out this morning. I didn't control the dosage on this -- it was automatic. 2. Liquid pain killer as needed - a liquid cocktail of hydrocodeine and tylenol that I had to take orally. Not great tasting but did the trick. 3. Nausea medicine - inserted through my IV 3. Blood Thinner - shot in my stomach 4. Pepcid - inserted through my IV Also had to have massaging sleeves on my calves and oxygen tube in my nose while in bed. Had to do that exhale thing where you lift the ball 10 times each hour I was awake. I think that's it. 6/1 - Couldn't eat without my stomach seizing then tons of gurgling. Was really worried it would be permanent so posted under the Post Op forum and got reassurance from several people that it happened to them and went away. Also talked to nurse and she assured me it was temporary. I was actually really hungry and couldn't eat and was regretting having the surgery. Broke down and cried for a bit but after the support, I was hopeful. At least the pain was reducing and no more nausea. Walked the halls 4 times for 10 minutes each time and still burping all the time. Was able to get much more sleep this night. 6/2 - Woke up feeling a ton better I think in part because I got pretty decent sleep. Was able to do 10 sips of Protein for Breakfast and lunch and lots of sips of Water. No stomach seizing and no nausea - still some gurgling but that is manageable. In the night I had my first toot and then have since had 4 BMs - pretty much all liquid. Walked in the morning for 15 minutes and found out that I was going to get to go home.... yippeee!!! Home now and feel pretty good. Can't wait to be off the liquid diet -- should get to move to full liquids this Friday which includes Greek yogurt, blended Soups with no meats, thin oatmeal, cream of wheat, unsweetened apple sauce and grits. That will be so much better. In week 3 I get to add eggs, soft baked fish, mashed potatoes, soft cheeses, mushy vegetables and bananas. I've got a week by week acceptable food choices thru week 8 from my surgeon's office. The hardest parts for me were the 3 day pre-op liquid diet and my day 2 breakdown. I'm confident in the upcoming weeks, I'll have plenty of "best parts" to post. Just taking it a day at a time and appreciate the support from my fellow sleevers.

I should have included that I have four incisions-1 is on my belly button. All have been glued shut. They all look pretty small with one at belly button being the longest but also the least noticeable. Any tips on how to minimize the scarring?

How are you doing today?

I'm 2 days post op and I can't clean up after #2 as too sore to move that far and agree I would never be able to change a tampon --- thank god I have an incredible husband who has been taking really good care of me. I did trim before surgery.

Sounds like you are where I was a few days before my surgery. I actually contemplated backing out on the drive to the hospital but reminded myself of all the reasons why I was doing this. It's a personal decision and I don't have the answers for you. I just posted my experience under General Gastric Sleeve Surgery Discussion which might give you an idea of what to expect. Sounds like everyone's experience is a bit different based on their surgeon, hospital, etc... I wish you the best of luck and can reassure you I've found fantastic support here.

Correction to my above post.... The hardest parts for me were the 3 day pre op liquid diet and how difficult it was to eat day 2....

Hi All - just wanted to give an update on my surgery this past Friday.... 5/31 - Surgery at 8:30, had sleeve, gall bladder removed and liver biopsy. Surgery done at 10am -- I was in a lot of pain when they woke me up but they fixed it within a few minutes. I think I was in my room at 11am and my husband met me there. The surgeon said all went well with the surgery and they did a leak test and all was fine. I was able to eat a small Popsicle, a cube of Jello and some Crystal Light for lunch. For dinner I had a Popsicle and some Crystal Light and got nausea. They gave me some nausea medicine and it went way. Had quite of bit of pain that night so took a liquid pain killer in addition to the pain ball twice that night. Didn't sleep well because of the staff coming and going, the pain and some intermittent nausea. Almost threw up but luckily didn't happen. Walked the halls twice for about 5 minutes and burped ALOT. Not a great day but could have been worse (like day 2). Oh, I also had to go #1 about every 1.5-2 hours because of all the liquids they were pumping into me. This was not pleasant as it was painful to get up and down. The frequency didn't change for the time I was in the hospital but it did get easier to get up and down. Here are the medications they gave me: 1. Pain ball - tubes inside me going to surgery points. Had to carry the darn thing around which was a bit inconvenient but I wouldn't have gone without the pain ball. It had run out when the Dr. took it out this morning. I didn't control the dosage on this -- it was automatic. 2. Liquid pain killer as needed - a liquid cocktail of vicodin and tylenol that I had to take orally. Not great tasting but did the trick. 3. Nausea medicine - inserted through my IV 3. Blood Thinner - shot in my stomach 4. Pepcid - inserted through my IV Also had to have massaging sleeves on my calves and oxegyn tube in my nose. Had to do that exhale thing where you lift the ball 10 times each hour I was awake. I think that's it. 6/1 - Couldn't eat without my stomach seizing then tons of gurgling. Was really worried it would be permanent so posted under the Post Op forum and got reassurance from several people that it happened to them and went away. Also talked to nurse and she assured me it was temporary. I was actually really hungry and couldn't eat and was regretting having the surgery. Broke down and cried for a bit but after the support, I was hopeful. At least the pain was reducing and no more nausea. Walked the halls 4 times for 10 minutes each time and still burping all the time. Was able to get much more sleep this night. 6/2 - Woke up feeling a ton better I think in part because I got pretty decent sleep. Was able to do 10 sips of Protein for Breakfast and lunch and lots of sips of Water. No stomach seizing and no nausea - still some gurgling but that is manageable. In the night I had my first toot and then have since had 4 BMs - pretty much all liquid. Walked in the morning for 15 minutes and found out that I was going to get to go home.... yippeee!!! Home now and feel pretty good. Can't wait to be off the liquid diet -- should get to move to full liquids this Friday which includes Greek yogurt, blended Soups with no meats, thin oatmeal, cream of wheat, unsweetened apple sauce and grits. That will be so much better. In week 3 I get to add eggs, soft baked fish, mashed potatoes, soft cheeses, mushy vegetables and bananas. I've got week by week acceptable food choices thru week 8 from my surgeon's office. The hardest parts for me were the 3 day post op liquid diet and how difficult it was to eat day 2. I'm confident in the upcoming weeks, I'll have plenty of "best parts" to post. Just taking it a day at a time and appreciate the support from my fellow sleevers.

