I'm Home...but...

Hi everybody! In the words of Dorothy from Oz, "There's no place like home..." I got home from Middlesex Hospital yesterday afternoon around 2:30 PM. I slept fairly well last night, and right now, I'm just glad to home (fairly pain-free). I want to thank Kim K. my , Paul H. , and Julio R. , for all they did to encourage and prep me for all that I would experience post surgery and pre-discharge. I will never be able to adequately thank the three of you for all you did to help me through what truly became a personal challenge. Thanks also, to Christine D. from the Tuesday night support group, who came up to check on me on behalf of the support group, to wish me well on my 1st day post op. I'm home...but I'm not feeling all that great. And some of you know the problem, protein shakes. What was initially given to me in the hospital, was their strawberry protein drink...it was absolutely undrinkable. I just kept sipping water instead. But then one of the staff members found a nectar product called "fuzzy navel" I was able to drink most of it. But then I just had a full feeling all afternoon and into the evening. The worst part of it was that I then was full of gas for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I couldn't see myself drinking any thing more yesterday, and while I'm hungry now, the very thought of going through what I felt last night, just has me totally freaked. I'm about to call the doctor, but thought I'd check in with some of my support network to see if you have had the same experience, and if so, what did you do about it? Thank you one and all for your prayers and support! Ken P.

Hi everybody, it's me again. I just noticed a MAJOR typo. When I was thanking several folks in the second paragraph, I left out a vowel. Vowels make all the difference in the world, I meant to thank PAULA H., I don't know who Paul H. is, I'm sure he's a great guy, but I never heard from him. Paula on the other sent three or four responses to questions that I had posted. Thank you PAULA H.

hi ken,,so glad you are home and ok...i have the fuzzy navel nectar too,just waiting for my time to endure it..lol..take care and best wishes always on your w/l journey..cyndee

Hi Ken! Glad to know that you are home. You need to keep up with the protein in order to heal so if the Nectar is what does it for you, get some more of that. The gas is pretty common, I don't think it is directly associated with what you drank. (Though I am willing to be wrong) I remember having gas pains in my lower back whether I had something to eat or not for about 6 weeks. I'm not saying that it will be that long for you, but don't feel like it is something rare. Of course, if it becomes something that you are really concerned about feel free to call your doc, thats what they are there for.

Hi Ken Welcome home Ken! Congrats on the losing sides!!!! My advice to you about your gas pain is get up and walk around . It should help your gas pain better. I know what Dr Aranow will say same thing! Take easy and sip sip sip listen what your baby pouch said! Email me if you need any questions and Congrats for beginning your journey Hugs Kathy K

Hi Ken, Glad your home! We're in the same boat I started protein shakes yesterday also. I made it through 1 and a half and that was it. I am on my way out to the store to pick up some other products suggested to me. I'll keep you posted! Toni

Congratulation Ken P. on your surgery - smile I am like you also about the protein drinks and hate any of those milky style ones. I also love the Nectar protein drinks. If you go to SI03.com they will send you free samples. They have many flavors. I usually do a fuzzy naval first thing in the morning (it makes me feel like I am drinking orange juice) but my absolute favorite is the "Lemon Tea". They have many flavors Ken for you to try and if you want to get some free samples call Keisha Hamm at 1-866-333-7403 extenstion 815 and she will send them to you. Good luck and a speedy recovery Ken! Beth

Hi everybody, Thanks for your counsel thus far. I tried again, this time, I heated the Nectar Lemon Tea. It went down far better than I would have expected. And I hope that having heated it, that this may explain why some of my gas issues have been a little lesser than yesterday. I guess I may actually be on the mend afterall. Thank you all! Ken

Hey Ken, Glad to see you home and feeling better. When I got home I lived on egg drop soup , canation instant breakfast (suger Free) and beef and chicken broth for the first week. Your body has enough stored protien to get you by the first couple of weeks. It gets better real quick so relax , Take Care, Julio

Ken, I'm SO glad you're home and on the mend...Remember, anything you need, just write of call me. (I'll send you my phone number) As far as the gas, walk around, it's good for your blood clotting too... Gas X has chewables too and they are very good. Order some unflavored Unjury at www.unjury.com and I think having an unflavored one to put in soups and broth will help you a lot too. It's 20 gms of protein a scoop...You have to let it cool down to 130 degrees to keep it from curdling and clumping up. I SWEAR by this stuff. Sip slowly. It's good that you altered the temp of the liquid. Dr Aranow told me once that everyone is different, but the ph's of liquids and temps throw us off especially when our staple lines are healing. Remember, staple line healing is what's going on inside...you may feel pulling up to two inches on either side of your incision because you have internal sutures holding the incision together...I had discomfort on the left side at times more so...but it was no big deal. Rest, but walk around too....take your pain meds as prescribed and let these next three days be a blur to you. It was to me and I can say I healed a lot better because of it. Hang in there and call me anytime. paula