Quick update & Questions

Is it normal to gain weight immediately after surgery?  Due to gas, or what would cause that?  Went from 204 to 210.

Is it normal that my tummy/apron is puffy and incision spots feel warm to the touch?

Hi All!  Quick-like before I go back to bed.  Trip home was bumpy but uneventful.  I don't think I've ever ridden in the back seat of my truck so I practiced my back seat driving just to hone the infrequently used skills.   heh heh 

Got everything unloaded, made Keith dinner, prepared my little one ounce cups of jello and home-made duck broth, realized my hips were hurting from all the sprints around the football field, and went to bed at 7:30PM.  I think I may be resting today instead of doing laps. I just remembered that I haven't gotten more than 3 hours of sleep each night since Monday... anticipation I guess.  Is it normal to be so exhausted?

Otherwise all is well except that I'm really tired.  Thanks for your love, prayers, and support!  Off to bed before I nod off on ya here (again).  I've had to delete my double d's 3 times already… 

ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd  ;-)  

Talk to you soon.  Luff & Later, Ruthie

 

Don't know that answer to the weight gain.

Yes, it's normal as long as they aren't red and swollen/feverish...you will know the difference. A bit warm is normal.

Yes, it's TOTALLY normal to be exhausted.

REST, Ruthie, but don't forget to sip and walk too...LOL Welcome home. Liz

Yes Ruthie, the weight gain is from the gas & IV fluids they pumped in to you.  Its normal and will go away in a few days.  As far as the incision feeling warm to the touch...... does it look infected?  You might want to give your dr a call on that one.  Good luck! Cindy

Hey Ruthie!  Welcome to the bench sweetie!  About the warm incision sites pay attention to any redness surrounding them.  If you develope any redness take a sharpie/magic marker and mark the edges of the redness then watch to see if the redness spreads beyond the origonal margins.  If it spreads call your physician and let them know your incisions are hot to the touch and the redness is spreading.  This is a sure fire sign of infection and should receive immediate medical attention. 

The "freshman fifteen" is what I call that fantastic weight gain we get from the fluids they pump us full of with our anestisia and pain meds.  It does go away getting in your fluids is key to making it disappear quicker!  Who woulda thunk putting MORE water into your body will get rid of extra water your hanging onto huh??  But it works!!  I know that walking seems difficult when you are so exhausted but it is so helpful for getting you back on your feet faster!  I used to sleep, drink/eat, walk, take pain meds, sleep, eat, walk....in that order....LOL  Don't forget if they have you  on Lortab watering it down helps to keep you from getting sick when taking it.  I split my dose into 2 servings so I was able to tolerate it and get it all in.  Just took me 10 minutes to get it in...LOL  Enjoy the ride Ruthie.....I know you'll have a blast!

Welcome Home!!!!   Your exciting life is just getting started!!  You will have all kinds of questions and it won't be long until you are answering questions for others.

You've gotten some great answers above so I'm not going to repeat.  Be sure to log everything on your Profile page because it's kindof like having a baby...as we get thinner, healthier, and more active we have a tendency to forget what we went through.

Did you take before pictures and your measurments?  Those are things you are going need to compare to later on (they are really important during stalls).

Rest, Sipping, and Walking are very important right now.  I was exhausted for a couple of months but once it passed...I felt GREAT!!!   Everyone's different but I think we would all have to agree that it took at least a couple of weeks to feel "normal" again.

(((HUGS)))

Welcome to the Bench!!

I don't remember with my Sleevie, but when I had my gallbladder out (november 09), I put on 10 pounds from the morning when I left the hospital until the next evening and I didn't eat much of anything.  It really is all gas etc.   In a few days you'll be singing about your weight release.  :)

I know I had gained some water weight after surgery. I could feel my hands and ankles were puffy along with my tummy.

Keep an eye on your incisions and your temperature. If you start to run a fever call the doc.

Welcome to the loser's bench babee!!

Walk sip rest. And dont forget those deep breathing exercises too!

Thanks Gals!!  You ROCK!   The incision points are okay... two are a bit bruised, the other 4 are even pretty.  ;-)  The warmth is going away as the day wears on.  :-)  The other spots that are warm are the bruising where I got the Heperin shots.  Dang am I glad they didn't see fit to send me home with syringes and vials!  Enough already.  it's like rabies shots.  doesn't hurt going in but the aftermath -  OWIE    ;-) 

That's good news about the weight gain being predictable (why was I not told dammit - lol).

I think everything is going just like it's supposed to and it's been a good day.  Walking every 15 minutes to get my shot of clear liquid but not going outside today.  Going to take a shower, a little more Loratab (which I haven't had all day) and go back to bed at a reasonable hour.  

Not to worry about the walking... I'm a walkin' FOO!  Except that I walked so much the past two days while under the influence of drugs that my hips need a day to recover.  LOL  But, I'm all about walk, sip and rest!

Thanks again... Love to all... Ruthie

 

Welcome home, Ruthie. Very happy to be making room for you on the losers' bench. You sound terrific! The gain is temporary. I remember saying how I wanted my money back, but the scale went down in a few days.

I am glad to hear the incisions are settling down. I would advise, just to play it safe, that you take your temps once a day for the next few days. I am sure that you are fine. I am just a little paranoid because I had a wound infection and did not know it. I learned an important lesson: when in doubt, call. Like I said, not to worry - just some friendly advice from your risk adverse friend.

I look forward to updates on your progress.

Amy

haha!  Wanted your money back.  heh heh...  I'm glad it will go away!  I didn't need a bigger apron.  ;-)

It's all good and i'm keeping an eye on the incisions.  Thanks for being a risk averter... it keeps my risk taking in balance.  :-P