9 Days Out, After My Sleeve...cant Sleep

[Cindy H 6]

I was sleeved on 7/2/2012, just 9 days ago. Since my preop diet which started 7/26, I have lost 29 pounds. I had a pain ball and a drain after surgery. Okay... the drain????? I swore it was going to be the death of me. I had it in for a week after surgery. My pain ball was nothing. I actually got the drain removed monday. My husband wasn't sure if he could hold my hand so my surgeon did it. Although I was grateful, he forgot to tell me to take a deep breath once the nurse was pulling the drain. I am pretty sure I said something like "woahhhhhhhhhhhh"... umm, ouch.

Well, here I am 9 days out of my surgery. I spent 3 days in the hospital and when I got home, I slept on the couch. Well, I am having a really hard time sleeping. I can't seem to get comfortable in any position. I hate sleeping on my back. I'm an avid "crib sleeper"... on my tummy and one leg bent. I've tried laying on my side, on a memory foam pillow, sitting up, propped up, pillow under my legs...I mean everything I could think of. Now, I've been catching about 10-15 minutes of sleep at a time in such odd positions, that I am having sever shoulder and neck pain. I know there is tons of swelling and it takes some time getting through that. I guess my frustration is the lack of sleep is making me so groggy through out the day that I am not being as active because of the pain and sleepiness How are ya'll dealing with this? Any good suggestions?

As for my diet, I'm able to keep down liquids, Jello, popcicles, and even a few bites of chicken noodle Soup (the noodles are super soft). I haven't tried egg whites yet or cottage cheese and canned pears, which are on my post op diet. My surgeon says that you are really only supposed to lose 40% of your excess body weight the first year, which in my case I am already 1/2 way there in 2 weeks. Has anyone come up with some yummy "blended" foods? Thanks for any advice or tips Hope everyone is having a great day!

Cindy

[tonibugg 64]

I experienced the sleep deprivation almost immediately after surgery. Not because of pain but I just simply can't get comfortable long enough in one position to fall asleep. Sleep deprivation evidently makes me grouchy! I never had sleep problems before but I had heard that Melatonin worked for some of my "insomnia" plagued friends so on my 3rd night home I went to the local pharmacy and picked up a 10 mg bottle of it. I took it that night about 30 min before bedtime and I was gone by the time my head hit the pillow!! I didn't wake up all night and woke up lovely and cheery at 7am the next morning!! Woo Hoo!! I now take it right before bedtime and it is wonderful! you gotta try it!!

[tonibugg 64]

I thought the same thing about Melatonin until I tried the 10mg soft gel. Like I said, I never had problems sleeping before but I simply couldn't go to sleep and stay that way until after I started to take it. So, in my case it is definitely NOT overrated =)) I love it!

[Cindy H 6]

Thanks ya'll I will look into both for sure! I'm up for anything at this point!

[Pookeyism 1,143]

Your lack of sleep could be from SOOO many things, best to get the doc to assist so you can properly rest. See if they could assign you something to sleep at night, and you can just doze on and off during the day, knowing you got a good nights sleep.

Lack of sleep, in many studies, directly relates to stalls in weight loss.

[tonya9969 38]

Cindy- I was sleeved the same day!! I couldn't really sleep comfortably until the bloating from the gas was released ! The best way for me to get rid of the bloated feeling was to walk - I walked about 15 mins a day n almost immediately started releasing gas...my stomach is down and I sleep so much better!

[Cindy H 6]

Cindy- I was sleeved the same day!! I couldn't really sleep comfortably until the bloating from the gas was released ! The best way for me to get rid of the bloated feeling was to walk - I walked about 15 mins a day n almost immediately started releasing gas...my stomach is down and I sleep so much better!

Thanks! I walked several times a day and never really had any gas issues. I am pretty sure it was from the swelling. I had a lot of scar tissue from my previous lap band a few years back and that caused complications with my surgery. I am feeling much better now and can sleep any way I want. Sometimes it still hurts a little but I can move around and it helps