Beginning Of The Rest Of My Life

[Wendy119 0]

Hi. I am a 60 yr old professional woman. For the last 25-30 yyrs of my life, I have been so overweight; going up and down on diets but never being able to keep it off. I have 3 grown children who the youngest 2 have never seen me thin nor have any of my 3 grandchildren. I was in a car accident in 1995, had spinal surgery in 1998 and have previously had 3 ankle surgeries form a quadrulple break. I have now acquired severe spinal degeneration, osteoarthritis in my ankle and hip. In December, I had an epidural in my spine for pain and the 2 in January of this yr. I gained 30 lbs from the steroids within that time. I was out of breath walking just one block, was not able to run around with my grandkids and was constatnly in pain.It was a viscious circle...epidural, pain releif then weight gain and more pain. I finally decided February 1st, 2012 after discussing it with my primary MD, who has known me for 25 yrs, that I needed a drastic change in my life because this was nit working. I was not happy with myself or how I functioned so made my Surgeon appt, saw all 7 MDs required with a couple of weeks, got approved for surgery right away and just had my sleeve surgery on Wednesday, March 28. I was discharged from hopsital on Sunday, April 1st and today is a wk post surgery. I have not really been in pain, but today had a bad day. I had laproscopic surgery and have 5 incisions plus the one in my bellybutton (that's the one that bothers me). Thy took off bandages before I left hospital, but left sterastrips on saying that they would fall of as would stitches disolve. Only 2 steristrips have come off and I don't see stiches so I assume that they dissolved already. I guess I am being neurotic but am scared of infection and stitches dissolving so quickly.

Yesterday was my 1st day I was able to eat all my (little) meals, Snacks and Protein Drink, but today had trouble eating 1 scrambled egg and the Protein drink. I don't want to force anything and am just chalking this up to having a bad day since it is only a wk after sugfery. Amazingly enough I have lost 14 lbs but probably because I am not able to eat much. Really looking for support through this journey.

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

seadla

i'm so sorry for all you have gone through.- car accident, pains, hurt, orthopedic surgeries - omg. So much you have endured.

you have come to the right place -you will get a lot of support here from wonderful people that want to listen to you and help the best they can. even if you just want to vent, we're here to listen. in your case i think thats totally acceptable. to vent.

I also had steri-strips, and they come off diisolve in there own sweet time

Do you have a nutritionist to talk to and give you advise. The first few weeks i was only drinking liquids - soft food later, Example an egg - but all NUTS (short for nutritionist) are different.

ask any questions too, we'll try and answer them to the best of our cababillity.

remember, always consult your PHP with any medical questions that we can't help with.

feel better

good luck

kathy

[kimmy*custis 276]

I had steel staples till my 2 week post op visit, then the steri-strips. She said they would come off in a week or so...not...it was 2 to 3 days! I think if you have no seepage you are ok.

I was on liquid the first two weeks, then soft, like eggs at three weeks, maybe you are eating too soon. I tried applesauce and thinned yogurt first and progressed quickly after that. Best of luck to you!

[Wendy119 0]

Thanks for such quick feedback. The 1st 2 days after surgery I was on liquids, then after that started on soft n pureed foods in hospital. I am able to tolerate, small portions of pureed meats, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, applesauce, the Protein shakes..pretty much everything i have been told to eat. Just am only able to eat very very small portions, which is fine. Trying to get more liquids in me. I think I was just psyching myself out. I called MD office and they said I could remove steristrips which I did and found that the stitches had already dissolved. Hopefully the air will help heal them faster. Everything looks ok. But thank you so much for your responses.