THE FIRST 10 DAYS POST OP

[practicalshopper 3]

My surgery was performed in a whirlwind. I didn't really have the time to research what to expect post op- short term or long term. Now 11 days later here are my reflections. My experience may be markedly different than yours.

Hour 1-4 in PACU: Hell on earth. My pain is 8/10 at my "stab wounds" with nausea and repeated dry heaves. I am drugged up and groggy. I am also scared to absolute death that all of the dry heaving is going to rupture the staple line of my sleeve. I basically am refusing pain meds for fear of more vomiting. I feel like a portion of my stomach is in my throat, literally, just sitting in my esophagus creating a strange pressure.

Hour 4-24 admitted: My pain and nausea gradually resolve after I request my nurses to bring my 2 Lortab (narcotic) and Zofran and/or Phenergan (anti-emetic) every 4 hours on the dot, not "as needed" as was ordered by my surgeon. I also had a Scopalamine patch for nausea that was continuous release. By 24 hours post surgery I was done with narcotics and anti-emetics and only needed Toradol (Ibuprofen) and had the Scopalamine patch for nausea. I cannot take even a small sip of anything yet. My stomach still feels as if it is in my esophagus.

Hour 24 morning after: My IV fluids are stopped and I am wheel chaired down to my swallow test. It is one of the most awful experiences of my life. I have not yet swallowed anything, and this Fluid is disgusting. I can barely perform the test and of course I throw it back up. My stomach is in my esophagus. I am nauseated, and now I am hurting again. I cannot figure out why I have chosen this.

Hour 36 discharged home. Walk from my room to the car. My pain is very manageable and nausea resolved again.

Hour 36-72 at my folks house: I slept poorly but basically continuously. I could not arouse to watch TV or read. I was uncomfortable, but only required ibuprofen for pain and the Scopalmine patch for nausea. At 72 hours I take out/off the pain pump contraption that was sending a pain medication directly to the wounds via a very small catheter and remove the dressings. My stomach is in my esophagus.

Hour 72-96 at home: I feel good. I still cannot figure out why I did this without more research. I force myself to be up and about, with some lounging in between. I go to the health food store to get my Vitamins and waste some money on Protein I won't like or use. My stomach is not in my esophagus any more.

Hour 96 and beyond: I feel better and better. At 96 hours I cannot figure out why I need to be off work for 4 weeks. That seems very excessive. I can totally function. At day 10 I feel as though I NEVER HAD SURGERY. I feel normal and great, pain free, not nauseated, and my energy level is about the same as pre-op.

Lessons I have learned:

1. It is 72 hours of hell folks. That's it. 72-96 hours. Anyone can do that.

2. This is dumb for anyone who already has researched this major surgery prior to having it, but I had not so here goes: you have 1/4-1/2 cup of space in that new tummy. You can fill it with some variety of high Protein nutrient dense item, or just as easily with ice cream, jelly Beans or anything else. This surgery did not take away a single craving or desire. Each 2-3 hours that I put something in my sleeve, I have to make a choice. I didn't fully grasp the level of denial that I would experience, much like every diet I have tried in the past. I have denied myself many dozens of times through this Christmas season. It was hard, just like every diet I have embarked on. True, I do not have hunger pangs, but the desire to eat and eat poorly is ever present.

3. My surgeon has a totally different food schedule than every other surgeon in the U.S. and Mexico I guess. At day 6 he advanced me to chopped foods. Chopped chicken, tuna, hamburger, scrambled eggs etc. I am so grateful as I hate, hate, hate any artificial sweeteners and Stevia. That pretty much eliminates all Protein shakes. It also eliminates anything sweet for now because I know my head and tongue are just as addicted to sugar as they were 11 days ago. Part of me is reveling in the victories so far, and part of me is kind of missing the normalcy of dining with my family and eating what they are eating, having ice cream etc.

4. I am realizing more and more every day that this is a wonderful tool, but tenuous at best. I am fully aware that I could actually have this procedure and not lose weight or change my life, and it would be easy to have that outcome. This is indeed a lifestyle commitment and opportunity to change my life for the better, but it is fragile, and I really could blow it. My sleeve can tolerate anything I have thrown at it, no problem. I know that I could jam 3,000 kilocalories into this pouch tomorrow if I allowed it.

5. Just like previous times dieting, I have to have enough calories or I feel weak and out of sorts. The My doctor has not encouraged 400 calorie intake, but rather 1,100 plus. I am hovering around 1,000 most days since day 4 and feel good. On the days I was closer to 600 I felt very poorly. My protein intake is high, carbs and fat relatively low. I am eating 100% real food, no shakes.

I hope that this helps someone.

Edited December 29, 2014 by practicalshopper

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Can I ask why there was a such a whirlwind to perform your surgery?

[Elode 8,093]

@@practicalshopper Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm sure it can Help a newbie even though everyone's experience is different BUT I can 100% agree with the horrific barium swallow test and I have yet to find anyone who has enjoyed it! PUKE!!!!

[practicalshopper 3]

Since you asked, it was a whirlwind because there are two surgeons who perform this procedure in my city. The one who has the vast majority of experience and an impeccable reputation and great success was all the sudden no longer going to be covered by my insurance. I DID do some reading about it, but to be honest, not nearly as much as I would have if I had more time. It was about 4 weeks from initial consult to surgery. I never really thought I would get insurance approval, and when it came the surgery was shortly after.

[mdlange 50]

I am having VSG in early February, in Tijuana. I am really afraid that I will just "eat past" my sleeve. How are the sugar/carb cravings? Any tips?

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@practicalshopper. - Thanks for sharing. Each individual is different. I had no pain from day 1. Happy to hear things are improving for you. BTW- Barium swallows are indeed nasty things. I had mine pre-op since I was required to have an Upper GI prior to surgery.

@@mdlange - It depends on the person. Some people have experienced being able to drink large quantities right off the bat some people find ways to nibble even with the restrictions. Most people experience restriction once they are back to normal food. Other still experience cravings. However I think some of those are people who are "head hungry" and not truly hungry. The surgery will help, but there is still a bit of will power involved. New eating behaviors have to be learned.