2 days post-op

[James McDonald 7]

I had my vertical gastric sleeve surgery on 3/31 at about 12:30pm. Everything went well. I was in surgery for a little over an hour. I also had a pretty good-sized hiatus hernia that they repaired.

The first time that they got me up to walk and go to the bathroom was at 6pm. We walked about 100 feet, then back to the room. Going to the bathroom to go #1 was extremely difficult the next three or four times I had to go. I had to go, but nothing would come out for a while, and then only very slowly. It took a good 5 minutes to go each time. Once the anesthetic was fully out of my system, it got easier. And with the IV in you, you can expect to go every couple of hours.

They again got me up at about 10pm to walk and this time I felt good enough that I walked probably 300 ft. and again in the morning when I got up. From that time on I'd call the nurse in every couple of hours to unhook me from everything and go walking. The last time was after they finally took out the IV so I was free to walk without having to hang onto anything.

Because of the hernia repair, my stomach and esophagus are swollen more than usual, so getting my 64 oz. of fluids and 60 gr of Protein every day will be difficult. Taking anything more small sips, almost a trickle, and I cramp up. They do hurt, but they are not unbearable. I'll pretty much need to have a water bottle with me wherever I go, and sip almost constantly. But slow and steady, I should get there.

Right now, probably because of the swelling, when I do swallow liquids, I can feel it go into my stomach and it sits there at the opening for a few seconds until the air that is in the stomach is displaced and comes up. So I burp at every swallow. And although I am not eating, I am getting protein through my drinks, so there is still gas at the other end too, and it hurts to hold them in. So, sorry family. for the next few days, I'm letting them go.

The hospital stay was actually pleasant. All of the nurses, PAs, and staff was wan very friendly, encouraging, and professional.

I am not a sore as I thought I would be, seeing I am now missing 80% of my stomach. My stomach is not sore at all unless I bump it up against something. (No hugs for a while family!).

My stomach was removed laproscopically, so I just have five small holes. One if them is the most sore, but the doctors said beforehand that it would be. That one is right through the thickest ab muscles. They make the hole small and then stretch it open, and that is the opening where they actually pull the stomach through. So there is a stitch inside and one outside.

I came home yesterday at about 4pm. They wanted to keep me until 2 or 3, because they said that 24 hours after surgery is when swelling is at it's maximum, and they wanted to make sure I was able to tolerate swallowing fluids and pills before I left. I was only home a short time and I went for a quarter-mile walk.

All in all I am feeling much better than I expected. I took this whole week and next off of work, just-in-case it's needed, plus I need to burn up some paid time off days anyway before I lose them. I probably don't need all this time, but It will be easier for getting up and walking when I need to and such.

Edited April 2, 2015 by James McDonald

[jane13 2,256]

Sounds like how I hope to spend my day or two in the hospital and the first few days at home. When is your first post-op visit?

[James McDonald 7]

Two weeks, 4/13

[mykdzmom 387]

Glad to hear you are doing well!

[jane13 2,256]

How are you feeling today? It will be interesting to see how much you weigh on the 13th

[Jamie Murray 19]

????

[James McDonald 7]

I also forgot to mention that after surgery, I have absolutely no nausea or sliming. Now that I am three days out, I am getting around better. I went to Holy Thursday Mass last night and did OK with the kneeling and standing. I haven't tried genuflecting yet. And I am not taking communion until the doc says it's OK for solids. I hate to miss out on Good Friday and Easter, but that's how it works out I guess.

It is getting easier to get all my fluids and Protein Drinks in during the day. I can tolerate a little bigger sips than at first. But I still have to be careful to not take too big sips, or to many in succession. My esophageal sphincter is still very tight from the hiatus hernia repair and it hurts when the muscles push it through to the stomach.

My wife hasn't noticed any difference in the way I look right now, but when I look down, I can see some slimming. It may just be the absence of most of my stomach, but whenever I go on a diet, the first place I lose is right in that area. And I had to tighten my CPAP mask last night. I could not get a good seal no matter what I did, so I must be losing in my face.

And I went for a 1/2 mile walk this morning, and will again this afternoon after Good Friday Mass.

[SueinLA 0]

So glad to hear you are doing so well!

My surgery is this Wed, April 8 and it is very comforting to read your experience!!

Great job with all of your walking!!

[Jb1176 79]

I read with great interest the details of your first hours of recovery. My surgery is Monday the 13th - 2 days away.

Please share more progress if you can. I keep looking for posts from other males who have had the sleeve and there aren't many. It is helpful to hear what other men have to say.

[James McDonald 7]

jb1176, are you on Facebook? I've been posting there recently so my family can see what I have without me having to double-post everything. Here is the group I created: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1031645590196884/

[James McDonald 7]

Well, my 2 days post op is now 30 days!

Well, it's been 30 days. I'm hoping to lose more, but it's a start. Down 60 pounds from my all-time high. Down 30 from the time I started this process almost a year ago. And down 16 pounds since my surgery 3 days ago.

Click below for before and after pics.

http://www.picisto.com/ph…/picisto-20150501220312-623427.jpg