OzRoo

Hi LisaMergs, My worst pain was upper left abdomen, whilst in the hospital, at the large drain site. This almost completely subsided, once I had the drain removed. Today, 24 days post op, I have 2 tiny lumps, smaller than 1/2 pea size, on both mid left and mid right abdomen. They were bigger before, and bit painful in the first week or 2, post op. I read that some wounds/scars can become kelloid scars ..... larger, harder and bit painful. Best, if it is an ongoing concern, is to speak with the surgeon. After all, we pay huge money for the op, and need to have answers for any concerns, before they possibly become complications. Need to watch out for leaks, peritonitis, fever, any ongoing discomfort, as some of these can be life threatening. So, start dialling ladies! Good luck and best wishes! PS, during first 2 weeks post op, I had to brace my stomach whenever I felt a sneeze or cough coming on. It was painful, and I did not want to damage my incisions or staples.

Hi csawesome, I too initially had a couple of hard/lumpy nodules at some incision sites, and they are gradually getting smaller. These were very small lumps, size of little finger's nail bed. What concerns me is the Size of your swelling/lump. It is large. Please call your surgeon ASAP! Hope you feel better soon. My abdominal swelling is the all over type, that made me look 11 months pregnant, post surgery. I was told it will go down in 3 weeks. It is over 3 weeks now, so I will chase this up, however I read that some people have it for over 6 weeks. This type of swelling is mainly due to the surgical gas, Fluid retention, constipation, limited mobility. Age factor may play here as well. My abdo swelling is slowly diminishing. In your case, is it also hot to touch (? infection ?) Please get it checked out ASAP Best wishes to you.

I add little Flat sugar free lemonade to my glass of Water, about 2 Tbsps, and sip it slowly. I am so glad that it was dehydration in your case, as it is easily remedied. I was a big water drinker too, until the op. Now, I am still learning to sip it slowly, especially in the mornings when I am thirsty. If I take a big gulp (old habit), I now keep it in my mouth, and slowly let it in .....

Forgot to add that with me, the worst pain was caused by the inflation of my abdomen by surgical gas during my op. Gas is used to give the surgeon better view of internal organs. Then the drainage tube. It was more painful than any stomach pains. Surgical Gas pains can last few days. Also, possible constipation and with it trapped regular gas (flatulance) Anyway, the surgeon will have the answer. Good luck!

Best to wait for surgeon's call back. There could be few factors, contributing: 1. age factor 2. previous back/disc problem 3. thyroid 4. prolonged lying in one position 5. surgery gas 6. drainage tube site I had my pain post surgery, in my left front/side due to large drainage tube. It eased off after drainage tube was removed. Some pain lasted for few days post release from hospital. My back pains (chronic on and off for years) are caused by previous tearing/injury, and my thyroid disease. With thyroid treatment these pains have majorly eased off. So, I hope the surgeon has called back by now (I am in a different time zone), and that your Mum is finally getting relief from her back pain. Best wishes

Hi, I am on the northern Gold Coast. Had my gastric sleeve done on 8th March 2016. Bit over 3 weeks now. No major issues at this stage. Hello to Brissy and Gold Coast members

Good question Inner Surfer Girl, I forgot to ask my surgical team! Thank you for reminding me I will call and ask.

Glad to hear you are OK, dkrygowski ! You and I have similar timelines post op. Taking it easy is a must for safe recovery. You are doing all the right things. I've upped my Proteins too (was advised to add Sustagen to my yoghurt), and am mindful re my Fluid intake. I am half way through the puree stage, and I apply the no fluids 30 mins before and after my purees. Otherwise I drink/sip Water, watered down juices, water with 2 tbs flat lemonade, and coffee. Yes, coffee is dehydrating, but my surgeon advised me not to go of it. Just keep the fluids up. I hope you feel better soon! Today I did bit of tidying and pureeing my food to keep and to freeze for later. I was quite tired later with aching legs/feet. Took it easy afterwards. Easy does it for now

No, I haven't. I was advised to get Sustagen powder. I got the unflavoured one, so I can add it to anything I can have, mainly yoghurt, Soups, juice. I find it very agreeable to my recovering stomach

I forgot to add, that at the same time I had my dizzy spell, I also had very low blood pressure (week 2 post op). No internal bleeding, just low BP As was mentioned earlier, low BP can cause dizziness whilst standing up suddenly. I was worried re potential shock caused by potential internal bleeding. I also had rapid pulse .... Funny, being ex nurse, I just couldn't think straight ...... However, I was just dehydrated. Hope it gets better for you SCF2361 !

I had this happen to me in my 2nd week post op. Whilst I was driving (5 min trip) it hit me: dizziness, cold and clammy sweat, feeling faint, anxiety .... I made it to my apt, but was ready to pull over. I was told I looked white/grey, just about to faint... Thankfully the nurse recognised my symptoms as Dehydration, so she gave me an Electrolyte drink that I sipped slowly. This helped, and I felt much better in rather short time. After this I became mindful of my Fluid intake, and also bought Hydralite for emergencies. It was initially hard for me to sip slowly small amounts of fluids frequently. No problems with sipping, just timing. Hasn't happened since. If it happens again, now I know what to do. I also forgot to sip my purees at times, however I only noticed hunger. No shakes, cold sweats or dizziness. Having said that, symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) are very similar. I am 22 days post op

Hi, I had my surgery March 8th 2016, so just over 3 weeks. On purees now. I lost 8 kgs, (? over 16Ibs ?) Still swollen abdomen post surgery.