Observations...5 Days Out

[Keys Pirate 70]

It feels sooo good to click on the POST Op forum!!!! heeheeeee!!!!

Anyway, where was I? Ok, a couple of things that I would share now that I am five days POST OP! (heeeheeeheee!) First, there truly is ZERO appetite!! This is so freaky and maybe it is just because my stomach is traumatized, swollen and all that, but not even my head is hungry. I'm sure it will change but, I have to say, what I am feeling now is nothing short of miraculous. AND, if this is 99% hormonal, it ReAlLy pis*** me off that no drug or shot has been developed to counteract the hunger we feel... Probably just five day-out babble, any of you old-timers care to comment on your appetite?

Further, we have gone to restaurants a couple of times since surgery and yeah, all those pretty pictures of food on the menu's and seeing the real thing was nice, everything smelled GREAT but it didn't bother me!!!!! I didn't start to drool, my stomach didn't growl, I didn't feel like I was going to go nuts if I didn't order something NOW; it's unbelivable to say the least... I had my broth and tea and was perfectly happy with that.

Second thing; I screwed up our return itinerary which left us in San Diego an extra day. IT WAS THE BEST MISTAKE I'VE EVER MADE!!!! I'm telling you, if you have to travel any kind of distance for this surgery, please, plan on an extra night before you have to fly cross-country. I am SO glad that we did that!! It gave us a night in a real bed, time to truly relax and get our/my bearings together. DO it!!! You'll be glad.

Now, that being said, my first instinct was to lay around in bed all day and night but I transcended that and made myself explore for a bit with my husband. We took the trolley down town and then met friends for dinner near the hotel. It was just what the doctor ordered (ha) and the activity vaulted me over the hospital/surgery blahs and gave me energy to travel the next day. I felt like a different person. Again, if there is any way possible, give yourself an extra night before long travel. I flew from the Florida Keys to Aceves. Ernesto, the driver, was happy to drop us off at the hotel on the way to the airport with the rest of the folks, no problems. Some hotels then have free shuttles to the airport the next day. Added bonus, we were able to check in early - at about 10:30 a.m..

Yayyyyyyyy!!!!

Carol

p.s. gotta go weigh and then will update ticker...

[Lee 19]

I'm so glad to read how well you're doing Carol. Congratulations on getting out to explore. I'm sure that people who need to travel after surgery will appreciate your words.

I'll be joining you on that loser's bench very soon!

[cajun 46]

Hooray for you! Welcome to the loser's bench! So glad for your great error...I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Now just sip, walk, rest and burp. Let us know how you are progressing.

[thinoneday 445]

Thanks for your post, you sound really happy. . . good for you. . . I'm not an old timer, just had my sleeve on Dec 29th, but let me tell you, the hunger thing is there definately, only it's different, it's like a anchor eating at you not the growlies, but a really bad pressure. . . for example this morning i though that i was going to try 2 eggs instead of my usual one, WELL, am i not paying the price right now. . . i was really " hungry" so i made 2 eggs with low fat cheese omlet . . . probably ate to fast, but only could finish about 1/2 of it and now it feels like the omlet is really trying to crawl up my esphogus and my stomach feels VERY uncomfortable . . . well at least i can't eat tons like before right???? Good luck to you and keep up the excellant work!

[cajun 46]

Thanks for your post, you sound really happy. . . good for you. . . I'm not an old timer, just had my sleeve on Dec 29th, but let me tell you, the hunger thing is there definately, only it's different, it's like a anchor eating at you not the growlies, but a really bad pressure. . . for example this morning i though that i was going to try 2 eggs instead of my usual one, WELL, am i not paying the price right now. . . i was really " hungry" so i made 2 eggs with low fat cheese omlet . . . probably ate to fast, but only could finish about 1/2 of it and now it feels like the omlet is really trying to crawl up my esphogus and my stomach feels VERY uncomfortable . . . well at least i can't eat tons like before right???? Good luck to you and keep up the excellant work!

thinoneday: I don't know why, but a lot of sleevers don't tolerate eggs until months into recovery...so you might just want to put them on the shelf for a while. And when you do try them, be sure they are real soft. Give your sleeve a rest when you have a "sleeve reject" day...go back to mushies and liquids for 24 hours so it can heal. It's probably screaming at you right now! This too shall pass!

