3 Days Post Op - Just Documenting My Journey

[doubleJointed 7]

A little about me. 45-year-old, male. Fought my weight my entire adult life. Chronic IBS. GERD. Heart attack in 2016. Heart disease. Diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in 2022. Fatty liver disease. Metabolic syndrome. Diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos - Hypermobility Type in 1997. Currently have chronic pain in both shoulders and both hips, especially when sleeping. This is due to the EDS. I have SLAP tears in both shoulders as well as partial rotator cuff tears, and frozen shoulder on the right side. Married. Twin 13-year-olds.

Quality of life really hit bottom. I decided to take control of my life. I had my first appointment with the Dr back in November. Just had VSG on May 18th. Severe gas pains for about the first 5 hours after surgery. Like really bad. Gave me dilaudid to help with the pain, and it did knock the edge off. I was able to get up and walk, drink a little, and pee. Let me go home about 6.5 hours in recovery. The first nights sleep was brutal. THE HICCUPS! Why did no one tell me about the hiccups?! I was able to wear my apnea mask just fine, but every time I got up to pee (about 5 times total), the hiccups would start almost immediately and last for 30 minutes or more. I was shaking the bed and keeping the wife awake, they were so bad. Also had some mild reflux with a little bit of the foamies (I got those before the surgery when the reflux would flare).

1st day after surgery, much better. Very few hiccups. No nausea. Got all of my fluids and Protein in. Even walked about 8000 steps (I would've done anything to make sure the gas pain didn't return).

Now I'm on the third full day after surgery, and each day has been better than the last. Still tired. Off pain meds for the entire day today. I can't stomach the clear protein, so I'm drinking full (creamy) protein diluted 50/50 with Water. No issues so far.

I think I have overdone it with walking too much too soon, because I feel really tired and weak. I'm going to cut the walking down to 5000 steps and see if that helps.

My ABS are pretty sore, especially immediately after sitting/laying. They tighten up pretty quick.

Still a long road ahead, with 1-2 shoulder surgeries later this year. And I know there's still a long road ahead with my weight loss journey. I appreciate everyone's candidness describing their issues (poop, slime/foamies, etc). I like to know what to expect.

No regrets.

[qtdoll 535]

Wow, 8,000 steps 3 days post op is quite intense! Definitely allow your body to heal a bit more. We typically ALL feel tired & weak after the surgery & from how little calories were consuming, adding that many steps is only amplifying that feeling. Especially if you're still feeling that soreness.

Be safe!! 💜 Glad each day is getting better & better

[Fred in Pa 234]

Congrats to your brother on taking this step! My statistics are very similar to yours. I’m just a couple months ahead. Everything you talk about is typical and I went through it myself even the overdoing it on the walk. Take it slow.

To let you know what might be in the store, I no longer take insulin, I no longer take BP meds, sleep apnea gone, IBS gone, 60lbs gone (90 total). And that’s just in 2.5 months.

You got this! Keep us posted on your progress.

[catwoman7 11,215]

8000 steps is pretty high for being just a few days out of surgery. Your body needs to rest and heal. It's been several years since I had surgery, but I think I mostly walked around my house a little the first three or four days, then did a jaunt around the block every day for a few days after that. It's good to be up and moving, but don't push yourself too much - again, your body needs to heal.

as far as poop, it often takes a good week for the first one (there's not much in there yet), and the first one tends to be a doozy. A lot of us start taking stool softeners a couple of days ahead of it to prepare for it. After that, a minority of people experience occasional diarrhea, but most experience Constipation, often chronic (it's due to the high Protein diet plus the Iron and Calcium (if you're taking those). I still take a capful of Miralax every morning to keep on top of it.

watch out for reflux - I'm a little surprised your surgeon recommended VSG since that's been known to make GERD worse, but that's not the case for everyone. But just keep tabs on it and manage it if it doesn't resolve or gets worse (a minority get it so badly they end up getting a revision to RNY, but for most, it can be managed with PPIs). You just don't want that to get out of control - but again, you may not have issues with it. Some people have said theirs even got better after surgery, so you never know..

I haven't seen many posts about hiccups, so I don't know how common that is, but it doesn't surprise my since your stomach's been sliced and diced. And the painful transitions (when you go from lying down to standing up, or whatever) - yep, that's very common. That's really the only time I had pain. It felt like I'd just done about 1000 crunches. that went away after a week or so, I think.

sounds like things are going well over all, though. Welcome to the losers' bench!

