4 days out.....what have I done???

[sandyj06 0]

Okay so I need some help. I had my VSG done on Tuesday, March 22nd. Today is the first day that I actually feel like a human being. I threw up (really dry heaved stomach bile) for the first 48 to 72 hours after surgery. I am not in a lot of pain but I can't even think about getting in 64oz. of Fluid. I am doing good to get 20 oz. a day in. I am sipping constantly but the gas and gurgling is AWFUL. I decided that all the nausea meds and pain meds prescribed by the doctors is what is causing the nausea so I quit those. I even threw up plain tylenol. I know a couple months down the road I will be happy with my sleeve. But right now, I can't help but wonder what I have done to myself. Any advice/suggestions to get me through these next few days would be greatly appreciated!!!

[mjb123 3]

I felt the exact same way you do. A lot of us have. The pain meds were also causing me to throw up all the time so I had to stop them on day 2. I found comfort in walking around the house and yard A LOT. I would drink a little, then go walk, it really helped with the gurgling and I found it necessary. I am still walking even after I eat now to cause it just feels better. I also rested in a recliner instead of the bed because it was so hard to get in and out of. I only did one gas x dissolvable strip, but am taking the PPI twice a day. I don't think I really have heartburn though. But the dissolvable gas x strips may help you. You really have to do everything you can to get that Water in you and get up and walking. You need to stay hydrated to heal properly. Try flavoring it. I noticed this past week that although I was able to get in all my fluids, I could drink the flavored water easier and am actually able to drink over the 64 oz now. I really like the Crystal Light Raspberry Ice and The fruit Punch. If they are too sweet you can dilute them down. Try different things and you will find something. I hope you start feeling better soon. I am going on three weeks on Tuesday, am still a little blue, but have been able to get all my Liquid Protein in and water in since day 5, but it has taken a lot of time management to make sure I can fit in everything. I still have some burning pain from my inside stitches, but my doctor told me that would last for a couple weeks. Other than that, and lower energy, things really do get better each day. Hang in there, and keep at it, you will see!!!

[Can'tweight 41]

Okay so I need some help. I had my VSG done on Tuesday, March 22nd. Today is the first day that I actually feel like a human being. I threw up (really dry heaved stomach bile) for the first 48 to 72 hours after surgery. I am not in a lot of pain but I can't even think about getting in 64oz. of Fluid. I am doing good to get 20 oz. a day in. I am sipping constantly but the gas and gurgling is AWFUL. I decided that all the nausea meds and pain meds prescribed by the doctors is what is causing the nausea so I quit those. I even threw up plain tylenol. I know a couple months down the road I will be happy with my sleeve. But right now, I can't help but wonder what I have done to myself. Any advice/suggestions to get me through these next few days would be greatly appreciated!!!

Oh girl...I am 9 days post-op and so know how you feel. The first 4-5 days were the worst for me as well with the gas. Are you on Pepcid or something like that? Also, my surgeon said I can use Gas-X as often as needed. Can you use that?

I know it is so very hard to get the fluids in, but not getting them in even makes the gas worse. I was prescribed the Pepcid for the stomach acid. So please see if your surgeon can give you something if he hasn't already. Please know that in as little as a few days this will pass. Hang in there!

[Kris 78]

OK, the truth is the entire first month after surgery SUCKS! No doubt about it. You are probably going to have some kind of funky emotional meltdown around the two week mark, you are probably going to hit your first stall by the third or fourth week, and you are going to be cranky and on edge for weeks. You will have vile mood swings and want to bite the heads off small animals. (OK, just kidding about that last one!)

But ... the scale will be kind to you this month, very very kind, and that will help some of the misery. If you don't have to work or go back to work soon, don't rush going back to work. I went to work after not quite 2 weeks off and was totally wiped out that first week back.

Honestly, the only thing that really helped me the first few weeks was doing as little as possible, watching lots of TV (for distraction), and obsessively reading VST posts to find out whether my post op weirdness was normal (it was). I wish I could tell you a secret to make the first month bearable, but bottom line is it is going to be bad, and you are going to be unhappy for a few weeks. And I hope this brings you a small amount of comfort to know that what you are going through is what almost everyone who has this surgery goes through. It WILL get better ... much, much better ... in just a few weeks. And by summer you will be fitting into much smaller size clothes than your preop size, and you will have great energy and feel good about yourself, and the first icky month will be an unpleasant memory. I promise you.

I don't know if this helps but just wanted to let you know you're really having a normal recovery so far!

[settebee 11]

Bless your heart!! I remember that feeling! I'm now 6.5 months out. All I did was keep telling myself that "it gets a little better everyday!" because it really does. Good luck!! Stay strong; you can do it!!

[ireland 0]

first timer on this forum. surgery date is April 12.

A bit nervous now after hearing the reponses.

I do have a ?. Does everyone need a drain tube after the sleeve.

[justdance 0]

Well my time will be soon. And I love this forum for helping me to mentally prepare for what's to come.. I have surgery April 18th and I am obessively stalking the boards.. as for your question Ireland. My doctor does use a drain. It helps drain all the Fluid and blood that comes out during surgery and helps them see if there are any leaks as well.. everyone says getting it out is a no biggie. Now some people it comes out day after surgery and for others they have it for a week.. some don't even have one too.. its the same with the catheter ur doctor will either use one or not

[purple tulip 2]

Sandy,

I am 2.5 weeks out and right now I'm still challenged in terms of navigating what the new meaning of full is now and trying wrap my head around the tiniest portions of food actually being enough, and not being able to eat when my warped brain says things look delicious, and trying to get enough Protein and Water, and going from diarrhea to Constipation, and going from loosing 10 lbs a week to 0....I'd say that I would agree with Kris, the 1st month does suck. However, the issues you are having now will pass! Those are things that I am now over and I too momentarily wondered what the hell I did to myself. And while I'm not going to lie and say things are all roses now, I will say that I am simply in an adjustment phase and I know this will get better as well. Hang in there because in the end it will be worth it

[Weightbgone 9]

YOU SOUND JUST LIKE ME WHEN I HAD JUST HAD MY SX! I HAD MINES 3-15-11 it took at least 5 days before I was ok and able to tolerate my fluids! goodluck!

[TexasLady 3]

I had my surgery on March 21st (6 days ago) and the first 2-3 days were hell, i kept asking myself why i did this? I regrettted my decision then but today i feel alot better, and dont regret it. I know its too early to tell whats to come but i hope you feel better soon. Im constantly walking and drinking drinking drinking Water all the time. Thats my side kick, i carry my bottle water with me everywhere i do. I know its hard, but trust me the water and walking helps with getting the gas out of your system. Today i woke up craving scramble eggs....but im still on liquids (water, clear broths/soups, and popsicles) so hopefully after my doctors visit next week i can enjoy some mushes. My hardest thing right now is that im missing real food. I have been tempted but im too afraid to eat anything and prolonging my healing. So my advise for you is to stay positive, contact your doctor if things get too bad with the pain, walk as much as possible and drink drink drink your water. Good luck and keep us posted........each day brings us closer to the day we wont feel any pain. Hugs!