Melodica

I've never heard of powdered Peanut Butter. Might have to look into that! I won't lie, I cheated after day 4 post surgery and had tomato Soup. I was just so sick of broth. It hasn't had any ill effects. I've read about some people who don't have to diet beforehand and who come out on soft foods. Makes me wonder why there are so many differences between surgeons. Kinda frustrating!

Wow, that's really harsh! I'm on liquids/pureeds (basically anything with no solid bits) until Wednesday then soft foods for a week, then can move on to regular. I couldn't do three weeks pureed!

Mine have been really itchy too! I've scratched around them and (though I know I shouldn't) picked at them a little. Today they aren't bothering me at all. I think most of that glue stuff has come off, so that probably helped. My surgeon said not to put anything on the incisions, so I haven't, but I'm thinking of putting some cream or something around them to help with the irritation. I don't wear my bra at home either Bluesea, LOL. The one near my breasts was the smallest of the incisions, so it's healing a lot faster, thankfully!

Yes, you will get through it! We're behind you! I'm actually feeling better today than I've felt since the surgery. Very little stomach pain and a tiny bit of energy (which is rare for me apparently!) Still having trouble getting Protein in and find myself not really "drinking" a meal like I should. I think I've read others that mentioned they made fruit smoothies when they were on their liquid/puree stage, but you might better consult with your NUT.

No drain here. Was sleeved a week ago.

Congrats! Good job! I had a pudding cup as well. I added a bit of low fat vanilla soy milk (I'm lactose intolerant) and a little of the vanilla Protein powder to try to get some Protein in. It actually went down more easily than liquids. Butterfly, did you actually eat an 8oz cup of the soup? I don't really know how much is too much with the liquids, so hearing what you guys can get down is very helpful.

1. 5'8"/375 2. 357 3. 337/lost 20lbs 4. 180 5. Got in a whole 30g of Protein yesterday 6. Having energy to do ANYTHING I'm definitely seeing weight loss. It's just tough because I feel so awful all the time. I had my one week followup appointment and my husband had to drive me because I was so weak. The pain is getting better, but the fatigue is not.

That's very odd, McKaylee. My doctor never gave restrictions on types of soup or temperatures. I do know that hot and cold liquids tend to cause more of a reaction in my stomach than room temp, but it's temporary. Maybe that's why they wanted you to keep it at room temp?

Mschwartz924, I'm going to have to try that soup. It looks very good and hearty. Thanks for sharing! I'm located in Birmingham, AL right now. In a month I'll probably be in Illinois.

Butterfly, I'm sorry you're having such trouble with the Protein. It's not bothering me too much and I've discovered that I can hold a decent amount of liquid. I ate a little less than 2/3 of a can of tomato soup yesterday evening. Granted, it took me over an hour, but I was surprised. I can sleep on my right side (the side with less incisions) as long as I have a pillow to prop up my stomach. My left side is still a bit too tender. McKaylee, I can have pureed Soups so I'm trying to come up with all kinds of things I can puree up and eat. I figure as long as it's a soupy consistency and has no chunks, I'm good. You might be able to doctor up the cottage cheese, pudding and yogurt somehow. I find it funny that some people come out being able to eat cottage cheese, yogurt and all that and others have to do liquid/clear liquid diets for weeks. Doesn't make much sense! I agree about watching the weight fall off. It's definitely encouraging! I haven't been walking very much though. Been so tired. I walk around the house and that's about all I can do before I have to sit/lay down.

You guys have been so helpful to me by sharing your experiences and your knowledge - it's made this a lot easier and less scary. I've never been huge on forum posting either (especially not about such personal stuff) but here I feel like I can share anything and find someone who will understand what I'm feeling. So I want to offer a huge thanks as well to all of you!!

I know that everyone is different, so everyone will have a different recovery. I just read so many posts about how great it was and how great they felt and how wonderful it is. I didn't seem to read as many about the extreme pain and the adjustment that this takes. I'm sure for some it wasn't a huge thing, but for me it has been. I had the hernia repair as well, so that may be contributing to some of my difficulty. Though I can say I haven't had it as bad as some. I've had little nausea and no vomiting (thanks stomach of steel). So I'm thankful for that! I guess I'm also experiencing some depression. Food was my way of coping with any issues because it made me happy. Now I don't have that, so I'm trying to find some outlet. I worked half a day yesterday, but I couldn't go in today. I had to bend over and get on the floor for something yesterday and it made my stomach hurt like nobody's business. I spent most of the day in bed. For the rest of the week I've got to do half days because I don't have enough paid time off to cover this week. My work isn't physically difficult (desk job), but there's a lot of crap going down right now, so it's very stressful mentally. Again, my normal reaction to that was to eat, so now I'm going to have to find some other way to deal with it rather than tearing heads off, LOL. I know how you feel, butterfly. I feel about the same way. I'm hoping that once I can add more nutrition and Protein to my diet and after I begin taking Vitamins I will get more energy. We'll make it through this! It's just going to be a tougher road than I thought.

