Home just now

I had a really rough time. The surgery that was suppose to start at 12:30 didin't start until 4 pm and I didn't get to my room until almost 10 pm. There was a hiatal hernia that I wasn't aware of that he took care of. The next day and half was spent very nauseated and dry heaves to the point of some blood coming up. Finally home now and real weak but okay. He said that my throat / esophagus is very small so smaller sips and longer to finish things up.

I'm just glad to be home in my bed and ready to heal more.  I hope that all of y'all are doing well.  I will post more in the next few days. Exhausted right now.

Hugs,

Mikka

{{{{HUGS!}}}}

Mikka, glad you are home!  Take it very easy.  You will feel weak and maybe even experience some "buyer's remorse" at first.  That's okay.  We all went through something similar during the first few weeks.  Just remember that your ability to eat and drink will evolve over time and soon what feels very strange to you now, will seem normal. 

Rest all you can.  I took a nap every single day for the first two months, and I didn't have near the complications that you did.  It's okay not to "bounce back".  Let yourself rest and heal.  Be patient with your new pouch.  Tiny sips are just fine! 

We will all be here for you every day.  Prayers for healing, sweetie!

Hi Mikka:

Glad you're home and doing OK. You had your surgery a day after my friend Mary Kay had hers. She also had a hiatal hernia but the doc was aware of it and took care of it during the sleeve surgery. I was once told by my GI doc when he scoped me for my Barrett's esophagus that I had a spastic esophagus. Well, I knew I was a spaz somewhere (Lol!). Please take your time eating and drinking and don't overdo. Do what they tell you to do as far as your liquid diet, soft diet, etc. Don't pu**** Follow doctor's orders.

Yes, you will be very tired for awhile. I was ... that's one of the reasons I took three weeks off (my boss wondered why I didn't take six ... his friend had taken that many, but he had it done open ... I did it lap). It's still major surgery and your body needs time to heal. So take the opportunities to rest and nap and recuperate. Don't overdo.

Hello Mikka...I am so happy to see your post. I just asked about you on the daily thread. I am sorry that you had a hernia. I am glad that it was taken care of now instead of later.

I have been praying for you. I will continue to do so throughout your  recovery. Like everyone else has said, follow your doctors orders. Don't rush anything. In a few days you will start feeling better. Sip water often and try to get some walking in even if just a little at first. I wish you the very best!

Post often as you can and keep us updated. Ask any question nothing is to silly or wrong. We are here for you!!!

Love and hugs...connie d

Welcome to the losers bench!!! You take care and heal slow but sure!!! Remember to SIP SIP SIP and WALK WALK WALK you will feel better in no time I promise!!!! Not sure if you can have Sugar Free Carnation Instant Breakfast or not but that is what I had for a long time and it tasted good!!! Don't worry if you can't get all your protein in right away...just get your water in for now as much as you can...don't want to dehydrate!!

HUGSSSSSSSSSS

Dear Mikka:  glad to see you post, we have been wondering about you.

 

Take the time to rest all you can as you will feel weak, but keep a bottle of water near you so as to sip every few minutes round the clock as you mustn't dehydrate.( I still keep water by my bed overnight and manage to empty it so I know that's 2 cups water already down for the day's count of 8)...although you won't be able to take in 8 cups or glasses the first few days especially if you have a smaller throat and  esophagus.  

You may find the toilet and couch a bit low  at first and have a bit of difficulty to "push off" so if you can borrow a folding walker from someone I found that helped me at home  in the first week. I also  lent on it to get in and out of bed, and it steadied me for my first few steps at home as I found my bed and everything lower than in the hospital. and harder to get up from.

You may have buyers' remorse as Vicki said, those are normal feelings we all had ...just to let you know it does get better no matter how rough it may seem to you now.  Sleep, walking at home and water are your best friends for the next few days...

Wishing you restful sleep and no pain....

 

Hugs

 

Jennifer

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Hi Mikka,

So glad to see you post.  Rest, rest, rest.  Take it slow and easy.  Don't rush anything. Thrilled that you are home.

We're all praying for a speedy recovery.

Hugs and prayers, Sandra

Hi Mikka!

So happy to welcome you to the losers bench! Sorry that there was a hiatal hernia but luckily he fixed it and it won't bother you to much. Please follow doctors orders and take care of yourself.

Thoughts and prayers,

Debbie

I am so thankful that God sent me to this forum and I found such a wonderful group of ladies.  I don't know what I would do without y'all.  I am feeling better this morning after finally sleeping most of it away.  You were right when you stated that I wouldn't be able to take the normal sips but that is okay smaller I can handle.  I will sip, sip, sip, and then walk, walk, walk when I feel up to it.  I really appreciate all the prayers and words of encouragement.  Woohooo it feels wonderful to be on the loser's bench with all of y'all.  You were also right about the buyer's remorse I wondered how I could have ever wanted to do this but thus far today has been much better and I am not depressed.  I am on full liquids until March 18th but that is okay as well.  I know I am not up to food in the new pouch yet.  At least not more nausea or dry heaves.  The gas has even been better today.  I think I am on the road to recovery. 

Again know that I am so thankful for all your posts, prayers, thoughts, and suggestions!!

 

Hugs and love,

Mikka

Aloha Mikka and welcome to the Loser's Bench! This IS an amazing group of women who have given so many of us the courage, the determination, the support to get through the tough parts of this journey. The memory of your current struggles will fade as you get stronger and healthier, and more happy in your own skin!!

One of the things I remember so vividly after my first month or so I had lost 44 lbs. I have two kitties and their kitty litter boxes weigh 20 each. I picked two up at once, and realized that I no longer was carrying around THAT MUCH WEIGHT!! I need visuals and that sure worked for me. Now, at almost 200 lbs. less than my surgery weight........I can't even imagine how I got up and down stairs, or into and out of bed carrying a large MAN on my back!! LOL

Thanx for letting us share your journey with you. It sure makes me grateful for taking that step years ago......I was 62 when I had my surgery.....now 69!! I weighed 145 this morning!! Less than half of what I weighed at my highest!!

Yeah for you........I wish you the best of luck on your adventure. Keep comin g back in here......it will get you through the good and the bad times.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen