Home After Surgery

 Well I had my bypass surgery on March 3rd. It took a little over 3 hours to complete because my surgeon had to take an extra hour to get through scar tissue from my previous abdominal surgeries. I had a few complications while I was in the hospital. One was my blood pressure was down to 68/29 with a resting heart rate of 160. They put me on a medication for this problem and I ended up having two blood transfusions before I was released. The other was one of the medications I took before surgery had a very bad affect on me after the surgery so I got sick from that. I was released from the hospital on March 7th. Since I have been home I have had a terrible time finding a place to be comfortable. I have finally found that my comfortable place is meant to be the couch during recovery. I have been out a little every day since I was released. I have also been having a lot of problems with lower back pain, gas and nausea. The nausea has even caused me to try to vomit a few times but I try to fight it. The doctor has called me in some nausea medication so it has helped me some. It is mostly dealing with the lower back pain. Most of my stiffness is gone but since I have an incision, I still have some stiffness in my abdomen. I weighed myself today and in 8 days I have lost 21lbs.,  6 lbs of fluid received in the hospital. So my actual weight loss for these first 8 days is 15lbs. I am on a Gastric full liquid diet until told otherwise and I go back for my post op follow up next week. I just wanted to update everyone and let you all know how my surgery went and how recovery is going. I will say this....I NEVER in a million years, would have guessed just how hard this is. Thank you all for your support!!!

Glad you made it home safe and sound after hose challenges during and after your surgery. I am hoping and praying that the worst is over for you now. If you find water makes you feel more nauseated, try some sugar free popsicles. My forst couple of weeks after surgery water just would not sit well, and those SF pops were a life saver for me to get in my liquids and not feel so blah.

Yes it is very challenging getting comfortable, and being stuck on your back makes for a very achy sore back...oh how I remember ... not only from my RNY, from from my more recent surgery as well.
Maybe try a heating pad on the back. It may help a bit. I know I had to use lots of pillows in my bed strategically positioned to change pressure points every so often.

Keep us posted on how things are going for you, and welcome to the losers bench!

I'm sorry it was rough on you but believe me, it will all be just a memory and you will start to feel better and better every day.  Nobody said it would be easy but it is so worth it.

Just take things as they come, stick close to the group and follow your doctor's directions.  You'll do great!

Colleen

Amanda, welcome to the losing side of surgery.  Take is easy, sip, sip as you are able.  Popsicles are a good tool to soothe your new tool.  The stiffness and aching will go away soon.  Take several short walks a day.  This will help with the back pain and gas.  I pray the nausea resolves asap.  Hang in there and the best part will zip along (losing).  Hugs

Those who say that WLS is "the easy way out" don't know what they are talking about. For me, it has been the hardest thing I have even been through, and that's including three previous surgeries and 35 years of MS. And my VSG was a "simple surgery" with no complications. I too would not have believed it if I had not lived through the surgery and was not going through its aftermath right now.

Be that as it may, the important thing is that the painful part is over now and soon the satisfaction you will receive from the weight lost will overshadow the adjustment dificulties.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

thank you everyone for your advise and wishes...my problem now is the stupid nausea ...oh its really getting to me....also it is VERY hard knowing when i am full at this point....the surgeon did a 4 inch open incision and did a plastic surgery closure meaning he closed me from the inside somehow...i have been having some sharp pain at the incision site but i am sure that is normal during healing...if i wasnt staying so nauseated i would be feeling ok....any other tips on how to overcome this nausea???? ..... 23lbs down in less than 2 weeks.....im on my way.....

I'm sorry about your complications Amanda, and glad you are now home. Nausea is the worst, isn't it? You said you are on a full liquid diet. What exactly are you drinking? It could be something is not agreeing with you. It could also be the new medicine you are on. It would be great if you could find the cause and eleminate it, huh?! try to hang in there, it does get better.

Rhonda