rough start

lots of pain, gas, bloating, constipation, and the like. Not ready to get up and go like I hear from most Post-Ops. I do have alot of medical problems, however. Anyway, just out of the gate. My surgery was 3-15-04 at 7:30 A.M. Anyone else feeling similarly?

Hang in there. It will get better. Most of our bowels are a bit confused and are either over-active or under-active (mine alternates between extremes). This will even out. I am also lacking in the energy department, but honestly I was tired and slightly anemic before surgery. I hear this gets much better at 30 days post op. The pain should be improving each day, more or less. I found my second day home was the worst day I have had (day 5 from surgery). We are all different. I consider myself to have done well, but that is not to say that there are some bumps in the road. This is major surgery, after all. There is a lot of healing that needs to happen and it takes time. Keep drinking and getting in your protein and walking. That all helps the process along. It is OK to vent. Some of this is downright frustrating! Joy (3/1) -20 lbs / 19 days

Hi Jane....Please don't compare yourself to "most other post ops" the truth is this surgery affects everyone differently.... Everyone has their own set of problems pre-op and post op... Different BMI's and Co-Morbidities.. Different procedures and aftercare.. Also some folks may not post the negatives in an effort to not scare the others and by omitting the ugly parts make it seem as if the whole thing was a breeze.... Of course you feel lousy and need time to recover... you just had MAJOR surgery!!! Keep on drinking and moving and take care of yourself and in no time you'll be feeling just fine... Hang in there you can only go up from here!!! Kathy

Hi Jane. I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. Listen, my surgery was on 3/8; when I woke up and throughout the entire next day, I thought I was going to die. No one can prepare you for this surgery. I felt butchered inside and the pain was intolerable. I cried and cried and told my husband I had made a terrible mistake. On the 3rd day, I felt significantly better. Although I had been up and walking (as little as possible), on the 3rd day I made a decision to take control of my healing. And so I did. Although I was still in tremendous pain and all I wanted to do was sleep, I got up and walked. Every 15 minutes, up and walking. That afternoon I took a shower and I began to feel normal. Today, I am 2 weeks post-op and I feel really terrific. I am walking a mile and a half every day, not winded and not in pain. It is a miracle for me. Walking is the key, truly. And following the post-op protocol to the letter. Do what you're supposed to do when you're supposed to do it. Success takes discipline and a real sense of loving yourself to do the right things to heal. You are worth it! You've gone too far to give in to the pain and the negative after-effects of surgery. Take charge of your recovery. And take a nice long walk! By the way, my pre-surgery weight was 332 and I am 47 years old. I had diabetes (have been off medication since the surgery), high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and arthritis in my knees from bearing the burden of my weight. This has not been easy for me. But I'm so glad I did this. You will be too. God bless, Maureen

I had diarrhea from day one....then I dumped on liquid tylenol 3 times before I figured out what was happening. I was ok on incisional pain but general achiness was with me all the time...find out if you are lactose intolerant like I am....giving up dairy made me feel immediate relief. I also was allowed ibuprofen my drug of choice for aches and life is now good.

Im sorry you are having such a hard time. Dont worry, the 1st week is the worst. It will get better day by day. Dont compare yourself to others. I know it is hard. I try not to look at how much weight others have lost that had surgery on the same day as me. some are more some are less. It would be depressing if we compared everything. we all heal at different paces. You will be up and normal soon. I am 19 days out and just started to feel normal this week. Keep your chin up. LaDonna -22 myette:Teri

Hi there Jane, We had surgery on the same day. The bloating and gas pains got much better once I started to have bm's. I went while in the hospital a little bit, but not much. On Saturday I started and have had 2 small ones each day. That has significantly cut down on the bloating and gas pains, and the gurgling. My biggest struggle is this liquid diet. I have been on clear liquids since surgery. I go to full liquids tomorrow. I cant wait. To have a yogurt, or to eat a bite of sf pudding, or a carnation instant breakfast shake.. Man....... its been hell. I will be on that for 2 weeks and then start pureed foods. AT least that will be real food... lol.. wendys chili.. throw that in a blender.... yeppers.. sounds bad, but its gonna taste like somethin. Today so far.. I have gotten in close to 25 oz of sf koolaid, 1/2 cup sf jello, 1/2 cup broth, and a popsicle. Thats it. I am not hungry, but when I saw my daughter eating a hotdog.. man I wanted to cry!!! Hope you feel better soon. Keep in touch. I go back for my first post op appointment April 1. Cant wait to see how much I have lost. I lost 9 lbs the week before surgery, and 5 lbs in the hospital. I do not have a scale at home, and dont want one. I do not want to become a slave to that thing. Lorrie

Yes, I feel really scared! I had Open RNY on Wed. 17th and I still have pain. I don't I have even lost any weight.....and that's real scarey! They removed my gall bladder and my sugar levels are at their lowest ever (diagnosed with Diabetes) so that's great. I just hope this surgery is a success for me like it is for all of the other post -ops. I hope it turns around for you and you start getting awesome results!! Thanks, Christina