8 Days out!

Hey everyone!!!! Just posting to let everyone know that surgery went well. The only problem I had was that going into it we knew I was allergic to Morophine and would have to have Demerol for pain. I was non responsive to the demerol. They increased the dosage and added visterol...not much help. They tried me on Dilloted for pain....yippee!!! Pain free! I felt great! Then there was the little problem of the allergic reaction...yup...it was back to the demerol with visterol..this time IM instead of IV (OUCH!) and I had tegratol or tegradol IM also.... So not such good luck with pain managment for me, but it was bearable and I made it! I had some problems with acid and feeling sick and nauseaus when I came home so the doctor wanted to see me...to my suprise I had already lost the 15lbs of fluid I had gained in the hospital....as well as I was down 13lbs from my pre-op appointment weight 4 days before surgery!!!!! Only 5 days post op and I was down from 241lbs to 227lbs! Amazing!!!! I am now 8 days out and 225...I think the weight loss slowed down a bit because I am eating more now and walking alot and possibly increasing muscle mass. My energy level is pretty low, but better today than yesterday and I have had some trouble sleeping at night even though I feel exhausted! I hear that this can be a side effect of the anesthesia....I have a hard time with the anesthesia...surgery was only 2 1/2 hours and it took me over 4 hours in recovery...and I do not even remember waking up until they were transferring to my hospital room...then out again and don't remember another thing til the next morning. I am having a hard time with the energy level and think that it is because I am not eating enough....so I am working hard on that. Now that I am eating more, I feel that I am hungry all the time. So I am looking for some serious protein to help keep me feeling fuller longer. It seems every couple of hours I get that pain in my stomach like I am starving! I have added peanuts (well chewed, no problems) and am honestly thinking of adding meat...possibly chicken. I had some tuna already, but it tasted odd to me. Any opinions? I have tried many different protein supplements and cannot stomach them. I am eating string cheese...but I need something with more substance. Pretty much I am living on string cheese, jello, crystal light, mashed potatoes, broth, triple berry cheerios/skim milk and peanuts. Any thoughts on adding meat this early out? I am starving and have noticed an improvement in my energy level since I have added the peanuts. Other than the energy thing, I am having some back pain. This is due to the fact that sitting up on the couch seems uncomfortable for me so I lay on my side...I lay on my side while I sleep as well...and my back is starting to hurt because this is the only position that I am in EVER other than standing up walking. Other than that...no complaints! I was astounded with the 13lb weight loss in 5 days and find myself awe struck with the thought of "I will never as large as I am today again!" It is really exciting! I am so thankful for this surgery and each and every one of you guys on here for all of your support! If it weren't for you guys, I probably would have talked myself right out of having this surgery because of all my fears. Thanks everyone! Love to you all! Dana DS 5/21/04 241lbs pre-op 225lbs current

Be careful! My surgeon has us stick to fluids and pureed foods for three weeks--by that standard you are already pushing it! Carolyn DS 11/03/03 317 pre-op/212 current

Hi Carolyn! Why pureed foods and fluids for three weeks? In the hospital I went from broth and jello to mashed potatoes and veggies. My doctor allows for normal foods non sweetened cereal/skim milk, oatmeal, no fat white cheeses, pasta, rice, eggs, potatoes, yogurt, bananas, applesauce, melons, peaches, pears, strawberries, blueberries all the first two weeks... Maybe I am pushing it a bit, but I am feeling better by doing so. Before I had no energy and no appetite. I was also becoming dehydrated and setting myself up for potentially becoming very, very sick. I have been dehydrated before and really cannot imagine going through that while I still have staples in my stomach! I slow cooked some chicken today and had it for dinner. It was a bit salty for me since I cooked in in chicken broth...but other than that...it was good and I ate almost an entire chicken leg! And the best part is I wasn't starving an hour later. I think I am just going to listen to my body and if I feel like I can handle it, I am going to try it, but so far, nothing has made me ill except for the protein supplements. Thanks for your concern Carolyn. That is what makes this site so great is that everyone really does care for each other here! I am not suggesting that someone else follow what I am doing, but was just looking for some help since I was starving and not getting in any protein to speak of. My doctor told me the day he discharged me from the hospital that the most important part of my recovery would be for me to really listen to and understand what my stomach is telling me. Guess that is what I am going to do...tonight my stomach said chicken was good...and it was. Yesterday my head said to blend the vanilla protein shake with berries and my stomach said bad....my stomach was right then also! LOL. Dana =) DS 5/21/04 241 post op 225 pre op

Dana, SO glad to hear you are doing so well !!! And I think you are doing just fine everybody is different I was eating meat at 9 days post-op as well and new belly loved it I felt so full after growlung and starving for 9 days on liquids and purreed. So do listen to your and you will do fine. Just a reminder remember do one thing at a time see how it settles later then and more cause a couple hours after eating you see some rumbling and if you try new foods one at a time you learn what causes it. It was a good thng that was suggested to me and really helped. But glad to hear you are in good spirits and able to post. Keep us updated and WOOHOO on the weight loss so far that is GREAT as WELL!! Kelly 05-21-2003 -122lbs

thanks betty--- its been hard at times but well worth it!!! lisa

Hey Girl I am so glad to hear that things went well for ya. The energy thing plagued me for about 4 or 5 weeks but each day it gets better, you are doing great! As for the food thing, if you are tolerating food well, doc will advance you to the chicken/turkey, etc. at your 10 day appointment. So, I think it would be fine to give it a try. Glad to see you are back and doing well !!! Mandy

The idea behind the pureed diet for the first couple weeks is that you have so much healing to do on the inside. The incision lines are very inflamed and swollen right now, and where the bottom of your stomach connects with new rerouted intestine can be a very small opening until the swelling goes down. You don't want to force things thru it and damage it. Also nuts and seeds are hard to digest and can have sharp edges that could do damage. Just passing along the information my surgeon gave me. Best of luck, Jill

Jill is correct--my surgeon Dr. Dennis Smith said stick to pureed foods for three weeks and thin enough so that you can sip them, otherwise chunks can get hung up going through your anastomosis's (where your intestines have been stitched back together). I know not all surgeons are that strict and lots and lots of people eat lots of stuff real soon and get away with it but why take chances? Bowel obstructions DO happen, too. I actually stuck to pureed foods for two-and-a-half weeks but when I started eating solids I chewed everything thoroughly and took small bites with sips of water in between to avoid this problem. Yes, my surgeon is conservative but he has done literally thousands of DS'es and has never lost a patient so I am going to do things his way. Carolyn Moore DS 11/03/03 317/

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, replies and advice. =)

Hi Dana, I started out on meat much earlier than Dr. Lutz said we could. I just HAD to have the protein because of hunger issues. I was eating beef, chicken & pork by 2 weeks post-op. Well-chewed, of course, and small amounts at a time. I never had any problems with vomiting or blockages. I have found that beef goes down much easier than chicken for me because it is more moist (than white meat anyway). Good luck with your food choices!