Surgery Info

Good Morning! I hope everyone is doing well.  I few people asked about details about my surgery, so here it goes.  I arrived at the hospital about 12:30 for my 2:30 surgery.  They took me straight back to a room and I met a nurse who shaved the peach fuzz off my belly, drew blood, ask lots of questions, and started an IV.  I also changed into a gown, booties, and hair net (really attractive).  Then the surgeon and anestisiologist (sp?) came in and talked to me.  At 2:30, they wheeled me into the OR and put me to sleep. An hour later I was waking up in recovery.  My throat was sore and I was hoarse.  I also had a small ulcer on the inside of my lip where the tube was hanging out of my mouth.  Otherwise, I felt fine.  About 30-45 minutes later I was in my room and checking my email.  I have six wounds..five from the surgery and one from an accidental bovi burn by the surgeon (the bovi is the little cauterizing iron they use, he accidentally got me).  I didn't have any pain meds while in the hospital.  I did get a prescription for liquid loratab for home and I use it at night so I can sleep.  The loratab is really for my back which I hurt somehow the morning before surgery.  It actually hurts worse than my belly.  The incision where my port is hurts the worse.  I kind of hold it when I stand up and that helps.  I had dry heaves about 4 times in the 12 hours after surgery, but have been fine since.  My belly is making all kinds of interestng noises which are quite entertaining to my husband.  I've been moving around alot and I'm hoping to go back to work on Monday, but I may need a few more days with my back.  As far as diet, I'm on liquids of course.  I've had a hard time drinking the protein shakes.  They seem too sweet after the two weeks of atkins before surgery.  So I'm still trying to find something good.  I'm not having any issue with keeping things down, though, which is great.  However, and not to be gross, but things seem to be going right through me.  I'll be glad when I get to the next stage of food.  Hope this helps. Amanda

Hi Amanda,

Welcome to the loser's bench! Be sure to keep sipping and walking. It will help the recovery.

Take care,

Barb

Thanks, Barb! The loser's bench is a great place to be.  Now I just need a good scale to keep track of how much I'm losing.  Any suggestions? Amanda

Amanda,   Sounds like things went very well for you. Even though he tried to burn a hole in you (ha, Ha). Like Barb said, just remember to walk and sip. I also had a hard time with the protein at first. I had to keep trying until I found something that worked for me. It was still kind of bad, but bearable.  Danielle

Danielle, What did you find that works for you as far as protein?  I don't have a lot of money to spend, but I don't want my hair falling out either . Amanda

Amanda,    I started off with the Cookies and cream powder. The smell of it made me gag. Then I got the unflavored kind, and I mixed it with boost. That was still kinda yucky, but it was bearable. Now I drink "Worldwide Pure Protein Shake" in a can for breakfast every morning. That has 35g of protein in it, and they are really good. I drink the Frosty Chocolate kind. I also have protein bars that I sometime eat for a snack that have 15g of protein, that way I am sure that I am getting all of my protein in for that day! I hope this helps. I think everyone is different you will probably be like me and try a lot of different things until you find the one that works for you. How are you doing? Danielle

Danielle, Thanks for the info!  I'm still not getting all my protein in, but it's getting better.  I also feel much better.  I get a little tired in the afternoons, but nothing drastic.  My port incision still hurts, but not quite as bad as it has been.  There has been definite improvement.  I am able to move around a lot easier.  I am also working half days this week.  I should be back full-time by Monday.  Hope you are doing well.  By the way, I checked out your pictures and you look great! Amanda

I have a few here, and a few coming in today.  If you want some samples of the protein drinks I have to try, I'd be happy to share.  I have: BSN dessert shakes in banana nut, vanilla creme, and banana cream I have champion pure whey stack in chocolate and mochachino GNC unflavored and chocolate orange and grape protein bullets Lemme know.  We could meet up somewhere and I could give them to you.

Andrea, Where did you get your samples from?  The bariatric eating website? I think I'm going to have to go with unflavored.  Everything else seems so sweet.  Although, while I was doing the atkins diet before surgery, I had a really good banana cream shake from GNC.  I can't remember the name, but it was in a yellow soda-like can.  GNC had some in their little cooler and I was thirsty, so I tried it out.  Very yummy.  I may go back by there today and see what else they have.  My nut said to drink a meal replacement shake (like slimfast) mixed with protein powder, but it's the shakes I can't take.  I have been drinking some isopure protein drinks, but I'm having a time drinking it all.  I guess I need to just work harder.   Amanda

Well.. the samples I started out with were from vitalady.. but I have full tubs of all those I mentioned. I'd be happy to give you a scoop of each one to see if any of them worked for you.. as well as a bullet or two.  That way you could see if any of these worked for you.  I can tell you that the champions aren't all that sweet imho so they might work for you. Give me a call anytime..  299-1055