nyxn

Hi all, I had gastric sleeve surgery April 20th and still experiencing severe pain on the right side of my abdomen. Has anyone else experienced this?

I'd look at it as a learning experience - now you (and hubby) know how much you can take in. I went through something similar a few days ago thinking they I was close enough to my soft foods phase to order baked salmon and mashed potatoes. Definitely way wrong. I only managed maybe a tablespoon of the salmon and the mash before things got uncomfortable. That was $$$ down the drain.

I'm always cold now too (sleeved April 20/15) - maybe a blessing in disguise. The summers nowadays tends to get very hot here (~30C/ 86F), so kind of looking forward to feeling comfortable. Not sure how the winters are going to feel though since it does get very cold (~ -30C/ -22F).

How's your recovery going? I'm now 13 days out and getting better, but still have that annoying pain on the right.

Hello all! It has now been 12 days since I had my laparoscopic gastric sleeve done, and each day I'm getting healthier. Still have an issue with internal pain on the right side, and one of incisions on the right got infected, so my GP prescribed Cephalexin 4x daily. The pill is the size of a horse and smells horrible. Thank goodness I can snap it in half - only was I can take it. I weighed myself this morning and it looks like I'm at 280 lbs. My pre-surgery weight on April 1 was 334 lbs. Not sure how accurate that is given they are two different scales so will hold off doing the happy dance until my clinic appointment for weigh in on the more accurate scale to see exactly where I'm at. food wise, week 1 and most of 2, I subsisted on Greek yogurt (Oikos vanilla, lime, honey), Hunts chocolate pudding cups, and Ensure High Protein. I tried Heinz baby food (prunes and sweet potato) as well as Campbell's ready to serve cream Soups, but I was just not a fan after one serving. The soups (butternut squash, cream of asparagus with basil, and roasted cream of potato with leeks) all tasted the same. The baby food helped, but in the back of my head it was still baby food and I just couldn't go past that. The food bank will be happy, I've got a bunch of stuff heading their way! April 29, I thought I was far enough along that I could have something soft and went for brunch with a friend. Ordered salmon with mashed potatoes. Boy was that ever a big mistake! It came with a side of toasted French bread. I thought if I chewed the bread to paste consistency I'd be okay. Ya. No. That minuscule amount of bread went down like cement and I was in pain for close to 30 mins. I managed to eat a little mashed potato, but again, did not sit well. Yes, I acknowledge that I'm a moron who should have waited another week before making even the mash potato attempt! May 1, I was able to eat the 85g Cloverleaf Flaked Light Tuna Lemon Pepper. Chewing slowly and eating half a teaspoon at a time. May 2, I scrambled one egg with some milk and didn't have a problem eating it. For lunch, I tried eating a couple of Premium saltine crackers with 85g of Cloverleaf Flaked Light Tuna Dill and Lemon. The crackers did not go down well. Similar reaction as the toast, not as painful, but uncomfortable nonetheless. Later, as a snack, I tried (and finished) a cup of chocolate Cheerios. Went down just fine and no pain. It took me a good half hour or so to finish... But who'd have thought? I think I'll try a cup for Breakfast tomorrow! I'm suppose to "officially" start the soft foods part on Monday and am looking forward to making homemade chilli and guacamole. Has anyone had any problems with either? I've been trying to get to my Calcium and protein goals each day, but it's bloody hard! Today I finally hit my calcium goal, but was still out by 11g for my protein. How's everyone else who was sleeved around the same time as me doing? Cheers! Mercedes

I have a feeling it's a little less. Not sure how accurate my scale is at home vs. the one at the hospital. I'm thinking I probably lost about 40-ish lbs. which I'm still quite okay with. Good luck on Wednesday! I hope things go well and speedily with your operation and recovery!

