update on me

Hi all, Had surgery last Thursday, Feb. 16 at St Joe East. Dr. Nighbert did a Lap RNY, I'm told it took about 1 hour and 10 minutes. My surgery was at 7:30 a.m. and I was up walking the floor loop by 4 p.m. again at 6, again at 8, and again at 10. Thankfully got my catheter (sp?) removed after 2nd trip around. That made things much easier. I believe that I have done well throughout the process. Though I did have an "I can't believe I've done this to myself" moment on my second night. I was on oral pain meds and forgot to call for them until pain was, "OUCH." I left the hospital on Saturday at 11 a.m. By the way, my room was adjacent to Gov. Flechers. I must say, those state police security guards are nice to look at. They were very quick to move away from the hallway when they saw me in my hospital gown (sides flapping) pushing my IV, thundering toward them. I have had trouble sleeping at night. I take a Lortab around 11 and then again around 3 or 4, which helps me sleep. Other than at night I don't need pain meds. I guess if I could take some type of sleeping pill I wouldn't need the pain med at all. I'm not having any trouble with my fluid intake now, but it does take me all day to get in 64 oz. The protein is a different story. My new pouch litterally moved in my tummy when I tried drinking a shake (Muscle Provider). I was extremely nausiated for 5 hours. I won't do that again until I'm healed. A tummy full of staples does not like to heave. I introduced pureed food today. Canned chicken with mayo and dill reli**** set a bit heavy for awhile, but I had no problems. I'm going to try an egg and cheese tomorrow. I don't believe I'll have problems with protein unless I have to rely on the powdered liquid stuff. If I can get it with real food and supplement with a South Beach bar, later on that is. Dr. Nighbert said to concentrate on my fluids this week. I see him this Friday, I assume for staple removal and check up. I'm moving a bit better. Still not walking much. I can't stand up straight for very long without pulling pain. Probably the stomach weight pulling all the internal stitches. My abdomin is still quite swollen. I'm still in gowns. Overall, I believe I'm doing very well. Any suggestions from you guys that have broken ground for all of us? The info that I recieved from your entries in this forum has helped me so much. I was dwelling on a lot of negative comments that were being made and my husband cut off my internet "research" until after my surgery. I do know that for every posted negative comment made about wls, there are hundreds of positive comments. I started to look at certain peoples comments that appear regularly. Many of your responded to my post the day before my surgery. Your posts are uplifting and encouraging and are the reason I decided to start communations on this forum. The positive info and uplifting support is invaluable to those of us facing "the unknown". Keep posting, keep encouraging. You will always have my gratitude. Thanks for the prayers and support, I'm giving them right back to you. Karen

congradulations karen..i hope to soon be on the loosing side too..pam

Karen you are doing awesome!! congrats!! keep up the walking and work hard at getting the water in until you are where you need to be with intake. Also when introducing new foods, like egg and cheese..try them seperately first..that will accomplish a couple of things. one keep you from taking that bite to many! and the other if one thing is not going to agree with you, you wont know for sure which one made you sick! I would also try to find a protein that you can handle..it's going to be quite awhile before you can take in enough in foods to help with the healing process. lack of protein could cause weakness, hair loss..etc.etc I am sure the doc went over those things with you.. If you check out the protein advertisements on this site you will find that alot of stores will sell you sample size packages, that way you don't waste alot of money!! Good luck and keep up the good work!

Karen, Congrats on your surgery! you sound as if you are doing super! Good luck and keep up posted!

CONGRATULATIONS Karen, it sounds like you are doing really good. I remember when I woke up from surgery...I too had one of those :Oh my God, I cant believe I done this to myself" EXCEPT...I couldnt have LAP because when the Dr went in, I had severe scar tissue from a previous gallbladder removal surgery...so I was cut OPEN....I remember very vividly waking up with a tube down my neck, the surgeon standing over me and he was holding my hand telling me they had to do the surgery OPEN....my thought was "Oh my God, Im dying and Im dying of slow hard pain, please give me something to just make my die fast"....but I would do it all over in a heartbeat.....this wasnt something I did TO myself, but FOR myself....I have no doubt in my mind that I would be homebound by now if I had not had the surgery. As I said before....you are doing good...actually, you are doing great....cheers to being a big loser