AmandaD

nhnurse, add me. Amanda Sipher Dealing

I didn't have stitches or strips. My incisions were glued shut and then had a synthetic skin painted over them. When it all peeled off after about a week, they were all healed up. As for BM, I didn't have one until I went from my liquid diet to soft food. Now that I'm eating regular food, I have one every few days (since I'm still not eating much).

It's definitely surreal to be on the other side. I'm about 2 weeks out and sometimes I even forget. You'll be feeling great in no time. Just keep walking and as soon as you can, sip, sip, sip! Congratulations and wishing you a speedy recovery!

I'm 16 days out. I made a mini microwave salmon quiche. I only ate about half of it but my husband, who usually hates salmon, loved it and finished it. It's 1 egg, 1oz lowfat cottage cheese. Warm up the cottage cheese and mix it well with the egg. Then salt, pepper and I stirred in canned salmon but you can put in anything you want. Mix it in a cereal bowl and then microwave for about a minute and a half. If you want something sweet, just use the egg, cream cheese, a packet of splenda and a little cinnamon. REALLY yummy and super quick.

The spaghetti sauce is acidic. That might have irritated your pouch too. Remember, there are big incisions in there. My dr has me on very bland foods and an acid reducer. I can't have spaghetti sauce until week 4. That combination might have been a little much for your pouch to handle. I'm also not sure that would qualify as a liquid, I'd think ricotta and yogurt would fall into the pureed category. I know greek yogurt was week 2 for me. I would go back to just liquids with 1 ingredient and bland and give your pouch a rest. And lots of water. It should settle back down.

Yes, that is exactly where my surgeon told me my pouch was located when he was discussing feeling full. I am 16 days post-op and can have some solid foods and that's where I pay attention so I can stop eating when I feel a slight pressure. I was only sore after surgery there for maybe 5 or 6 days. The most uncomfortable thing for me was if I wasn't careful when I took a drink and swallowed air. I didn't have stitches. My incisions were glued shut and it peeled off after about a week. I have to say, my pain has been pretty minimal. Now I'm just focused on bonding with my new pouch and following my dr's food rules. The only thing on my allowed foods list that I've had any discomfort with so far was toast. I chew it up really well but I can still feel it, but it hasn't made me sick. I've introduced everything else a little at a time and had no issues so far. I'm down about 22 lbs from when they wheeled me into surgery but I had almost no pain after 2 days so I've been pretty active. I'm already back to work and walking 30min on my lunch hour. I really lucked out. It's amazing how everyone's bodies respond differently to the exact same procedure.

You said you're feeling hungry. You shouldn't at this point. Make sure you're not misinterpreting "head hunger" for stomach hunger. A few days after I got home I was totally craving pizza, it was making me crazy, but when I stepped back and thought about it, it was in my head. My stomach didn't feel a thing.

Gas X strips work fast. I believe Simethicone is also the active ingredient in Gas X.

10 days out for me all I was allowed was cottage cheese, greek yogurt, oatmeal, mashed potatoes and unsweetened applesauce.

Several people on my other message board swear by papaya enzyme for a temperamental tummy.

Pinterest has several recipes for pizza using Cauliflower for the crust. I have been craving pizza and chinese food but surfing Pinterest for recipes I will be able to have during my next few phases has helped. I don't hang out with my family during mealtime but sitting with everyone at Easter dinner eating my cottage cheese didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. I can have Tuna as of Thursday, I'm very excited. My surgeon doesn't go by liquids / puree / etc. I have very specific lists of food for each week up to week 7 so I spend my time in anticipation of my next set of menu options! It's not the lack of eating that's bothering me, I don't get hungry. It's the lack of flavor. I can't wait until I can have hot sauce!!!

Glad to hear all is going well! I was the same way after my surgery and still, almost 2 weeks out, have not had any issues. Just don't make the mistake I made and push yourself too hard because you feel good. Walk, drink, rest and follow your surgeon's directions to the letter and hopefully you will continue to sail smoothly on your journey! Welcome to the loser's bench!!

My surgery was 3/21.

I can relate to how you are feeling. I spent most of last week wondering if a whole 2 weeks off work was necessary because I was bored. Luckily my kids are on spring break this week so I get to stay home with them Mon-Wed and I go back to work Thurs. My concern is my energy level. I feel like someone pulled my plug and let all of my energy out. I'm thinking it's due to the 200 calories a day I'm living on during this phase, I just wish I could get some get up and go. I can start my next phase on Thursday which, according to my doctor's meal plan, means tuna on toast and a slightly higher volume of food allowed. I'm very excited and I'm hoping the extra calories will get me through my work day. They frown on me napping at my desk

Glad everything went well! Every day gets more and more comfortable! Get your rest and your fluids and walk, walk, walk!

Congrats! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!

My pain the day after surgery was more like tenderness than pain. I also had some muscle stiffness in my abdomen. I kept finding myself hunching over almost in anticipation of pain that I didn't actually have, so when I'd lay down in bed and stretch out slowly it felt really good. The only thing I would really classify as pain was the gas. I had no pain pump and no IV pain meds. I had 3 doses of Percocet orally in my first 48 hours and have had nothing since. They gave me simethicone for the gas (Gas X) and I kept moving and rolling back and forth in the bed. During the night my second night I passed gas several times and that was it. Since then the only pain I've had is tenderness when I accidentally bump an incision site and then, of course, when I gave myself the Lovenox injections for 5 days after I left the hospital (those smarted!!!). I'm now 1 week post op and have no pain what so ever.

My meal plan stops the shakes after week 2 and has no protein goal either. They just say " eat according to your green sheet!" Over and over. I'll probably ask more specifically when I'm closer to being able to eat real food.

Eggs aren't until week 3 on my meal plan.

I love the Unjury Chocolate.

I did that and I pulled my legs to my chest one at a time. I remembered the pediatrician showing me that one when my children were gassy little babies! It worked! No gas pains for me since day 2.

I'm 5 days post op and as long as I go slow my 64 oz has been no issue. My dr has me drinking 12 oz of Atkins and Unjury shakes a day4oz at a time ( 3 meals so to speak). As long as you don't have any discomfort I would think its fine.

Feeling pretty good. I have to be proactive about my pain meds but the discomfort is very manageable. I get to shower and lose the I'VE in the morning and the surgeon said if I have a good day he may let me go home a day early.

I had 3 days of clear liquids. My surgery is in the morning and I worked all day today with no problem.