BitterSweet*

Your attitude is amazing and I have zero doubts that you will be a poster child for sleeve surgery, and able to achieve everything you dreamed of.

Yes, this is very common. The only way to solve it is by drinking as much plain water as you can stand, minimize or eliminate sodium, and go for a long walk.

This is startling news and definitely hard to hear right after sleeve surgery. Ovarian cysts are indeed very common, so don't cause yourself tons of worry. Many, many women get these every month and never even know they are present. I would not jump to the big C as a cause of worry. The urgency is usually not about cancer, but the threat of the cysts rupturing, which would require emergency surgery. The size and location of the cysts is more than likely what they are concerned about. Everything will be fine. I'll say a little prayer for you and please let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow.

Are the foods you're eating laden with sodium? A little salt goes a long way, and a lot of salt can definitely cause a great deal of water retention.

Calling is always a great idea. The most likely cause of your pain is a pulled intercostal (between the ribs) muscle. I hope you and your husband feel better soon. Keep us posted and let us know what your surgeon says.

Hey, I'm sure you are fine. The heat does feel good and I've noticed that many people on this forum do the same thing and nothing untoward has happened to them, so I'm sure you are and will be fine too. From a medical perspective, the only two surgeries I'm aware of that heat is needed and encouraged are: tram flaps (abdominal muscle transfer to recreate breasts following a mastectomy); and fasciotomies. For everything else, ice is encouraged to minimize pain, swelling, and inflammation at surgical sites. I'm really happy that you feel so much better today. Keep pushing! Better days await you!

Glad to hear your update. The IV fluids must've made you feel so much better.

@@phantompouch, have you been evaluated for a stroke? The symptoms you describe are highly unusual and since you indicated these issues arose right after surgery, it kind of eliminates more common things like shifting / misaligned vertebrae that can occur with drastic weight loss and cause peripheral neuropathy. I have no idea what is causing your complications, but anything nerve related to that degree needs to be assessed by a neurologist, not a bariatric surgeon. I feel so bad that you've had to endure all of this. Please update us when you can. @@silvertaurus, my goodness, my goodness. To be unheard when you know in your gut something is wrong is such a terrible feeling; which for you was compounded when bad complications arose from it. Feel free to vent anytime you want to; you have had a horrible ordeal. Even through your painful words, I can feel your strength and courage. Never give up. You deserve the best and a full recovery from all of these issues. Please stay in touch.

Smh! Lol!

I think @@finediva is right. You need someone else there to help advocate for you. This is not a normal recovery by any means, and surely they have a treatment plan that you should be fully informed about. Unless you are in ICU, a family member or friend should be able to stay with you AND SHOULD. Please call someone.

Because your hernia is causing such acute distress, they will likely schedule you for surgery to repair it; sooner rather than later. As many complications as you have had and continue to have, please stay diligent about following previous orders to prevent other issues such as blood clots and pneumonia. Get up and walk when you can. Ask for TED hose for your legs. Ask for and use an incentive spirometer. Report ANY change in symptoms immediately, especially if your shortness of breath worsens. Let them keep you hydrated with IV fluids, and don't worry so much about your oral intake. With that being said, you are nearing that stage where they may need to administer parenteral nutrition (PPN) to you to prevent malnutrition. We're praying and pulling for you and your wife. Hang in there and keep us posted.

We're all pulling for you and your sister RJ! Please let us know how everything goes!

It really does vary surgeon to surgeon. As dedicated as you are they may clear you to start swimming again sooner than what others are reporting, but whatever your surgeon says, I'd stick to it. An option they may give you is to use opsites (clear, waterproof bandages) to cover your incision sites a few weeks post-op. It's worth asking about.

Yes, most likely a result of the antibiotics given to you in the hospital. It never hurts to notify your doctor of any issues, but I'd start treating it with OTC creams like you usually would.