Hi All - today was much, much better. I was able to do 10 sips of my protein shake for breakfast and and 10 more for lunch with no issues. I've also been sipping water as much as possible and again no issues. I've done a lot of walking so the extra gas isn't as bad but I still have a bit lingering. I got to come home today (so happy) but it's a tad tough getting around - especially getting in and out of bed. Need to stay on liquids until Friday then I get to add Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla), blended soups such as lentil, black bean and vegetable (no meats), thin oatmeal, cream of wheat, thin unsweetened applesauce, grits and a few other sugar free options that I won't be doing as I don't like/believe in artificial sweeteners. So glad you were all there for me at a really down moment -- can't express enough how much it meant to me and put my mind at ease!!!!

Thanks all for the quick replies and putting my mind at ease. Just talked to nurse and she said it's very normal. I feel a ton better now.

I must be a total wimp. I'm really uncomfortable, can't stand the liquids, battling bouts of nausea and my abs are killing me when I move which I have to do every 1.5 hours as they are pumping me so full of IV fluids. It seems like so many folks make this out to be a breeze. It has been far from that for me. Praying it gets better soon!!!!

Has anyone tooted yet? I've had lots of burps but haven't yet tooted.

Already had my surgery this morning luckily. Just had to be moved from my hospital room to the hallway for awhile. No damage to the hospital but tornadoes did touch down not too far away (I live in the St Louis area).

In the hospital and under tornado warnings. Sirens are going off and circulations are going overhead. That have moved all patients to the hallways. Takes my mind off the discomfort.

Just talked to Dr. Everything went great. No problems, 100% laparoscopic, leak test passed. She's in recovery for about an hour and then I'll see her in her room.

MizzouGirl's husband here. The surgery status board just updated and she's in surgery now. They bumped us to the second surgery so we're a bit later than expected. The experience so far has been great. All the staff here have been really good. She did fine this morning but had some anxiety after initial prep in pre-surgery. I was able to wait with her. I did the best I could to comfort and relax her so she got a pre-surgery neck and shoulder massage. So far this has been a lot to think about and process. Such an immediate and significant impact and eventual life changing benefits. It can be overwhelming. My wife has gotten a lot from her participation in the forums here. It's helped for her to be able to connect with all of you and share. I'd like to personally say thanks to you all for the stories, insight, support, and encouragement.

Today is my day as well. Very anxious... Leave for hospital in 10 minutes. Good luck to you!!!

On my way to the hospital in 10 minutes. Maybe slept 4-5 hours last night. I can't remember the last time I was this anxious..... Good luck all.

Best wishes everyone on successful surgeries tomorrow. May we all have no pain, no nausea and lot's of lost weight going forward. Please post how you are doing when able. Oh, and hope everyone is able to get a good night's sleep tonight!

Yeah --- better to be excited! I'm a bit anxious but not as much as I have been over the last few days. I think this liquid diet has just zapped me into submission. Hoping the post surgery liquid diet isn't as difficult as this has been. I have lost 7.5 lbs in 2.5 days on it, though. Good luck to you!!!

1 more day!!!

Good for you!!! I've decided to save my Isopure until after surgery. Hoping to have one thing that's not tainted by a pre surgery puke. I just really struggle with the manufactured protein stuff. sleep well and safe travels and let us know how it went when you get back.

Not great. The morning was ok but the afternoon was miserable. Tried the Protein shot and threw it up. Just glad there is only 1 more day of this liquid diet hell. How about you?