Post-op day 4 questions

Well, my first at-home night post op was a bit rough. I tried to lie in the bed but just couldn't do it. I tried the couch...no luck. I ended up in a chair with my feet on an ottoman and this was obviously no good for my back. I've been moving around quite a bit today although it is too nasty to walk outside. I live in a tri-level house and the stairs have posed no problem for me. The only real pain I have, besides my back, is in my ribcage area...YIKES! Everytime I stand up I feel certain everything inside is going to come out my incision! How long can I expect severe pain in my ribs? As for eating...I've been trying. My doc said I could have full liquids so I tried a little creamy soup and some SF/FF pudding. Both went down fine but I find that I maintain a mild amount of nausua most of the time. Could this be lactose intolerance rearing its ugly head??? I used skim milk in both the pudding and the soup. I also have a ROTTEN taste in my mouth. Is that normal??? Sorry this is so long but I'm sure you long-term post-ops remember the uncertainty of the first few days home! Any suggestions on diet issues and these problems would be welcomed. Karen

I too had a rotten tast in my mouth, people told me it was ketosis. Also about your diet, my surgeon recommended carnation instant breakfast. Well I would try to drink them and then I would feel crappy. This happened for the first 3 weeks before I finally figured out that I was lactose intolerant! I had never had a problem before, now all the sudden I could not drink that. I found I can do cheeses because it is more processed. But I can not do the straight milk, so that means no ice cream. I kind of wish I would dump on sweets and then I might be more successful. But I dont. I dont pu**** that far meaning I dont see how much of them I can eat before i get sick. Have you tried chicken noodle soup? I did that alot. Can you do protein shakes yet? I mix my protein with crystal light orange juice and I like that. I also can not due any diet drinks or anything with carbination. It kills my stomach. I have heard of people renting a lazy boy recliner to sleep in for the first few weeks. I did not have that problem, I slept on my couch alot because it seemed like I did not have to lay all the way back. to me getting up from the laying down position was the worse, until I learned how to get myself up on one elbow, then the other, then I would stretch my arm out to get my self up on one side. I am sorry this is so long, but feel free to email with any questions you may have, and if I can help, I will be glad to. ( in the early days, gas-x was my life saver ) it helped with all he stomach juices...

Thanks, Angie, for all the recommendations... today, I feel much better. We retrieved a recliner from my roommate's brother that we had given him and I slept like a baby last night- a full 7 hours! I woke up feeling much less pain in my sides so I got up, at breakfast (french onion soup and a part of a popcicle) and took a shower. I've managed to walk about 20 minutes around my neighborhood so far today and plan to take another walk late this afternoon. I tried a cream soup again for lunch and so far so good. I am REALLY looking forward to tomorrow and soft foods. If you get a chance, tell me what types of soft foods worked best for you...I just really want some variety! I'm not sure of the gas-x...no one told me I could have that so I haven't gotten any yet. I sure would help! Thanks again for your advice.

It took about 2 weeks before I could sleep in bed all night. I tended to migrate from bed to couch to recliner chair, moving about once an hour. It gets better--promise. Just sleep where you can, when you can for now! Joy