3 post-op problems

Joanna240 · January 20, 2008

Starting day 5

I was banded 1/16/08 and have a bunch of staples in me. Dr said I had an unusally shaped stomach. I asked, "that it was XXL?" He laughed and said, "no, just some blood vessels we had to think about." My surgery lasted quite a bit longer than most. Was in the hospital one night.

post-op problems. Low-grade fever, pounding headache, and I feel like I have a cement block in the upper part of my stomach.

Was a loooong journey to get insurance to pay for banding and now I'm having mixed feelings. Just haven't had any quality of life yet.

toni_o · January 20, 2008

the icky feelings sound like they might be kind of normal. are you taking pain medicine? call your surgeon soon to be sure that you're getting the right care!

toni

banded 1/15/08

sfeiner · January 21, 2008

I don't like the fever part. Call your Dr if it persists. The rest is normal.

Jazzywoman · January 21, 2008

My dr. said that if my temp was 100 or more to call immediately. A low grade fever was normal.

I'm just 3 weeks out, and I do remember that ton of bricks feeling. I was walking stooped a bit to protect my tummy and I wasn't taking deep breaths.

I had soooooooo many mixed emotions during that recovery period. Even wondered WHY I did this to myself. But, now... I'm absolutely happy I did it.

Give it time.. but do keep that fever monitored.

Oh, and the headache.. do you have High blood pressure? If so.. are you taking your meds? I thought I was having migrains, but turned out to be HBP.

Hang in there!

Big As Life · January 21, 2008

Joanna,

Give yourself some time to feel better and then you will feel better about the surgery...You will have that quality of life after a few weeks...hang in there...it will be so worth it...

mia31771 · January 21, 2008

I'm right there with ya big as life- I was banded on 01-17 and am going through the same emotions as you. I don't have a fever though. I thought I did because my face was flushed but it turned out to be a reaction from the hydrocodone pain medicine. I called my dr's office and they said anything over 100 to call them immediately. Good Luck, Keep in touch, we can get through this!

Kat817 · January 21, 2008

Sounds as though it is pretty common feelings following surgery. I agree 100% that if the fever persists or goes over 100 call the Dr. ASAP.

The druggy, headache feeling might be increased due to the increased time you were under...making it more similar to a longer operation. I know I felt much druggier following my 8 hour surgery as opposed to my banding....more anesthesia used....makes sense.

The deep breathing, for the heavy chest feeling is right on the money, and it will also help with temperature! Sounds strange, not quite sure how they are related----but it works!!

Did they give you an incentive spirometer for breathing? A little plastic jobbie, you breath deep and raise the diaphram piece or little plastic balls? If so use it faithfully several times every couple of hours! If not, breath as deep as you possibly can, very slowly, methodically, hold it for a second or 2 then release equally slowly--do it several times in a row, and repeat it every couple of hours.

Also make sure, you are sipping Water, or other Fluid, as permitted by your Dr. Being well hydrated will make a HUGE difference! I found myself feeling fatigued very quickly so I upped my Protein the first couple of weeks using, Zero Carb Isopure---it is like koolaid consistency, and has 40 g. of Protein per bottle. I bought it at GNC---and it helped a lot.

The last thing I would suggest, is walk, walk, walk! Move as much as possible! Even if you just walk laps around your house--walk!

Each day you should begin feeling better!! I sure do hope so!! The quality will be back soon!

Kat