1 1/2 weeks post op - ThinnerTimes

mixedflavored · 04-07-2006, 12:38 PM

Hello everyone, I have posted to this site a few times but have never been consistant with it. Right now I feel that I need all the support that I can get. I had LAP RNY on 3/28/2006 and was in the hospital for a total of five days. After getting home things where fine I guess. Yesterday I had my drain tubes removed and now everytime that I cough it hurts. I can't sleep confortably and that is taking it toll on me since I have a two year old daughter. Also I can seem to get even water down without it hurting in some way. Please tell me that I will get through this. I am in the stage right now that I am wondering what did I do to myself?

pambragg · 04-07-2006, 12:49 PM

It will get better. The first couple of weeks are the roughest by far. Hang in there.

lealphachienne · 04-07-2006, 12:59 PM

It's all part of the recovery period. Everyone is a bit different, but it gets better day by day.

Mavisavis · 04-07-2006, 02:18 PM

Welcome to the board. You will get lots of support here......jump on and jump in! Hang in there.....your surgery is new. You will feel better soon.

Mz_Desz · 04-07-2006, 04:14 PM

Believe me in the next week or two you will be feeling better.

When you feel the need to cough hold your stomach with your hands or press a pillow against your stomach. It helps.

You might need to prop yourself up on pillows for awhile and sleep. I couldn't sleep normally until I was two weeks post ops.

As far as water...it might be too cold or it could be too dense for you. Take it out the fridge and let it set for a few minutes then drink it. If that doesn't work then it might be the density of it. You may have to add something like lemon juice to it or drink something like fruit 2 o.

Dyann · 04-07-2006, 04:45 PM

Hang in there as it does get a huge amount better when your life starts a routine and you see that you can do it. All of the goals for protein and liquids were not hit in the beginning, but something to work up to. Be patient with yourself. You will be so rewarded over time.

MiladyB · 04-07-2006, 10:03 PM

First of all, welcome to the board. We are glad you are here and that you have opened yourself up for some much needed support. I had my surgery only 9 weeks ago, so I remember well those feelings you are having. Those first couple weeks are hard but I can assure you that they do get better. Do the best you can with the water and the protein. My dr. suggested to try to drink 3 oz of water for every oz of protein. When it comes to the water I found that things like hot tea or broth went so much better. The cold water made my stomach hurt. Also, sugar free popsickles were a life saver for many of us. They really helped that great need for some "real food". Are you taking your pain medication? Don't be afraid to. It was ordered for a reason. You want to keep yourself as comfortable as possible. Don't let the pain get bad before you take something because then it is much harder to get it back under control. When it comes to sleeping I found I did better if I was propped up on pillows. Alot of people sleep in a recliner for awhile. When you do try to tackle sleeping on your side see if you can find a small pillow to stuff under the side you are laying on to support your stomach area. Hang in there, it really does get better and don't forget we are here for you to lend a listening ear.

Mercedes · 04-08-2006, 06:21 AM

Hi, I just want to reassure you that I felt exactly the same as you for at least two weeks. I was in absolute agony (so maybe felt even worse) & wondered why I had done this to myself & paid thousands of pounds for the privilege!
My surgeon told me to go on 30 minute walks every day, it took me to the middle of week three before I could even venture out of the house. I could not stand up straight because of the drain-site pain for eight days. Everyone is different & I obviously have a low pain threshold

. Hopefully yours is better than mine.
I will be five weeks out tomorrow & I can tell you I am like a new woman, I am going to the gym every day, I have found this energy I have not felt for years, even doing the gardening which I used to hate! I don't feel hungry any more & I have to force myself to eat, I can tolerate most things I've tried in small portions. I've lost 25lb too, which would have taken me months to loose at a slimming club. Am I pleased I had the surgery? You bet, the first weeks are very hard with the pains & being on fluids only but hang in there it will get better & you will start thinking it was worth it.

coptergirl · 04-08-2006, 08:49 AM

I will be 5 weeks out on Tuesday, and I can totally relate to you. Holding pillows to your tummy when you cough, sneeze, or going over bumps in a car (provided you are the passenger) is a huge help. I slept in a recliner for the first 3 1/2 weeks and then I transitioned back to bed with a ton of pillows - poor hubby had about 6 inches on his side of an Eastern King sized bed

I only have 1 pillow (a bigger one - not my usual Temperpedic one) now. I also cannot tolerate plain water, and was so sick of Crystal Light and s/f Kool Aide. I usually and queezy in the morning, so my mom made a drink of half peppermint tea and half water - and it is all I drink now next to my s/f popsicles

I am walking 3/4 mile per day this week, and tomorrow I will increase it to 1 mile - and then 1/4 mile per week after that. I return to work Tuesday, too

Anyways, I hope my experiences can be of some help to you - welcome to the forum family - I do not know what I would have ever done without my family here!!!

theNEWme · 04-08-2006, 12:52 PM

i had surgery the same day and i had the same problem it went away though when i drank, i could always feel a pressure right below my rib cage but i had to get my new pouch used to drinking. it still kind or hurts when i huccup though i was wondering if i had made the right decision too but then the weight just started melting right off and i lost 20 lbs in a week so now i know for me that it was worth it!!!