sunmeadow

That does sound like gas. My surgeon gave me a prescription for simethicone, the same stuff that's in Gas-X, and I haven't really had any gas pains the whole time. Some light pressure behind my sternum while I was in the hospital (where I was also getting the med), but nothing really painful. My incisions are definitely more painful, well, really just the one. It's been bad enough that I took the pain meds just for that so I could sit up and lie down without wanting to scream. I figure that's what it's for so I'm taking it and it's almost instant relief. I'm still sleeping a lot, but some of that is probably the pain meds. They definitely put my lights out. I've been trying to walk around the house, but didn't feel up for walking outside yet. Partly because it's unbearably hot and humid, partly because I didn't want to put on the clothes required for going out in public. Of course I also got my period today because I'm lucky like that. I'm surprised I didn't get it the day of surgery so I could have one more thing to deal with. Lol. I only get it a few times a year so it really does only show up at the worst times. I am tolerating liquids pretty well today. I finished a whole Premier by early afternoon. Plus about 8oz of crystal light and a few sips of water. So, I'm still not up to my 7 glass a day target, but I got my protein in and I'm working on it. Im going to attempt a popsicle shortly after my recent medications have settled. Hang in there. The worst should be behind us. I'd try to take your pain meds so you can stand up straight when you walk though. They didn't say anything to me about it this time, but I remember them warning me not to walk hunched over after my appendectomy. I don't remember exactly why. My pain meds really do help with the incision pains.

I was sleeved Monday and came home today (Wednesday) and I have had a headache since shortly after I got home. It went away for a bit after I took my pain med, but it's now back. I only got in about 42oz of fluid vs 56 goal, but I was on IV until just before I left so I don't think it's dehydration. Anyone else have this experience? I obviously can't take anything for it, but it seems like a dumb reason to call the office (not on the "watch out for"list)

That's all I managed to get down yesterday so that could be it.

Nice! I've been told we will become those people who are always freezing cold, but 90 is still 90 and humidity is humidity, though I hear we're getting thunderstorms tonight that will bring in some cooler air. I hope you get some of that relief. (I'm in New England)

Hi Coyote, How are you doing? Haven't heard from you in awhile. By the way, I am noticing the gurgling noises much more now. I'm doing ok. I seem to get better in leaps and bounds every day. I'm hoping to get all of my protein and fluids in today. I didn't quite make my targets yesterday. My incisions are what's bothering me the most now. Otherwise, I don't feel too badly.

Ouch. I gave up caffeine when I started the program so that's not it for me, though it does kind of feel like that.

I think everyone is a little different. I just had this unrealistic notion that I'd be the one with no issues. I'm actually doing ok now. I just had to wait for my insides to stop being so aggravated from all the trauma. I just got home and it feels great to have all the contraptions gone (IV and heart monitor). That made me feel more like a normal person right away. They went through my discharge instructions and I was in my own. Didn't have to get wheeled out or anything. I haven't had a bowel movement since surgery though I did have one right before and I haven't really had real food since Sunday. I did finally have some flatulence and I was excited to finally answer that question "yes". Never been excited to break wind before, but I guess there's a lot of new experiences to be had with this decision. Yes, a very small amount of gurgling, but until this morning, I'd only had a total of about 8oz of water so there wasn't much in there to gurgle about. I've still only had that one protein shake, some broth and a few sips of crystal light. I'm taking it REALLY slow because I don't want the nausea to come back. I hope things turn around as quickly for you. Another post somewhere said as soon as they were home and able to get a decent night sleep, and everything clicked and was fine. I literally had to pee every two hours so I can't blame them totally for waking me up. When I was done, I'd do a lap of the floor and my spirometer and they acted like I was a magical patient. I guess not everyone is as compliant about walking as they should be.

2nd day post op (3rd in hospital). I'm doing much better with fluids. Water is ok now, especially at room temperature. I just finished a protein shake for the first time. So far, so good. (It took 45 minutes). I also had some broth which is wicked salty, but delicious. I don't think I'm even going to attempt the lemonade or jello. Then they brought a snack of 2 16oz bottles of water with crystal light packets to put in them. Yikes. 24 hours ago, I had trouble drinking from a thimble.

My surgeon automatically keeps everyone 2 nights so I'm still in the hospital as planned. Frankly, I'm not sure how anyone goes home the day after or even the same day! My situation sounds very similar to yours. I wasn't actually dry heaving, but even ice chips would make me instantly nauseated with my mouth over salivating, feeling like I was going to hurl, which I am terrified to do. I sat with the kidney pan resting under my chin for long periods of time. The worst was this morning when they had me take my regular pills, one which burns without enough water so that was a miserable hour or so. They administered my antinausea med a little early and it did help. By about noon, I was able to take tiny tiny sips without a problem. I think room temperature water helped immensely. It's now 2am (I have to pee ever 2 hours or so thanks to the IV fluids) and I just drank a whole ounce in 3 consecutive sips. Woohoo! My BP is also up (it's usually normal), but not in any danger zone. We did find that it's much lower when they use the bigger cuff so it might explain some of my higher readings. Ok, those three sips are coming back to haunt me now. Going to try to go back to sleep. Heal well!