I am until tomorrow, then can move on to regular liquids (can't wait for soups!) I keep reading about people who had so much energy and walked a bunch after surgery and all I want to do is lay down. Makes me wonder if they were just lucky or if something is wrong with me.

Protein makes my stomach more gurgly but then so does a simple tomato soup. It definitely isn't liking food yet. Get pretty gassy when I "eat" anything. So sick of it. I've actually been feeling pretty crappy the past couple of days. U went into work for 4 hours yesterday and it took everything out of me. All I want to do is sleep!

I'm in the tummy talking club. It was especially bad after I had a Protein drink. I'm still really gassy no matter what I do. I did finally have a BM but it didn't really help with the gas. I sneezed earlier and thought my belly was going to explode. Laughing and coughing hard have the same effect. I also have a lot of pain if I bend over at all. Getting up and down is a lot better though. Where is everyone getting this unjury broth? I'd like to try it.

I'm still really tired, but I'm going to try to go back to work half days tomorrow. I feel like if I could consume something that isn't Jello, Water, popsicles or broth that I would feel better. So ready to get off frickin clear liquids. Only a few more days but it seems like forever! I'm supposed to start my clear Protein tomorrow and Vitamins at a week out when I start full liquids. Then a week after that, I get soft foods (which I can't wait for honestly).

Yours are different than mine. Four of mine are in a line across my stomach right above the belly button, then one is in the middle just under my breasts. The ones on the left hurt the most. I have the internal stitches and surgical glue on the outside as well. They said no submerging them for a month, which means no baths, darn it! The sad face is quite funny!

I've downed so many of those Gas-X strips and they haven't helped a bit. It's like the gas will get into my throat or down into the nether regions, but can't get out no matter how much I wiggle or shake. It's so frustrating! I have the clear liquid diet for a week (can add clear Protein drinks on day 4 or 5), then to regular liquid for a week, then the soft diet for the next two weeks, then I can get back to some semblance of normal. I agree about Water being a challenge - I just want to gulp it because I'm thirsty, but I know if I do, it's coming right back up. I've been working on a 16.9oz bottle all day and I'm still not halfway through it.

I asked because my doctor said I needed to let him know if I didn't have a BM by four days after surgery.

I'm urinating more than I'm drinking too and it's always pretty dark. I keep wondering where it's coming from because I've only drank maybe 6oz in 24 hours. The first time urinating after surgery was one of the most difficult things I've done. I had to run water over my hand and concentrate to get anything to come out and when it did (TMI alert) it was thick, dark orange and very smelly. Thankfully it's gotten better and easier since then but dehydration is a worry. The nurse told me one of the first signs of dehydration is confusion, so I've had my husband on the lookout for that.

I've been better. LOL. But I know this will be a good thing in the long run. I'm so thirsty and it's incredibly difficult not to gulp Water. And I would pay to pass some gas! I've passed a few times and it felt so good. I've noticed that I have less trouble passing the gas that's lower (farting) than the gas that's higher up (burping). Unfortunately most of it is high. So frustrating! I've tried walking, jiggling, shimmying, doing the snake - you name it! I'd be doing okay if not for the gas. Do have a question though - has anyone else not had a BM since surgery?

I haven't had much nausea thankfully. They gave me a pill for it just in case though. The pain has improved somewhat since last night. I medicated myself and slept. The suck part was having to get up to use the bathroom twice. I never realized just how much you use your stomach muscles to do things. I wonder how long it takes for the soreness to abate. I hate only being able to sleep on my back! Regarding liquids, I can get down Water and lemonade flavored Crystal Light but when I tried to drink water with one of the squeeze in flavors my stomach rebelled. I haven't even tried broth or Jello. Thanks for posting your experience guys. It has helped me get through this knowing I'm not alone!

I'm on my way home (about halfway through a 10.5 hour drive). It's been really rough. I got basically no sleep last night and the pain that I'm in is nearly unbearable. It's a combo of gas and soreness, I think. They gave me hydrocodone for pain but that does nothing for the gas. Honestly, if I'd had any idea the pain would be this bad, I might have chosen differently. I'm glad to hear that all of you made it through. Hopefully these aches and pains that we're having will go away quickly and we can get started losing and enjoying.

I'm in my room. Had lots of pain, but the pump is helping. Had a hiatal hernia repaired too so that is probably contributing to the pain. I'm mostly just really sleepy now. Docs said it went well though! Glad to hear yours went well, Tangy. This is the beginning of our new lives!

Thank you so much, Tigermouse! I just got checked in. Time for the wait.