Update on me and questions?

Hi everyone,

Well, as you can all imagine I have been taking it easy since I got home Christmas day.  The gas in the body cavity was just horrible, but that is starting to slowly disappear..  I have been tender and sleeping in the recliner because when I lay in bed I feel as if my stomach and incision pulls and it hurts.  I even tried propping it up with body pillows but that can only last a few hours before my back starts hurting.  Yesterday, was the first time I adventured out.  Went to Walmart and walked a bit and I was really tired by the time I got back in the car.  Today has been better, I woke up fixing a big breakfast for my family and didn't have a taste or nibble or anything.  I am okay with fixing food for everyone, hey they still have to eat right?   Today, it did seem that my appetite is coming back, food channel looks good, dinner for kids looked good but I am being strong.   Went outside and played a bit today and I have been up moving a lot more than I have the past few days.  It seems to be easier each and every day.

Now for my observation.. OMG!!! I did not realize my stomach would look like a war field..  I am surprised by that..  I think I have 5 holes in my stomach.  Is that right?  3 very large ones and 2 tiny pin holes right under my breast.  I am hoping they will clear up a bit because at this point a half shirt is out of the question.

At first I had trouble drinking, little sips would go down, air bubble up and than cause pain.  I found out the cold water is out of the question right now.  But I can eat all the ice chips I want.  Now today, I don't have a problem drinking at all.  And actually, I just had a whole protein shake with no trouble.  Is that normal?  I guess I am expecting more?  I feel like nothing has changed?  Will I tell a difference when I start eating mushies?  In my mind, I am like did they actually do anything?  Was this just a ploy and did it work?  I guess, the true test will tell when I start eating food again, which will not happen until next Wednesday.  Did anyone else have these doubts?  or is it just me being all weirded out and all?    I have been doing broths, jellow, water, caff/sugar free tea, popcicles, ice chips and I feel fine.. 

Okay, I don't want to ramble all evening, but some input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Sheila

Sheila, it sounds like you are doing an awesome job. Glad to hear you are getting some strength back. thanks for sharing your progress.
emily

Hi, Sheila.
I smiled a lot through reading your post. Everything you're experiencing is normal. In fact, I could have written the same thing right after my surgery. The VSG is really a great WLS, in my opinion. Few complications, on the whole. You will find that your tastes and tummy preferences can and will vary from day to day. I have found that "the tummy rules," and you learn to roll with that. :)
You're doing fine. Sleeping in a recliner is a good idea, if it helps support your body. Your incisions should look and feel much better by 2 weeks out.
When you begin mushies, you'll find that your tummy will speak loud and clear, as far as what, how much, and how fast you're eating, so just pay attention to it and you'll be fine.
You're doing great.
Blessings,
Mary

Glad to hear mostly good news Shelia!  Your strength will come back a little bit more with each passing day.  Don't you worry - you will have NO DOUBT that they really did something to your stomach when you try to eat.  Ugh!  I'm a little over a month out now and feeling frustrated by what a tiny amount & small variety of foods that I can eat before I feel ill.  Oh well, that is why we went through with it all.  I've got a husband and 3 kids at home, so I know what you mean about cooking for our family.  It doesn't bother me too much, but I have been adjusting what I cook.  There has been a huge decrease in the amount of pasta prepared under my roof.  ;-)

Keep moving & feeling better!

Teri

Sheila,

I'm glad you asked all those questions!  I have been wondering if I'm abnormal...as a matter of fact sent an email off to Jess yesterday, but never heard back from her.  I drank an entire protein shake last nigIht also, but now today I haven't been able to hold as much.  Weird I guess!    I was so fortunate to not have a problem with the gas in the body cavity, I have been up and going ever since I got home.  Took one pain pill then took liquid tylenol and now nothing regularly.  I have a high pain tolerance though, and bounce back rather quickly.  I've just always had to, no one else to rely on, so I have to make myself go.  You sound like you're doing great!  My appetite seems to come and go.  Sometimes things look so good my mouth waters, other times I can't stand the sight of it.  

Hugs,
Marsha

Your incisions will go away with time, and they move around a lot too as you lose weight.  I had a low cut bathing suit that perfectly high lighted my middle incision, but I didn't want to a buy a "fat suit" for just one trip to Florida (since I knew the weight was coming off) so I walked around with a bright red scar about a month after surgery.  It really DID look obscene, so back at the house I just swam in bottoms and a t-shirt.

Last year I swam in tankini's that were not low cut and no scars showed.  I haven't selected this year's suits, but I really doubt I will be worried about a scar-they just aren't that bad.  My foot and leg has more impressive scars-I've passed them off as shark bites several times.

One scar I noticed is spitting a stitch which is ironic, because the one where I KNOW I left a stitch in has healed over and you can't even see the stitch. (I took out my own stitches).

To this day, my appetite waxes and wanes.  Sometimes it has to do with exercise (although not so much lately...heh heh), hydration, and sometimes I just wake up having a hungry day.  I don't think I've ever had two hungry days in a row though. 

Yup, I too thought they had tricked me -- until that first bite of food. At that point I knew they had indeed done what they were supposed to! I also was lucky in that I did not have trouble with gas right after surgery. Fair warning -- so much is a different feeling/experience after surgery. There was one day last week I felt awful and could not figure out what it was. My stomach was really bothering me and I could not eat more than a couple of bites of food when I had been up to fairly good amount (according to my last visit with Jess). I FINALLY figured out it was gas, but it was not like I had experienced before.
I have 6 scars and at almost 6 months out they are still noticeable but have faded considerably. The pulling feeling is normal but it was tolerable and I was able to sleep in bed and on my stomach from my first night home. Getting in and out of bed or the car was only hard for the first couple of days. I was sore, but would not describe it as pain.
I tired easy for about the first month after surgery and went to bed early every one of those nights.
It sounds like you are right on track!

Sheila,
It sounds like you are doing great!  I am going to come and see you one day while I am off If you are up to it! 
My only advice is to get some unflavored whey protien and add to your broths.  and s/f Carnation instant breakfast.  Thats what I do lots of!  Tomorrow I am going to make some s/f jello.  I haven't had any of that yet! 
Call if you need anything!
Hugs
Kim

Sheila you sound so much like me when I first came home. I was SO thankful for the pain meds. I am 8 weeks out and still have days when I can't drink but a bit without bubbles then there is days I can drink like a fish. I usually feel better on the days I get more water in.

I have had a house full of guests since you went home Sheila and I am glad to hear from all these posters on here, that you are normal!! LOL I am glad you asked these questions so that I won't have to ask them later. I think you sound great!! As long as I can read that it gets easier every day, I am ok with all these small things... You can get  Vit E caps, poke a pin hole in them them and put E oil on your scars. That will help lessen the scars and cause them to heal quickly.
My daughter who had surgery to remove her thyroid gland...TWICE. had to use that on her neck. She said she looked like a Crack ***** who had her throat slit! (She kinda did though). You can barely tell it now after the E oil.  I already look like a battle zone on my tummy with the gall bladder scar, hysterectomy scar and a bladder suspention scar all done the old fashion way!

Anyway, I am glad you are home and doing well, my friend!!
Happy New Year!