One week post-op today!

Hi everyone! Well, I am 1 week post-op today. I still have quite a bit of pain though. My surgery was supposed to be at 1:30 pm but I didn't get in until about 3:30 pm! They wanted me at the hospital at 10 am, so we had quite a long wait. We brought the portable DVD player along so it wasn't so bad - just very nerve racking. I didn't get in my room until almost 8 pm. My surgery ran kind of long. Dr. T. said that my liver was HUGE! Not just from being a fatty liver but also just big. Apparently he had a time working around it. I guess that explains why I have such terrible bruising on my stomach. I have a bruise that is bigger than a dinner plate! Very pretty. The drain site was pushing on some nerves and really giving me a lot of pain but that has eased up a bit since they removed the drain. I had to stay in the hospital until Friday. Dr. T. said that since my surgery ran so late that he wanted to wait an extra day to do the leak test. Love those ice chips! The night after surgery was terrible. I had so much gas, pressure and pain that every hour they were in there with Morphine or Demerol for me. By Thursday I was doing much better. I was a walking fool!! I still have to give myself injections to help prevent blood clots. That is the worst! I look like a black and blue pincushion! I will be so glad when I can stop the injections. My blood pressure was pretty elevated, but I also had a migraine right after surgery so that didn't help. They had to wait until they could get my BP down to give me Imitrex. It took half the night, but it finally went down enough for some meds for the migraine. I still cannot sleep in any position other than almost straight up and down with about 6 pillows behind me. I only sleep for about 2 hours at a time. I feel exhaused all the time. I know it will get better soon though. I have not lost any weight - I have gained 3 lbs. It is from being bloated and swollen and will go away eventually. I am still having a tough time getting in everything that I need. The shakes are starting to give me a stomach ache and most times makes me nauseous. I hope I can take them for another 3 weeks! I am sure that protein won't be a problem once I can start eating a bit of solids. Well, I guess that about covers it. I hope everyone is doing well. Take care. Rachella

Rachella, Sorry to hear you had a tough time of it! I feel for you. My surgery was the 18th and they were supposed to start at 7:30, but it took them until almost 9 to get an IV in! THAT was awful! Then My Dr said a portion of my small bowel was adhesed to my abdominal wall, so he had to dissect thru it, that took a litlle longer than usual. ALl in all, I feel great now, except for what looks like a few of my lap incisions might be infected Have you tried the boost? Or ensure? Butter pecan works for me, also the chocolate boost 1 oz at at time.Hang in there! Robin R

I had my surgery on October 13th. I was supposed to go in at 7:30a, and I actually did go in at 7:30a. I was up walking at 1:30p. I went home on the 15th. I have not had any problems so far....they did take my gallbladder, but I expected that they would do that. I am doing so well, that my doctor has allowed me to go hunting this Saturday. I feel for what you have gone through. It does get better....

Hi everyone, my surgery was the 19th too, so I am also one week post op. I had a laproscopic VBG. I have to tell you it was a snap! I was only in the hospital overnight and went home the 20th. My surgery was scheduled for 10a, but didn't happen until 12:10p. It was pretty much painless, and the only problem I have has been with heartburn. (They diagnosed me with GERD during my upper GI testing). Plus it was WATER that really brings on the pain! So keeping hydrated has been a challenge. I'm sure I'm taking in as much as suggested, but it doesn't seem to be a problem. I had my first post-op appointment today, and I was given a script, so hopefully that will be the end of that. Being able to tollerate water will certainly make the difference. I'm ok with anything else though, so I've been drinking Crystal Light, V8, a low-carb apple cranberry juice and protein drinks. My doc told me today that after this first month no more fruit juices though. From then on, only non-caloric beverages and absolutely nothing carbonated --ever. Which is fine with me, I stopped drinking them over 17 months ago, so that is already behind me. Sounds like you are dealing with so much more than I am. What type of surgery did you have? I will keep you in my prayers! Julie