One Week Post Op - Some good news and a question for others...

I am one week post op and doing fine. I am still on my clear liquid diet, though today I can move to full liquids. I just wanted to share some good news that others may also get the benefit of. When I had surgery, like many of us I am sure, my lower legs were constantly filled with fluid (edema) and if I pushed on my shin with my finger, it left an indentation. I couldn't believe it, but by Wednesday of this week, 5 days after surgery, most if not all of this swelling has disappeared! I can't believe how fast that occurred. Also, when I walk my lower back doesn't hurt like it used to. Today I walked my daughter to a playground, maybe a mile round trip and didn't have to stop once. I can't believe the improvement and I am just getting started. BTW, I started out last week at 478lbs, so I wouldn't expect major improvement of physical ailments so soon. For those of you about to go into surgery, focus on the fact that you may see immediate results and every day gets much better than the day before. Also a question for any other post-ops out there. This sounds weird, but today I have noticed that my saliva tastes extremely salty, like seawater. Also, when I was walking, my perspiration also burned my eyes as if it was extra salty. Has anyone else experienced this? Perhaps my body is beginning to get rid of the toxins!

Chris, Thanks for the encouragement. I just posted in the Ga board about my expectations being too high, but you have just made me realize that they might not be. I just hope things go well, and congrats on your continues success. D'Lynn

Sounds great Thank you for the encouragement. Janice

Haven't experienced the perspiration thing, but absolutely my saliva is salty. I have tried savory soups (broth and cream of chicken) and couldn't tolerate them. Sweet stuff (protein shakes, jello) I do better. I have heard this has something to do with the anesthesia and will pass.

thank you so much for sharing your post op so far. sounds like you are doing great.. keep up the good work. not sure about the salty saliva. hope that it doesn't last too long. Teri lynn

Thanks for sharing. Pease make sure you are getting enough fluids! (((Hugs))) Jan B

Hey Chris thanks for posting some good news. I had RNY laproscopically on 3/1/05 so am 13days post-op, and I did not have any of the swelling after surgery. My surgeon requires us to stay on clear liquids for 2weeks post-op so I am just getting ready to go to soft and pureed foods starting Tuesday (yea!) and that liquid diet is a hard thing to live with and I am glad it's almost over. The main thing I remember about my first few days at home is how sore I was not so much from the surgery site, though of course that hurt too, but sore in the muscles I was having to use to compensate for not being able to use my abdominal muscles to help me sit up, get out of bed, etc. My shoulders hurt so much from having to pull myself up from the chair and my back was suffering from the added strain I put on it because I couldn't use my stomach muscles. It was over in a couple of days and it did make me feel stronger. I know I have lost over 20lbs already since my surgery date, and I can definitely feel how much easier it is to get around. I'm not saying I am as strong as I used to be but I can manuever in and out of the car easier and I am in no pain at all since about 5days ago. As for your question about your tastes changing, this is something I think most people have to deal with. My surgeons office says it is different for everyone but sometimes things you liked before surgery you won't like afterwards. That is true for me for sure, because I used to love anything sweet but now I am so sick of even the sugar-free stuff that is way too sweet for me. I can taste the chlorine in water and salt in everything that has even a small amount of salt in it. I have been told that things will keep changing, because our hormones are readjusting and even though you may not be able to stomach one thing now you may try again in a few weeks and it will be fine. I am so glad I did this for myself, and it's good to talk to others who are going through similar stuff. Good luck and take care!