July 2021 Surgery People!

[Mama Des 12]

Wow. I’m glad I’m not the only one. I also feel hungry all the time. I have had smaller portions but I basically did the liquids for less than a week. Purées less than a week and now two weeks after surgery I am struggling to take shakes and I’m sooo tired of Soup all ready. I feel like I have failed big time. I had a tuna sandwich. With 2 pieces of bread and a lil of avocado and cheese and I felt like I was going to die after. Now I’m back to liquids lol but still feel like a wreck.

[BillyHalleck 12]

Hi all,

VSG completed on Monday 7/26, Wondering if you all could help me figure out what pain levels and challenges are normal. I am finding:

1. Very hard to sit up from bed, or stand from chair - feels like my entire stomach is "dropping" and causes pain at incisions

2. No bowel movements since pre-surgery. Feel full of gas. Difficult to pass gas.

3. Swollen/stiff neck

4. Painful stomach spasms: both randomly and every time I drink anything (even small sips).

5. Gurgling and painful hiccups but not gas expulsion or belching.

Is this all normal? Thanks all!

[eholmes89 107]

21 minutes ago, BillyHalleck said:

Hi all,

VSG completed on Monday 7/26, Wondering if you all could help me figure out what pain levels and challenges are normal. I am finding:

1. Very hard to sit up from bed, or stand from chair - feels like my entire stomach is "dropping" and causes pain at incisions

2. No bowel movements since pre-surgery. Feel full of gas. Difficult to pass gas.

3. Swollen/stiff neck

4. Painful stomach spasms: both randomly and every time I drink anything (even small sips).

5. Gurgling and painful hiccups but not gas expulsion or belching.

Is this all normal? Thanks all!

Hi Billy!

Congratulations on your surgery, this is the start of your new life… 👍🏻😊

All those questions are very valid and normal to be asking. I am 2 weeks post op.

1. Yes, this is normal. Your stomach is very swollen and tender. I struggled to sit up from laying down and needed some help to begin with. My incisions are still delicate to touch and felt like they pulled when I moved. I found a hot water bottle helped sometimes. But this will get better with time.

2. I didn’t pass stools until the 10th day after surgery. Also in terms of gas I think it was 8-9 days post surgery. My dietician told me as long as I wasn’t experiencing symptoms on Constipation this was normal as my body adjusts to the lack of food. If your feeling like you need to ‘go’ and it’s painful speak to your nurse.

3. I didn’t personally experience this. But I’m guessing it’s to do with the gas. Keep moving as much as you can without straining yourself. Failing that call your nurse for more advice.

4. This is normal. Your stomach is swollen and adapting to the stitches and size. I really struggled with Water to start, I moved onto sugar free juice this helped settle my tummy more. Sometimes sleevers do struggle with water only, warm tea can also help. I also get stomach spasm everytime i sneeze!!

5.Hiccups for me is a sign my stomach is full. It will get full very quickly in the first few days. I also struggled to burp sometimes with feelings of a ball in my chest. I used Infacol and Gaviscon to help With this. It does go away over time.. just remember to keep sipping slowly on avoid dehydration.

If you have anymore questions the bunch of people on here are really helpful and they will answer as best they can to make you feel better ❤️‍🩹

[Seija 23]

58 minutes ago, eholmes89 said:

Hi Billy!

Congratulations on your surgery, this is the start of your new life… 👍🏻😊

All those questions are very valid and normal to be asking. I am 2 weeks post op.

1. Yes, this is normal. Your stomach is very swollen and tender. I struggled to sit up from laying down and needed some help to begin with. My incisions are still delicate to touch and felt like they pulled when I moved. I found a hot water bottle helped sometimes. But this will get better with time.

2. I didn’t pass stools until the 10th day after surgery. Also in terms of gas I think it was 8-9 days post surgery. My dietician told me as long as I wasn’t experiencing symptoms on constipation this was normal as my body adjusts to the lack of food. If your feeling like you need to ‘go’ and it’s painful speak to your nurse.

3. I didn’t personally experience this. But I’m guessing it’s to do with the gas. Keep moving as much as you can without straining yourself. Failing that call your nurse for more advice.

4. This is normal. Your stomach is swollen and adapting to the stitches and size. I really struggled with Water to start, I moved onto sugar free juice this helped settle my tummy more. Sometimes sleevers do struggle with Water only, warm tea can also help. I also get stomach spasm everytime i sneeze!!

5.Hiccups for me is a sign my stomach is full. It will get full very quickly in the first few days. I also struggled to burp sometimes with feelings of a ball in my chest. I used Infacol and Gaviscon to help With this. It does go away over time.. just remember to keep sipping slowly on avoid dehydration.

