Zelda205 30 Posted April 26, 2014 Hello , I am a 32 yr RN. Have not worked in a few yrs due to a work related injury, I was a telemetry nurse and an ER nurse. I love reading all the comments here and look forward to more encouragement from this group. I have a surgery date for June 9. I started with my first visit to the surgeon the end of February. I have lost 8 lbs since March. I had the mandatory psych eval, dietician consult, and monthly updates. I started taking pictures and will get measurements this week. Next step us to get a binder and add the photos My area has weekly informal support groups for pre and post op people. They are a great source of info. One lady was 14 days post op and down 14 #s after rouxNY a man was sleeved 15 days ago and down 15#s. I am gong for a sleeve after hearing these peoples comments. One big issue that came up was ,, umm umm... Gas! I guess it's lessened after a sleeve. One person suggested Fish oil with Omega 3 three times a day. She said It really helps. We were told to really follow the eating "rules" early since that is when you loose the most weight. You can slack off after 12 months if you really need to. But by the time, I think I will be used to eating "small" so why ruin it , right? Any one have other suggestions? And nice to meet everyone! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MeMaw Nurse 4 Posted April 26, 2014 Hi I am retired nurse geratic nurse of 30 years. I just had my surgery on April 8th. I have lost 22 lb and I feel so much better. I am looking forward to the days ahead. Glad to be a part of this group 1 TrueNorthStrong reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Improvingme 18 Posted April 29, 2014 Hey everyone!! my name is Nita. I have my surgery on the 30th. I am so nervous!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Improvingme 18 Posted April 29, 2014 Hello my name is Nita. I was told that the gas strips help a lot. I am scheduled for surgery on 4/30/14. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsmith_rn 186 Posted April 29, 2014 I didn't feel the gas strips helped at all, after all the gas pains were in my shoulders, not my gut! Some people swear by them though and I figured they couldn't hurt so I took them anyway. Honestly, what helped the most was WALKING as much as possible. They wouldn't let me user my heating pad in the hospital, and by the time I got home the next day the gas pains were gone. God luck I didn't feel the gas strips helped at all, after all the gas pains were in my shoulders, not my gut! Some people swear by them though and I figured they couldn't hurt so I took them anyway. Honestly, what helped the most was WALKING as much as possible. They wouldn't let me user my heating pad in the hospital, and by the time I got home the next day the gas pains were gone. Good luck, you will do great! 1 TrueNorthStrong reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Susysleever 265 Posted April 29, 2014 I didn't feel the gas strips helped at all, after all the gas pains were in my shoulders, not my gut! Some people swear by them though and I figured they couldn't hurt so I took them anyway. Honestly, what helped the most was WALKING as much as possible. They wouldn't let me user my heating pad in the hospital, and by the time I got home the next day the gas pains were gone. God luck I didn't feel the gas strips helped at all, after all the gas pains were in my shoulders, not my gut! Some people swear by them though and I figured they couldn't hurt so I took them anyway. Honestly, what helped the most was WALKING as much as possible. They wouldn't let me user my heating pad in the hospital, and by the time I got home the next day the gas pains were gone. Good luck, you will do great! The gas bubble rise from your belly to your shoulders Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsmith_rn 186 Posted April 29, 2014 The gas bubble rise from your belly to your shoulders Yes, but how do the Gas-X strips get from your mouth and stomach up to your shoulders? The gas isn't in your intestines, it's in the peritoneal and thoracic cavities. Just sayin. ..... ??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beeteroo 166 Posted May 2, 2014 I think the gas strips only work of the gas is in your stomach or intestines. When I drink I feel like I'm swallowing a bunch of air so I've been taking them for that. It helps a little. Maybe I'm gulping my fluids. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsmith_rn 186 Posted May 2, 2014 I think the gas strips only work of the gas is in your stomach or intestines. When I drink I feel like I'm swallowing a bunch of air so I've been taking them for that. It helps a little. Maybe I'm gulping my fluids. Thanks for the clarification. Seems like most of the "gas problems" post-op are from the CO2 pumped in during surgery. I know that was responsible for most of MY post-op pain. I had it in both my shoulders. ... owie. Intestinal bloating or gas hasn't been an issue for me, thank goodness. I see so many people promoting the Gas-X strips for post-op "gas pains" and I think some are misled. I took some but they didn't help with the shoulder pain at all. Walking helped a LOT though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katesuccess 990 Posted May 4, 2014 Okay folks, I'm about wiped out by my shoulder pain here! I'm walking a good bit--6000 steps yesterday felt like overdoing it, so today only 4300 steps. Walking helps my gut discomfort, but nothing touches the freaking shoulder pain! I've tried heat pad, moist heat, icy-hot and Biofreeze, cold packs and massage--and as above, walking. I'm at my wits end, even deep breaths