2-Weeks Post-Op: Already a 'Success Story'

[bini120 163]

I wanted to add a positive account of my 2 weeks post-op, to give pre-op folks some comfort.

After minor episodes of mild incision pain and occasional bouts of nausea as my new stomach got used to digestion again over the last 2 weeks, my body is feeling almost completely normal again. I am in awe of its ability to heal itself.

- My incisions are 4 very small cuts (belly-button, sternum, left and ride side of torso) which do not hurt at all anymore. I have some itching occasionally, but I understand that this signals healing.

- I can drink Water in normal larger sips now (and even if I forget and take a larger gulp, there is no discomfort)

- I have almost completely gone off the taste of Protein shakes (can only manage Core Power banana milkshakes even though, as one user pointed out, these are higher in carbs, so I don't drink more than 1 a day). I get most of my Protein through my vegetarian puree diet (Beans, tofu, cottage cheese, (no eggs)) and through adding GENEPRO to my 3-daily cups of tea.

- I feel fullness/restriction much better now that I'm on purees (compared to when I was on full liquids - I have to guess if I'd had enough Soup as that flows through rather quickly). A couple of times I've eaten my pureed dinner a bit too quickly and have felt nauseous for 15-20 minutes. That's something to remember with the VSG surgery - your body can feel so normal after a while that you 'forget' about the limitations of your new stomach.

- I've lost 14 lbs since surgery and 20 lbs since my highest weight. But mentally, I want to focus on healing rather than weight loss at this stage. I know the weight loss will come - it can't not! I see and feel slight changes in my shape already.

- I took 4 weeks off work (because luckily, I could) but could have easily gone back to my office job this week.

- I walk 2 miles every evening and while I'm not allowed anything more strenuous for another 4 weeks, I did help pack and unpack furniture and other bits while our home was being decorated these last 2 weeks. I also flew to the Caribbean and back (for a convalescing vacation) without any issues.

Take comfort from no-complication stories like mine - as miserable as you might feel a day or two after surgery, your body is designed to snap back quicker than you think.

[tanyarahmes 119]

Thanks for sharing your story I am 16 days post op and still having a hard time I know it will get easier one day at a time right now I just started adding food I tried a egg it tried to kill me I was in major pain last night I had Beans and my stomach did good with thoses. I don't regret the surgery however it's been a lot more pain than I thought it was going to be but I am Staying positive

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[bini120 163]

Thanks for sharing your story I am 16 days post op and still having a hard time I know it will get easier one day at a time right now I just started adding food I tried a egg it tried to kill me I was in major pain last night I had Beans and my stomach did good with thoses. I don't regret the surgery however it's been a lot more pain than I thought it was going to be but I am Staying positive

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I'm sorry to hear its been trickier for you, but please believe that it will get better. If you're in pain, don't hesitate to take your pain killers. Also, I found that sleep is a massive healer. Sleep/nap/doze as much as you can and your body will thank you. Keep the faith.

[beauty and the beast 26]

I'm going in for my sleeve on July 14th and right now I'm very nervous. I'm also worried that I will have immediate regret once I wake up from anesthesia. I hope that I can deal with the nausea and pain post op. Any words of wisdom?

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[tgun25 29]

I'm POD 7 and I'm down 17 lbs, had a few obstacles, but overall it's been a good experience. I was even surrounded by people on the 4th gorging in food and I didn't kill anyone!

Here's my limited knowledge so far that I'll pass on:

1. Get a Velcro abdominal wrap to help support the gut. Game changer! Allowed me to sleep on either side with no pain.

2. Get Gas X Strips, not only do they taste good, they help.

3. Get off the narcotic pain med they send you home with as soon as you're able. I got Tylenol liquid gel caps, poked a hole in it and squeezed out the med in something tasty to drink.

2. Get clear Soups, like real clear Soups with all the noodles and meat and veggies. Strain it and use that for your broth. Stay away from plain broth...nasty.

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Edited July 8, 2016 by tgun25

[shotgun72000 30]

I am two weeks post-op and have had an amazing recovery. From the time I got out of surgery, when I was able to have ice chips I could eat them with no problem, taking my first sip was no problem. By Day four I could get out of bed by myself the pain was all but gone. That could be due to having the single incision procedure. The only issue I am having now is I'm getting a little tired of Clear Liquids (not cleared yet for full liquids yet) but mainly I am bored to death! I actually can't believe I'm sick of watching TV. I can't clean my house like vacuum, mop because of the 10 pound limit. I tried to go for a short walk but have zero energy because I can't start my Vitamins and B12 for two more weeks. I realize my body is still healing but when I feel so good at this stage it's hard to just veg and do nothing.

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[ShelterDog64 2,364]

I'm going in for my sleeve on July 14th and right now I'm very nervous. I'm also worried that I will have immediate regret once I wake up from anesthesia. I hope that I can deal with the nausea and pain post op. Any words of wisdom?

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I have severe post-anesthesia nausea (and I'm just easily nauseated in general) and I was VERY concerned about dealing with it post-op. So I pressed the issue with my doctor, the nurses, the anesthesiologist who did my pre-op appointment, the nurse anesthetist who saw me immediately post-op, etc, etc. As soon as I got to the pre-op staging area the morning of my surgery, I had a scopolamine patch placed, and they started giving me two anti-emetics by IV immediately post-op. I had severe mid-sternal pain right as I woke up from the anesthesia and they gave me IV dilaudid which took care of the pain immediately. After that I was on a morphine PCA pump until I was discharged 2 days later and it virtually eliminated my pain. I came home with liquid codeine and liquid acetaminophen and took it religiously for about 5 days. I also came home with the same 2 anti-emetics I was given in the hospital and took them religiously as well. AND, my doc prescribed Protonix, a proton pump inhibitor, to keep my stomach acid down.

Long way of saying that there are DEFINITELY ways for your medical team to work with you to resolve pain and nausea. MAKE them consider your needs, don't just accept pain as a natural consequence. There's little you can do other than walking to help with the gas pain (my doc doesn't recommend using Gas-X or any simethicone as most of your gas pains are either from within your abdomen or intestines, not your stomach), maybe use a heating pad. I got up about an hour after I was moved from the post-op area, I started walking laps around the ward I was on and I did that every couple of hours the whole time I was admitted. It really helped!

Sorry to have gone on for so long, but I hate to think of someone not getting adequate pain and nausea relief...there's just no reason to have severe pain, especially while admitted to the hospital. Good luck with your procedure!

[bini120 163]

I'm going in for my sleeve on July 14th and right now I'm very nervous. I'm also worried that I will have immediate regret once I wake up from anesthesia. I hope that I can deal with the nausea and pain post op. Any words of wisdom?

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All I'll say is yes, you may be somewhat uncomfortable/dozy when you wake up from anesthesia, but if all goes well (and odds are that they will!) you will feel better much quicker than you might expect. On day 2 you're likely to feel able to walk around comfortably, by day 3 you're likely to be able to drink liquids without discomfort, by week 1 you're likely to be off all meds and feeling pretty normal. That was my experience and it's quite astonishing how each sleep brings you closer to healing.

Also, do yourself a favor and forget about the weight loss for the first few weeks after surgery. Focus on healing and follow your doctor's instructions. The weight will come off but that shouldn't be your primary focus initially.

Good luck to you - you will be great!!!

[beauty and the beast 26]

Thank you all for your kind words of wisdom. It has made me feel a little better. Thinking of everyone going in for their surgery soon. Prayers for quick healing.

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