If you have anymore questions the bunch of people on here are really helpful and they will answer as best they can to make you feel better ❤️‍🩹

1 hour ago, BillyHalleck said:

Hi all,

VSG completed on Monday 7/26, Wondering if you all could help me figure out what pain levels and challenges are normal. I am finding:

1. Very hard to sit up from bed, or stand from chair - feels like my entire stomach is "dropping" and causes pain at incisions

2. No bowel movements since pre-surgery. Feel full of gas. Difficult to pass gas.

3. Swollen/stiff neck

4. Painful stomach spasms: both randomly and every time I drink anything (even small sips).

5. Gurgling and painful hiccups but not gas expulsion or belching.

Is this all normal? Thanks all!

Had surgery 27th 14:00 and I am experiencing all those things + serious right shoulder pain. That is actually the worst thing for me now. It is so sharp and makes it difficult to do anything. But I do think it is normal and can't wait to feel better.

Thanks for the reassuring reply ❤️ @eholmes89

Every encouraging reply helps right now.

[JohnnyG1976 4]

My Gastric Sleeve is scheduled for 7/29 8am !! last day of waiting !!!!

Plano Texas

[Jeseca832 19]

9 minutes ago, JohnnyG1976 said:

My Gastric Sleeve is scheduled for 7/29 8am !! last day of waiting !!!!

Plano Texas

Good Luck!!!!

[Candace76 212]

Hey July Surgery People!

I got home yesterday and cannot believe how tired I have been since the surgery. I am usually able to function on little sleep, and I don't typically nap. This is a totally different level of tired than I have ever felt. That has been my biggest side-effect or symptoms after surgery.

My surgery was actually an hour earlier than scheduled. Everyone was nice at the hospital. I woke up in the recovery room, but just wanted to sleep.

I was brought up to my room about an hour after surgery. My husband stayed with me, but I all I did was sleep or respond with my eyes closed when he asked me anything.

My first sips of Water went down without pain, but I noticed if I took a bigger sip, I felt it going down. I did ok with broth and tea, but was not in the mood for anything.

My incision sites were not painful, but my stomach felt like I had the worst hunger pangs ever. I also felt the gas that was pumped in my belly.

Day 2, I felt a little less pain and was a little less sleepy. I was able to eat more broth than the day before. I was discharged around noon, and returned home to my little cuties. I did not want broth when I got home, but I had some sugar-free Jello. My husband made the kids fish sticks and they smelled awful. I couldn't walk into the kitchen. Slept well over night.

Day 3 (today), my parents came to help with the kids & I have really only wanted water and jello. I started Vitamins & prilosec again. Stomach & incision pain is very mild. It is so weird that I feel hungry, but don't want anything. I took a big nap in the afternoon, so I still have very little energy.

Tomorrow I start full liquid diet, so hopefully, I will get a little more energy & will be able to have things besides broth.

So far, I can't complain, it hasn't been as bad as I prepared myself for. I hope it continues to go well. Wishing everyone well with their progress. 😊🥰

[WorldCruiser 38]

16 minutes ago, Candace76 said:

Hey July Surgery People!

I got home yesterday and cannot believe how tired I have been since the surgery. I am usually able to function on little sleep, and I don't typically nap. This is a totally different level of tired than I have ever felt. That has been my biggest side-effect or symptoms after surgery.

My surgery was actually an hour earlier than scheduled. Everyone was nice at the hospital. I woke up in the recovery room, but just wanted to sleep.

I was brought up to my room about an hour after surgery. My husband stayed with me, but I all I did was sleep or respond with my eyes closed when he asked me anything.

My first sips of Water went down without pain, but I noticed if I took a bigger sip, I felt it going down. I did ok with broth and tea, but was not in the mood for anything.

My incision sites were not painful, but my stomach felt like I had the worst hunger pangs ever. I also felt the gas that was pumped in my belly.

Day 2, I felt a little less pain and was a little less sleepy. I was able to eat more broth than the day before. I was discharged around noon, and returned home to my little cuties. I did not want broth when I got home, but I had some sugar-free Jello. My husband made the kids fish sticks and they smelled awful. I couldn't walk into the kitchen. Slept well over night.

Day 3 (today), my parents came to help with the kids & I have really only wanted Water and Jello. I started Vitamins & prilosec again. Stomach & incision pain is very mild. It is so weird that I feel hungry, but don't want anything. I took a big nap in the afternoon, so I still have very little energy.

Tomorrow I start full liquid diet, so hopefully, I will get a little more energy & will be able to have things besides broth.

