I saw my surgen yesterday! Can someone give me an idea of the first few weeks post op

did most of you go home same day or did anyone go home same day?

I kept a log of my liquid intake and had 1 oz every 15 mins. I took two weeks off and worked from home for a week. The worst pain was from the gas. Walk, sip and toot. Hot towels from the nurse really helped and at home a heating pad was very helpful. I was never hungry. I followed the directions to a "t". Do that as long as you can as the minute you slip it is just really easy to keep on slipping. I have never really had physical "dumping". I am able to tolerate everything which is not as great as it sounds as I would love not have to use good old fashion will power. Lol. I wore stretchy pants and comfy tops for ever. Be kind to yourself. Get a lot of sleep and remember that your health is precious and worth the fight. Good luck to you. Oh, keep your hospital bag light. I stayed in their gowns the entire time. Hardly needed anything that I brought.

I am in BC and I had surgery on Nov 21st. It was laparsocpic - so 5 small incisions. I stayed in hospital for 2 nights since my breathing would dip quite low while on anasthetics.. but I was able to go home POD#2.

At home I was fine..I felt discomfort, but did not need T3's or regular Tylenol.
I walked my dog 3 times a day and just followed my dr's orders as they were outlined.

My cons:
I could not tolerate the protein shakes, which, is vital for protein intake , so I made home made soups and added protein powder. I never reached my protein target in the first 3 weeks and I put so much pressure on myself to do so, it drove me nuts. I found out that it was OK to not meet your protein.. my surgeon was more wanting me to stat hydrated.

Bowels - I thought I was constipated because I was having a BM every 3-5 days. Nope! It's perfectly normal while on Clear Liquids or Full fluids or even pureed foods. Once I started eating more solids, the BM's came naturally. I beat myself up over this.. for no reason.

The Multivits/Iron - I couldn't stand the taste of any of the chewables or the iron liquid. I asked my dietician if i can switch to Pills- she said at 6 weeks. Then i asked her if I could take the patch (Patch MD), she said it doesnt meet some Canadian Guidelines they follow.. so anyways, I have not been taking my Multivits/Iron for the past 3 weeks.. with that said - I DO NOT recommend anyone do that. I have only done it as there is no alternative and I am really trying to get as much nutrition in food wise now. My surgeon is aware and I will start on pill form soon.

Hunger Pains are real. I started getting them this past week.. still working on that.. (waiting for a reply from my surgeons office..)

I weigh myself once a week. My first week post op I lost 14 lbs, then 3, then 2, then 0.4, hen 1.6 - give yourself patience to accept that any loss is a good thing! Something I am learning to accept.

Always remember, it is YOUR Journey. Not your surgeons or your dietitians. Speak up. Don't accept a non-chalant answer, and make choices that work for YOU.

When is your surgery?

Ana