4 days post surgery -- is it a boy or a girl?

Hey guys!  Well I had my lap band surgery on Monday and came home on Tuesday.  The night in the hospital was not pleasant.  Those beds are horrible on my back!  That said, the surgery went well, from what I hear.   I transitioned yesterday from clear liquids to full liquids.  I've been bloated and have abdominal pain but I know it'll subside in a few days.  Honestly, I feel like a new parent that doesn't know "why the baby is crying".  I don't know why my gut hurts: gas, incisions, hunger, fullness.  I'm hoping in time, I'll develop an ability to decipher these sensations.  To make matters worse, I have an illeostomy so my large intestine is gone.  Instead of wearing a bag on the outside, I have one inside made out of my small intestine.  This was start of the art stuff 25 years ago.  Now they do something better. All the gas has required me to go the restroom alot the past two days.  It seems like through the day I have to eat or drink something.  My entire day is scheduled for me!   I woke up this morning at 4:30am with bad abdmonial pains.  Took some pain meds and tried to go back to sleep.  That didn't work.  So... I started reading OH and figured I would post.  How long does it take for the surgical pain to subsie?  My bottle of pain killer is dwindling and I'm getting worried.  I know I should start walking but I haven't done much the last 2 days but lay in bed and walk to the bathroom.  I finally took a shower yesterday and felt alot better. The good news is I was 288 yesterday AM.  I think the weight is going to start melting away!  I'm struggling with making the liquid diet interesting.  I eat such small amounts, I have major leftovers that I am not in the mood eating 3-4 meals in a row. Next on the diet progression is pureed food.  I am sort of dreading this!  Any hints/tips to get thru that phase are appreciated.   Sorry for the long post.  I really appreciate the comments I receive and the inspiration you guys give me. Mick

Way to go Mick!  When do you start passing out cigars? Have a great day! Scott

Mick,  "long post?" You're kidding right?  I have no tolerance for long posts!

As for how long the pain? I’m a-typical so I don’t have any experience to share that would be helpful… But, from reading the boards over the years, Most start feeling a little better around day 3 and still pretty much the first 2 weeks suk. Even little walking (20 yards or so every few hours) helps speed the recovery and turn down the aches and pains. It also helps a lot with the gas. Those pain meds keep the bowels in an up-roar and can lead to constipation pretty quick even in the midst of diarrhea. They keep the gas problem going longer too. .---------------------------------- Here are some of the "Meals" that I used at the Mushy/Pureed Stage- :Cream of Wheat with a teaspoon of protein powder mixed in. :Super Soft "Cheese Grits" (cook in skim milk and add cheese) ..........(those "Butter Buds®" sprinkles are great early on) :Really Mushy Oatmeal. Splenda and even a touch of cinnamon and rocks ..........(Vanilla protein Powder in this is good too) ***:Refried Beans with a spoon of enchilada sauce and cheese on top. (my ‘Go-To-Food.’) ..........(or just buy a small order at Taco Bell! Loved those) :Yogurt (CarbControl or SF or Lite,) ..........( jus****ch out for more than 4gs of sugar) :Campbells Bean w/Bacon soup, ..........(run through the Blender. -food of the gods) :Tomato Soup with Cheese and/or some protein powder ..........(try with spices for variety- Basil/Italian flavors, Curry Powder,etc) :Cream of Mushroom Soup, Cream of Chicken Soup ..........(be sure to chew those mushroom/chicken bits) :Instant Mashed Potatoes with Fat Free or Low Fat Cream Cheese ..........(Also good to make with Chicken or Ham Bullion instead of water) :Scrambled Eggs with Cheese (My "Go To" Favorite) ..........(can top with spoon of Non-Chunky or blended Spaghetti Sauce, ..........Chili, Cheese sauce, every type of cheese that will melt, etc) :SF Puddings! The Jell-O Cheescake SF Pudding –w/ cream cheese blended in Rocks! ..........(A little SF strawberry Jam, thinned with juice and spooned on top is great) :Egg Salad- Boiled egg mashed with pickle or olive juice, pepper and Mayo Things that I had success with running through the Food processor/blender- :Canned Carrots, ..........(Added Splenda Brown Sugar, Butter Buds® & cinnamon like Sweet Potatoes) :Deli Sliced Chicken, mayo and pickle relish with a spoon of Cream Cheese ..........(Like a Chicken salad Spread) :Chili! With or without beans, then melt cheese over in the Micro wave Those are some of the "favorites" of the "pureed stage" that come to mind. Hope these help. ------------------------------------------------------------------ -for adding a little protein powder to mushy foods or soups? A lot of people have trouble getting Those Protein Powders to mix with stuff. Someone at my support group Said she always thought it made stuff taste like Someone had thrown a "Handful of Chalk Dust" In her food or drink. Well the solution? -- Liquid into Dry! Suppose you are trying to add some to Yogurt or mashed potatoes. Take your scoop, (or actually only ½ scoop) Of the powder and put it in a coffee cup or small bowl. Get a fork, And slowly drip some cool water into the powder while Stirring with the fork. Don’t try to just add the liquid. Attempt to make a very thick paste. Once you’ve got it into a thick paste Then slowly add more drops And stir some more until you get a thinner paste. Keep this up until it is the same consistency As the food you want to add it to. By not having "liquid" per se, The powder can’t clump up And hang onto "bubbles." Even mixing this up ahead of time And keeping it in the fridge Is good. Then just take out how much you want And stir it into your food. I have great success this way Adding Protein Powder to- Yogurt, Soups, Oatmeal, Smoothies, polenta, etc... It really helps going into shakes/smoothies. You don’t get that "foam" on the top That, no matter how long you run the blender Just stays forever. It also gets rid of the "powdery" texture That can hang on otherwise. You’ll be on to real food soon. Just take it SLOW. For that "trapped Gas?" A little trick from my Dr. Lay on your left side with your knees slightly bent. A pillow between your knees. In this position, because the way our intestines are arranged, Gravity will aid the natural peristalsis of the intestines And the "Trapped Gas" will "Pass on Through" much quicker. When you can, Walk. The motion of walking also helps greatly. That and Gas-X were Great for me. Only 3 days since surgery? Oh Yeah! That Gas can be a major Pain! Glad to see your home! And "On the mend!" Hope you’re feeling better soon! Best Wishes- Dx

DX, Thanks for posting these ideas.  I've been trying to plan ahead, and figure out things now, so we have stuff on hand afterwards.  I've had a hard time figuring out tasty stuff. My dietician recommended tomato soup with skim milk/protein powder as a good way to get protein in... a buddy of mine practically lived on KFC's mashed potatos and gravy.. LOL. Dale

As absurd as it sounds, walking helps the pain. They gave me Percocet and the pharmacist added that taking one with 2 acetameophines might be more effective that two pain killers.  He was correct!  I finally got some dimirol before I got more that 2 hrs sleep at atime though. Don't worry about the small quanities.  You are no longer the person you were before surgery.  Over eating will only cause you suffering you don't need. This period is Relearn How (and How Much) to Eat 101 and What to Eat 102 while your body relearns how to digest after surgery.  Stay up-wind of loved ones and,....smile alot!