I'm a Bandster Now

Hi all, Just a quick hello to let you know my surgery went fine and I came home last evening. The only crummy part about the entire hospital ordeal was that they didn't have a bed available for me so I had to stay in recovery, in that horribly uncomfortable bed, for nearly 8 hours. My back has been killing me ever since (in fact, the day after surgery the back pain was bothering me more than the pain for the actual surgery!) All of the staff were fantastic and Dr. Ryder was great, as expected. I don't have much appetite (am forcing myself to drink liquids) and am trying to only take the pain meds when necessary--boy, that liquid Vicodin hits you right away! Today I think I'm feeling my first real gas pains so I'm trying to walk around the house a lot. One question--and this may be a bandster thing or it may be from being intubated for breathing during surgery--but I'm coughing up some blood. It's not as bad as it sounds. It's only every few hours and it feels like when you have phlem in the throat from a bad cold or something, but when it comes up it's darkish brown/red. (Gross, I know!) Anyone else have this? Also, is it normal to be so damn sleepy/lazy?! And Kerry, I hope you're home and doing well, too! Trace

Congrats!! I am glad everything went well and you are home. I was wondering about you yesterday. Jamice

Hi Trace A, Congrats and best wishes for a speedy back to up and about. The sleepiness is a part of the after affects of the anestisia and the medications it will pass and you will be great!!!! All The Best Tom A

yyeeaah Trace- congrats u are now a loser!! It is normal to be sleepy, u are going to feel like that for about a week or so. As far as the blood, i too had that, it is far them rililing up ur throat from the tube that was put down ur throat. Best of luck!! Shannon

Hi trace I had the same thing they were mucus plugs and had a tings of red blood . Thats from the tube they intebated with . It will be gone soon. Im glad your a band-ader now. In a week youll feel great . The liquid diet gets real hard to follow by next week but youll love your weight by the time you go for your 2 week checkup. And he will be able to tell by this that you follower the post op diet the right way . Good luck and I hope you feel better soon. And drink drink drink. Elaine

Hey Trace, So glad everything went well!! Welcome home...get lots of rest. I went back to work today after a week off and came home early to nap. sleep helps your body to heal so get rest!! You will be swollen for a while so barely getting in liquids is very common. Not sure about the blood...I had no problems with that. i know sometimes you get a sore throat, but fortunately had none of that. Hope you are feeling better every day....take care!! Kristen

Hello Trace! Welcome to the losers bench!! I was coughing up all kinds of wonderful things after surgery including what you described. I was very tired also, it gets better!!! HUGS Kristin