So far, I can't complain, it hasn't been as bad as I prepared myself for. I hope it continues to go well. Wishing everyone well with their progress. 😊🥰

Congrats on your surgery! Wishing you a good & speedy recovery!

[BillyHalleck 12]

22 hours ago, Seija said:

Had surgery 27th 14:00 and I am experiencing all those things + serious right shoulder pain. That is actually the worst thing for me now. It is so sharp and makes it difficult to do anything. But I do think it is normal and can't wait to feel better.

Thanks for the reassuring reply ❤️ @eholmes89

Every encouraging reply helps right now.

Thanks so much for the reassurance! Hard to tell what's normal when this is such a strange process. Really appreciate the feedback!

[BillyHalleck 12]

23 hours ago, eholmes89 said:

Hi Billy!

Congratulations on your surgery, this is the start of your new life… 👍🏻😊

All those questions are very valid and normal to be asking. I am 2 weeks post op.

1. Yes, this is normal. Your stomach is very swollen and tender. I struggled to sit up from laying down and needed some help to begin with. My incisions are still delicate to touch and felt like they pulled when I moved. I found a hot water bottle helped sometimes. But this will get better with time.

2. I didn’t pass stools until the 10th day after surgery. Also in terms of gas I think it was 8-9 days post surgery. My dietician told me as long as I wasn’t experiencing symptoms on constipation this was normal as my body adjusts to the lack of food. If your feeling like you need to ‘go’ and it’s painful speak to your nurse.

3. I didn’t personally experience this. But I’m guessing it’s to do with the gas. Keep moving as much as you can without straining yourself. Failing that call your nurse for more advice.

4. This is normal. Your stomach is swollen and adapting to the stitches and size. I really struggled with Water to start, I moved onto sugar free juice this helped settle my tummy more. Sometimes sleevers do struggle with Water only, warm tea can also help. I also get stomach spasm everytime i sneeze!!

5.Hiccups for me is a sign my stomach is full. It will get full very quickly in the first few days. I also struggled to burp sometimes with feelings of a ball in my chest. I used Infacol and Gaviscon to help With this. It does go away over time.. just remember to keep sipping slowly on avoid dehydration.

If you have anymore questions the bunch of people on here are really helpful and they will answer as best they can to make you feel better ❤️‍🩹

Thank you so much for the feedback. Very comforting know this is all normal. Really helpful info!

[Monique1123 28]

On 7/28/2021 at 9:40 AM, BillyHalleck said:

Hi all,

VSG completed on Monday 7/26, Wondering if you all could help me figure out what pain levels and challenges are normal. I am finding:

1. Very hard to sit up from bed, or stand from chair - feels like my entire stomach is "dropping" and causes pain at incisions

2. No bowel movements since pre-surgery. Feel full of gas. Difficult to pass gas.

3. Swollen/stiff neck

4. Painful stomach spasms: both randomly and every time I drink anything (even small sips).

5. Gurgling and painful hiccups but not gas expulsion or belching.

Is this all normal? Thanks all!

Hi Billy,

Honestly, everything you're going through is completely normal. My incisions were super sore for the first week. It was hard for me to get up, bend over, turn and even walk because my stomach jiggling would hurt lol.

It also took me about 8 days to have my first BM, my surgeon said that it was completely normal.

I didn't have a stiff neck but based on other posts I read prior to surgery, it's from the gas and also is normal after surgery. Of course, you know the solution to that is to WALK WALK WALK!!

Ughhhh, the spasms yeah I hated those. It was very hard for me to get my fluids in because everything would hurt so bad going down. It honestly gets so much better after the first week, trust me! Last, I would hear my stomach gurgling when I would take a sip of something during those first couple of days. However, now at 2 weeks post-op, I can't tell you that last time my stomach grumbled lol. Don't worry, it will all get better! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!

[dwaite 5]

Finally got home from Tijuana today.... surgery was Monday 7.26.2021 with dr. verboonen at V Bariatrics (Obesity Goodbye Center). Ever since I got to the hotel yesterday. I've been sipping Powerade, Gatorade, Water, broth, SF popsicles nonstop. Is that okay? Or am I supposed to only consume during set times throughout the day? Also how did you get comfortable? Best thing to make scars dissapear ? Trying to plan ahead

I am on full liquid diet right now, but go to purée on Monday/Tuesday next week.... what are your favorite recipes?

When did you notice that initial bloat go away from surgery? I'm 2 lbs down from surgery date but my stomach is stuck protruding out bc of being so sore.

[Bluebonnetgirl 63]

12 minutes ago, dwaite said:

Finally got home from Tijuana today.... surgery was Monday 7.26.2021 with dr. verboonen at V Bariatrics (Obesity Goodbye Center). Ever since I got to the hotel yesterday. I've been sipping Powerade, Gatorade, Water, broth, SF popsicles nonstop. Is that okay? Or am I supposed to only consume during set times throughout the day? Also how did you get comfortable? Best thing to make scars dissapear ? Trying to plan ahead

I am on full liquid diet right now, but go to purée on Monday/Tuesday next week.... what are your favorite recipes?

When did you notice that initial bloat go away from surgery? I'm 2 lbs down from surgery date but my stomach is stuck protruding out bc of being so sore.

Getting your hydration is very important. I think alot of people recommend getting 4 oz every 15 minutes. But however to can do it is fine as long as it doesn't cause discomfort. I sip all day long!

I just started puree foods and have kept it pretty simple. Alot of people talk about the ricotta bake. I haven't tried it becuz my store was out of ricotta but I plan to try it. So far I have has cottage cheese with pureed fruit, refried Beans and pureed salsa chicken, tonight I made shrimp scampi and pureed the shrimp and had mashed potatoes. I need to try some veggies next. I chose just a few foods to start and plan to add a different one every few days as tolerated.

Mu stomach stayed swollen for quite a few days even though I was losing weight. I amon Day 14 and it seems to be pretty normal now.

I hope your recovery is a smooth one and look forward to hearing updates on your progress.

[John M 8]

Had my surgery on July 23rd.

I have to say I was not prepared for what I woke up to. I had a back surgery a couple years ago and while the pain prior to surgery was insane, after surgery I don't remember any pain at all. Just weakness in my legs and core, difficulty sitting up etc. When I woke up from gastric bypass in recovery I was in soo much pain they literally gave me a shot of ketamine and it felt like I went under anesthesia all over again lol.

After that I was in the hospital for 3 days and I'd say the first 48 hours were horrible. I was on hydromorph for pain, Tylenol 6 and gravol. I slept through most of it, which is how I preferred to deal with it. I started passing gas little by little the first and second day. I found asking for a hot blanket to put across my stomach helped a lot with the abdomen pains. I didn't have much interest at all in food or Water. I mixed little 30ml cups of apple juice or cranberry juice with 50% water here and there. Ate ice chips when I was thirsty. I think I had maybe one or two mouthfuls of Soup the entire time I was there and I had one thing of sugar free Jello going the entire stay. That's how little I ate or wanted to eat. By the last day, coming home, I was only a little sore, it seemed to have gone down a lot. By the time I was home for a day I stopped taking pain meds all together, no more gravol either.

After reading through some of these I have to say I feel fortunate my body is dealing with the changes so well. I haven't found I'm in any discomfort, no nausea, bowel movements are less frequent than before but still normal. Sitting up, laying down and bending are definitely done at a slower pace but I haven't needed a hand since day 3. Even my 5 small incisions seem to be healing very well and aren't bothering me at all. The diet on the other hand and fighting myself from doing something stupid that will cause problems, that's another story.

This has definitely been an experience and I'm taking things slow. Trying to research and find answers before approaching new foods. My girlfriend says I've lost a lot of weight since pre-op diet. I haven't weighed in or measured myself so it could just be inches shredding off. But it's nice to know it's already noticeable. I hope I'll have the success they say of losing 50% or more of body fat. Before surgery I was 470lbs and the lowest I've ever reached through diet and exercise is 320. So I'm really really hoping to see 265-285. That would make this whole hell of a process worth it in my eyes.

Edited July 30, 2021 by John M

[Maribelle76 82]

I had a screw up today! I have pretty severe ADHD and I haven't had my prescription for about 2 months now since my old primary care physician retired. My new PCP says I will have to go to a psychiatrist every 3 months if I still want the meds. I've just been trying to live without them, but I'm pretty absent-minded.

Anyway, as I was talking to my mother about some bad family news, I was cleaning up my children's lunch plates, and without thinking I ate about four bites of their Totino's cheese pizza that was left over. As soon as I realized what I was doing, I freaked out! I was worried this would happen, because about 3 days ago I almost ate a grape without thinking until my daughter stopped me.

Thankfully, I chew foods really well out of habit after having the gastric band for 8 years, so it went down okay, but it was kind of sitting in my stomach for a few hours and it made me nervous.

I cannot wait until I'm on to regular foods, because this has been a big worry of mine I literally had bad dreams about accidentally eating the wrong foods ever since I was approved for surgery. Is anyone else like this? Or am I a freak like usual lol?