I'm on Day 4 of a very strict Fluid only, 3 week diet outlined by my surgeon prior to my sleeve surgery on April 20th. It's been an extremely difficult transition from eating actual food to only taking in 1 cup of skim milk and 5 bottles of Ensure HP per day. I'm allowed to drink Water, plain tea, and non-carbonated, sugar-free drinks like Brisk diet Ice Tea and Crystal Lite flavoured waters, but my mouth misses the texture and taste of real food. So tonight I cheated at dinner. It wasn't by accident or by mistake, I consciously cheated. I felt like I was crawling walls with this pre-op diet. I understand the reasons behind it, but I just felt I needed the cheat. Being bombarded by food advertisements on tv, photos of food on Pinterest and Facebook, and even food discussions on here hasn't helped either and to be honest, not one moment have I not thought of real food in the past four days. I aim to get back on track tomorrow, but in the back of my head, I wonder if I'm going to be able to last on this fluid diet until surgery day. I hope I can. I don't know how much my cheat tonight (pizza, chicken wings), will affect my surgery. Has anyone else been put on a fluid diet similar to mine? If so, how are you getting over the cravings?

I'll give that a try. It's now Day 5 post surgery and the pain is still there. More present when I'm trying to sit down and stand up -- I still need to use walls or the chair arms as support. Pain has lessened a bit.

I was thinking that, but I've had this pain since Day 1 and it hasn't subsided. I'm wondering if it's just bruising on my insides...maybe the liver? The left hand side of my stomach is find when I press down, the right side is painful.

I had my gastric sleeve surgery on Monday (20 April) so am 3 days post op. I chose to go home yesterday vs. staying one more day in hospital. Surgery went well and my incisions (6 plus a drain) look like they are healing well - dry and not painful to touch. Two are still a bit tender and slightly moist. Have a lot of gurgling in the stomach - a good sign. The only pain I am experiencing is a hot, burning sensation in the bottom right hand quadrant of my abdomen. Has anyone else experienced this? Walking is fine, able to go up and down two flights of stairs slowly, toileting is a problem (sitting down/ standing up), urine is okay, passing gas, but yet to pass stool (sorry for the visual). The only problem I'm experiencing (so far) is that hot poker type pain which makes bending even minutely, very difficult. Able to ingest 100g of Greek yogurt in 30 mins - trying for 2 a day, trying to ingest 2 bottles of Ensure High Protein as well and taking sips of Water throughout the day to a total of 1 litre. Was given liquid codeine to take every 4 - 6 hrs.

@@DWordGuy Good luck with your surgery and your journey! My surgery is this coming Monday. I went for my last weigh-in today before surgery and I lost a total of 9.5 lbs since 01 Apr. when I started the liquid diet. I had hoped for more, but I'll take what I can get!

Hi everyone! I'm Nyxn and this is my first time here. I have been through a weight and lifestyle management for the past two years and my bariatric surgery has been scheduled for April 20th. I'm currently 320 lbs and have been overweight most of my life. I had hoped to manage my weight through diet and exercise, but it has been a huge struggle, so I've decided gastric surgery is the best option for me and have chosen to have the laparoscopic sleeve done. Has anyone gone through the surgery recently? I'm now on Day 3 of a three week liquid diet and am seriously craving everything, so any tips you can share to stop the madness would be appreciated!

Hi Canyon. My nutritionist says hair loss is a result of Protein and Vitamin deficiency so if I am constant with my protein and vitamin intake then there should be little to no hair loss. I've purchased all of the Vitamins and minerals recommended post surgery - includes taking one prenatal vitamin, so I guess we'll see! The recommended protein per day is 69 grams I think (have to double check) and so as long as I maintain that minimum I should be fine. My surgery is on Monday (can't believe how fast it has come up). Excited but kind of freaking out right now.

Hi Katie! Congrats on your surgery date! I work in a hospital too, and like you have never been a patient, so this has been a new experience for me. Sitting and watching this introduction to surgery video they made me watch today during my pre-op made me nervous as Hell to the point I think I wanted to start crying, but then I started thinking of all the positives that this surgery will bring me - better health, the ability to shop at regular clothing stores and not just at plus size stores, even just being able to fit in an airline seat comfortably and not have to scrunch my arms close together so the person sitting next to me was comfortable. It's a huge decision, and I'm glad I made it Mercedes

