Surgery was 08/10/2016 I am 4 days post op and totally regret my decision-will it get better?

[nakole73 34]

I had my surgery on August 10, 2016. I wound up spending 3 nights instead of 1 in the hospital because the nausea was so bad, I never did throw up though. I almost had to have a catheter placed because I could not urinate, not sure why though. They did an ultrasound on my bladder and said I had 3 or 4 cups of urine, yet I did not feel urge to urinate. I can't sleep, i'm used to sleeping on my side and am forced to sleep on my back for now. Getting out of bed is still extremeley painful. I sneezed for the first time since surgery today and felt like my incisions were going to rip open. I only take the oxy at bedtime to help me sleep though. Yet I have this horrible taste in mouth when I wake up. My arms are bruised beyond belief from the heparin shots they gave me in the hospital. I am sure I will eventually be glad I had the surgery, I am just having a hard time right now. Anyone else in the same boat as me?

[GeekMomChanging 48]

It WILL get better and then the 3-4 weeks of sucky will seem like a very small price to pay. You can do it. It will be worth it.

[madadams 130]

I was exactly the same. 3 days in hospital with nausea but never threw up. I was 7 days post op before I could sleep on my side. It is common not to be able to pass urine post op. That won't last. I promise it will get easier. Just take each day as it comes. This will all be behind you very soon.

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[daniotra 298]

It gets better. It took me several hours before I was able to pee, and then I had to patiently wait for my body to allow the urine out once on the toilet. That lasted a couple days for me. Getting out of bed was the most painful thing for me. Take it easy and ask for help if needed. I slept in a recliner the first several days. It was more comfortable.

Try holding a pillow to your stomach when you cough, or place a hand firmly over your largest incision. It helps to support the area and makes it less painful.

The horrible taste is common. I had it too. My doc said it could be due to the anaesthesia. It could also be ketosis, dry mouth (try biotene mouthwash), or something else. Brush frequently and use a tongue scrape or brush. It helps a lot. This gets better in a few weeks.

If you are in pain during the day, take your meds so you can heal. No need to be a hero.

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[mc730 0]

If it makes you feel better I had the EXACT same experience and was thinking the same thing but it DID get better. Everyone seemed to have this perfect in and out experience the doctors even said surgery went excellent. I was dry heaving from the second I woke up and began vomiting shortly after. I even got the hiccups during all of this it was as painful and scary as you are imagining. As for the catheter - I hit 800ml and they were forced to do one on the spot while I was awake! Everything that could go wrong did it was a nightmare. I'm now 4 days post surgery - still in pain but already feeling a difference and know there is a lot more change to come.

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[kmorri 1,689]

You've gotten some good advice so far. In addition if you don't have an abdominal binder get one. It will help a lot with any pain you're having. You can get them at most drug stores or Babies R Us...(women use them after C-sections).

The bad taste in your mouth is very normal and for me lasted about 6 days.....I was able to sleep on my side from the first day I came home from the hospital....by wearing the binder and also by using a pillow to support my belly.

Lastly make sure you are up walking around as much as possible....this will help you heal faster. Don't lay down unless you are sleeping. Stay moving. Make sure you are getting in all your Fluid and Protein.....if you're having difficulty with these work on the Fluid intake first as it's most important and then work on the Protein. The protein will also help you heal, but dehydration from not getting enough fluid will land you back in the hospital.

Know that these first few days are the worst. For me the turning point was day 6. Everyday will get better. I'm 3 months post-op now and I know that this is the best thing I've ever done for myself. I've lost 61 pounds and can't remember when I've felt this good. For now just take one day at a time and know it gets better for sure!!

Take Care,

Kathy

Edited August 15, 2016 by kmorri

[SilentBotts 138]

It definitely gets better. Pain was very manageable by the end of the first week. Walking and moving helps a lot with it.

I had the exact opposite problem with urinating. Once they took my catheter out because of all the fluids from the IV I had to pee about once an hour. This meant getting up alot, and on the second night it meant getting up out of bed every 1-2 hours.

[Nibria56 8]

I was the same way. I was sleeved on August 1st. I'm sure by now you are feeling much better. Believe it or not it really is mind over matter. The one thing that really got to me was the liquid stage. I was soo over ot. But it will get better trust me

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[maggie'smom 30]

thanks, all these testimonies are a hugh help.

[GSleeve822 394]

This is when you realize that all those people who said you took the "easy way out" were a bunch of liars! Haha. You will be fine. It's like any other surgery, there's a recovery time so give yourself the space to recover. Almost everyone questions their decision when they're going through the first few weeks. It will get so much better.. your life I mean, will improve greatly and the surgery itself will be a distant memory.

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