Your surgeon and the PA can only provide you with the available options based on what they feel is best. The ultimate decision is really yours and what @@LipstickLady said is completely right. Gain insight into your own diabetes. Is it type I? Is type 1 from juvenile diabetes? How many meds (pills and insulin shots) are you taking to manage your disease. All of those things are what factors into their recommendation for the type of WLS best suited for you. Feel empowered and be empowered by speaking with the surgeon and asking questions. You can do this!

Well said.

You are going to do fine. When you go back to see your surgeon and make a final decision, please discuss with him or her the information going around that Lap Bands may be pulled from the market. I've heard that for quite some time, and many bariatric surgeons are not performing them any longer.

@@downsizingdiva, I'm sorry about your friend. When young, obese people die of heart attacks in their sleep it is usually from sleep apnea. A good majority of obese people have it and many are unaware of it. The apnea means that you are literally not breathing, and the cessation only needs to occur long enough to trigger a cascade of events that lead to an MI. It is very sad but completely preventable. We have the opportunity to turn all of this around by getting healthy.

Exactly. Five things that help prevent pneumonia after surgery are: Using your incentive spirometer at home; frequent short walks; coughing while splinting the abdomen with a small pillow; using your CPAP / BiPAP as you are supposed to, even for naps; do not resume smoking and aboid being around second hand smoke.

I hope you start feeling better soon. Please let us know how you feel tomorrow. Heat is helpful when there is muscle soreness or pain unrelated to surgery (like menstrual cramps or a back ache). Applying heat to surgical sites is never a good idea as it causes vasodilation (increased blood flow) to stitched incisions and can cause bleeding. The heat may feel good, but it's not something we advise patients to do. Ice will help with pain, swelling, and inflamation.

Are you even urinating with such a low amount of fluid intake? The kidneys are quite intolerable to that sort of thing days on end. Please find a way to get your fluid requirements up to par. If you can't handle plain water, add crystal lite, Mio, or a couple of splashes of G2 or powerade zero. Change the temperature of your drinks and committ yourself to doing better. The last thing you want is to trade one problem for another.

Are you even urinating with such a low amount of fluid intake? The kidneys are quite intolerable to that sort of thing days on end. Please find a way to get your fluid requirements up to par. If you can't handle plain water, add crystal lite, Mio, or a couple of splashes of G2 or powerade zero. Change the temperature of your drinks and committ yourself to doing better. The last thing you want is to trade one problem for another.

So glad to hear that. Please let us know what your surgeon says, and I hope you come back with a clean bill of health.

@@VSGAnn2014, you are so correct. To the OP, there are literally only a handful of medically related complications that can occur to cause death after surgery, and warning signs usually precipitate the problems. Spend some of your research time looking into the signs and symptoms of the problems VSGAnn pointed out. Write them down and keep them in a place that you can easily access after surgery. Along with those signs and symptoms, write down the things you can actively do to ward off those complications and committ yourself to that. It'll give you a better sense of doing your part to get and stay healthy, free of complications. Trust your instincts and if you are unsure of something after surgery, call your surgeon and seek medical care. Leave everything else to God. We've all had your concerns no matter what age we all are. You're going to do great! Please keep doing your research to prepare for surgery and stay in touch.

I love this post! "Skinny girl coping skills"! You have brought up a very important aspect that I don't think many others have thought of. I am a yo-yoer, so when I'm a normal weight I get harrassed a lot, even when I'm with my children and it really bothers me. I don't know the the solution for you, but I carry a blade (yes, a shank!) and mace in my purse. Even when I'm home if I receive a delivery, I pretend as though I'm on the phone and open the door while saying something like, "Hold up Babe, the UPS man is here with my package." I just feel like if anyone has any untoward intention at that moment, I've already announced their presence at my door. It feels really silly at times, but this world has changed so much that I feel the need to be aware as much as possible. Let me know if you think of any good SGCS (skinny girl coping skills). I'll always credit you for coining the phrase! =)