[thinoneday 445]

Thanks cajun, you're probably right! Will do definately! Cause the feeling is amazing, have to walk around alot in order for it to go down. . . stupid me. . . thanks for the advise hon!

[Itstime 0]

Thin, I know the feeling you are talking about, you have to get up to give your stomach room and walk around. Uncomfortable but its that or up it will come. Also I have to have very soft scrambled eggs, almost runny mush, just too thick and heavy.

Carol, good for you being on the other side! We stayed an extra day bf going on our cross country flight and I walked the halls which helped me so much prepare for the flight. You are going to do so well on your journey!

[Tiffykins 673]

So glad to hear you are home, and feeling great.

As for the appetite thing, I'm 8 months out and still never feel hunger. On Thursday, I ate 5 macadamia nuts at 1pm, then made a trip to the ER on Thursday night at 9pm. I wasn't able to eat without pain, this was going on all week, but I couldn't get my surgeon to call me back. He wasn't getting my messages. Anyways, I did not eat again until 4pm on Friday afternoon. I never once felt hunger, or hunger pangs.

I'm having gallbladder surgery hopefully one day this week because my GB is full of stones. That's what is causing the abdominal pain.

[loser 0]

KP,, a big congrats on a sugery well done. We can hear the happiness in your words.

Tiffy,, so sorry about the gallbladder thingy. Do you think everyone should have theirs removed when they have surgery. I am old, but want as few scars as possible.

[Garyb_58 1]

Hey Carol,

Glad to hear you guys made it home okay. Our trip home was a nightmare.

I'm with on the no hunger pains.

Gary

[cajun 46]

Tiff,

Sorry to hear about your gallbladder. Glad you found out what the problem was...why wasn't he getting your messages? That sucks.

Inflammation of the gallbladder is nothing to mess around with, it can result in serious complications if not taken care of right away, if your liver function tests were high...pancreatitis, sepsis can result. Please don't let them put you off. Were you liver function tests normal?

[Tiffykins 673]

Tiff,

Sorry to hear about your gallbladder. Glad you found out what the problem was...why wasn't he getting your messages? That sucks.

Inflammation of the gallbladder is nothing to mess around with, it can result in serious complications if not taken care of right away, if your liver function tests were high...pancreatitis, sepsis can result. Please don't let them put you off. Were you liver function tests normal?

I actually went back and re-read my lab reports. My ALT was low <6, and CREAT (kidney function) was borderline low at 3.

My Lipase (pancreas enzyme) was normal, and so were my ALB, & Alkphos.

I'm going in on Tuesday at 10am with hopes of being admitted, then surgery on Wednesday.

[Keys Pirate 70]

Aww Tiff, I'm so sorry to hear it. I guess it's not surprising as fast as you've lost the weight. It still sucks as much as you've already been through on this journey of yours. I am hoping for the very best for you. Keep everyone posted, ok? And ask those guys what we can do to prevent this from happening in the future, if anything.

hugs,

Carol

[cajun 46]

I actually went back and re-read my lab reports. My ALT was low <6, and CREAT (kidney function) was borderline low at 3.

My Lipase (pancreas enzyme) was normal, and so were my ALB, & Alkphos.

I'm going in on Tuesday at 10am with hopes of being admitted, then surgery on Wednesday.

Watch for elevated Total Biliruben, AST, ALT. If they are up you may need surgery right away. Watch for fever and elevated WBC count.

[suryfer 0]

Hi Carol,

I'm from Miami, FL and used to live in Tavernier! What a small world! My surgery is scheduled for Feb. 11 and i'm soooo nervous! Did you feel a lot of pain post-op? Any feelings of nausea? Congrats on your sleeve!