Now Officially POST OP!!! Home and Healing

SO I am at home. my surgery was 8/1/05 ( Mon) I am feeling pretty good. I started on Protein shakes, no problems with keeping food down. My problem is I have this feeling of pressure or burning can't quite describe it below my breast bone. Not when eating...just when walking around or lying down. Whast is this? It Hurts. My other big problem I would like some advice with is...I can't tell if I am full. I have always been a binge eater and I am eating my 4 oz of shakes but I dont know what is full? I stop cause that was the diets says but I think I can eat more. Did anybody else feel this. I am freaking out thinking maybe it didnt work on me?????? What if I can still eat to much. I dont know what full is, maybe I am just obsessed with food still? HELP! --nikki

Welcome Home Nikki!!! So happy to hear that you're feeling good for the most part. My surgery is scheduled for 8/29, so unfortunately, I can't help you with your current issues, but what I would do is call your surgeon's office. I would gather that they get questions like this all the time! That's what they're there for! Best of luck to you in the future! Hope you feel better soon! Wendy

Nikki, Congratulations. I am pre-op, but my sister is 6 weeks post op. She had some problems on her left side after surgery. Call your surgeon, it may be gas pains or something else. She also said that she didn't have the full feeling at first. She was told that everything kind of stays numb in there for a while. She said that she would start to burp or get the hiccups & that was kind of an indication that she was full. Everyone's body reacts differently, jus****ch for little consistent signs (ie: burping) each time you eat and use that as your "full" indication. I know it's takes everyone a little while to figure out their new pouch. Good Luck with everything and keep us posted. Tammy

Hi Nikki!! Congratulations to you too...we're twins!!! Hope your recovery is as speedy as mine...it's nice to finally be on the losing team, isn't it!! I also had my surgery on 8/1 and last night was my first night back from the hospital (I was discharged yesterday 8/5 at 11AM). I tell you, other than the terrible gas pains I have, everything else feels pretty good here too. I've been sipping my liquids (broth, decaf tea & coffee and liquified soups that I mixed with my protein) and haven't really have any trouble keeping things down. However, I am still scared to drink too much because of the gas pain. I had to go out today earlier, with DH and get some chewable gas medication and a heating pad--I can't handle the pain and haven't been able to walk straight since I went for my last walk to the bathroom on Monday, before they brought me in to the OR The worst part so far was trying to sleep in my bed...ouch ouch ouch!! At first it felt like someone was trying to rip my kidneys out with bear hands! And then, when I finally found a position I was comfy in (lying down kind of on my left side, with one pillow on my back, one on my belly, and one on my neck to support my neck/head) I had to get up to go pee... Twice I did this until I finally decided to stay up in the livingroom and sat on the sofa-chair... Anyhow, I know it will only get better from here, so I'm keeping a positive mind... up until I have to get up again to go the bathroom...then it hurts more and I lose it! I think I'm going already! Hope you have a wonderful weekend and lots of rest! May the pain be minimal and your healing speedy. If you would like to talk or exchange facts, email me. God Bless! Dolly

Hi!! Congratulations on your successful surgery. I too had mine on August 1st. I came home Thursday. I think I'm doing pretty well. A little pain at times but I'm trying not to rely on the pain meds. I'm saving that for more severe pain. I have arthritis in my knees and that's more painful for me than anything. My surgery went very well. Since then I feel very sleepy a lot of the time. Today is the first day I've really felt like even signing online. That from a regular computer geek!!! I read your post and wonder....did you receive a binder in the hospital? I think that has helped me a lot when I'm up and about. You're not supposed to wear it when you're sitting and especially not when you're laying down, however. It just kind of makes you feel like it's holding your insides in. My first outing will be on Tuesday, to see my PCP and get some blood work done in preparation for my visit the following week to the bariatric center and have my 26 staples removed. I think that will help a lot in how I feel. They're not painful, but they aren't the most comfortable thing either. Continued speedy recovery!! Patty K

Well thank god Im normal!..LOL Or should i say WE are normal...I had my surgery Friday the 5th and just got home today and I have the very same concerns as you do. I have been eating 'what i'm suppose to" amount wise and I too am not sure if I am full or not but i stop because i dont want to chance it. I havent had any thoughts that it didnt work tho...I think im just a little scared to eat too much tho...i sure dont wanna experience "dumping" yet...that scares the hell outta me! Ive just been careful i guess....and from what I have been reading from others..thats pretty normal! phewwww! Good luck with your journey! Tanya