Please Tell Me This is Normal

[Iniysa 157]

I sent this email to my nurse, but by the time I finished it, it was after hours. So since I probably won't get a reply until tomorrow; I thought I would post it here to get the opinions of people who have already been through this.

Hi Nicole,

I was sleeved June 10th, and wanted to know what a normal recovery should feel like at this point.

I don't have a fever, my temp is running around 99.4F. But my upper chest and right shoulder burns with every breath. This is probably just gas, but walking isn't helping. Walking hurts, a lot. As does shifting, taking deep breaths and sitting up. But I was told to walk, so I am.

liquids are another challenge. I haven't thrown up, but there have been some close calls. Every tiny sip of Water burns going down and then it feels like it just sits in my chest. Warm vegetable broth was the only thing that didn't burn going down, and didn't seem to sit as long. But now the simple smell of it makes me nauseous.

I'm exhausted, though I don't feel like I'm doing much. Of course I just had major surgery and I'm having trouble getting liquids down. My lower stomach is making all kinds of noises and to top it all off, I seem to have started my period.

Oh, and I might have a minor rash developing on the left side of my upper stomach.

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Please tell me this is all normal, I'm just being paranoid and will start to feel better in a few days.

Thanks

Lauren

[MystiGal 143]

As far as the way you feel, all of that is very similar to my first week after surgery. Now the rash, that I'm not sure about. It is good that you emailed your dr, but I don't think you have anything to worry about. Good luck and wishing you a speedy recovery! Every day really does get better!!

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Everything you described was my first week, too. No worries, you are completely normal.

Easy way out, my fat ass. And the rash is normal, too. I am a month out tomorrow and my rash is finally gone.

[Iniysa 157]

Thank you so much!!

[cms213 119]

I had a red rash similar to that on all my incisions and the doctor said its just skin irritation from the adhesive tape they used.

[belladona 153]

Everything you described was my first week, too. No worries, you are completely normal.

Easy way out, my fat ass. And the rash is normal, too. I am a month out tomorrow and my rash is finally gone.

What is the rash from? or what did they tell you it was. Going in Tuesday, good to know.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

No explanation, but I've heard ketosis and pain meds.

[ashleep 22]

I have a rash all over. My legs, arms, hands, chest and stomach. It started on my legs and has spread over the course of 2 weeks. It's miserable! The dermatologist was stumped.

[Indigo1991 1,612]

You are right to contact nurse. Right shoulder pain can also be associated with a gall bladder problem that can occur after surgery. But it could also just be part of your body recovering.

Let us know how you are once you have spoken to the nurse.

[Jeffie Beck 57]

I had the EXACT same symptoms! My heart burn was so bad, It burned to even drink Water. My doc gave me a prescription for the heartburn which immediately helped me get my water, meds, and Protein down. I'm in my fifth week post op, and my stomach makes all kinds of noises still (I joke with my husband that I have a lizard living in my chest, which will often reply to him before I get a chance to lol). Not sure this will ever go away, so I just eat super slowly to minimize the sounds as much as possible. Different things pass down the sleeve at different speeds for me. I'm on pureed and solids, which i chew to a pureed consistency. Mash goes down fine, but almost everything else takes its sweet time. It makes me feel full super fast (which is normal for us, so I'm happy with that) and i stay full longer. It is uncomfortable, but I guarantee you get used to it. In fact, I have come to like my gurgling and that full esophagus feeling, it's my body's way of telling me i've had enough for now. Try to embrace that feeling, your sleeve is keeping you from old eating habits. Changing my attitude in this way helped me greatly. Shoulder pain was the worst for me, too! But I think it was gone before week 2 was mid-swings, so don't worry!! You're well on your way, good luch!