Back at home

mnbsleeve · July 14, 2011

Nancy, I'm glad you are home. You sound like you are doing really well. The first few days are the toughest but then things really do get better day by day. Everything you describe is just like what I went through! It's weird that it's not that long ago but it feels like it. I'm on week 5 now. Hang in there!!! It gets easier and easier!

readyforachange38 · July 14, 2011

Glad to hear you are home and that things are going pretty good for you.

sugarmamma7 · July 14, 2011

Hope you feel better soon! congrats on your sleeve!

myezzence · July 15, 2011

hello,

I just got home from being sleeved, I can't believe you are able to get down 8 oz of Soup, and 8 ozs of Water.

i'm having problems getting one ounce of Water in. My stomach becomes so, so full. While in the hospital, I had no pain, nor do I now. I did have alot of gas but the gas x strips resolved it quickly. I had nausea the first day, but was given phengren which resolved all nausea. I'm trying so hard to get in 8 ounces,,so far since I left the hospital, I got 3 ounces down over 6 hr....aughhhh. My dr stated he made my sleeve small, and honestly I don't see how I will eat. I have no appetite nor hunger for 3 days officially. My friend was sleeved right after me, and she is having the same problems (we both have the same dr). I pray I will be able to get my food in and liquids because I don't want to get dehydrated. Does anyone have any input, my stomach is still swollen greatly so maybe when it goes down, perhaps I'll be able to eat and drink as required,

Sheri

SeattleSue · July 15, 2011

No, I have to do the prescriptions myself. I will be taking it easy for sure.

I was able to sleep on my side without it being too uncomfortable (I can't sleep on my back as it hurts my back). Changing position is the worst as it feels like the area that's between my 5 incisions is really a heavy weight strapped to my body. But, I'm taking it slow to change positions.

The passing of gas has started! I never in a million years thought I would be excited to say that, but I am. I also have had a "dry cough" this morning - I've started sipping in hopes that will help.

I recall having a cough too...for about a day or so and I believe the little breathing apparatus with the floating balls really helped. Were you given one of those things? I worked it for the whole 2 day's post-op that I was in hospital.

Nancy Rivers · July 15, 2011

I did get an incentive spirometer - it just has a small piece of plastic that makes a lot of noise when I suck on it. I can get it to do it 3 out of the 10 times I'm supposed to do it - which is the same as in the hospital.

Yesterday I had a heck of a time getting fluids in. I did manage 8 ounces of chicken broth on top of the Jello cup that took 2 hours to finish (warm Jello does not taste very good). Water has been much harder to swallow. I'm supposed to start full liquids today, and honestly, I don't know how I'm going to do it.

I fall asleep at the drop of a hat - but it doesn't last long nor is it very restful as I have a massively stuffy nose that is making it hard to breathe.

Most of my pain is related to the gas. I've been tooting and burping like crazy - each time the pain abates for a bit, so that tells me there is a correlation. The heaviness that I feel in the stomach area between the incision points is also getting to be less as the gas passes. I just wish it would hurry up and finish passing...

I did have my first bowel movements yesterday - not much obviously, but it was something. Glad to see my digestive system is waking back up. LOL

This had better be worth it. I'm really tired of feeling this crappy.

Texasmom65 · July 15, 2011

Nancy, hope you feel better today. My doc won't let us eat Jello the first 3 weeks. So I just stick to broth, my Protein drinks, Water and last night had some pureed Soup, through a strainer. I'm not too worried at this point about getting in all my Protein or anything, as long as I can drink my Water. Water goes down pretty well for me. I sip, sip sip. I may take me all day long to get down 16 oz but I get it down or close to it. I don't have any heavy feelings in my stomach area. Still just alot of pain on my left side. I'll be happy when that is gone.

Hang in there sweetie, it will get better....and it will be worth it. Or at least that is what I hear. LOL :kiss: :hug:

SeattleSue · July 15, 2011

Nancy, have you gotten to your prescriptions yet? Hon...if you can, pick up some of those GasX strips that melt on your tongue. I wouldn't worry about anything but fluids. Pick up some smart Water (has electrolytes) or some pedialite pops (in the baby section) and take things slow. I feel for you lady. Take care, Susan

Mercyanew · July 15, 2011

Are any of you able to swallow pills? I am concerned about one of my existing prescriptions because the pills are so large. My nurse seems to think I will be able to by breaking them but they are still large and I take 6 a day. Yikes!

Nancy Rivers · July 15, 2011

I am feeling better today. I have been able to get in 16 ounces of plain ice cold Water as that seems to go down better than warm Water. I also had 2 tablespoons of fat free cottage cheese which went down well and 4 ounces of sugar free pudding. Right now I am working on 8 ounces of syntax nectar that is ice cold. That is taking a long time to go down though. Diarrehea has started though.

I know I am complaining but I am so frustrated with myself right now. I know it will eventually get better, but honestly I thought it would be a quicker process. Eating 2 ounces in one hour is not my idea of eating, but I can't eat any faster. It feels like I am grazing all day.

Nancy Rivers · July 16, 2011

Well, I was able to sleep a bit better last night - actually was able to sleep for about 3 hours before waking up and having to sit upright for an hour before I could go back to sleep. The dry cough is still around - I think it is due to my throat being irritated from the surgery. At least that is where I really feel it when I do cough. I think most of the gas from the surgery has now passed - it's just the digestive gasses left that I'm used to (I have always been really gassy).

I have not gotten the prescriptions filled yet for the liquid pain medicine (oxycodone) or the anti-nausea medicine. Today I do plan to go out, so may get them filled today. I am not supposed to drive for 2 weeks, but since I am living alone, that really is not an option. I will definitely take it easy when I do go out though. This is the first day that I really have felt that I could drive somewhere if needed.

Jello was part of my Clear Liquids diet. Now I'm on full liquids/pureed which includes things like pureed eggbeaters, pureed Soups, applesauce, pureed cottage cheese, pureed meat in addition to Protein shakes and milk/yogurt. I think that is helping with me feeling a bit better.

Texasmom65 · July 16, 2011

Oh Nancy, I wish you could have gotten your meds filled by now. That would make you feel so much better. I would be miserable without my Lortab, especially at night. I was going to try and do without them today, but already had to take a dose. Have a horrible headache, and just feel blah. Didn't sleep well either.

I miss my morning coffee time. Drinking a Protein shake now, but thinking of making a pot of coffee (decaf) to see if it makes me feel a little more normal, even if its just a cup or less I get down.

Please go get your meds, may help you sleep better. Can you use cough drops for the coughing? I starting the dry cough last night, it hurts....didn't use cough drops, but might tonight if it continues. It's only when I lay down.

Hugs to you.

Nancy Rivers · July 16, 2011

Well, I TRIED to get the scripts filled today - but the pharmacies that I stopped at do not stock the pain medication and can't get it from their suppliers (liquid oxycodone). I did get the anti-nausea med though and may try that tonight to see if it helps. Today I have had a little bit of pain around one of the incision points - but not bad - I would say about a 1 on the scale.

I have felt really good today though. Much more normal anyway. I went to see a movie and stopped at Cracker Barrel before hand (I had some time to kill, and needed to eat). I ordered an egg beater (it's allowed on my plan right now). It was HUGE. I had 3 bites, chewing it to death, and was full. I seriously thought I was going to be sick, but I wasn't. So lesson learned - wait on the eggs. Tonight I'm having some tuna mixed with low-fat miracle whip. So far, it's gone down ok. It will take me forever to eat the full 2 ounce serving though. I hope to get through half of it.