ninanew

I'm four weeks post-op and per my NUT's instructions I can start solid food! I'm starting with dinner tonight. My surgeon suggested sashimi, which I love, but I won't have access to it tonight. I'll be near a Safeway and a Walgreens, any suggestions for my first solid food meal?? And in the next couple of days, what are some favorite things you've had success adding in? Thanks, Nina

Glad to know I'm not alone in this, I was starting to get nervous that I might have a stricture. I haven't had to use my anti-nausea meds yet, but I'm going to try them now.

I had my surgery June 17, so almost 4 weeks out, and am having a harder and harder time with nausea and getting in all my fluids and protein. I'm on soft foods for another couple of days. Anyone else experience increasing nausea as time goes by post-op?

I had a similar rash post-op and when I mentioned it to my NUT she suggested it might be a whey allergy and had me switch to another protein powder (Jay Robb egg white) and the rash went away. Could have been a coincidence, but worth asking about.

I had hiccups in the hospital and my surgeon said they are a red flag and I need to slow down when eating... Smaller sips did the trick.

I had surgery June 17 and today was my first day back to work. I had initially hoped to go back on June 24, but my pain level was still too high. Lasted almost all day today, left at 3pm. I wanted to take it super slow. I wish I had allowed for a full two weeks off.

I was so glad to have my u-shaped neck pillow. Made sleeping and everything so much more comfortable in a semi-reclined hospital bed.

I had been using an e-cig since the beginning of the year (helped me quit cigs Jan 1) and at my consultation my doctor said i had to stop all e-cigs two weeks before surgery because the nicotine contracts your blood vessels and that can inhibit healing.

I know, right?! What's up with the winter weather?? Thank you for sharing your story. I was sleeved 6/17 in Concord, live in SF. Still early in my journey, but sometimes I forget exactly how major the operation was. Take good care!

I had VSG surgery on June 17. I have had one spot to the right and a little below my main incision that has been more painful than anywhere else - I asked the surgeon about it in the hospital and he said it was from where he had to put in sutures where my stomach was removed. For the first couple of days at home the pain was decreasing, but since yesterday whenever I cough, sneeze, laugh, or move quickly I get an intense burning, sharp, stabbing pain in that area, for sure pain level 10, and the area continues to ache all the time more and more. Holding a pillow over the spot doesn't prevent the pain. I've maxed out on my prescribed pain meds but it is not helping and my mobility and ability to sleep are impaired. I sent this message to my surgeon and he got back to me to say that there was nothing else he could give me ... It would just take time. Say what?! This is the man who at my consultation said there was no reason anyone should be in pain post op, that he would help however he could, and feels that medicine was there to be used. So why has he turned a 180 now??? I'm only on lortab now, I know there are stronger pain relievers - like percocet that I got after hand surgery last year. I'm so disappointed and frustrated! The pain is really the worst I've ever felt and I don't know what to do. I know it will get better with time, but in the mean time I can barely get around or sleep, and coughing or sneezing is just agonizing. I was supposed to go back to work tomorrow but there's no way I'll be up for that feeling like this. Thanks for letting me vent, I just don't know what else to do.

Thanks for the support everyone! I don't tolerate pain well, obviously. Sounds like lots of others have experienced similar symptoms so I'm going to do my best to just hang in there!

Rash has spread now from my stomach to my inner arms and chest and has started to itch!! I hope I can figure out how to calm it down soon!

I'm four days post op and noticed yesterday a rash all over my stomach spreading around the sides. It doesn't itch (yet?) but it's ugly and I don't want it to spread or cause other problems. I'll try an antihistamine first, hopefully that will help! Glad to know I'm not alone!

7:45am surgery this morning. Everything went well with the surgery and coming out of the anesthesia was no problem. Took about 2hrs. But later in the day they noticed I wasn't peeing very much, and by around 10:30pm they came and woke me to see if I could give more. If not, they would have to catheterize me ( Yikes!!!!) I tried and tried but nothing came out.. So catheter went in . . . What a horribly embarrassing experience! Nurse was super nice though, kept telling me, hakuna matara, aka no worries. The goal was to get less than 600 out, but if it was more they would have to leave the catheter, but I only did a little over 500. So, only a little pee for me this morning, hopefully it will resolve itself soon!

I'm sleeved! In my room, did very well according to the doctor. Still a little pain, can't wait until I can get up, walk around and pee!! Anxious to see how I handle fluids. Mouth is soooo dry.

Keep thinking positive and breathe- that's my plan to fight anxiety beforehand. I'll check in when I'm done, would love to hear how you're doing too!

I'm with you both, wide awake at 2am, have to be at he hospital in three hours. Excited, nervous and scared! I want so much for this to go well! Good luck to all us June 17th peeps!

I know I've seen people have it post-op on full liquids, but is it considered "clear"? And is chicken stock different than chicken broth and chicken bouillon?

I'm tomorrow too, have to be at the hospital at 5:00am! Just trying to relax and not freak out too much. Best of luck to you!!

Just got final clearance and confirmation, I'm a go for 7:30am June 17! Eeek I'm excited!!

I can only speak for myself, but my psychiatrist said it would be ok for me to crush my Zoloft.

Can someone recommend a good source for biotin, and any brands you prefer?

Argh I'm so frustrated right now I have to vent. I'm self pay and have my date scheduled for June 17. My surgeon gave me a list of tests he wants done before surgery, in addition clearance from my PCP. I met with my PCP today for the H & P as well as the EKG the surgeon asked for. Despite my EKG looking good, I was told my PCP won't give their clearance until I meet with a cardiologist - despite the fact that my surgeon specifically did not check off any cardiac testing on the required test list for me. I'm just so worried that this additional step will cause delays and I'll have to push out my surgery date! Argh!! Thanks for letting me vent :/

Me too.