5 days post op...

[vwilson 13]

Well I am 5 days post op and tho it's true everyday gets a little better than the day before, I am so scared. I fear that I have made a mistake, I fear that something really bad is going to happen and I am selfish for subjecting my babies to this. Let me give y'all a little background....surgery was Monday 1/14, starting weight when I began pre-op diet was 278 at surgery 260....however I had a revision surgery from a lap band which had been already removed 11/2011 d/t slippage during pregnancy, but with it my weight dropped to 175.

So Monday I check in for surgery and I am nervous, mainly because I was scared of the impending post surgical gas pain :-/ the docs came in and reassured me, slipped me something to relax me and I'm off to the operating room. Next thing I know I'm waking up, pain in my belly and shoulders pretty bad but mostly because they had me flat. Next thing I see is my surgeon telling me that I have had complications d/t old scar tissue and I bled out during surgery which required me to have several blood transfusions, I had a central line and was being whisked to ICU...oh and I would need to have another surgery on Wednesday to repair my hiatal hernia that was "wide open". It hurt to cry but I did, my husband was home with my babies so I was alone. Too weak to pick up my phone and call or text anyone. I've never been that weak before. The ICU nurses wouldn't let me get out of bed which I heard helps profoundly with the trapped gas pain...& I swear my pca pump wasn't working ( idk really lol) and I kept having to pee!! Every movement to lift up on the Bedpan was agonizing & tbh I didn't even care that some dribbled up my back. Then the respiratory therapist kept coming and giving me breathing treatments that force my lungs open...and I know the reasoning behind this but to do this while hurting and with an already dry mouth is nothing to right home about.

The next the day they got me out of bed...and told me my blood pressure drops really low when I stand, understandable with blood loss...and they put me in a wheelchair for my swallow test. Let me tell u...omg horrible. The gastrograffin they make u drink is simply horrendous...and they had me standing in pain, dizzy trying to drink this stuff and in my mind I'm saying..."this is going to hurt to chug this". Don't worry it didnt it just taste retched and the dry heaves aren't the funnest. So yay I passed my swallow test! Back to ICU to start drinking...I took one tiny sip when I got back just to moisten my mouth and I was done. After several more blood draws I was told I would be moved to a regular room.

Soo off to my room I went, the nurses and cnas there were very pleasant...they kept trying to push me to drink but it was hard cause I had no desire to do so, all I wanted to do was sleep. I promise I have never been so weak before in my life. I drank maybe 1/10 of a 20oz water bottle and started to feel my heart race, began breathing hard like I had come from the gym and passes back out. Around 4am the nurse came in and asked me...did u know you were having surgery today..I started to cry again, I had hoped they forgot :-(. I guess I was so scared of hurting more than I already did.

Later on they came and got me for surgery...I was crying and the nurses kept asking what was wrong. Finally the surgeon came told me don't worry "anything bad would have already happened", then back to surgery I went.

This time when I woke tho I didn't feel quite so miserable. :-). After another swallow study I was cleared to drink and began Clear Liquids. For the first time in a very long time I don't automatically reflux what I drink. Amen!!

They kept me another night in the hospital to watch me, gave me several Iron transfusions and Calcium transfusions thru my central line....so many more lab tests. I got up and walked when I could because I was still so weak. They also came and did a venous ultrasound to make sure I didn't have any blood clots. The next day I was able to eat a Popsicle and my broth....baby steps:-) I'm not physically hungry at all but the mental hunger makes my belly growl whenever I see Joe's Crab Shack commercials:-).

So I was finally released Thursday night, I have my jp drain in place which is causing ALOT of anxiety to me over it's removal. I will cross that bridge when I get there.

Friday I rested, tried to play with my baby as much as I could before I got tired. I tried a Protein Shake and only got about 20grams in...but I did take my Vitamins and tried to sip Water all day.

However....I have been running low grade fevers still, this was present in the hospital also but they told me as long as it doesn't go over 101 or I have other symptoms of infection that it is ok...I constantly feel my heart beating in my chest...my normal hr is about 45 and now it's in the 90's could be pain related. I'm still weak, and weirdest of all is whenever I fall asleep I keep having crazy vivid dreams....and in some of them I am like stealing French fries or other madness lol...I know how silly it must sound but it is what it is. I have been sleeping in my recliner because it hurts to lay flat, I tried this evening but no go.

I'm hopeful for the future, but scared of being that small percent that all the bad stuff happens to.

I sit here now praying for a better tommorow, for energy & health.

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[Ballermom 803]

Praying for you. Hope each day continue to get better!

Don't hesitate to call your physician if you think anything is not right.

Congrats on your Surgery!

[yale88 25]

It s all over now . I am so glad that you feel much better and it will get better every day. Keep drinking Fluid as much as you can it s very important that you hydrate yourself. Try tea, Water, chicken broth, Jello and go back to tea all day keep siping . I will be praying for a speedy recovery. You touch my heart please let us know how you doing. Bless you!

