No more pain meds...

My husband got my perscriptions filled yesterday after he brought me home from the hospital and I took one pain pill early in the day and one last night. Those things flat put me to sleep. I'm happy to say that I haven't needed ANY today. I still have some pain but it's only when I get up after sitting for a little while. When I get moving around, the pain quickly leaves. The gas is the WORST! I napped for a couple of hours today and was awakened by a sound in my stomach that actually scared me a little until I realized what it was. LOL I guess it's my intestines. It was a loud, growling, rolling sound... the kind your tummy makes when you have the worst case of "better get to the bathroom RIGHT NOW diahrea" that you ever had in your life. I drifted back off and again, that sound woke me. It didn't frighten me this time. On the bathroom side of things, I haven't used the bathroom since Saturday, two days before my surgery. I was a little worried that it was because of my problem with constipation and took a "softener" last night, just in case (I heard that can be quite painful). Still nothing. The lady who was in hospital with me said she went day after surgery and THREE TIMES the next morning. I asked doc's office about that early this a.m. and she said that's because I'm not eating food. She seemed to think it was normal so I'm not worrying about it. I imagine things will happen as they need to. Gale

Sounds like you're right on track. I didn't take the pain pills long either. I got so much more relief from walking. I walked around my driveway once an hour & I knew that my neighbors that I'd lost it! It took my awhile to have a b.m. too. It gets better when you can eat more. Welcome to the losers Gale!!!!

I'm glad to hear that you're doing really well Gale! Just wanted to say woohoo on your recovery!! Thanks for giving us the updates, it means a lot to someone like me that is still pre-op and wanting to know what it's like right after the surgery!! Take care and be well-- Dee

Dee, I know exactly what you mean. I wanted to know anything and everything before my surgery, the good and the bad alike. Of course, I enjoyed reading the good better but knowing the bad stuff is important too. I'm amazed at how little pain there is. If it wasn't for the gas pains, I would say this isn't as bad as the headaches I used to get. EXCEPT... I have had three coughing spells, one of which was last night on our way to town to walk the track. My husband had to pull the van over, get out with me, wrap his arms around me and help me hold my tummy. THEN last night he was working on the puter at the far end of the house, I took the WORST coughing spell yet and quickly got to my bedroom for a pillow as soon as I felt it coming on. I called out for him, he came and helped me hold the pillow. It was the deepest coughs I've done since surgery and the most pain I've felt (other than the gas episode in the hospital) since surgery that I can remember. I took a pain pill afterwards. This morning I feel GREAT! The gas is almost gone. My tummy is FINALLY going down enough to look normal again and I'm happy. Let me add that my husband asked me last night, after the bad coughing spell, if I regretted having the surgery now. Needless to say that spell had me in tears. I answered no, not at all. I do not regret for one second having this surgery. There will be a bad spell here and there, I'm prepared for that. I was actually expecting much worse than it's been. Nothing to complain about here. Gale

HEy Gale, glad to hear you are doing good....some of the docs I know recommend MOM (milk or magnesia) if you need a little extra help, that might make you feel a bit better too..just a thought and you may want to ask the office if it's ok to take it...each doc is different but I as I said I have heard many say it's ok. keep up the walking and sipping Brenda

Brenda, I talked to the clinic yesterday morning and they said it's normal not to "go" since I'm not eating food right now, but I'll tell ya, I sure feel like I would like to "go". I know the woman in hospital with me did the day after surgery. I'll ask about the MOM too. Thanks, Gale

Gale, Congratulations on joining the losing side!! Glad you are able to get up and walk and hope everything continues to get easier!

Austin's Mom, have you scheduled your surgery yet? I hope you and Dee have an easy time with recovery as well. I can hardly wait to welcome to two of you to "the losing side" Gale

Gale, no surgery scheduled yet, but I did get some good news today. I went to my PCP and took her all my past diet diet attempts from weigh****chers, diabetic diet and weight loss clinics and she is writting my letter of support and going to show my supervised medical diets which should get me close to 12 months!! Can you tell I am excited? I feel that everything is falling into place and feel really good about this decision for surgery. I am so glad you are feeling better everyday!! Can't wait to hear your weight loss numbers!!

Hello Gale, I am sorry that you are having a tough time of it with coughing spells. I imagine that can be pretty painful with the stitches and all. May I ask if the coughing spells are something that *I* can look forward to? I was wondering if it were common ground? I am glad that you are doing well and don't regret the decision to have the surgery. I think about what it will be like right after the surgery. I wonder if I am going to have diarrhea or be constipated, have pain from the *rearrangement*, pain from the stitches, walking, or whatever. I don't want to have anything get by me ahead of time. I want my eyes wide open. I am sending more positive vibes your way and prayers--Thanks for letting us prebies know the deal! I for one greatly appreciate it. Take care and keep us posted-- Dee