hurts them, and makes it worse. Help! If it helps to know my surgery took an extra hour and a half because of problems getting tube down my throat and much worse hiatal hernia than they'd expected. Can't see how those would affect. Things, but this bites! Anyone? Kate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Savedbygrace22 28 Posted May 4, 2014 I have been a registered nurse for decades (since college ) as nursing was my first love. I was sleeved on 4/30/2014! I can't believe I am able to write that my surgery is past. I'm taking it slowly as this whole process seams surreal. Did I really have surgery? Am I on the losers bench. I have to almost pinch myself. Surgery went well, although I had a hietal hernia repair, and I ended up staying in house an extra night. I had a temp of 100.00 somewhere along the way; and remember thinking oops, that will slow me down. For the most of the process, it went very well. I'm home and drinking Protein Drinks. I'm sorry for those of you who have bad gas. I had that in December with my hyst. I had only 3 holes then. I had so much pain in my shoulders. Nothing I did seemed to help. I have 5 incisions just as he said I would. I am so thankful that I can start a new life. I will continue to pray for all who are struggling with discomfort. It will be better soon. And welcome to the losers bench. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsmith_rn 186 Posted May 4, 2014 I have been a registered nurse for decades (since college ) as nursing was my first love. I was sleeved on 4/30/2014! I can't believe I am able to write that my surgery is past. I'm taking it slowly as this whole process seams surreal. Did I really have surgery? Am I on the losers bench. I have to almost pinch myself. Surgery went well, although I had a hietal hernia repair, and I ended up staying in house an extra night. I had a temp of 100.00 somewhere along the way; and remember thinking oops, that will slow me down. For the most of the process, it went very well. I'm home and drinking Protein drinks. I'm sorry for those of you who have bad gas. I had that in December with my hyst. I had only 3 holes then. I had so much pain in my shoulders. Nothing I did seemed to help. I have 5 incisions just as he said I would. I am so thankful that I can start a new life. I will continue to pray for all who are struggling with discomfort. It will be better soon. And welcome to the losers bench. I understand the surreal feeling! I still can't believe it sometimes. I was sleeved on 4/25. I also had a hernia repair; that stitch or 2 in my diaphragm was my biggest "owie". Today is my 49th birthday. My family is genuinely distressed that they can't take me out to lunch or bake a cake for me. I didn't realize it would be so hard on them. They are far more upset about than me! I wasnt counting on how hard these changes would be on them and I feel bad about that. But, my daughter and fiancé both commented this morning that they can already tell I've lost weight, it's already noticeable. Wow! 1 CrazyJaney reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Susysleever 265 Posted May 4, 2014 I understand the surreal feeling! I still can't believe it sometimes. I was sleeved on 4/25. I also had a hernia repair; that stitch or 2 in my diaphragm was my biggest "owie". Today is my 49th birthday. My family is genuinely distressed that they can't take me out to lunch or bake a cake for me. I didn't realize it would be so hard on them. They are far more upset about than me! I wasnt counting on how hard these changes would be on them and I feel bad about that. But, my daughter and fiancé both commented this morning that they can already tell I've lost weight, it's already noticeable. Wow! Jewelry is always good. Lol 1 CrazyJaney reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyJaney 775 Posted May 4, 2014 I understand the surreal feeling! I still can't believe it sometimes. I was sleeved on 4/25. I also had a hernia repair; that stitch or 2 in my diaphragm was my biggest "owie". Today is my 49th birthday. My family is genuinely distressed that they can't take me out to lunch or bake a cake for me. I didn't realize it would be so hard on them. They are far more upset about than me! I wasnt counting on how hard these changes would be on them and I feel bad about that. But, my daughter and fiancé both commented this morning that they can already tell I've lost weight, it's already noticeable. Wow! Jewelry is always good. Lol Amen! No more celebrating with food! Bring on the jewelry, clothes, concert tickets, weekend away.... And maybe a tiny cupcake from Whole Foods for my Birthday in August! Lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zelda205 30 Posted May 4, 2014 I understand the surreal feeling! I still can't believe it sometimes. I was sleeved on 4/25. I also had a hernia repair; that stitch or 2 in my diaphragm was my biggest "owie". Today is my 49th birthday. My family is genuinely distressed that they can't take me out to lunch or bake a cake for me. I didn't realize it would be so hard on them. They are far more upset about than me! I wasnt counting on how hard these changes would be on them and I feel bad about that. But, my daughter and fiancé both commented this morning that they can already tell I've lost weight, it's already noticeable. Wow! Happy birthday to you.. What a way to start the new you! Families have to realize that you changed to live! In time you may be able to have say sugar free pudding as a birthday cake ..they should be happy that you will now have more birthdays to celebrate! Congratulations again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites