One day out and feeling horrible

[poodles.me 0]

I was wondering if anyone else has or is experiencing the same things that I am.

First, I am in pain. I am taking my pain meds but still am very uncomfortable.

I also have to cough b/c I can tell there is a lot of stuff in my lungs but I cant cough b/c it hurts too much.

I did manage to get 3 shakes in today, very slowly it took me 1.5 hours to drink one but I got my Protein in and since it is only the first day out I think thats great.

I have to be honest though and tell you that I am having regrets. When my family was eating dinner and I was still laying in the recliner my heart hurt.

Is this normal? I know its very early but I feel horrible.

[SunnyRachel 7]

Hi! Congratulations on your surgery!!!

Your first day post-op sounds pretty typical, I think.

You will notice an amazing difference in the next day or two, I believe.

Have you tried hugging a pillow to your chest/abdomen to cough? Did you come home with your inspirometer? You already know that you need to get the stuff out, so I won't say that. The first few days, I could not reach the goal on that device...but I kept trying. It gets better!

You won't be able to get much down the first day or two. Did your surgeon give you a table of how much to drink when? Every surgeon is different, but mine gave me a guideline of drinking one to two ounces every 15-20 minutes, sipping very slowly.

Gas pain in the chest and left shoulder or pain right under your left rib can be common too. It gets better once the gas gets moving. Walking around helps get the gas moving too.

I'm so happy for you to be starting this journey! Take care and know that there are lots of nice people here that are so helpful and supportive.

I wish you all the best!! :laugh:

[TQUAD64 9]

If you mean your heart was hurting literally, then call your doctor or the on-call doctor. Your heart should not be in pain.

It is normal to have pain post op. I had bad pain for several days and actually stayed in the hospital for 2.5 days, until we could find the right pains for me. (I have pain med allergies. This is so not the norm).

Take the pain meds when you need them. Don't try and tolerate the pain when you have meds.

As far as eating, don't forget one day you will be eating real food with your family again. You will not be on a liquid diet the rest of your life, so hang in there.

Focus on your recovery and give yourself time to heal. To be honest, I did not feel great until day 7-post-op. On day 7, I felt great!!!! And started driving and shopping. You will get there too!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

If you don't cough up what's in your lungs, you'll get pneumonia and end up back in the hospital. I don't mean to chide you; it's just that is one of the FIRST things we learn in nursing school. Hold a pillow over your abdomen and cough and keep your lungs clear. Also, walking helps a LOT with the gas, and that's probably what's causing you such pain.

My surgeon just had us on liquids for the first week; so you're lucky you get those shakes! The Protein helps in healing and keeping your energy up. Make sure you get your Water in, too.

You'll feel better if you walk and cough and stay well hydrated. Also if you're taking an opiod (like lortab) watch to make sure you don't get constipated...by day 3 or 4 you should go; if you don't go by next Monday, call your doc.

It gets better; lots of people have felt just like you and gone on to have great band success.

[amberd910 0]

You just had major surgery! I am on day 8 post op, and it was my first day back at work today. It was not easy, and it's still not easy. Every day I still think if I made the right decision for myself but I know in the long run I will have. Just focus on healing, thats the main thing. The gas pain for me was unbearable but walking helps to get the gas moving. Best of luck. It does get easier, it does.

[dlmyvette 12]

Hi....

It's my first day out as well. I take comfort in the fact I'm not the only one out there and this site really helps with any questions. I actually think I was better the same day after surgery than I am today, but I guess it varies. Yesterday I only had 11oz of Clear Liquids. Today I think I'm at almost 20 oz. I had 2 Soups (clear broth, chicken/beef) and 2 jellos. It takes me a while to get it down, but slowly its going and I don't feel bad....As soon as I feel pressure in my stomach I stop, take a break and continue on later.

So how are you feeling? For me the worse part is getting up, sitting up or going to the bathroom (sitting on toilet). But it's not too bad. My bedroom is upstairs so I've been going up and down pretty good on my own. I do walk very slowly though, which is frustrating, but I'm doing it so I feel proud. I've taken some pain meds and that seems to help.

I think what you might be feeling is pain from gas, I was really gassy yesterday, still some today, but not too bad! My hubby went to get some chinese food. I'll be having miso Soup. I am craving food, but not enough to want to eat it. I keep trying to concentrate on healing and making sure I'm healing at a good pace. Anyway, good luck and keep up the good work. You'll be ok.

[doodleallday 0]

Today is day 1 post-op for me, too. I'm @ a restaurant table w my family, tho its a bit painful. Thank God for Percocet.

My only qualm is that my tummy hurts, on top of the gas. This makes it impossible to tell if I'm hungry or full. I had 3 bites o mashed taters and 4 bites of Soup and feel SO bloated!

