sue in ne

Southe1010, The port site was the most tender for me , too. In a few days it will be better. Found as i did more, it would start to ache ( which meant it was time to rest. ) It does get better . I was using only liquid Tylenol by the 6th day. I went back to work 9 days post op. i felt fine , but trying to play catch-up at work and deal with Christmas was a bit much. Right now, it looks Like i have a bulge in my stomach, but its less than right after surgery.

Molinomama, My surgeon also has me on the same diet. the soft foods last 4 weeks. (i get to start that Dec 28th) . :crying:Occasionally think of chewing a steak- but i know that I'll eat steak again, soon.

ALS 74, There is liquid Tylenol for adults you can get at Walgreens or your drug store. It isn't as potent as with codeine but it may take the edge off. You should be able to tolerate this. Also, get some rest. It helps.

Soouth 1010 , How are you doing? It does get easier each day LEt us know how you are doing.

Hi All, Been Busy but wanted to let you know- life returns!! Saw the Surgeon on the 17th and all is well. have an appt for my 1st fill mid January, Am losing not quite a # a day but haven;t been exercising - fell on my bad knee so stopped and now it is so ICY, i am really not moving fast...

Bkhuffman, Hi been there , too. Felt like everything I ate/drank gave me gas:crying: Walking helped me, as well as fluids. Read somewhere warm apple juice helped some people with bowel problems. i had gas but not bowel problems but it's all the same area. drank some warm ( not hot) apple juice and it helped.

Hi hang in there everyone!! remember to drink plenty of water before the surgery, and after. Take it easy, after but still walk . i went back to work 9 days after surgery. Feel fine but get tired. My stomach near the stitches start to hurt whenit gets to be too much.

Hi All, just a note to wish you well. things are going smoothly so far. Went back to work 9 days after surgery ( could have gone back earlier but needed the surgeon to sign a release before my employer would let me come back. A bit sore at times; when I have done too much, my body lets me know. yestercday ran errands and wrapped and mailed packages for 4 hours - was a bit much.:tongue2:

Trini and babyfever, Am hungry too but sticking to thickened soups and mashed potatoes. Tried a 2nd helping one nite - not good. Feel like i go from liquids, to protein drinks to thickened soups/mashed potatoes for 12-14 hours/day. .

barngal2003. Relax, a catheter is not a big deal. I may not have had one.:eek: Never saw one going into surgery and did NOT have one when I awoke in recovery. A lot depends on how long you are under general anesthesia; I went to the bathroom less than 30 minutes prior and if i had one, i didn't know. Have had outpatient procedures with and without catheters. So you may not need one. The alternative is peeing on the table (you will not have much control of bodily functions if under general anesthesia for long). You will not be awake when it is inserted and won't feel it. If they do use one, It is not painful to remove. Some people have additional work done, like hernia repair, etc. They may be under longer and need a catheter. It also depends on what the surgeon feels is the best approach

:thumbup:GI Jane Good Luck Today...Plan to hear from you soon...

Hi All, Congrats, Good Luck. Keeping busy is a good thing prior to t he surgery:biggrin: So National Insanity Week is normal ...

GI Jane, Good Luck. 2nd thoughts are normal. Get on-line and talk to us. Be positive. I cleaned house like mad to keep busy the day before. Pray or meditate;It helps. Be positive. Drink water up until Midnight the night before, or whatever cutoff time your surgeon gave. Take slippers/warm socks with you. Bring a robe. The nurses here did not recommend wearing your own nightgown/PJs as they will be poking, prodding and swabbing your tummy. The hospital gowns are easier for all. Get any liquid meds you may need now. Stay on top of the pain- the nurses stressed it was easier to maintain a level of comfort than try to get it back. I'm short and since surgery, it hurts to bend over - so got an extended reach- grabber; it helps:thumbup:

ibtrouble, Please try the protein Powders and liquids. GNC carries some and others are available on-line. It helped me a LOT with between meal eating. Also, find some thing to do away from the food. It helps. I too, got short with DD early on. It happens. Just focus on the prize. Rememeber it is only for a short while.

HI All, Congrats to all who have been banded this week. Good Luck to those who are scheduled. Found 2 things helped with the gas- Gas-X and walking. The more I move the better it gets. My port site hurts too but i take the liquid Tylenol, for now - of course it didn't help that i rolled over on my stomach one night :sad_smile:( it woke me up)(DUH) but so far , it is tolerable. Hang in there everyone!! Actually have a hard time getting all the fluid, protein and 3 meals in but last night I actually felt hungry!!

:smile:JoanMarie, Glad to hear from you. Hope all is well.

Doxie, Our prayers are with your husband. God Speed Has he left yet?

:wink2:SuzQ , no binder at all. nor morphine pump. Every surgeon and patient is different. Pain Ball came out easily, no pain or discomfort- it only sounds bad- it wasn't using liquid Tylenol now if needed.

Macropsia, Congrats!!. You are probably right. It will go away soon. Have you tried the adult liquid Tylenol? It helps. Sue in Ne

Veronica, even walking in place is exercise. Have seen some Wii Fit things but anything with r music that has a regular beat you can move to works. Tried Richard Simmons once- way too hard on my knees, Just don't try to keep up at 1st. Good Luck.

Veronica, Walk while listening to tapes or your IPod. Read- anything- romance , mystery, detective novels. Is there anything you like to do?? Like sewing, knitting or crocheting, wood working, or crafts? Try craftstylish.com -it has loads of options and links to others if you like these types of things. Beliefnet.com is a non/multi denominational site with some puzzles (definitely PG) Try something you haven't tried but always wanted to- some day. If your hands are busy you won't be able to eat. :tongue2: Don't dismiss the concept. At the WLS support group I was told to be careful as it was easy to start another obsession/addiction once you have the surgery and don't spend all that time eating. I'm into puzzles, exercise at the gym, sewing, a sewing club, and reading detective novels (figured it helps to have more than one) Many local fabric stores, yarn shops, and book stores have 'clubs' at no/ little cost and you go 1-2 x/month to listen, talk , and share. Beginners are always welcome and are not expected to know much. Some cross over, i.e. the local book store has a knitting group and the local fabric shop has a quilt group that focus on books by one author (who includes quilts in the tales). The library has book clubs too. These are more traditional female hobbies but know some talented female woodworkers, potters, and metal smiths who do it as a hobby.

All, The warm Socks/slippers are helpful. i didn't think of it but the hospital provided me with large slipper-socks. very warm Wore them thru surgery, too! Their idea! Handy since the operating room is cool. A pillow to use on the ride home helps too. I didn't have one and was OK; but only had a few miles to go. You will want it over your tummy and under the seat belt. Slept a lot the day I got home but have been up 12-15 hours each day since with a few rest periods thrown in. Just standing is harder than walking. Am mostly off the pain meds and must take out the "pain ball" today ( It is a small ball with tubing inserted into your tummy. It infuses a Novocaine related drug into the area around the port for pain) . Really helpful- I get to take it out myself ....:tongue2:

All, Agree with SOO , Drink water up until Midnight. After surgery they will give you swabs ( little sponges on sticks, kept in ice water) Use these as much as possible.:whatchutalkingabout i slept a lot and didn't, but these really helped. Sue in Ne

All, Not only drink water up until midnight but use the oral swabs (little Sponges on a stick, soaked in water ) a lot after surgery. It helpsmoisten your mouth and lips. I didn't use it enough because i slept a lot

TRina4url, Congrats!! Keep up the good work I , too did the mall for about 45 minutes - With stopping to shop it was over and hour (:whatchutalkingabout) My DH pooped out and he appreciated the places to rest around the place. Sue in NE