Introduction and my surgery story - ThinnerTimes

Sue0609 · 06-11-2008, 07:31 PM

Hi everyone. My name is Sue, I've been lurking here but wanted to join in now that I've had my surgery. I live in Maine but had my surgery in Boston, at Tufts. In 40 years old. I gained weight in grad school and then lost it (160 lbs then), but gained back that and a bunch more which I've been slowly gaining over 11years. I have UHC insurance, which I had no issues with. Tufts has a pretty extensive program, so there is a lot you have to do pre-op with them.

My surgery was on Monday, 6/9. Approximately 36 hours of hell commenced. I woke up from the anesthesia, but they couldn't keep me awake. I wasn't even "with it" enough to use my pain pump. They believe I reacted very strongly to the pain meds. I was very nauseous and dizzy (bed spins, etc.). I took one small walk Tuesday (24 hours after surgery), it was a pretty horrible day. Headache, backache, neckache, nausea, pain, etc. I was in some wierd type of "bari bed" that required all kinds of help to get me in and out of - I felt trapped. They took out the catheter at midnight last night (36 hours after surgery) and I felt much better when I woke up today. I was still a little dizzy, but I ate the clear fluids tray and they let me go home after some begging on my part. They took out the drain (omg! How wierd was that!) and sent me on my way at about noon (48 hours after surgery). I could have stayed another day, but I'd rather be slightly miserable at home with DH than miserable in the hospital!

So, now I'm home. My stomach feels wierd. I can't tell if it's hunger or just feelings from the surgery. Today I had the hospital tray (1/2 c broth and small bowl of jello), 2 sf popsicles when I got home, and I'm struggling through more jello and water. They told me to stay on clear liquids today, I can start protein shakes (etc.) tomorrow. I'm trying to figure out how much Oxycondone is enough to take the edge off without feeling sick from it. In the hospital they gave me all kinds of anti-nausea meds (I still have a scopaline patch on). A half pain pill didn't cut it, so I took a full one (the instructions say 1-2).

I keep burping, is that normal? I was never a burper before.

Were you covered with bruises? My arms are a mess, one of the bruises is bleeding.

My incisions look pretty good, DH even thought they didn't look bad. There is one centered about 4" below my breasts (that one had the drain), there is on in my belly button, there are two small ones of my left side and there is one on my right side...5 total?

Sleeping is going to be a challenge, I can tell. I tried to nap with afternoon but couldn't get comfortable in any position.

When did you all start to feel a little more normal. Not 100%, but walking about without being hunched over, being able to bend over to lace my shoes again, etc.

Thanks, Sue

High/Pre-op diet/Current/Goal
299 /277 /? /?

blisandt · 06-11-2008, 07:35 PM

welcome.. no help from me, but some will be along soon...

you are brave and strong... everything I ihave seen here says it gets better every day.

gentle hugs from boston.

Squishy · 06-12-2008, 05:33 AM

Hi and welcome!!!!

Let's see... burping... yeah, there is a lot going on inside of you from re-routing your innards to pumping you full of air to inflate you for surgery, anesthesia, etc., etc. Seems that most people have some gas following the surgery... This too shall pass.

Bruises... yep! I bruise like a ripe banana, so I was pretty colorful when I came home.

Sleeping... Best sleep i had was in a recliner...and I slept a LOT in the first few days at home. Sip, walk, sip, nap, repeat... that was pretty much my pattern.

Recovery time... This really varies for everyone. I tried to walk upright immediately. If you walk too hunched, the scar tissue starts to form in that position and it seems to hurt more later when you start to stand up. I tried to stand up as straight as possible while I was walking in the hospital and well-medicated.

I went back to work after a week and was able to tie my own shoes if I had to, but Jane helped me a lot just to make it more comfortable. I had an open procedure and I would say it was a couple weeks before I started to feel more secure in my movements. Everyone is different, though.

Welcome to the losers bench!!!
-Mike-

Kimbre · 06-12-2008, 09:20 AM

Man, I burped like a pro after surgery! Totally normal!

I had massive bruises on one of my arms and under my chin; not sure from what, but I know they had major issues getting me tubed once I was out (I have a very narrow airway). I didn't have the bed spins, but the day after surgery I had the worst headache I'd ever had in my LIFE! It was awful.

I slept in my bed as soon as I came home though it took me a week or so before I could sleep on my left side (where the drain had been) as it was tender. It's different for everyone.

Welcome to the Loser's Bench!

