Two-weeks post op

I had my surgery on the 31st. According to Dr. Steward, it went really well. I don't remember much, as you can imagine. I stayed in the hospital Thursday & Friday & they released me on Saturday morning. I haven't had to take my blood pressure medication since the 30th!! I've had it checked twice and it's doing great! I did develop a hematoma around my drain site, which had to be checked by my doctor. Dr. Steward said this is normal because this is were the largest incision is made. Warm, moist heat and tylenol is all I needed to deal with it. It's still a little sore but is improving every day. I'd lost 14 pounds on my first post-op appointment (14 pounds in 12 days!!!). Still having trouble dealing with the bland diet but I'm hanging in there. It's hard drinking all the necessary water too. Especially now that I can't just gulp it down. Tried that once....ouch Other than those minor annoyances, things are going great.

Congratulations! Dr. Steward performed my RNY. He is the best!!! Valena Hang in there, it will get better!

Hi Andria, I am one week post -op. Dr. Berntsen did my surgery. I am glad to hear that you are doing well. Are you on full liquids? What kinds of things are you taking in? I am sick of clear stuff, and I am feeling a bit down when I see another week of liquids before me. I am hungry and weak, but my soreness is getting alot better. I have lost 26 pounds (16 on the preop diet, and 10 since surgery). I also left the hospital without my blood pressure and cholestoral meds!!! That was a pleasent surprise! Well, keep me updated on your progress! Shelley in Wichita

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I just made it back to work today. By the time Dr. Steward cleared me for full liquids, I was SOOOO sick of the clear liquid diet. I had started it two weeks before surgery and was about to pull my hair out. Luckily he switched me over before I reached that point. Now I'm on pureed/soft foods. Actually, I'm not pureeing anything, just making sure I chew everything extremely well. I am sticking to the recommended foods from the WLS guide though. One thing about the weakness: I noticed I'd get weak if I'd waited too long to drink something.

Hello again, Andria. Glad to hear that you are doing well. I am feeling good. I have trouble drinking - it hurts alittle and takes forever. I am on soft foods now and like you, I don't puree, but I chew very well. I do feel hungry occasionally, and I have gone past my limit a few times. I have not thrown up yet, but I have felt terrible and had to go to bed a time or two. I guess it is just hard to get used to the idea that 5 bites is enough. Lots to learn still. My weight loss has slowed. I only lost 2 pounds last week (while on liquids), and I felt frustrated. But I am over that. I am exercising and doing what I am supposed to for the most part. I am going to be try and be proud of what I am doing right and not about what I am weighing. That will come in time. Well I hope you have a great day. Keep in touch. Shelley

Shelly, I was looking the forum and read your reply. I noticed your from Wichita and wanted to know if you had your surgery in Wichita or Topeka or Junction? I am considering the surgery and wanted to get some feed back from you. My insurance may make me go to Wichita for surgery and I wanted to learn if that was a good place for having the surgery. I have heard many good things about Topeka and Junction city...but nothing about Wichita. Thanks for your time. Vera

Vera, Hello, I am so sorry that it has taken me this long to reply. I had my surgery in Topeka. My experience there has been very positive, I do wish that it was closer. The drive gets long and boring, and I can't just jump in the car and go whenever I want. I have had to go 5 times now and I have another follow-up in a few weeks. My insurance, Tri-care, didn't really give me options, and since they were paying the tab, I wasn't gonna complain or question. I don't know a whole lot about the program in Wichita. My insurance would have paid for the surgery here, but not for the mandatory pre-op classes, which according to ins. would have left me to pay a couple of thousand dollars. I know nothing about Junction. I am not much help. I think every center has pros and cons. You just have to weigh it out. Where are you in the process? Just considering? waiting for approval? I see you live in Salina. My husband's dad lives up there, well in Smolan. We visit once a month or so. Well, I gotta run. Have a good day. Shelley

Thank you for your reply Shelley! I have made the decision to go ahead and do it. I am very nervous and of course I know that I am not alone in that. I have been diagnosed with most all of the comordity items that fall under obesity and now know that the risks of surgery are less than the risk of doing nothing. I am nearly 44 and have more health problems than my 65 year old mother...that is sad. I have contacted my primary care doctor and he agrees I would be a good candidate for this. I have such a love affair with food that I sometimes worry about the outcome post surgery. I do not know how long it takes to get this process going from the time that I make the decision to the time that I get scheduled for surgery...but I hope that it is not too long as I don't want to "chicken out". Good barbeque in Smolan! ;-) Hope to follow your progress and hear of all your ups and downs to help "psych" myself up! Blessings to you! Vera

Vera Making the decision to do it is a big deal. Some how once you make up your mind, a whole new momentun sets in. It is a tremendous feeling of hope and fear. Did you decide where or is that up to you insurance? I had my surgery 4 weeks ago today. I have lost 36 pounds, and I am off alot of medications. I even slept without my CPAP machine (for sleep apnea) all last week and my husband said that he hasn't heard me snore at all. I am pretty excited. Well keep in touch, and if you have any questions I would be glad to help if I can. Shelley

Shelley~ You are so right...once I had made up my mind I have the surgery it did just ZOOM...I am going to Topeka on the 14th for the seminar. I have already got the "failure list" done for the insurance and faxed it to the doctor. I am currently doing my MMPI for the psychological testing and will be meeting with the psychologist fairly soon. Since I am a nurse on a psychiatric Behavioral Health unit...it seemed easy to jump ahead and get that completed. The insurance said that I could have the surgery in Topeka that St. Francis was in the network...(sort of)...we are Via Christi network, but Topeka is out of the area as far as divisions...so I will have to pay 250.00 out of pocket for the admission there...no big deal really. I have had much anticipation, excitement and a tremendous amount of fear! But you say that is normal. I cannot imagine how I will adjust to the food issue since I have such a love affair with food. Mexican is my most favorite and I could eat that 7 days a week. I am very excited to hear how your doing! 36 pounds is awesome! I know I am not expected to lose as fast since I am doint the lap band...you had RNY correct? I am encouraged to know that your getting off meds and the CPAP...I have 7 meds I am taking and the CPAP as well. So how are you sleeping without the CPAP? Are you tired still when waking up? OR has that resolved as well as the snoring? Thanks for your willingness to keep me posted! Vera