Is this all normal?

I am also feeling very apprehensive about having had the surgery.  I've been very emotional because I don't feel like I'm progressing very well.  I had surgery last Monday (10th) and was home on Wed (12th), by friday I had blown up like a balloon and couldn't get my fluids in because I was so uncomfortable.  Well I ended up having to go back into the hospital for four days.  I've been bad home again since yesterday afternoon.  I'm still bloated, but at least today started passing gas and was happy about that.  Then all of a sudden about two hours ago I went from being bloated and stopped up to RUNNING to the bathroom several times an hour from diahhrea.  I called the office to make sure I should still continue the intestional drug they sent me home with since obviously my system has started up.  I'm experiencing cramping, and bloated pain in my belly.  Also I have a general soreness in my belly where the drain was and overall just a "been punched in the belly" feeling.  I'm horribly emotional about all of this and was just crying to my husband about how I don't want to be uncomfortable or hurting all the time and had I made the right decision. Is this all normal?  Not to be gross but can people tell me about their bowels and how they progressed soon after surgery (feel free to PM me on that one).  I saw another post earlier and see that i'm not the only one who questions things from time to time.  And I felt a bit of resolve knowing some people were several weeks to months out before feeling "normal". I just can't get over my dissapointment that I didn't anticipate feeling like this all the time and how I was NOT prepared at all.  I hate to be such a big baby, but I really do feel like I'm not progressing.  I already had one backwards step (back to the hospital) and was reassured that many people have needed to go back in for a "tune up" following surgery, but I just didn't anticipate this. Thankfully, today is the first day I've gotten almost all of my protein in.  I'm about one small shake away from meeting the protein gram goal for the day and I'm really pleased with that. Also, has anyone had any problems with the New-Whey bullets giving you diarrhea?  I was thinking that was the only thing i did different today.  Today I used a bullet to get most of my protein.  The problem is that I'm lactose intolerant and was trying to get the most bang for my buck in a lactose free form.  The Whey protein Isolate i should be okay with, but reacted badly to the lactose in the whey protein concentrate. Any advice is much appreciated!! Lauren 

Hi Lauren, I'm sorry you had to go back to the hospital. It took me two weeks to stop feeling bloated and every time I turned around. I also had the same problem with the protein bullets. Then I put them in crystal lite watered down and that helped. As for being punched in the belly--you were!! The doc had all those tools in you and played around with your intestines and liver and stomach. It took me 3 1/2 weeks to sleep in my own bed. I pulled a muscle in my abdomen in the hospital getting out of bed and ouchie wowa, everything hurt. I think most of us have felt similar to how you are feeling and it's OK. That is the beauty of having each other to lean on--so lean on me!

Hey Lauren - Sorry your not having an easy time.  From my own experience I too feel like Ive done one too many situps like really! Most of my pain is at my J Tube site so I still need to take meds etc.  The emotional part is natural from what I have read its all the meds messing with your system.  I am feeling the frustration from being an invalid and did go through a little sadness but talked to DH and I just wanted to make sure he was taken care of everything because I saw how stressed or tired and hes worried and wants to make sure Im ok. As for the bowels talking, mine gurgle and cramp and Its a little uncomofrtable but Im attirbuting it to the new plumbing.  I haven't had a BM since Sunday.  And on Sunday it was more of a little bit of runs... my mom who is 7 years post op said they will be that way for a while.  There isn't in anything in our bowels to solidly form anything.  I  know I was literally CLEANED OUT prior to surgery so I can get there isn't anything in the pipeline :)  I do continue to umm.. fart *snicker*  Id say continue to take your pain meds they help me.  Try to ahve some quite days where you do a bunch of sleeping and Ive had to learn to ask Josh to do that one thing I thought I could do now.... so take it back a notch if your being too active.  I know its hard... but I promise you... It was worth it!! XOXO Amanda

Hi Lauren - ((((hugs & prayers)))) Its not an easy journey and many of us go through rough patches. Being emotional is a good thing, a healthy release if you will. Being your own best advocate is important. Its great you listened to your body & returned to the hospital. You had a stay there again & hopefully things will begin looking up from here. Yes, it takes several weeks for the discomfort, gas, achiness etc to pass & for things to get better. Are you walking as often as possible? It is a key helper in releasing the gas & getting your insides working again after having had them supressed by medications used before, during & after surgery. Many folks have had to return to the hospital for a tune up. I don't believe that any of us anticipate some of the things we run into. We want things to go smoothly & uneventful. Your feelings are normal, being emotional is normal & keep leaning on hubs, family off & on the boards & friends. Lean on the Lord as well. Its good to hear you are trying in spite of being in low spirits with getting in your protein. Its not easy starting out but things will get better.  I've not personally tried the protein bullets. I hope that you are able to find things that work for you & that your spirits are lifted. Keep reaching out! We're here for you! All best...

Sweetheart, for the first month or so after my RNY, I told everyone that if I could turn the clock back, I would RUN the other way!  I hurt terribly, and was certain that I had made a big mistake.  At 2 weeks post-op, I began walking every day, and that seemed to help quite a bit. Now at almost 3 years post-op, my only regret is that I didn't have the surgery sooner.  Give it time.  It WILL get a little bit better each day.  I know that's hard to believe right now, but it is true. Hang in there, and let us know how you are feeling.  If anyone says that this was a total breeze, they are either lying or are extremely lucky. Sending much love, JoAnn

When I was a baby I was allergic to milk. I thought it was the lactose, but found out after my surgery it was the whey. I still do the whey 42 bullets but not in one shot. I drink it throughout the day. A sip here and there. That way it doesn't send me running to the bathroom. Try it that way and see if it helps. I also had thoughts of what the hell did I do to myself. That is normal. I am a year out tomorrow and like Joann, the only regret I have is that I didn't do it sooner. It does get better. Try to walk as much as possible and get those liquids in. Take care. It gets better.

Lauren, Your feelings are normal. Nobody likes to feel sick. The first night I was home I could not turn over in bed on my own, and wondered what I had done to myself. You will get past this. Joe

Yep, all normal.  You will get through it.  The soreness & gas will go away.  Your emotions can be caused by several things.  The anesthia is one.  Another one is the hormones levels changing in your body.  The fat cells stored all of your hormones, now that you are losing those fat cells the hormones are being released back into your body and throwing everything off balance.  Stay strong you will make it.