Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

May 11th Surgery Stories



Recommended Posts

John337, Danimal, Nkwt2005, Bmaz, Others - How did everyone do?

I went in at 6am and was released at Noon! When I woke up I had just thought I dozed off and asked when they were going to do it. I had no pain. After a few minutes though, I could feel some discomfort.

I didn't have any pain meds and was walking by 10. Drinking the Water was tough. Just couldn't hardly get it down but I did taking my time.

My wife asked me what it feels like (hers is June 1). I described it like someone having their hand squeezed around your neck but instead it's in your stomach. Not a choking feeling but a tightness feeling.

I did take a pain med once I got home. It helped a little more with the feeling. I'm walking about every 2 hours. I also like to take a little nap too.

I just hope tomorrow is not worse than today.

Hope everyone else is doing well too!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just hope tomorrow is not worse than today.

Everyday has been better and better:thumbup:. The most difficult thing will be HEAD hunger. I was never really hungry but all I could think about was all the food I couldn't have. FYI that gets better too. Key is to occupy your mind as much as possible. And change the channel when commercials come on!:)

It just goes to show you how much different we all are. You didn't have much pain at all but couldn't get any Water down, while I was saying hitting me with the pain meds every time they asked. I went through 2 styro foam cups of Water in a half hours time. My mouth was dry and I couldn't get those "sips" in fast enough. Do you know if your doc put a small fill in your band? Some do and some don't. Mine did not, that might make a difference.

So be sure to be sweet to your wife if she's not a big strong man like you. She could be a sissy like me. I din't start sleeping in bed until last night (4 nights after surgery):thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the advice Hallelujah.girl. Well it's 4:30am and I'm up. Not unusual as I normally get up at 5am anyhow. Pain is still about the same as yesterday so I'm still taking my pain medicine. I expected to be woke up with some pain because of the length of time between doses. I think I would be pretty sore with out it.

My wife who has never had surgery may think this is terribly painful. I can understand and plan on taking off work as long as I need to in order to support her. For me and having open heart surgery 5 years ago, now that was painful for me. I don't wish that one on anybody. I read on here this is a wide range of how people do. Expected as we are all different.

Glad you were finally able to sleep in your own bed once again. That's a great next step. Your getting there.

I'm still sipping Water. Today I will keep track of my Water intake making sure I'm getting enough. I have no hunger what so ever. Not sure about the fill. I think I'll email the nurse and see what she can tell me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congrats on a smooth operation, Danimal! You described the feeling in the stomach very accurately -- like someone has their hands squeezed around you. I hope that goes away soon. I didn't expect that to last so long. That's great that you are up and walking every two hours. I am so exhausted that all I want to do is sleep. I have been getting some walking in, though. Just not a whole lot.

Hallelujah, I had to laugh when you said change the channel when the commercials come on. My dh likes to watch the food Network, and I've had to tell him to change it because it kills me to see all that yummy food! Lol Glad you're able to sleep in your own bed now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yea!! So glad the surgery part is a thing of the past. I went in to surgery about 7:30 and was home by 10:30! I too can drink Water and protien drinks without issue. Other than being VERY thirsty, I am not interested in food. I have too keep up with the pain meds though. Once I am up, I am up and once I am down, I am down. It is the transition between the two that is the most painful.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

P.S., I stood on the scale this morning and it said I was up 8 pounds since yesterday. I was on a liquid fast for ten days and didn't have anything but Water yesterday... there is no way I gained that, RIGHT? Just the fluids and stuff they pumped into me?:mad2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

P.S., I stood on the scale this morning and it said I was up 8 pounds since yesterday. I was on a liquid fast for ten days and didn't have anything but Water yesterday... there is no way I gained that, RIGHT? Just the fluids and stuff they pumped into me?:thumbup:

I can't imagine that's right!! Did you move the scale, maybe?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hey crazy...that happened to me tooo, i stepped on the scale the day after and i was up 6 lbs...it just the air they pumped in you. give it a few days, when u step on the scale u'll b jumping for joy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Same here for me. I weighed that night after surgery and jumped up 5 lbs from when I went in. Has to be all the fluids they were pumping into me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, I did it.......:tt2:

Since we live 2 hrs away, my wife and I left the house on the 8am train to arrive in NYC @ 10am. Walked over to NYU and was there in time. They called me in at 10:30 am , then we sat and sat and sat. I didn't go into the operating room until 1:30pm and was given a " Happy Drug" and the next thing I know, I was in recovery. I did have alot of swelling and chest pain. They were quick to do an EKG which was normal. It felt like someone was sitting on my chest. Not only did I have a lapband but the Dr. removed my gallbladder, whcih he told my wife was a mess. That's why I think I have a lot of pain today not from the gas but from the pulling and pushing, etc in getting the gallbladder out. Feels like I went 10 rounds with a boxer hitting nothing else but my stomach and I got the crap kicked out of me.

