Home and surviving

Hello everyone. I had surgery on the 12th and was released about 6pm on the 13th. I thought that I had a high pain tolerance, but now I am not so sure. It hurts when I get in/out of bed, and in/out of a chair. Let me also tell you that people were not joking about needing a spoon or something else to help while in the bathroom. And lord, do not drop the spoon! I have been able to eat a little broth and a some jello. I am not doing so well on the water, still on my first bottle of 17 oz. It's hard to remember that I can not guzzle it and must take small, small sips. The doctors released me with a prescription for generic lortab (sp?). It's not bad. I take it every 4-6 hours and then lie down for about an hour. For me the pain med is only lasting about 2 hours. I used my treadmill today...walked a 1/4 of a mile at 1 mph (took about 15 minutes). Will do so again today. I do not want blood clots. Anyone else have strange pains in the middle of the back? I am wondering if I am holding myself too stiff and that is why it hurts. Any ideas? I wish everyone the best of luck with their surgery. I do not regret it. Love, Gina

Gina - still pre-op over here so I do not have any advice but I wanted to say congrats on your surgery!!! Sounds like you are doing great Nancy

Wow, your home so quick!! I'm not going in till th 19th (tues) and will be discharged that Friday. From what everyone else says it'll get better, hang in there and know that all of us are here for you. Keep up the good work, get tha****er in and take time to heal

I went in on the 11th and came home on the 13th. I could have come home on the 12th but my mom asked me to stay one more night. I am not having pain except for gas. I will be walking around, getting up and down with very little pain, and then the ga****s. I am taking gasx and walking, I hope this gets better soon.

In on the 11th, out on the 14th. Had a low grade fever so Doc kept me an extra day to be safe ;) The Lortab works for about 4 hrs for me. They gave me some Demerol while I was in the hospital and it was only good for 2 hrs if that. Ablut the only pain I feel is where my stomach is and there I have a tube so not sure if it is the tube or what that hurts. No back pain, do have arm paint though from pulling myself up out of bed at the hospital though Best of luck to you!

Hi Gina! I also had surgery on the 12 and got home on the 13. I am taking hydrocordone for my pain med. It is working pretty good for me. I take it every four hours. I bought some unflavored Protein whey at a GNC healthfood store. I mix up a container of sf Wal-Mart brand sunrise orange drink and add some whey to it. I also got some Nestles chocolate sf quick and add it to my skim milk with the whey. You really can't taste it and it ups the protein level so it gives you alot more energy. I prepare four of those little ounce cups and get my little egg timer and sit it for 15minutes. I sip it till it's gone than reset the timer and start over till all four are gone. Then I get up and walk about 7 or 8 laps around the house. When we added on the addition to our double wide it makes a nice little circle. So every hour I walk abunch of laps. I have been trying to increase it by one each time. Did you come home with a stomach vac or a little drain tube? I did and will have it till Monday when I go back to see my surgeon. So far I haven't had any problems with being nauseaous. Hope you are doing well also. Let me hear from you.

The nurse removed my drain tube before they released me. So right now the only thing I have on my wounds is gauze and the tape that holds it on. Talk about gross...it keeps draining. My husband must really love me because he changes it without any comments or any negative vibes. What a great guy! I just walked another 1/4 of a mile on the treadmill. I think that is enough today. This is in addition to the 20+ steps that I have to go down three times a day to get to the kitchen. Sometimes I regret purchasing such a large home ;) I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing well also. Have a good weekend everyone. Love, Gina

Except for the one with the drain, my doctor superglued all of my wounds. He did that when I had laproscopic gall bladder surgery at the end of May also. I can imagine how much it must be draining. I have to empty this little plastic bottle hanging from my gut about four or five times a day. It doesn't bother me though, just pop the top, empty it, squeeze all the air back out the bottle, put the lid on and it is ready to start vaccuming out the wound again . It works pretty well, then I don't have to keep changing the bandage. It sounds like you are doing a good job with your treadmill. Keep it up, I am sure we will both start to see the pounds falling away shortly.

spoon in bath room ? do i even want to ask. but do tell.. ewwwwwwwwwww

HI GINA , I AM A 12ER ALSO I GOT HOME ON THE 14TH AND AM ALSO ON THE LORTAB . ITS WORKING FOR AABOUT 2 TO 3 HOURS FOR ME .. I AM ALSO HAVING LOTS OF PAIN GETTING UP AND DOWN AND ALL AROUND LOL . HANG IN THERE WE ARE LOSERS NOW ... I DONT REGRET IT BUT I AM STILL IN AWW THAT I DID IT . TAKE CARE SARA