Heavy to Healthy

So impressed that you went back to work in one week. My surgery was April 15 at south Nassau community hospital. I was four days in hospital, out for three days and rehospitalized for 5 more days. I still have pain but I am back to work since 16 days post surgery. Where are you from? Lisa

Jericho, New York Surgery at South Nassau Community Hospital by Dr. Greg Nishimura on April 15, 2015

Sleep well and we will be here for encouragement and support when you are in your hospital room or home!!

By now you have all had your surgery and you are waking up in discomfort and saying to yourselves "what the f$&@ was I thinking?"... But it passes, I promise ! It gets easier and easier. Just keep thinking how different your life will be one year from now!

The only support group and informational meetings I know of are at South Nassau Community Hospital. They are once a month at 7 pm on Tuesdays. Tuesday's are difficult for me though. Do you know of any others?

OH, most important!! Do not go home unless your pain is under control. Make sure they find the best pain medication that works for you. The anesthesia wears off over the first day or two, longer for some. So you need to know that you can control the pain at home.

Where do you live? Don't worry!!! Bring your favorite pillow and slippers! Cause your going to need them. Also, once you are up in the morning, sit in the chair next to the bed. Somehow the gas moves more quickly through you if you are more vertical.

Take Benadryl, it's harmless and it will tell you if its allergies or a cold. You can take 25-50mg before bed

You are allowed broth. Have chicken broth, or sugar free ice pop. It's all considered clear liquids.

Hello fellow sleevers! I'm from Jericho and had my surgery April 15th. I would love to chat and/or walk with any nearby sleevers. Please contact me here or by email at smilesweet@aol.com. Lisa

Hi Julia, I'm from Long Island. My surgery was April 15th. Some complications but I'm recovering and back to work full time. I'm looking for a buddy to chat and possibly walk with. Lisa

Had surgery 4/15/15. Would love to chat and maybe walk with other sleevers in my area!

Hi there! I'm from Jericho. Had surgery April 15. Looking for a Baribuddy to chat with!!

To everybody about to have surgery: Hints to getting gas out of you in the days immediately following surgery: 1. WALK. WALK WALK 2. Gas X!! Bring it with you!! It works and is harmless. Don't ask... Just take it. 3. Drink Drink Drink.... If you have to: sip every few minutes. You can't go home if you aren't drinking enough. Dehydration is extremely dangerous. PLEASE DRINK 4. Walk and walk more. DO NOT BEND OR LIFT....JUST WALK!!!! Do not eat food before Doc says it's ok. YOU DO NOT WANT TO RUPTURE INCISION ON SLEEVE. It is CATASTROPHIC. Good Luck and Please keep in touch! Lisa

Surgery was April 15, 2015. Would like to find support group meetings and walking buddies too.

I had diarreah so bad I was rehospitalized. Eventually, I was put on a powder form of Cholestyramine called Prevalite. It worked fantastic in stopping the diarreah but you probably will need to eat protein instead of the shakes. If you have problems and need to talk, email me at smilesweet@aol.com Lisa

I had my surgery at Nassau community hospital on Wednesday April 15. I had been on full liquid diet for THREE weeks. I was not released to go home until Saturday the 18th because I was not able to drink enough. My blood work showed I was dehydrated. I had a little diarreah in the hospital that I thought was normal. When I got home, I had great difficulty drinking enough. I began severe watery diarreah on Sunday at home. I was loosing two pounds a day, mostly water weight. By Tuesday evening I was dizzy, nauseous and unable to drink. So I was readmitted on Tuesday evening and they tried to control the diarreah but could not. The more I drank the more I was in the bathroom. I was released 5 days later, still with diarreah but saw the doctor several days later and he put me on a medication to stop the diarreah called Cholestyramine. It's a cholesterol lowering drug but it works great to stop chronic diarreah. BOY did it cork me up. Since then, I have been better. I can only eat 3-4 ounces of food but Iist eat very slowly or I get some pain. Be very careful not to eat unless it is chewed really well and do not drink for 30 minutes before or after eating or you will get nauseous. I have to sip water all day because drinking a glass of water would back up and may cause vomiting. It is trial and error. How are you all doing? My doctor suggested setting an alarm every five minutes to take a sip of water. It does help. I am still tired but starting to walk more. I was working full time 16 days after the surgery. Maybe too soon but I was sitting a lot and only felt a bit dizzy. If you can, give yourself time to feel good before going back.

Hello Baribuddies! My surgery was April 15. I had a bit of trouble but I am now starting to feel better. I would love to communicate with all of you and answer any questions you may have. I live on Long Island and am looking for support group meeting as well. Feel free to email me directly at SMILESWEET@aol.com Best, Lisa