Post-op experience to-date (June 17 - June 20)

[no onions 258]

Overall, my surgery went well according to my surgeon and his team. I spent time as a total fruit loop in the recovery room. I specifically remember someone saying what pain level are you experiencing and I sad, "yes." So I'm slightly on the other side of that feeling.

I spent two nights in the hospital and the dry mouth was pretty extreme, but tolerable. Any nausea was minimal and I've been fortunate to not vomit yet (knock on wood).

Things I've noticed and what I attribute them to -

1. When I swallow a liquid (very small sips), I gurgle a little and sometimes feel pressure. I discussed it with the hospital team and will attribute it to being swollen. Hopefully that works itself out in the next few days.

2. Swallowing pills is kind-of a bitch. I've been prescribed percocet, famotidine, stool softener, calcium citrate (non chewable) and a Multivitamin (also non chewable). I've switched out the nutritional support to chewable items.

3. The percocet helps me sleep and keeps me from worrying about pulling wounds apart. I've taken the stool softener twice with good results. The famotidine, I'm taking twice a day and assume it is doing what it needs to do.

4.Gas - I really didn't feel any gas pain outside of my abdomen. It never migrated to my shoulder, etc. It hasn't been terribly severe and I've been doing a lot of sipping and walking just to make sure I avoid issues.

5. Hiccups

Things I worry about -

1. dehydration - I drink and eat so little, though I do try and have been doing better each day. I almost stayed in the hospital an extra day because of my concern.

2. proper nutrition - I know that as my healing progresses, I will be able to consume appropriate amounts of Protein and calories - but it's still a worry.

3. using my CPAP - I lost about 20lbs prior to surgery and noticed waking up bloated with air in my stomach a couple of mornings. I'm concerned that my pressure could be too high ( ranges from 12 - 17 and adjusts accordingly). My big fear is somehow causing a leak or popping the sleeve by introducing a bunch of CPAP air. My surgeon advised me to use the CPAP, so I'm going to try it tonight.

Things I wouldn't do again -

1. I wouldn't have insisted on walking into the grocery store on the way home from the hospital. I felt like a had to have some things and the walking about was taxing. I looked, for several moments, at the motorized carts. Those probably shouldn't be driven under the influence either.

[afansley 4]

Congrats! I had my surgery on the 15th. My surgery was an outpatient but the hospital sent a nurse by my hotel room that evening to check. Unfortunately, I threw up the same day I had my surgery--I've experienced frequent nausea ever since.

1. I too have the "gurgling feeling" when I drink--especially ice Water. I still haven't reached 64 ounces a day but I'm trying.

2. BURPING!! (ugh) constant burping. I feel like a pig with the constant burping

3. Nausea--especially in the mornings. I am still taking the nausea medication so that helps.

4. Dizziness on Post Op Day 5 -- nothing major, but definitely could tell I was light headed.

Good news is from the start of my Pre-Op liquid diet on June 9 until today, I've lost 24 pounds (WHOOO HOOOOO)

[Daisee68 2,493]

Congrats! I am 16 days post-op. I was just saying to my mom today that I remember saying in the hospital about the gurgling. I now think it was due to being too full from the ice (which I chewed A LOT of) because of the mouth dryness. The reason I think it was fullness (and yes likely partly because of the swelling) is that even after I came home, I would get that same feeling if I drank my sips of Water too close together. I started on pureed foods yesterday and a couple of times noticed the same feeling about 13-15 minutes in to eating. It does continue to happen if I drink too fast or gulp, so when I feel it, I back off. Best tip I got was to use a 1 ounce medicine cup, set a time for 5 minutes and sip 1/3rd-ish of the medicine cup every 5 minutes. That equals 4 ounces per hour. On about day 8, I was able to drink closer to 2 oz every 15 minutes. I know this is still new but I am still setting an alarm on my phone to remind me to sip every 5 minutes. If I get too full, I may skip one sip. If I feel behind on intake, I shorten the alarm to 4 minutes or so. I also downloaded an app that makes a sound of pouring Water every 15 minutes to remind me to drink and allows me to track my intake. Back to work on Monday and not sure I will be able to have the sound every 5 minutes, but I think the 15 minute timer will definitely help until I can get in a habit.

[afansley 4]

Did you or do you have heartburn? It's driving me crazy...

[Daisee68 2,493]

Yes, I did have heartburn and still do though it seems to be improving and yes it drives me crazy. Mine typically gets triggered with pain meds anyway, so not surprised by it though definitely annoyed. I am taking Zantac during the day and Protonix (Pantoprozole which is prescription) at bedtime. I had bypass though not sleeve. Call your dr and ask what you can take. I thought they normally gave you an antacid/acid reflux type med following sleeve for at least first few months.

[afansley 4]

They prescribed Axcanscndp and I take it 4 times a day. It does relieve it for a few minutes, but it comes back. So between the heartburn, burping and no bowel movements, I'm a pretty pleasant person (NOT). My daughter-in-law had the sleeve the day after me and she's already had 3 BM's ... lol. Maybe she's more "full of it" than me..hahaha

[Daisee68 2,493]

LOL!! Everyone is different in that department. Afraid I am having the issues you are!

[Kushka 36]

First - these are all great reports and updates. I'm on day 2 and you all are making my stomach hurt from chuckling. Thank you!

[AfitRN2015 33]

Sounds like everyone's doing well. Congrats to all of you.

[afansley 4]

Feeling frustrated---stepped on the scales 4 days ago and it showed I had GAINED 1.4lbs (considering I'm only taking in about 400 calories a day on the full liquids I don't know how that is possible). Stalled now with no further weight loss. I'm sure this is normal but it is making me feel defeated. I'm up to walking 3 miles a day now so I know it can't be from lack of exercise.

Any suggestions??