[doreen70 268]

Sometimes post op low grade temps are related to being dry and lack of deep breathing. You should be more focused on hydration and not Protein, and do your deep breathing/coughing exercises. It will get better!

[Southern Gal 20]

What an experience! Sounds like you are on the mend now. I had the low grade fever also when I got home and severe pain with deep breaths. Turned out I had atalectasis which is very common after surgery. Doctor told me to take about 20 deep breaths per hour...deep as I could...to open up my lung. After 3 days I was fine. Maybe this could be your issue? Especially with undergoing anesthesia twice. I pray you continue to feel better every day.

[abetterme4.2 268]

Wow! You're a trooper!

S sorry for your experience, please keep us posted 'cause I can't wait to cheer you through to the finish line!!

[vwilson 13]

What an experience! Sounds like you are on the mend now. I had the low grade fever also when I got home and severe pain with deep breaths. Turned out I had atalectasis which is very common after surgery. Doctor told me to take about 20 deep breaths per hour...deep as I could...to open up my lung. After 3 days I was fine. Maybe this could be your issue? Especially with undergoing anesthesia twice. I pray you continue to feel better every day.

Definitely going to try this!!

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[Misty_eyes 79]

Hi vwilson,

Hope you gets well soon, and will keep you in my prayers!

[crystal525 26]

Wow. What a story. I also had my sleeve on 1/14 after having a band for almost 4 years. My band was removed and alot of the scar tissue was cleaned up last April and my doc still said I had an enormous amount of scarring. I also had a huge hernia to repair. My surgery took 5 hours. It was expected to take 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. I'm sure I'll hear all the details once I go to my post op appt. My husband was so worried I doing think he heard anything other than she's ok. I have a drain that I'm worried about getting removed too. Our stories are very similar. I was the first surgery of the day and didn't get into recovery until after 5pm. But the good news is that today I feel great and am able to get my liquids in. I'm sure in a few days you'll be doing just as well. You had a 2nd surgery and alot of blood loss. Hang in there and keep us posted!

Crystal

[vwilson 13]

Wow. What a story. I also had my sleeve on 1/14 after having a band for almost 4 years. My band was removed and alot of the scar tissue was cleaned up last April and my doc still said I had an enormous amount of scarring. I also had a huge hernia to repair. My surgery took 5 hours. It was expected to take 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. I'm sure I'll hear all the details once I go to my post op appt. My husband was so worried I doing think he heard anything other than she's ok. I have a drain that I'm worried about getting removed too. Our stories are very similar. I was the first surgery of the day and didn't get into recovery until after 5pm. But the good news is that today I feel great and am able to get my liquids in. I'm sure in a few days you'll be doing just as well. You had a 2nd surgery and alot of blood loss. Hang in there and keep us posted!

Crystal

Gosh who would have thought the band would have caused so much damage and u hear so often how it's the safest and reversible blah blah lol. I'm just glad it's done & over. Best of luck to u!

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[vwilson 13]

Well I've bee up trying to clean up some today....just trying to take it slow cause I get tired and out of breath quickly. It's just so surreal....and I'm not hungry at all but just keep thinking about food. What a horrible addiction:-(

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[tigerbelle 328]

glad you are feeling better...with a previous non-WLS surgery, I had complications which included the need for blood transfusions...that plus the double round of anesthesia is probably contributing to your weakness and the low-grade fever (per my own experience and recollection)...your comment about the food addiction hits home for me...part of my fear of WLS is that I will still emotionally crave food but won't be able to eat it (I realize that is actually the advantage of WLS)...I just pray for both of us that the physical well-being will far overcome the emotional challenge, and that the addiction will eventully wane

[crystal525 26]

All the damned food commercials!!!! That's part of the thing that keeps our minds on food.

The band can be taken out, yes...but by no means is the damage it can cause always reversible...

Don't do too much!!!! Rest up!

Crystal

[vwilson 13]

All the damned food commercials!!!! That's part of the thing that keeps our minds on food. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/angry.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

The band can be taken out' date=' yes...but by no means is the damage it can cause always reversible...

Don't do too much!!!! Rest up!

Crystal[/quote']

I know the commercials are ridiculous. I actually made dinner tonight for everyone and it smelled sooo good, but when I sat down to feed the baby I got a lil nauseous. Lol good thing cuz I had to bite my tongue not to stick it in the mashed potatoes lol. But alas...I am stronger then that. Just wanted to. The band almost killed me...more than once :-/

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[nicoleco 11]

Well I've bee up trying to clean up some today....just trying to take it slow cause I get tired and out of breath quickly. It's just so surreal....and I'm not hungry at all but just keep thinking about food. What a horrible addiction:-(

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i feel the same way. food is really a terrible addiction. there was a white pizza in my house yesterday and i honestly cried while drinking my gross Protein shake. you need food to live but eating it incorrectly and using it for comfort jeopardizes your health. i am terrified that i will regain when i can eat again. if i couldn't do it before, how can i do it now?

glad you are feeling better. best of luck to you on a speedy recovery!