I am home from the hospital

I am home and feeling pretty good.  I am a little sore but the pain meds are working well.  The clear liquids are going down really easy.. i worry too easy.  But I was told it was ok.  I don't want to over do it that's for sure.  Yesterday after the swallow study I got some pretty bad nausea.  TMI but I dry heaved for over an hour and they finally gave me some anti-nausea meds.  After I woke up from that I have been fine since.  Just loud.. my new anatomy is very talkative.  I am actually up 4 pounds from the day of surgery.  I am a little swollen so I hope that will go down and I will start seeing the weight loss.  Thanks everyone for the thoughts and support.

Kelly

Hi,
I am a new member. I plan to have gastric bypass on July 21st. I would like to know what kind of surgery you had and what you mean by "your new anatomy is very talkative." If you have any advice for me, I would really appreciate it.

signed
stopthemadness

My new puch and intestine arrangements make a lot of noise.  Almost like your stomach growling but so loud everyone in the room can hear if they aren't talking.  =)  It's quite amusing..
Congrats on your surgery date...

Kelly

Congrats! Welcome to the losers bench.

Helen

Thanks! Down 8 lbs.... =)

COngratulations!!!... I remember when you first started surfing the board.  Now you are on your journey...

Thanks...

Hi Kelly,

Welcome to the Loser's Bench! It's pretty normal for your tummy to 'talk' to you a bit more in the begining. The good news is that eventually it quiets down ... Mine hardly ever talks to me anymore. 

Be sure to keep sipping and walking. Staying hydrated is really important and the walk helps to disapate the gas used during the surgery as well as protect you against a pulmonary embolism. 

The weight gain you experienced is water weight from the IVs and will be gone soon. If you haven't done so yet, be sure to get front, back and profile photos as well as measurements. Then you will want to take them every month around your 'surgiversary' to track your progress. http://www.thinnerself.com has a great program for logging your measurements and seeing a graphic representation of your weight loss.

Wishing you all the best,

 

Thanks Barbara...

I am glad that it will calm down.  I think it's calling for something other than clear liquids.  Yesterday I really hit a wall with the liquids.  Today is my last day thank goodness.  It's like I couldn't swallow one more ounce of liquid if I tried... but I am pushing it down already today. I know I must but it's an all day event for sure.  I am so glad to go shopping for my full liquids today.  I really don't have much in the house for that... I didn't want to be temped.  =)

I have been moving a lot.  We even went to a 4th of july party with the kids.  My boys don't let me lay around much. 

I am have now lost the pounds I gained with the fluid + 8 lbs.  Now that I am seeing the scale move I am feeling better.

I did get all my measurements and I am several disgusting before pictures... =)  I hope I will see a dramatic change by the end of July.

Right now my belly just seems in knots ever time I drink.  Hot liquids help some.  I think I am going to get some herbal tea today.  All I have is regular tea.  And I crave something salty....but I am doing ok.  I will get through this..

Kelly

Hi Kelly,

I remember how hard it was in the beginning, but it really does get better. With my program, I was restricted to clear liquids for 3.5 weeks. It nearly drove me up a tree, but as you say watching the scale move helps ease the 'pain.'

It is very normal to have some nice losses in the first 10 days to 4 weeks. Often that is followed by your first stall, but don't worry, it's very normal and your body's way of trying to protect you. Just stay the course and you'll begin to see the scale move south again.

Re: salty things. I found that I also had just about had it with all of the sweet stuff so I had Ben get me some wonton soup from out favorite chinese restaurant and strain out all the good stuff and let me just have the broth. I did something similar with a vegetable beef broth soup. I later found that I could create some pretty decent clear soups using broths that were infused with onion, garlic, soy or worcheshire, etc... We also found that using a tomato soup made with skim milk was a delicious way to enjoy some protien that wasn't sweet. I'd add some basil, garlic and onion and just strain it out.

Be sure that you use decaf versions of tea and coffee so that you don't irritate your newly configured intestinal system.

Wishing you continued success,