[Lauren17 0]

I was banded 10 days ago (12/22), and I was in lots of pain for the first 4-5 days, mostly at the port site. I also had a hiatal hernia repair, so that added some tight pressure and soreness:sad:

I had to take pain meds to help with that. I also had to cough because I felt like I had Fluid in chest. Holding a pillow to your stomach really does help! It's great that you're getting your Protein Shakes down...the first few days I could only drink about 1-2, supplemented with broth & popsicles. It is soooo important to get 48-64 oz of fluid each day---I ended up getting dehydrated and almost had to to the ER to get fluids.

I, like you, also had regrets the first couple days; I was thinking what did I do to myself and why couldn't I have just lost weight on my own. As the pain subsided, I felt better about this decision. So, just hang in there because it really does get better!! :Yawn:

[creed2474 0]

Hey there... I feel your pain... I really do. I was banded yesterday and the surgeon had to turn around and do emergency surgery after to adjust the band. So I was under twice yesterday. I got out of the hospital today and I jus have one flem in my throat I can't cough up. Ill swallow it and it goes away... But then it comes.back. Its not much but enough to bother me... My throat is dry now but I'm sipping on Water... Should I worry about the flem? I have been getting up and walking around. My pain is mostly at my port area... I sat up in a chair for awhile just trying to build strength on that side.

I'm just worried about the flem? I have a cpap so that dries me out normally during the night and I usually blow my nose when I wake up and I'm kinda congested... So it might be from that?

I hope u feel better.. It will be worth it. Keep the faith... U will be ok.

[Annie0341 0]

On my way home from the hospital I honestly was thinking....WHAT did I just do to myself???? Hang in there, I was pretty uncomfortable for 2-3 days, but then I felt so much better. Take the pain meds, that's what they are for. It will get better.You did a good thing.

[creed2474 0]

As gross as this is... I went walking with my mom down the hall at the hotel... Was walking back and the flem was coming up... I got to the room went to the bathroom with my pillow coughed a couple of times and couldn't get it out. I warmed up some Water in the microwave and gargled and it came up with two coughs. That pillow works holding and squeezing... I am reminded I have to be very careful coughing.

Now I guess I'm having gas pains... My groin area is sore... Inside both legs...left shoulder is sore also... I'm moving my legs around in bed. Weird that my groin area inside the both legs are sore... I had my legs propped up earlier really high so I guess its that. I just keep moving around... My arms legs... Etc. Even in bed...

[princess070 0]

Today is day 1 post-op for me, too. I'm @ a restaurant table w my family, tho its a bit painful. Thank God for Percocet.

My only qualm is that my tummy hurts, on top of the gas. This makes it impossible to tell if I'm hungry or full. I had 3 bites o mashed taters and 4 bites of Soup and feel SO bloated!

hey "doodleallday" I'm glad to see you on here. You got your surgery, ya!! Congrat's!

Just a helpful word of caution, you should'nt be eating potatoes yet. you should be on liguids only. did your doc say it was ok? please be careful, as you might think your food is going down ok, but you are healing, and you could cause some serious damage by eating. you might nit heal properly causeing a slip later on.

take care, :Yawn:

[di1138 8]

Today is day 1 post-op for me, too. I'm @ a restaurant table w my family, tho its a bit painful. Thank God for Percocet.

My only qualm is that my tummy hurts, on top of the gas. This makes it impossible to tell if I'm hungry or full. I had 3 bites o mashed taters and 4 bites of Soup and feel SO bloated!

Please make sure your Dr. said it is okay to eat food. Even mashed potatoes can be a problem one day out. Most of us are warned to do liquids then mushies for a certain length of time before we can eat. Your stomach must heal and my understanding is even mushies too soon can hurt you. Good luck to you and Happy new year.

[rachel1969 0]

Poodles, I am in the same boat as you. There has been more pain than I expected - but taking the pain meds has really helped. I admire your ability to drink so much Protein Shake. I haven't been able to do that yet. I am repelled by food and most drinks right now. I am only on Day 3 post-op and it has gotten better with each day. I agree with the statements above that the problem may be gas. Hang in there and good luck!

[AngieAngel 0]

I have to be honest though and tell you that I am having regrets. When my family was eating dinner and I was still laying in the recliner my heart hurt.

Ah, you are feeling a bit left out. I have had a couple of episodes of that myself. Just know that during this 'weight loss' phase of the diet we will have to eat a bit differently than the family. It won't always be that way though because once you are happy with your weight the doctor can open you up a bit and you can have a more 'normal' diet. You will always want to eat healthy and probably still have foods that won't sit well with you...but you will not be separate forever. You just won't be eating as much as them! :confused: