I'm home & have questions.....

I had surgery on the 23rd and made it through without any complications. I had open surgery and I have a few questions: 1. How long does it take for the heightened sense of smell to go away? 2. Are you more comfortable laying down after you have the staples out? 3. Did you all hate the meds as much as I am? I would almost rather put up with the pain then the horrible dreams. I think the meds are also the reason I'm having hot and cold flashes. I hate liquid vicodin! 4. How long before you got a good nights sleep after surgery? Thanks! Julia

Hey Julia, I have the hightened sence of smell as well! Last night my dad had some A1 on his steak and I could smell it a room away. I had a really good night of sleep last night. Just hard for me since Im a tummy sleeper. I hated the pain meds too but ive been off them since friday. Best of luck, With love, Em

Hi Emily! I'm a tummy sleeper too! I've decided to try to make it through the night without my liquid vicodin (aka liquid nightmare.) My sister brought her recliner over for me to sleep in tonight and I hope that helps. Happy Healing vibes coming your way! Julia

Hello Julia, Gee, I would like to know the answers too! I am a stomach sleeper too. I am having trouble getting anything more that 2 hours of sleep at a time. I feel o.k but I have a constant cramping sensation where my pouch is. Best of luck to you!

My experience since 9/16 open RNY: I might be unusual since I did not take any pain medicine starting the 4th day, but I don't have any drains. My pain was low enough to tolerate. I continued to have mild temperature elevation until 8th day when it finally broke, so I don't think the hot flashes are related to the medicine. I started getting good sleep when the hot/cold flashes stopped which was also about the same time I could sleep on my side without pain. Hang in there.

I had surgery on the 20th. I've noticed that a hightened sense of smell as well, but, thought it was all in my head. Thanks for confirming! I'm still sleeping on my back which has been bothering me for several days now. I'm still not comfortable on my side, but, have tried short stints for the last two nights. A pillow under the belly and behind the back for support help. But, I can't tolerated it for very long. Can't wait to get back to normal. It's ruining my sleep! My Dr. perscribed liquid Tylenol with Codine. I haven't had bad dreams, but, I still can't make it through the night with out waking for various reasons (comfort, hot/cold). Still looking for a good night's sleep! ~ Angela

Hi Julia The only pain killer my Dr told me to use at home was tylenol or tylenol PM. I take the tylenol PM at bedtime to help me sleep and let me tell you I have been having a good night's sleep. Since I have been off the morphine from the hospital my bad dreams have stopped. Hugs Marianne

Funny you should say that about the sense of smell...I have never seen it mentioned before! BUT IT IS TRUE.............and it really is a pain in the you know what!! Coffee, dish soap, wine..........ugh........wonder if it goes away? I cannot tell you how much more comfortable I was after the staples came out! It was like night and day better........despite the wound I am still packing, lol. I can sleep on my side for an hour or so now...........but still wake up a million times in the night...... And what is with the back pain? If anything, mine is worse now than right after surgery..4 weeks ago. I have a hard time sitting or standing for any length of time, which is not a good thing since I am headed to work next week............sitting in a chair running a computer all day!! I have feeling this will be a bit tough, lol. About the Tylenol...........are you choking down the nasty liquid? Or are you taking the pills?

Mine was lap, but I have had a lot of luck with Roxicet, which is liquid percocet (tastes like cough syrup). It agrees with me, I have used it when I had kidney stones and I just take it when my incisions hurt. I have dissolvabe staples and my drain tube was removed on saturday, so, I have nothing left to be removed, but the incisions just get really sore once in a while. I also am on suspension prevacid, which is powder mixed with 2 tbsp of water. I never had acid reflux, but it keeps me from getting it post op, which I have had a little from the anestesia. Kell