Sue0609 · 06-12-2008, 10:44 AM

Thanks everyone. I can sleep a little on my right, but not at all on my left. My drain was in the middle, but there are three other incisions on the left (I actually have 6, I originally thought I had 5, one was hiding). I'm exhausted. I went to sleep at about 3:00 in the am and got up with DH at 6:30. I slept well in the hospital because I was totally stoned, I guess.

I've also needed to clear my throat a lot, but it's not very "productive" (if you know what I mean). Coughing really hurts (as does laughing, sneezing, hiccuping, etc.). My father said the throat thing happens to him as well after anesthesia. I've spent the last 2 hours trying to drink about 8 ounces of a protein drink. I can't tell when I'm full, so I'm taking it real slow. Puking does not appeal to me! The entire serving of the protein drink (Isopure) has 50 g protein, so if I can get it all down I'll be set for the day. I'd rather not eat at all, but I know that's a bad idea.

Did anyone have an incision that stuck out a little? The one on my left waistband sticks out and one end of it looks like a giant pimple (don't know how else to describe it!). Will this flatten? If it doesn't, can something like this be fixed outpatient?

Here's a question for the ladies...I get really, really bad cramps ttotm.

I loved my Motrin, never went anywhere without a bottle. Now what do I do? I get headaches as well, and Tylenol doesn't touch either one. The PA at my surgeon's was no help with this. What do others take post surgery for pain? I don't think the doc will want me taking Oxycodone indefinitely for cramps or headaches. The PA said I can take Motrin if it's only a few days a month, but I know others here disagree with that. And I'd still need something for headaches.

Thanks, Sue

Debs · 06-12-2008, 11:21 AM

Congrats on your surgery. As for the the scar being raised, it is probably going to be a keyloid(sp) scar. They can fix that later. I am prone to getting them and have had them taken off. Everything is up from here. Enjoy the journey and hope to join you soon. Debs

Upnorth · 06-13-2008, 08:35 AM

Welcome Sue,

I too am from Maine. I had my surgery on March 24th at EMMC which is about 1 1/2 hours from home. No drains or Bari beds for me. I had a hard time waking as well which freak my DH out totally. I was sent home with liquid pain meds

and small pills for naseau (sp?) I had a ton of pillows on my bed so I slept sitting up, I also had a hard time sleeping on my left side, but its better now. EMMC sent me home with a little pillow that was my life saver everytime I coughed. My scars also popped out a little but they look much better now. I also thought that my breath was horrible (no one else did) I must have brushed my teeth 15 times a day. Good luck on your recovery and weight loss

snoozysue · 06-13-2008, 02:23 PM

Hey Sue. Nice to meet you!

I just had my surgery on June 2nd. I sympathize with the back pain part. Mine was mindnumbingly awful. Apparently that comes from all the gas they pump into you but wowwee it made me want to cry. The nurse brought me real warm blankets to prop behind me and it helped out a lot. (along with working over the morphine pump pretty good!)

Few weird bruises...nausea...hunching over but only for a day...gas coming out of everywhere...shots for the itchiness I got from the pain pump...unable to sleep comfortably in the hospital at all...not being able to tell if I'm full, hungry or just sore.
Yep you got all the symptoms. It's a bonafide gastric bypass.

I was told no Motrin or anything Ever. Try calling your PCP about what to take for the headaches and stuff. Mine has been extremely helpful in filling in the gaps as small as they have been.

I started feeling pretty good within 4 days of my surgery.
Congrats to you and I hope you start feeling better soon!

Sue0609 · 06-13-2008, 02:37 PM

Thanks everyone.

"...not being able to tell if I'm full, hungry or just sore..."

Oh yeah! That's how I feel today. I've had a little SF pudding, a little SF jellow and am now trying to choke down a protein shake. My belly button is KILLING me (and leaking a little, how gross) and my boobs keep sticking to my incision sites (TMI, I know).

I need to call my PCP about the Motrin thing. No way I can rely on just Tylenol, I'd be in bed crying.

It's so nice out and I have about 40 plants and shrubs that need to be put in the ground...sitting here is driving me nuts. I went outside today to visit them, but even bending over to weed was clearly a bad idea (yes, I stupidly tried it!).

Godsblessedme · 06-13-2008, 03:13 PM

as a former Maniac welcome, i grew up in Maine all my life until i moved away at 19. Where abouts are you from?

o and you too upnorth! where are you from? I lived in Auburn until 5th grade then from 6th - graduation i lived in Winthrop.

You guys will be okay soon hang on thru the "hell week"