3 Days post-op, dealing with the swelling and gas

[dragonfly78 16]

Hello! Heather from Tampa here! I will be 37 next month and today is my first full at home day post-op VSG. I had my surgery 4 hours South in Boca Raton Area by Dr. Shillingford. I have a medical background, so I understand most of what is going on and understand it, but it still doesn't change the fact that I am actually living it. The biggest issue I am having right now is the swollen abdomen and gas that is left to come out. I am on Percocet for pain, every 4 hours. They wanted me on a liquid pain med, but I do not tolerate that well, so it was either deal with a pill or throw up the liquid, so of course we opted for the pills. I had a rough day after surgery when I threw up the contrast dye for the Upper GI Series that is done to check for leaks. That created a lot more tightness in the abdominal muscles and more pain that I would have most likely been in.

I am taking in as much liquid as I can. My doctor does a pureed diet day 3-14, so my day has gone like this so far: slept on the couch in a mostly sitting position. Woke up at 2am and 6am for pain meds. Had some nausea do I drank some caffeine free hot tea (a few sips) which calmed the nausea, and I took my Protonix. At 7:30am, I ate about 1 ounce of Fage greek yogurt (strawberry). 10:00am - got in about 4.5-5 ounces of Protein shake (I highly recommend Beverly UMP chocolate btw). 10:40 had another pain pill. I took a nap from 11:00-12:40. 12:45 I ate about 2 ounces of plain cottage cheese. I like plain cottage cheese, so this did not bother me at all. So far, so good, I am waking around he house fairly often, but not overdoing it. I am urinating easily and still burping. I am not passing much gas from the other end at all, but I think that will take some more time. I have Gas-X and hoping that will help some too. On another note, because of the swelling, I am back up a few pounds from what my surgery day weight was, so I am not trying to focus on that right now. I know it will move once the first week is out of the way.

So that is my summary so far. Any thoughts on how long the swelling and gas actually lasted for others would be great!

[ITGeekGirl 32]

The big thing is that you need to get up and walk around every couple of hours. I know it's painful but it's the fastest way to get rid of the gas and bloating. When I was in the hospital I was up walking laps in the hospital.

It sucks, and it's painful, but it's the fastest way to get rid of it.

Also - I was on liquids for 3 weeks after my surgery, you might want to stick with Protein shakes and Water.

[dragonfly78 16]

Thanks. I am walking a good deal. The food is not bothering me, and that is the plan my surgeon follows, so as long as it is tolerated, I'll stick to it. It should also be noted that I had a large hiatal hernia repair during my sleeve.

[jane13 2,256]

@@dragonfly78 keep moving and hydrate. if you can do the days with OTC pain meds try to get off the others asap. use them for night time if you can. the more you move the better and try to not lie flat when you sleep. I had pureed at 3 days too. no problems here. I am north of you....near jacksonville....good luck and welcome!

[dragonfly78 16]

Thanks Jane13! I definitely opted for sleeping on the couch so I could sit up instead of laying down. I knew that would be an issue. The hospital bed was awful lol I'm interested in how many days it was before people started seeing the swelling and gas go down. 5-7 days post-op maybe?

[_Kate_ 2,224]

Sorry to burst your bubble but I looked pregnant until about week three I have a feeling having to inject myself in the belly twice a day for over two weeks didn't help. For others I am sure it went down on day two! What I am saying is, there is no rule to it.

You sound as if you are doing great! Congrats on the surgery and speedy recovery.

[dragonfly78 16]

Thanks Kate!

[xlawman 23]

Dragonfly.. Welocome to the neighborhood. i live north of Tamap and having the Sleeve put in at Memorial Hospital in Tampa. Founf a doctor in Wesly Chaple. Highly recommened. Thanks for the tip on sitting up. I never got that advise before. My doctor is giving me a anti-nausea pill the day before the operation that suppose to last for three days. Keeping my fingers crossed about that, Glad your doing well over all.

xlawman

[dragonfly78 16]

Welcome! Sitting up should help with the gas and the overall reflux issues that many patients have after surgery initially. I already have severe Reflux so I have dealt with that issue before. There are a couple really great surgeons here in Tampa/St. Pete and I would have used them if they offered a better self-pay price. I wish you the best!

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

I thought sitting up helped but laying down was better, no bending or engaging of ab muscles. Also on day 4 I was able to sleep on my stomach and the helped with the rest of the gas and I was finally able to sleep a solid 8 hours

[dragonfly78 16]

Thanks! With my back issues and extreme Reflux (I have Barretts Disease) I cannot lie flat or on my stomach, as this does make it worse, but this could be great info for another member so thank you for sharing! I have actually started to have more release of gas since posting this, and I was able to prop myself up enough in bed to sleep pretty comfortably last night so yay! I know this takes time, so I'm just going to keep my eye on the prize at the end of this

[xlawman 23]

Good for you dragonfly78..I am hoping to do the same

[smileygal 43]

Dragonfly - great to hear your journey. I am 12 days post op, wounds nearly healed. All gas/ bloating gone. Lots of energy at the start of the day but tiring towards the end. You'll get there!!

[dragonfly78 16]

Thanks smileygal!

[jane13 2,256]

@@dragonfly78 I should have clarified myself: Elevate the head of the bed a couple of inches, in general your body will be slightly inclined.