Stayed in the hospital overnight. The nurses and aides were great. They were quick with the morphine whenever I needed it. I left the hospital with hydrococodine which eliviates the pain but adds to the Constipation. Took a while in the hospitial to pee, but finally did. Alot better today. Just went for a walk down the block. Wasn't too bad. My stomach is really, really sore. Trying to eat Soup but not taking in much.

In a little while, I'll try and drink a Protein drink although I'm not really hunger.

I want to thank all of my mayo BANDitos for their best wishes........:smile2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

John337 good to hear you made it OK! With the gallbladder removal sounds like you had it a little rougher. Glad you made it home and are up and walking.

The past 2 days I just couldn't hardly get anything down but this morning I'm off my pain meds and had 4oz of watered down oatmeal. Took me about 45 minutes to eat but at least I'm getting some nutrients now.

Wish you continued success with the band!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah, John!!!! Sounds like you're doing pretty good, considering!

Just remember, it will only get better from here on out! :smile2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

John, I am so glad that all went well for you! I feel better today than I did yesterday and am hoping that continues! My mom is still here to help with my kids, my 2 year old is a busy one! I did take a shower and that is nice.

I have a pain that feels like I swollwed air down the wrong pipe and need to burp. I wonder if I had that before but couldn't tell because of the other pain, which is gone now.

We did it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sounds like were all just working the program! Today is one week out for me and I actually feel pretty good...might do some very light yardwork! Cali

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Liz R

      Trying to update my ticker - I'm down 100 pounds!! 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • alisasings

      I joined BariatricPal in 2008 & I FINALLY made the descision to have WLS!! I'm so excited & not sure what I need to do to get the ball rolling, but I made an appointment with my PCP for 7/19. It's a start I guess.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Elnaz

      Losing weight is my dream
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • OhMyGawdItzKla

      I joined yesterday when I was struggling with this preop diet... 
      It typically comes and goes, the hard times and easier times. I'm on day 6 of 14  shakes, water, sf Popsicles and jello. And I might actually be losing my mind. But, oh dear lord has the fear set in. Not about the surgery itself, but life afterwards. If I feel this crappy on the preop diet, am I going to feel like this forever after? 
      I know most of the answers are no, not forever. It might be worse after for a while, then get better. I know it's a more of a mental challenge than physical after the first couple weeks of healing. I get all of that. But I'm starting to feel scared about losing myself afterwards. 
      It might be my hormones or desire to chew something salty talking.. It may go away soon or tomorrow.. I can hope, anyway. But right now.. The fear is real. 
       
      And this liquid diet can bite me. 
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Fear is normal, but if it makes you feel any better, I'm 4.5 months post-op and the pre-op diet was by far the hardest part of the whole process. There will be challenges and a lot of new things to learn, but I can honestly say at this point I feel so much more "back to normal" and was even able to go on a week-long vacation with my kids without stressing over it. It's so worthwhile.

      2. OhMyGawdItzKla

        @NickelChip This actually does make me feel better! Thank you so much! After the onslaught of Covid, we've all had to deal with a "new normal", so I know it's possible. It's just the fear and frustration in this moment that makes me question if I can find another "new normal" afterwards. The thought of just a few more months seems daunting some times, but I really do appreciate input and real experience. I'll use that to get me through for a few more hours! LOL. Thank you so much! And I'm glad everything is going so well for you! ❤️

    • mamabear30106

      I started my 10 day pre op diet yesterday I need flavor!! I'm not big on the chocolate protein shakes so I just got to use up what I have was thinking about freezing it to make it like a ice cream so its something I can chew a little. Idk this is hard but I know I can do it just need to find new things to try 
      · 1 reply
      1. JennyBeez

        You can try. I've read other people have had good results with protein-shake popsicles, etc. My personal experience with it? Sucked.

        I tried making 'fudgesicles' with a couple different flavors of a premade shake, as well as a protein powder I blended myself and all of them came out revolting? The powder ones, all the protein sunk to the middle; the premade shakes, the popsicle had a disgusting texture and the protein seemed to leave a weird fluffy film on the outside? I couldn't stomach it.

        Maybe look into flavoring additives? I was able to have sugar-free coffee /soda syrup flavorings, sugar-free drink flavorings and baking additives like almond, rum or pepperment extract. The extracts helped me the most as they added no extra sweetener.

        On the other hand, if you can get your hands on an unflavored/unsweetened protein powder, the syrup flavorings are perfect. I love to use Boost "Just Protein" (which is unflavored) with milk and a Chai-flavored sugarfree syrup.

        Good luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×