[doubleJointed 7]

6 hours ago, qtdoll said:

Wow, 8,000 steps 3 days post op is quite intense! Definitely allow your body to heal a bit more. We typically ALL feel tired & weak after the surgery & from how little calories were consuming, adding that many steps is only amplifying that feeling. Especially if you're still feeling that soreness.

Be safe!! 💜 Glad each day is getting better & better

Yes, it didn't feel good and was hard. After the intense gas pain at the hospital, I was more worried about laying down and them coming back. I definitely overreacted.

[doubleJointed 7]

4 hours ago, Fred in Pa said:

Congrats to your brother on taking this step! My statistics are very similar to yours. I’m just a couple months ahead. Everything you talk about is typical and I went through it myself even the overdoing it on the walk. Take it slow.

To let you know what might be in the store, I no longer take insulin, I no longer take BP meds, sleep apnea gone, IBS gone, 60lbs gone (90 total). And that’s just in 2.5 months.

You got this! Keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks brother. I'm looking forward to the same. I'm not sure if it's the initial weight loss, diet change, or both, but I'm monitoring my BP in the morning and at night. The doctor said do not take BP meds unless I see it climb to either 150 (top number) or 90 (bottom) number. So far it's consistently in the 120/70 range, so no BP meds. It seems crazy to me that I'm off the BP meds that quickly. Looking forward to the rest.

[doubleJointed 7]

2 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

8000 steps is pretty high for being just a few days out of surgery. Your body needs to rest and heal. It's been several years since I had surgery, but I think I mostly walked around my house a little the first three or four days, then did a jaunt around the block every day for a few days after that. It's good to be up and moving, but don't push yourself too much - again, your body needs to heal.

as far as poop, it often takes a good week for the first one (there's not much in there yet), and the first one tends to be a doozy. A lot of us start taking stool softeners a couple of days ahead of it to prepare for it. After that, a minority of people experience occasional diarrhea, but most experience Constipation, often chronic (it's due to the high Protein diet plus the Iron and Calcium (if you're taking those). I still take a capful of Miralax every morning to keep on top of it.

watch out for reflux - I'm a little surprised your surgeon recommended VSG since that's been known to make GERD worse, but that's not the case for everyone. But just keep tabs on it and manage it if it doesn't resolve or gets worse (a minority get it so badly they end up getting a revision to RNY, but for most, it can be managed with PPIs). You just don't want that to get out of control - but again, you may not have issues with it. Some people have said theirs even got better after surgery, so you never know..

I haven't seen many posts about hiccups, so I don't know how common that is, but it doesn't surprise my since your stomach's been sliced and diced. And the painful transitions (when you go from lying down to standing up, or whatever) - yep, that's very common. That's really the only time I had pain. It felt like I'd just done about 1000 crunches. that went away after a week or so, I think.

sounds like things are going well over all, though. Welcome to the losers' bench!

Yes, overdid it on the walking for sure. Lesson learned.

Thanks for what to expect on the poop. This is new to me, since I'm used to the opposite (5-7 times a day). I guess I'll go buy some miralax, because I've read here about the Constipation and obstructions.

I was surprised at first to when the Dr recommended the VSG and not RNY. I like to read, read, read, and I thought the bypass was going to be the option. The Dr said the sleeve can make GERD worse, and make people who didn't have GERD get GERD, but he said it's 10-20%, not 50/50 or worse odds. I even had Barrett's Esophagus that resolved a couple of years ago after years of PPI meds. I still consulted with my gastroenterologist prior to surgery. In fact I had an EGD in March because i was having stricture. He said even as I was dropping the rest of my meds (during weight loss) I would likely have to remain on the 40mg omeprazole for the rest of my life. I was already planning on that, so I made the decision to try the sleeve with my eyes wide open that I might need a revision. The first night I had a little reflux when I got in bed, but haven't had any issues since. I am still taking my PPI.

Thanks for the response!

[Changing Chris 7]

5 hours ago, doubleJointed said:

Thanks brother. I'm looking forward to the same. I'm not sure if it's the initial weight loss, diet change, or both, but I'm monitoring my BP in the morning and at night. The doctor said do not take BP meds unless I see it climb to either 150 (top number) or 90 (bottom) number. So far it's consistently in the 120/70 range, so no BP meds. It seems crazy to me that I'm off the BP meds that quickly. Looking forward to the rest.

I also have a similar story. 46 yrs old with heart issues (double bypass in 2018.) Before my surgery, just one month before yours, I was on two blood pressure meds. I stopped taking them the day before surgery and at my first week post op visit my blood pressure was already within normal range without the meds. I was in shock! Especially because my blood pressure was always high, even with the meds!! I have my one month post op visit coming up in 2 days, interested in seeing where I'm at.

I also hit the ground running and was walking up to two miles a day after surgery and received the same warnings as you got above... haha! Once I slowed down to let my body heal, the weight started dropping off. 30 pounds down since surgery day. Good Luck! Lots of good advice on here, even though it felt like I was getting scolded sometimes! 🙂

[doubleJointed 7]

Just responding to my own post to have everything in one place.

General

Down almost 60lbs after surgery on May 18th. No complications. I followed the rules exactly on the diet, but continued to push the exercise because that's my personality. In fact, I would say I've become a little obsessive with the exercise, walking/running/biking everyday. I have also experienced a lot of ups and downs since the surgery.

Food

The first week after surgery I was fine with the limited Clear Liquids, however, near the end of the first week I was sick and tired of the clear liquids. The second week was the same. First part of the week was good because of new liquids, but near the end of the second week I was sick of the limitations. Basically I was excited every time I got new foods, and was sick of it by the end. This was not so much because I was having cravings for fatty or sugary foods, I just needed variety.

Now I'm opened up to try whatever I want, except carbonation. I'm still not trying bread, but have had really small tastes of Pasta (really small) or eaten really small Keto tortillas without issue. I'm still keeping a daily log of all food eaten and hitting my macros on most days. I'm really focusing on my Protein (100+ grams a day; I've really been aiming for 130+ grams, but it's tough) intake as I don't want to lose any more muscle. I do notice that I get the hiccups when I'm full. Sometimes my nose runs when I'm full as well.

I did get the "slimes" once. I was trying to eat a Breakfast taco on the keto tortilla and I guess it was too dry. I only got half down (the tortillas are only about 3.5 inches across; really small) and it felt like it was stuck. So what do you do when food is stuck, DRINK! That was a mistake. Got the slimes and eventually threw up. That's the only time that has happened. Fortunately, it was like 5 weeks after surgery, but I was worried I had done something to my stomach.

Went out to eat with the family a week ago and tried ghost pepper wings (which I'm normally fine with). I also put ghost pepper hot sauce on my refried Beans, without issue. The spicy wings did not go well. It was much spicier than normal and I ended up drinking Water and almost threw up. Prior, I had eaten 3 wingstop wings with blue cheese and was fine (mango habanero). We went out to dinner again last night and I had a few bites of salad, about 2 ounces of chicken breast with BBQ Sauce and a few bites of sweet potato and was stuffed. I used to get a 16 ounce ribeye with mushrooms and onions, mashed potatoes, veggies and a couple of tall beers. I did not feel like I was missing out, which feels kind of weird. My kids got a dessert and I wasn't interested in it. sugar free popsicles taste really good and are almost too sweet now. I was really worried about eating out (what I was going to eat; how it was going to go, etc). I feel more comfortable now for when we go out with friends. Bonus, I have saved a TON of money on food and alcohol. Like a crazy amount. I did have a glass of bourbon on the rocks last week. Drank it slow and it went down just fine. Zero issues. I'm not going to start drinking though, and will just stick to an occasional drink.

Exercise

I started walking very soon after surgery, 10K steps a day, and pushed it too far too early. I dialed it back for the first two weeks, but then picked it back up. Now I either walk for 15K+ steps a day or ride the bike for an hour. Every day. I get a more intense workout on the bike plus it's better on my joints. Walking seems to hurt my hips and back, but I'm powering through. I'm going to a physical therapist on Thursday to try to figure that out. As I said above, I'm definitely obsessive about my exercise. Sometimes to the point where I wear myself out and am exhausted for the rest of the day. Some of that is a mix of the intense exercise and limited calorie intake. I've also told myself that I was not going to obsess about the scale and I was only going to weigh once a week, because the weekly/monthly trend is the only thing that matters (my weight fluctuates up and down daily, but trends down weekly/monthly). However, I find it really difficult to avoid weighing myself multiple times a day. I'm obsessed with the scale as well.

Mood

Overall, I'm OK. Weight loss is really good. Hit a couple of short stalls. No complications, but my mood is really up and down, which is not normal for me. So much so, that I have scheduled an appt with a therapist next week (first time in my life). The doldrums are real, especially after VSG, so take care of yourselves, physically and mentally.

Meds

I'm completely off my BP meds and it's currently averaging 120/80. I have GERD with a history of Barrett's Esophagus, and I'm currently taking 40mg omeprazole daily. I was really worried about it getting worse after surgery, but I have had zero issues. I have a follow up appt with my VSG doc next week and I'm going to see if I can test 20mg. I would love to get off all meds. I tried the BariMelts at the suggestion of my doctor, and they were OK the first couple of days. Then they totally grossed me out. I mean, like I was about to vomit and dreaded taking them every day. I only made it about a week before I gave up. I'm back on regular Vitamins for now and tolerating them just fine. I'm going to ask the doc about that next week as well.

Misc

Because of the connective tissue disorder, my shoulders are really messed up. My right one especially. I'm glad it's not affecting my exercising. I just saw an orthopedic and she described my shoulder as "gnarly". Reverse shoulder replacement is in my future, but in the meantime, I'll have it scoped for labrum and rotator cuff repair, plus Bankart repair with the remplissage procedure. I am looking forward to relief from the chronic pain, but not the recovery. I hear it is brutal.

TLDR

Wished I would've had the surgery sooner. Plan for some ups and downs. Follow the plan. Take care of yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

[Humikrig 0]

Thank you for sharing your post-op experience with us. It's evident that you've been on quite a journey, navigating various health challenges along the way. Your determination to take control of your life and prioritize your well-being is truly commendable.

[Humikrig 0]

On 3/20/2024 at 3:23 PM, Humikrig said:

Thank you for sharing your post-op experience with us. It's evident that you've been on quite a journey, navigating various health challenges along the way. Your determination to take control of your life and prioritize your well-being is truly commendable.

The initial recovery period after surgery can be challenging, with unexpected pains and discomforts like gas pains and hiccups. It's unfortunate that you had to deal with those struggles, but it's encouraging to hear that you're pushing through them.If you're experiencing ongoing shoulder issues due to Ehlers Danlos, considering consulting with a specialist like the one at https://www.kevinkrusemd.com/grand-prairie-shoulder-specialist/ could provide valuable insights and tailored treatment options.

[doubleJointed 7]

Thanks for the reference. I ended up having a capsulorrhaphy procedure on my right shoulder about two months after my VSG surgery. They also repaired the labrum, rotator cuff, and she spent over 45 minutes just cleaning up the bursitis. She put in 4 anchors during the procedure just to try and stabilize the shoulder. I used Alison Cabrera @ UTSW, and would highly recommend her. I ended up on daily hydrocodone just to get me to that surgery, however, I was still able to maintain my daily steps. Shoulder surgery is no joke! And this was all done to try to get me another 10 years so I can get reverse shoulder replacement 😐 My range of motion is limited now, but that was to be expected. I'm doing my best to protect my left shoulder so I can avoid surgery as long as possible. I've finally gotten used to sleeping flat on my back.

For VSG follow up, I ended up about 80lbs lost. Right now I'm sitting about 75lbs down (gained 5lbs back) as I am noticing I can eat a little more (but still really restricted). I have a little anxiety about that as I am just over 10 months post VSG surgery. The last thing I want to do is undo all of the work. I'm still staying positive and using the Streaks app (iOS) to help with motivation (70K steps a week, plus 360 minutes of workout per week (includes walking)). I need to get back into putting all of my food into the fitness pal app.

After the VSG surgery and the shoulder surgery, I ended up in a depression. Talking with a therapist who had experience with bariatric surgery helped. I don't think it was a depression just because of the VSG. I'm sure the chronic pain followed by a shoulder surgery (sling for 6 weeks post-op; and PT for 5 months) contributed significantly. As I mentioned previously, make sure your are taking care of your mental health.

@Humikrig Good luck on your surgery!