I'm FINALLY a post-op! (long post!) - ThinnerTimes

ladytonya · 12-14-2006, 07:41 PM

Surgery was this past Monday, Dec. 11. All went well in the hospital. I had a morphine button that I used quite readily that first day. It was really more just being uncomfortable than being in any real pain, per say.

I was up the night of surgery walking as far as I could tolerate. I did a little further than they actually wanted me to go, so that was good. Walking actually felt good after all those hours in bed! Of course, after being hooked up to the IV all day I had to make several trips to the bathroom but that was fine. I kept filling up their little potty bowl where they were measuring my output. Second day I walked a lap around the area of the hospital where I was staying several time throughout the day and even added a little extra leg to my laps by going further down the hall than they said I had to. Walking was when I was most comfortable, plus it got the damn compression hose off my legs so I spent as much time out of my room as possible!

The hospital staff was great! I had no trouble with them bringing me anything that i could not eat. All of the bariatric patients were in the same area and we all had big signs on our doors that said NPO. That was just to stop the people who serve the meals from bringing us what we couldn't eat. Tuesday, my first post-op day, I had to sip water out of little medicine cups. At first, it was like heaven after not having anything Monday! Wednesday morning brought my first attempt at a protein shake. Grumpy little pouch wanted nothing to do with that! I was so nausious! I tried every flavor they had and none worked for me. I had a big ole jug of Nectar protein in the hotel room with hubby that I had him bring and that worked like a charm! They wanted me sipping a little medicine cup full every hour plus two little medicine cups of water. That never actually happened. I was trying, but I just couldn't get it all in me! Doc said it would be okay as long as I could work my way up to it. I was supposed to be discharged the second day post-op which should have been Wednesday but wasn't actually discharged until today. I think it was basically because I wasn't tolerating the protein shakes until after Dr. B made his rounds for the day. I didn't like spending the extra night in the hospital, but at least it wasn't for any serious reason. Saw the doc Thursday morning at 9:30 and he went over his instructions with me one last time. I didn't actually leave the hospital until 12:30 until all my papers got processed and everything.

Went from the hospital to the Super WalMart by the hotel to fill my prescriptions and get some other supplies for the rest of the week. Becuase I live more than an hour from my surgeon, I have to stay in a hotel room until my 1-week post-op appointment. The WalMart trip wore me out for the day! I walked from front to back and from one side of the store to another with a few sitting spells in between. Hubby and I got what we needed and headed to the hotel room. Got in here around 2:00 or so and got everything put up. Sat down to watch television and fell asleep for a time, then got my protein shake together and things went downhill from there. I drank a few sips and didn't feel so hot. After an hour or so, started having lots of grumbling and abdominal pain. I'm pretty sure it is just gas pains. In the process of trying to burp and/or fart to get rid of the gas, I ended up getting a little more than I bargained for in my underwear. Yuck! But at least my tummy felt better! Not I am nursing a bottle of Crystal Light. Thought it would taste better than plain water. Trying to get rid of this nasty taste that is in my mouth right now! I can't wait until tomorrow! I can take my bandages off and take a shower! Yeah! Clean hair!

Anyway, that's my story up until now. I'm still having some gas and haven't gotten anywhere near the protein in me that I am supposed to be doing, but I just can't seem to get it in me! Hopefully that will improve in the next few days. Anyway, I think I'm going to try to get comfortable somewhere. Unfortunately, there is no recliner in the hotel room. I have my choice of the bed or a chair and ottoman. The chair is where I fell asleep earlier but I'm just not sure about that for a whole night. Oh well! I'll figure something out! I'm just happy to now be on the loser's bench! I can't wait to weigh in at Dr. B's on Monday! I'm not going to touch a scale before then because I'm sure I'll have IV water weight. Of course, I say that now but who knows what will happen once I get out and about more!

Wow! This post got a lot longer than I planned! Thanks for all the great info and for all your support! I'll give the keyboard a rest for now and go back to reading the posts I missed from the past few days.

Bypassingme619 · 12-14-2006, 07:48 PM

Welcome to the losing side Tonya. You seem to be doing just fine. I look forward to updates on your progress.

Duckie · 12-14-2006, 08:08 PM

WELCOME TO THE LOSER'S BENCH HON!

you sounds like you are doing well. Keep us posted.

RNY4me · 12-14-2006, 08:50 PM

Thanks for answering my PM. I went and read your post-op message. So glad surgery went well. If it's any consolation, the protein thing is pretty usual for the first weeks. You are doing the right thing, just keep sipping and trying. Have you tried Gas-X for the discomfort, it helped me and I learned it from this wonderful place. I understand about the surprise in your undies, I also could not trust a fart! It gets better. Just keep it up, you are doing good!

Hunnyblonde · 12-14-2006, 10:57 PM

You sound like you're doing great! Personally I'm glad your post was long...I love reading about everyone's experiences so I am better prepared when it's my turn.

Congratulations LOSER!!

LQQkn · 12-15-2006, 06:38 AM

congrats, keep us posted on your progress. You are doing all the right things.. walking walking walking relieves the pain and pressure from surgery it's weird you have to walk through it.. uncomfortable first couple times. I remember it took me a day to get out of bed I couldn't I was in too much pain. They let me slide until the next morning then it was get up or else! I did and forced my way through it one pain shot at a time. Keep up the good work! Janie

Zenomia · 12-15-2006, 06:44 AM

Congrats to you, and welcome to the losers bench!!

Missy is right, try the Gas X strips, they saved my life that first week...and we won't even mention 'surprise' farts!! LOL!! Rest, sip, walk, repeat!!

LQQkn · 12-15-2006, 06:53 AM

Oh yeah Zen is right I forgot about the gas x I am on it again now from my surgery last week. They fill you full of gas and it's awful... the gas x saved my life...just from the stomach pain and pressure not to mention the gas you can't pass. J

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenomia

Congrats to you, and welcome to the losers bench!!

Missy is right, try the Gas X strips, they saved my life that first week...and we won't even mention 'surprise' farts!! LOL!! Rest, sip, walk, repeat!!

LyndasRoom · 12-15-2006, 08:45 AM

Welcome to the Losers bench Tonya...I'll chime in on the Gas X strips...they do help...and moving helps get it out too...you'll feel so much better once the gas has dissipated.

LisaBoston · 12-15-2006, 10:08 AM

Its a rough first week - anything you get in is great..really! See if you can ask for more pillows for the bed...get yourself as comfy as you can.

A shower will tire you out, but feel oh so good!