An Update

Well, its now 3 days post op and I am feeling somewhat better.  I feel like my legs  and belly will not pop if I pass something sharp.  They are still tight but not as tight.  I do have a few more questions though.. #1 ~ When will I be able to sleep in my own bed again?  Thank God we do have 2 comfy recliners in the house but theres nothing like your own bed. #2 ~ I have alot of pressure in the center of my chest, like under breast bone.  Is this gas?  I have no troubling breathing out but breathing in deep hurts and coughing is so painful.  Normal? #3 ~ I got in 35 oz of liquids today and plan for 8-12 more before going in for the night.  Is that sufficiant for the first day home?   My Dr has released me to stage 3 which is pureed (loose eggs, cottage cheese, applesauce but I just don't have an appetite for that yet and personally think its a little early??   Thanks so much Jen for the suggestion on the gas strips.  Hubby went and got me some but I was afriad to take more than one due to all the sugars in it.  One was fine and gave me a little relief but do ya think I could pu**** to 2?    Man, were they sweet tasting! I want to take this time again to thank each and everyone who has responded and coached me through my early post-op.  Even though we are only connected through this screen on OH I feel so connected and feel like the advice you all give is great and supportive.  Thanks again, you ladies are wonderful! Susan  :)

Just here to give you this ((((hugs)))) I am not banded yet. but these are some great questions  to ask & tips to learn for when its my turn . 

Hey Susan. Glad you are doing well. In answers to your questions. 1) I never slept in a recliner. I was perfectly fine sleeping in my own bed. 2) The coughing, sneezing or things like that will be painful. Get a pillow and when you feel the need to cough, laugh or sneeze, hug it tight into your belly. It does help absorb some of the pain. 3) Being only 2 1/2 weeks out, I can still remember my first few days home. I was worried, just like you about the intake of fluids. Everyone on here told me that most dont get the required amount in the first few weeks, but to do your best and just increase a bit more each day.

Wow again on the stage of food you are on already. I was just released on Wednesday to eat some of what you are and still aren't able to eat others. I may get the ok at my 4 week check up though, crossing fingers! But I think it is normal to not want the foods. from what I hear, even those far out still dont want things. It is just amazing how even with the tiniest amount being eaten, you really are just not hungry!

I am so glad you are doing good. Congratulations again!

Susan, so glad to hear you are feeling better.  1.  try your bed whenever you are ready.  I found it worked well as I was a side/stomach sleeper to use a body pillow against my abdomen so that I could move into my bed quicker.  2. could be gas, did you come home with the breathing thingie, make sure to use it just to make sure it isn't something in your lungs.  3. sounds like you are doing great with your liquids, that is a lot for the first day.  As for your foods, go as fast as you are comfortable, if you are ready to move to stage 3 then don't just make sure you are getting in that protein.  Keep up the great work!!!!

Hi Susan, I will try and answer your questions as best I can.  1. You can sleep in your bed whenever you feel like it - I slept in the recliner for a few days and then slept in my bed with many pillows and gradually removed the extra pillows until I got back to normal sleeping..... 2.  It could be gas - it could also be where they cut and did the surgery. Make sure you are using your breathing machine so fluid doesn't settle in your lungs as that can cause problems.  3.  You are doing great on your liquids!  Much more than most of us drank right after surgery.... I was one from the older school of thinking and was released onto pureed food right after surgery - now my surgeon does liquids first but whatever your surgeon is telling you is what you should be doing. As they learn more that change things about. Most of us were suprised and happy that we did not have an appetite right after surgery - enjoy this feeling while you can as it doesn't last long lol!! Can't you use gas medication without all the sugars? I never took any but how many sugars per strip are you taking? We are all here to help Susan - I am sure we have all been through one or other of your symptoms at some time and felt much better  just asking people who have been through it too. Take care and don't forget to walk as much as you can too which will help your gas situation... Jackie

I totally agree with the above posts but want to congratulate you on your surgery and wish you well on your recovery.  I know you will do great!

Good am Susan, Gonna give you my personal answers to your questions from my journey. Let me preface this with if at any time you don't feel you are progressing well or things just are feeling off please do contact your surgeon's office. 1) Sleeping in your own bed - I slept in a lazy boy recliner donated by one of my great friends Will for about 1 1/2 weeks maybe 2. I felt better sleeping slightly reclined then eventually more and more. For me, I liked to get up and walk throughout the am/pm ALL the time. So, its another I choose the recliner because I could get up by myself with little effort. My oldest was just over 2 years old then so I also needed to be able to get to her when my husband wasn't there. Slowly, I headed for the bed and initially it didn't last but a few hours at a time when I did rest. Then gradually it got better and better. Its trial and error! 2) Pressure in chest/under breast bone - gas, gas, gas and more gas! Its a bugger seriously. In addition to walk walk walking you might try small stretches of your arms over your head for a few seconds each time you do it and of course deep breathing as much as possible. Did you get the spirometer? If so, definitely be using it OFTEN. It really & truly will help you keep your lungs clear. 3) Oz. of fluid intake - I think you're doing wonderfully at your stage post-op and for me I got in as much as I could as often as I could. There is always a goal our surgeons want us to reach but it varies and its case by case as each of us is different. Just keep in mind to sip sip sip. Follow what your surgeon suggests but I will say for me I was definitely not on the stage of foods that you are and nor for me personally could I imagine eating some of those things. Again, each case is different and it will be trial and error. Your taste buds will change quite a bit. Try some things today and see how they do then tomorrow you might feel differently. Its most important (to me) to listen to your body and its indicators and try to keep yourself in check as much as possible. All best!

Kat ~ I wanted to thank you for your detailed reply!  I know it is hard for you veterans to reply to all of us newbies, I really apreciate all the help.  Your advice is great and makes me feel comfortable with where I am today!  Each day I feel a little less bloated and a little stronger.  I feel like I may be relying on the pain meds to often?  I take then during waking hours every 4-5 hours and at night usually once through the night.  It was prescribed to take every 3 hours as needed.  I feel like I will need it less and less each day, is this correct thinking? The diet they put us on from Portsmouth Naval Hosp is much more advanced than most.  Although they do release us to that, I find I am no where ready for such food.  I did try about a tsp of cottage cheese and it went down well and also a tsp of applesauce with my crushed pepcid.  I think it will be another week or so when I can actually try some pureed chicken/gravy or some mashed veggies.  Like everyone says, follow your own surgeons advice and thats al lI can do. Thanks so much again for your advice!  Susan  :)

Good pm Susan, You're very welcome! Honestly, its not hard for my to reply to everyone because its something very near & dear to my heart and I truly believe in giving back to others since I've been given so much. I'm NOT a meds gal but make marked exceptions for the vitamins/meds that are beneficial to my health on a daily basis. I did not stay on my pains meds for very long at all. In fact, I made a point to try and deal with the pain more and more and take it day to day. Some days I'd push myself harder and further and longer and I'd need to back off and at times would need some pain relief. Yes, every day that passes your need for the pain meds will become less and less. I'm not suggesting you stop your pain meds but try and see how you do without them as much as possible. Some might disagree with me on this but I personally believe that a "clean" body. Yes, do follow your surgeon's advice and follow your instincts as well. Although we are given upgrades with food and such its best to know these are guidelines to follow not musts. Each person is different in what they can handle. I sincerely hope you continue doing well and keep us posted! All best!

Hi Susan, Just wanted to welcome you home. Gwen