My doctor (and other posters) said the Gas-x strips won't do anything. Maybe it's the placebo effect.

I'm tomorrow morning too. My close coworkers know I'm having surgery, but not why. My aunt, cousin, and one friend know why.

I think it's just standard for this program because it's pre-printed that way in the booklet for the post-surgery diet/instructions that the nutritionist gave me. My BMI started over 50 and, though the nurse said that's low compared to their typical patients, it certainly isn't in that marginal 35-40 range.

My surgeon said no testing other than bloodwork unless there's a problem or he suspects there may be one. Also 98% chance there will be no drain either. On a different thread, someone going the same day as me (OMG, that's tomorrow! Less than 24 hours from now! Sorry, just realized...) had to do bowel prep. I didn't. Surgeon said no to all of the horrible things I had read and asked about. The only thing he was adamant about that surprised me was no driving for 7-10 days. He then said until he sees me, but that's 2.5 weeks! He then softened a bit and said that yes, it might be ok after I'm off pain meds, but "just don't make any plans" and told me to skip my therapy appointment scheduled for 5 days after. His nurse also said it might be uncomfortable to drive.

I laughed myself silly when the nurse told me I was on the lower side as well. My BMI was over 50 at the time!

(That was LittleM, not me, but I too would be talking to my doctor about it)

Huh, my surgeon doesn't require bowel prep. He said try to stick with clear liquids the day before "to make it easier to clean out the stomach", but implied it wasn't a big deal.

I'm down to 2, though I hadn't thought of it that way. I'm in clean and prep mode so I'm not really given my myself time to be nervous. I've read everything and prepared everything as much as I can. I'm so ready to take the next step that I'm looking forward to it more than anything. I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to get truly anxious Sunday night and Monday morning. I'm doing ok on the pre-op diet. It kind of feels like I've always eaten this way at this point, though pictures of food still jolt me into really wanting something delicious and sugar free jello isn't it. Lol.

Mine is 1-2 days clear liquids, then one week of full liquids, then a week of smooth/purée, and then soft foods for 6-8 weeks. I just hope I CAN eat/drink.

Ha ha ha! You sound like me! I bought pajama shorts and capris (I'm 5' so regular pajama bottoms are always way too long). I have dozens of baggy t-shirts I could wear with them rather than buy a new shirt too. I also got a lightweight nightgown in case even having a loose waistband is a problem. I also bought a lightweight robe for roaming the hallway. I figured even if they make me where their johnny instead, they'll be good for hanging around the house while I'm out of work since I'll probably only need to put real clothes on to go walking.

I'm actually doing ok, not actively thinking (or worrying) about it, probably because I'm focused on my endless to-do list. I want everything ready for when I get home so I'm cleaning, clearing, and prepping for these two days. I'm guessing I'll have a hard time sleeping Sunday night, especially since I plan to take my meds for Monday (surgeon's suggestion) and drink my last glass of water at midnight and I have to be at the hospital at 6:15am. How are you doing?

:-) 4.5 weeks after my surgery, I'm traveling to participate in a charity 5K in support of a friend. We all went last year and stayed at the same hotel next to a well-known local truck stop/diner. Every time I think about the trip, I get excited thinking about how delicious those mashed potatoes are going to be! That's about the only thing on the menu I'll be able to eat! Last night, I actually looked up their menu just to see. Doing the walk 60+ lbs lighter than last year is going to be awesome though.

Thank you! I am pretty proud of it, especially because I have PCOS and losing isn't usually that easy for me. I'm still amazed I was able to lose any.

I'm in the same boat. I think it's definitely going to get worse for awhile before it gets better again. At some point soon, we're really going to be looking forward to eating baby food. . Heck, I'm excited at the idea of having an egg or cottage cheese again someday.

There are also vitamin sources that cater specifically to bariatric patients, but they seem pretty pricey to me so I haven't used them. Others might be able to provide more insight on those.

I'm scheduled for Monday so I can't speak for how these are post surgery. Also, I only have to take a multi and calcium with D. I had a lot of trouble finding a chewable multi that was "complete" and had 18g of iron (nutritionist didn't want me to take separate vitamins). Everything is "gummi" these days and I finally resorted to centrum chewable listed in the paperwork she gave me. They are quite horrible tasting and even she was disappointed in how few vitamins it actually contains so she wants me to take 2 a day after surgery until I can go back to a regular multi. I tried a powdered multi from Vitamin Shoppes (their brand) and it was horridly unpalatable. I couldn't even choke it down and I'm not that fussy about that kind of thing. Fortunately, I was able to return it. The calcium I finally found is a liquid that I also found at vitamin shoppes though I later found it on Amazon too. Solgar liquid calcium magnesium citrate with vitamin D3 (it needs to be calcium citrate, not carbonate, which makes it much harder to find). My nutritionist was actually impressed with it when she saw it and liked that it has magnesium to help with the calcium absorption. I've been using the strawberry, but there's also a blueberry version. It's not delicious, but it's only a tablespoon and I'm sure you could easily mix it in with something better tasting. I just hold my breath and swallow, though I guess I won't be able to do that after Monday. Still, 2 tablespoons seems easier than the multitude of wafers/chewable you'd have to take.