Hi Canyon and Miss Mac! I had my pre-op today and now sporting a new bracelet (red hospital band)! I asked about the CO2 when I met my anesthesiologist and he didn't seem at all worried about it. His response was that the gas will naturally leave the body through deep exhales and coughs. Hmm...not entirely convinced. In addition to the anesthesiologist, i had more blood work done (the amount of blood I've had taken from me related to this journey is probably enough to fill a hot tub!), had an EKG done (everything looks fine), and had a chest x-ray. Final step is an appointment with my GP for a full physical, and that's scheduled for Thursday. I'm worried about hair loss, so I think I'll check with my dietician about prevention. Maybe get her take on Biotin or alternatives. Re foods post- op, what's your take on sweet potato pureed for week 2?

I think I'm going to be asking you a lot of questions over the next few weeks (before and after surgery!). I never thought to buy baby food, but it's such a great idea! Especially the prunes! I'm fine without NSAIDs - I'm not on any and only took Vimovo for a month a couple of years ago when I severely tore the medial meniscus on my left knee. I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow (Monday) with my surgeon and anesthesiologist. I'll ask about taking ibuprofen or Advil for any pain post-op. The clinic where I started this journey two years ago have a team in place that works with me (nurse, dietician, psychologist, exercise specialist), who I can access with questions so I'll certainly ask about the cold medication!

Thanks Canyon, it's been hard. I woke up this morning thinking it's Sunday, a new day, a new week. All I can do is move forward. I'm going to make those sugar-free popsicles your recommended. I think those will definitely help!

Pepper, you're not alone. I've been in the same boat with my mom for most of my life. She has never understood how difficult it has been for me to manage my weight and has in the past sabotaged my attempts at losing weight --- and she is a medical professional. One thing I've learned is that family doesn't have to be your support system and cheering squad. Friends can play that role too, and sometimes, they're even better at it. Do what you need to do to keep yourself healthy. Good luck with your journey, it seems like you're doing fantastic so far!

I'm now on Day 5 of my three week pre-op liquid diet and finding it really difficult. Not sure what your surgeon has recommended for you, but I'm only allowed Ensure HP (5 bottles daily) and one cup of skim milk. I'm allowed Water, non-carbonated diet drinks i.e., Brisk diet Ice Tea, and sugar-free flavored water (Milo, Crystal Lite). I was okay on Day 1, and 2, struggled Day 3, almost made it through Day 4, but cheated at dinner. I did it consciously, and although I regret that I did it, I've moved forward. I did have really bad gurgling on Day 2 and 3 ( quite embarrasing). Most of Day 4 (before the cheat), the gurgling had stopped. New dawn, new day, and 14 days from now is my surgery. Equally excited and apprehensive (read scared sh****less). I started this journey in April 2013 so it has been two years now. Mercedes

Thanks Veronica. Appreciated. Someone said to try freezing the Ensure like a popsicle for a different texture, and making orange flavoured Popsicles with water and Mio. I might try that tomorrow. I don't mind a fluid diet where I could have jello, soups, or even broth, but having one so restrictive is painful.

These are great suggestions Canyon! Thank you so much! I am scared about my hair falling out, so the Nioxin suggestion is great. I've started stockpiling soups (tomato, cream of mushroom, butternut squash), and made a list to get puddings, yogurts, etc., a couple of days before surgery. While I have tons of support from my friends, most/ all of the post-op (preparing meals, etc.) will be on my own so planning in advance is crucial.

You're not alone. I am scheduled for the laparoscopic sleeve on April 20 and I'm also scared to death. This journey has been two years in the making and even with all the preparation and readiness I've gone through, I'm still apprehensive about the surgery. I just think of all of the positives that will come post surgery

Thank you! I'm seriously scared about my upcoming surgery (no previous hospital stays/surgeries, etc.), but I'm hopeful of the end result . Glad I found this place and all the support I've been reading on here!

April 20th here! Laparoscopic sleeve. I have my pre-op appointment with my doctor and anesthesiologist this Monday

Good luck with your surgery! I'm scheduled for mine two weeks after you (April 20). I was told walking is key after surgery to minimize clotting and also to get rid of the anesthesia in the body. You'll have to let me know how you do!