3 Week Post Op - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

DEE145 · 11-14-2005, 12:01 PM

Hello all. I am new to this site, and just wanted to share my experiences to date and also see what others have and are going through. I had my surgery on 10-24 at the Army hospital in Ft Belvoir VA, the surgical staff was excellent and I have followed up w/my surgereon as well as being scheduled for appontments 24 months out! What I underestimated was the amount of pain I would have post op. I am still feeling the occassional burn and pinching from the sutures. I have only been hospitalized for the birth of my 2 kids and have only been sick w/the occassional flu. But here I am 3 weeks later still feeling the pain of surgery, this is really hard for me to deal w/ and some days I actually get depress. I've been told that this is normal and to expect 4-6 weeks of complete healing.

My doctor still wants me primarly on puree foods until my next visit on 11/21. I've eaten turkey bacon crisp, eggs and even some cheese nachos ( 1 was okay 2 was a MISTAKE). I had my first experience w/vomiting and a general feeling of YUCK! This past after about 15 minutes, needless to say, I am not eating anything other than soups, yogurt and jello at this point.

My weight goal is 145 I am now at 222, I've lost 30 lbs since my procedure. But right now don't feel like rejoicing because I still feel pain and everything that my stomach is doing, it's lke I'm almost scared to deviatefrom the instructions given to me. (this is so UNLIKE ME).

Just wanted to share some of what I have experience to date.

Dee//

HeatherT · 11-14-2005, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEE145

Hello all. I am new to this site, and just wanted to share my experiences to date and also see what others have and are going through. I had my surgery on 10-24 at the Army hospital in Ft Belvoir VA, the surgical staff was excellent and I have followed up w/my surgereon as well as being scheduled for appontments 24 months out! What I underestimated was the amount of pain I would have post op. I am still feeling the occassional burn and pinching from the sutures. I have only been hospitalized for the birth of my 2 kids and have only been sick w/the occassional flu. But here I am 3 weeks later still feeling the pain of surgery, this is really hard for me to deal w/ and some days I actually get depress. I've been told that this is normal and to expect 4-6 weeks of complete healing.

My doctor still wants me primarly on puree foods until my next visit on 11/21. I've eaten turkey bacon crisp, eggs and even some cheese nachos ( 1 was okay 2 was a MISTAKE). I had my first experience w/vomiting and a general feeling of YUCK! This past after about 15 minutes, needless to say, I am not eating anything other than soups, yogurt and jello at this point.

My weight goal is 145 I am now at 222, I've lost 30 lbs since my procedure. But right now don't feel like rejoicing because I still feel pain and everything that my stomach is doing, it's lke I'm almost scared to deviatefrom the instructions given to me. (this is so UNLIKE ME).

Just wanted to share some of what I have experience to date.

Dee//

welcome dee

i know someone on here will give you great advise but as for me i am only 4 weeks out and was lucky as for pain after surgery i only had pain for a few days then at 2 weeks started throwing up got dehydrated for not drinking enough water but soon found out i had a stricutre which actually the new connection had closed off and that is why i was throwing up everything and not getting enough water...i am still throwing up a little everyday and struggling to get enough water everyday but not as bad as a week ago -

keep your head up and keep talking to your Dr about how you feel - if it doesnt feel right call them!

good luck
heather

Bypassingme619 · 11-14-2005, 01:25 PM

Welcome aboard Dee. Dee I hope as the weeks pass things will get better for you. I know it might seem far fetched but in time it will get better. Congrats on the 30 pounds gone forever. Thanks for sharing your experience. I look forward to reading updates on your progress.

DEE145 · 11-14-2005, 01:36 PM

Thanks for the replies. I like this site. Having a support network is important, and reading what others have and are experiencing is helpful.

I wish everyone that is going through this all the best. I'm still trying to get adjusted and can't quiet sing praises on the procedure as of yet. I hope that I will have a different mind set as time goes on.

Dee//

sdgrrl · 11-14-2005, 01:41 PM

Hey Dee,
I'm right in the boat with you, as I had my surgery on 10-28. I too was surprised by the amount of pain and general discomfort. I wasn't able to drink enough water and had some other complications, so had to go back to hospital 4 days after release, but I feel like I am on the road to baggy pants now.

I find it necessary to challenge everything I hear, too, and I can tell you (don't laugh Bridget!!) when they say no sugar because of dumping, they mean it. I tried eating a teaspoon of icing from my stepson's birthday cake, and man o man. It wasn't a BIT worth doing. But the aversion therapy has worked and THIS chocolate junky will not be chowing on the real thing for a good long time.

If your recovery goes like mine (and most others, I'm sure) you'll have good days and bad, with the good eventually outweighing the bad. What I seem to have a lot of is general nausea, which I have heard can happen. Hope you don't have that!

Hang in there, it'll be okay,
Donna

LizardQueen · 11-14-2005, 10:12 PM

It will get better! I promise it will! it's good you don't want to stray from the rules-you aren't suppose to-that's why it's a rule

! Stick with the diet you are suppose to be on and in a few more weeks you'll feel a ton better. I wish i had a miracle cure but this is major surgery and it is normal to feel like crap! Hang in there!

DEE145 · 11-15-2005, 08:19 AM

Thanks for ubeat replies, I really appreciate the responses, it keeps me sane. Some days I'm just a little depressed w/ not being able to drink a cup of water normal and not feel everything it's doing on it's way down and not have to hold my chest and wait for pain to subside because I either drank it too fast (although I didn't think so) or didn't wait long enough between my last morsel of food.

I pray everyday that it will get better and I know I am, just not fast enough for my taste. Today as I type this letter I actually feel a little less of the uncomfortableness from the stutures.

The one thing I never really asked my doctor about is alcohol. Is it okay to drink a glass of wine, beer or a shot of alcohol?

Again thanks guys I know you all don't know me but I'm usually an upbeat person this is something totally new for me.

LisaM · 11-15-2005, 08:59 AM

Dee,

I felt like crap, as well, until my four-week mark. Then the change in my attitude and energy levels just amazed me. While I didn't (still don't) have any long-term stamina, just getting my smile back was amazing.

The first four weeks I was depressed, sure I'd done the wrong thing, cried all the time, and generally miserable. You WILL begin to feel like yourself again soon, and then watching the pounds drop away will be as joyful as you feel like it ought to be.

Welcome to the forum...

Alleusion · 11-15-2005, 11:44 AM

Hi Dee, I'm right there with you at 3weeks post op. I actually had to go back to liquids after an irritated pouch. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night thirsty and forget I'm supposed to sip - oy does it ever hurt!! Welcome to the forums

DEE145 · 11-15-2005, 12:26 PM

I've spent most of my work day on the support site. I was just having one of those days. Last night after drinking water to fast I felt miserable. I was finally able to drift off to sleep, but walk this morning in quite a funks (not to mention it's that time of month). I know I should be feeling great hearing all these compliments come at me, but I feel so down inside, I really hope this passes. I'm suppose to go to a retirement party in NC this weekend and pray my old self will be up and ready to go. I'll keep you posted on that.

Hopefully in future emails I'll be a little more upbeat, and not so down about everything.