oldcardude

Thanks for the welcome. I look forward to reading and posting throughout this whole process. I have been exploring the site and reading other people's experiences and am very encouraged by what I've learned already. I'm 24 days post-op and feel like I'm doing pretty well. If I could just get the muscle cramping where the drain tube incision is under control, I don't think I would have any complaints at all. Periodically this area hurts like hell and so far, only sitting up with a heating pad on it has had much effect. Has anyone been experiencing this same type of pain? My doctor says it's expected and that there really isn't much to do but ride it out. I was wondering if more/less exercise (walking) would help or make it worse? I go to the doctor on Monday and will have my first weigh in, but what I'm really excited about is that I'm already off two of four Diabetes meds (pills) and my insulin shot dosage was cut in half - before I even left the hospital! My sugar numbers are dropping and I feel good! They really should advertise this as Diabetes Surgery! So long for now, Tim.

My pain levels were a steady 6-7 in the hospital IF the pain meds wore off ( I tried not to let that happen more than once). With the IV meds, it was very tolerable (2-4). When I came home, the pain got steadily less (4-5 on oral pain med) until the morning of day 10 post-op. That morning I woke up thinking I had ruptured something or popped my staples. The pain was easily an 8+ and the meds were doing nothing. Finally, that afternoon I called the doc on call and when I described my pain (All on the left side, centered on the drain incision and feeling like a Charlie Horse that just wouldn't release) he said, "Yep, you're right on schedule." I said, 'Great, now make it stop!" It turns out that the big incision for the drain cuts right through a core muscle group and the heavy stitch needed to close it up causes severe muscle cramps after you start getting up and around and begin walking. He said it happens to 9 out of 10 people and nothing but time will make it better. Today is day three of the cramping and I can tell it's subsiding, about a 5-6. At this rate it will hopefully be gone by the weekend. But man do hiccups and sneezes hurt! Tim

I had my surgery on January 16th also. I don't know my weight loss yet (I've never owned a scale), but I am down almost two pants sizes so far, from 42 to a loose fitting 38. I've found that the vanilla Protein powder that I have tastes best in sugar free hot cocoa. I haven't tried other flavors or un-flavored yet, but I think the unflavored MIGHT be better as vanilla doesn't really go with many things. I've used the protein enhanced Soup that my doctors office carries and the tomato broth was the best so far (mixed with V-8 juice and beef broth). The Cream of Broccoli makes everything the consistency of paste, yuck. Do any of you have any good "recipes" for using the protein powders? Tim

I'm looking forward to Monday when I get to start soft foods! I never thought I would say "Yay" to Cream of Wheat!?! I do feel lucky in that I haven't had any problems tolerating the Protein shakes, Soups or pudding. I don't know what I would have done if I couldn't tolerate chocolate pudding! I've been getting a lot of water/Crystal Light in as well as 75 or more grams of protein a day. All in all I feel pretty good. I'd like to be walking more, but we've been in a real cold snap here in Maryland and its been snowing some and I just don't like being out in the cold. I had enough of that working for the railroad! I'm glad you guys are doing well. If you've just started the liquid portion of the diet, it gets better. I've found that if I add a sugar free Popsicle to my Crystal Light and crushed ice, then shake it good like a martini, it not only tastes better, but it gives me something extra to do that takes my mind off the fact that I'm drinking Crystal Light. Good luck and good health, Tim.

I just had my Gastric Bypass on Wednesday January 16th, 2013 and I feel pretty good already. I've been out of the Hospital for four days now and start the Stage 2 liquid diet on Monday. The weird thing is that I haven't been hungry yet. Two and a half days of crushed ice at the hospital; I used to just think of it as watering down my gin, but now, I like crushed ice! My energy is good, I think because I've been taking in a lot of protein (60+ grams a day) since Friday, and I've started walking (shuffling) around the neighborhood a couple of times a day. There is some pretty good surgical pain if the meds start to wear off, so don't let it. When it hurts more, I tend to sleep more and that doesn't help. I am very excited that tomorrow I get pudding (Yea, pudding!).

Hey, I just found this Man Room. I thought this forum was just about all women. I really need to start scrolling further more often. My name is Tim and I'm here for the same reasons I see over and over. I'm 50 with a BMI of 40.2, Diabetes (4 pills and two different insulins 4 times a day), arthritis joint pain from multiple broken bones and surgeries since High School (both knees, both shoulders, both feet, lower back and hand), sleep apnea that keeps me from getting any good sleep, and ulcers and a Hiatal Hernia that give me acid reflux. I've got a great wife and two beautiful daughters and I would like to be around (and healthy) for as long as possible. I just had my Gastric Bypass on Wednesday January 16th, 2013 and I feel pretty good already. I've been out of the Hospital for four days now and start the Stage 2 liquid diet on Monday. The weird thing is that I haven't been hungry yet. Two and a half days of crushed ice at the hospital; I used to just think of it as watering down my gin, but now, I like crushed ice! My energy is good, I think because I've been taking in a lot of protein (60+ grams a day) since Friday, and I've started walking (shuffling) around the neighborhood a couple of times a day. There is some pretty good surgical pain if the meds start to wear off, so don't let it. When it hurts more, I tend to sleep more and that doesn't help. I am very excited that tomorrow I get pudding (Yea, pudding!). I'll keep posting results and experiences now that I've found you guys. I hope that will encourage and/or help those that are coming up on your surgery dates. It's been very helpful to me reading some of the posts here (crap there are a LOT of posts!) and I plan to read all of them. Good luck with your surgeries and going forward from there into a new, healthier life. Tim

Hello, my name is Tim and I'll be having my Gastric Bypass surgery on the 16th of January as well. Congratulations on your surgery date, I know how you feel now that it's only a few days away. I wasn't so nervous... until I started talking to friends and family. These 'well wishers' haven't managed to reduce my excitement though, yet. I've had plenty of surgeries in the past (I got broken pretty well in my misspent youth) so that part doesn't worry me. It's the liquid diet and 2 ounce meals that have me a little shaken. I'm pretty sure I can take a two ounce bite out of a hamburger! I know you'll do we'll, and I look forward to keeping in touch with fellow 16ths to track our progress. Good luck, Tim.