I'm back FINALLY & sleeved!

 So, I went into the hsoptial on Tuesday the 16th to get sleeved at 2pm. The dr. was running behind so I didn't actually get back to the OR until about 4:30pm. From what I am told the surgery was "textbook". Very easy. The recovery however, NOT very easy. 

I had a very hard time coming out of anethesia, which was new for me, I've had past surgeries and not had any issues. From what I was told and what I remember from being in and out of conciousness, I woke up vomiting and dry heaving. They gave me 5 different nausea medications to get me to stop. Because of the vomitting I was in immense pain so they had to drug me up really well. I remember crying so hard, wailing that "it hurt" over and over. I spent almost 3hrs in the PACU before I was able to be controlled with medicine. I was moved into my room where I was just supposed to spend 1 night at about 9pm. I don't remember much of that night, must have really been knocked out on pain meds. 

The next morning I had my leak test done and it came back perfect. Then my Dr. came to see me and was concerned because everytime I took a sip of fluid, be i****er, popsicle, ice chips, tea or anything. about 10 seconds after the sip I would get a horrible sharp pain in my stomach. Because of this pain, I was unable to get the required fluids down (4-6oz per hour) and I was told I would be spending another night in the hospital. He thought that most of the pain and issues I was having was from swelling that was talking a longer than normal time to heal. 

That night & the next morning I was still in pain everytime I would drink. I would try to force myself but the pain was very intense. By this point I had my first "freak out" moment of what the hell did I do to myself. This has been a disaster. But, I bucked up, kept walking the halls, sipping and sleeping. 

The next morning my Dr. came to see me again. He checked all my incisions, I only ended up with 4 ports, and they were healing very nicely. He decided since I was still in a lot of pain when I was drinking that we should try Carafate to help coat my stomach until the swelling went down. He also told me, and this was at 9:30am that I would NOT being going home today either. It was another night in the hospital for me. However, the Carafate was a god-send because that day I was finally able to start drinking my liquids! I was so proud to get just 3oz down in a hour! Then I made it to 4oz and hit the wall. I couldn't make it past 4oz. Walk, sip, sleep repeat all day & night. 

Finally on Friday at about 11:15am I was released from the hospital!! Yay!! I was thrilled to get out of there. I was NOT planning on spending 4 days & 3 nights in the hospital. Because I was healing slowly I was worried that no matter what I did I wouldn't be able to get my fluids in, and even today I am still having issues doing so.

Today is my 6th day of recovery and I'm sometimes able to get my 6oz of water/gatorade/propel down in an hour but those are rare victories I still struggle to do so. I attempted to drink some protein yesterday and I ended up in so much pain that I threw my clothes on and went for as long a walk as possible to hopefully move it around. It was terrible. It was only 4oz, sipped over an hour. I was completely miserable for a good 3-4hrs. I took some pain meds and layed down and took a nap. For the rest of the day yesterday I did nothing bu****er/gatorade/propel and managed to get down 12oz in 2hrs last night before bed. The most ever so far! 

So, because I know I need to get some protein in I am trying again today with the protein. I've watered it down so hopefully it moves through easier. Although, I just drank my 4th oz and I'm feeling quite full already. I've been drinking 1oz every 10 mins. 

The best piece of advice I've ever gotten about this surgery is "Never trust a fart". Let me tell you it is SPOT ON. I'm still passing a ton of gas from the surgery, from both ends but when it's the lower end I make sure to get to the bathroom because you just never know. LOL. Better safe than sorry. 

My husband has been amazing. He has been talking care of our 4 year old on his own since Tuesday and keeping the house togeter and being my nurse. I am so thankful for all that he has done during this time. There is nothing like knowing you have all the support in the world sitting right next to you when you are questioning what you just did to yourself. 

I feel stronger mentally and physically now. I have my post-op Dr.s appointment tomorrow at 1:30pm. I am supposed to be moved onto soft/purreed foods tomorrow, but I have a feeling that since I am still struggling with fluids he might wait. We will have to see. 

I weighed in at 341.6lbs when I checked in at the hospital on Tuesday afternoon. The day I came home from the hospital I weighed 345.8lbs from all the fluids & stuff from surgery. This morning I weigh 336.6lbs. 

Overall this journey has been a lot harder than I anticipated. I've read all the stories, talked to lots of people and we all just go through this surgery differently. Seems like I caught  the harder end of recovery. The good news is that all my vitals, my new stomach and I am do VERY well. I just need to keep pushing fluids. I will be anxious to see what the Dr has to say tomorrow. 

Thanks to everyone for all the support!

Wow I pray for a better recovery for you. We both are in our 5th day & I had problems but not like you. You are definetly getting in your liquids better than me. I too water down my protein shakes, I walk twice a day, my incisions are healing nicely & I belch more than anything else. I am suffering with diarrhea daily but it's improving. I haven't been on a scale since a week before my surgery & I was 283. We have great husbands lol. I don't see my surgeon until Tuesday & I start on stage two on wednesday. Good luck to you during your visit.
I pray you stay positive & know we will soon be back to normal but healthier.

So sorry you have had a tough time!  I'm pretty sure I was no where near 4 oz when I got out of the hospital - but things improved quickly!  Keep with you sip, walk, rest,repeat (sound like you have that one covered!)

One piece of advice - try different temperatures and "flavors" with your liquids.  Some people need really warm (teas), some luke warm, some cool - for me it's always been icy cold!  Some people love water - others the ph isn't right and they need to add something.  I like taking ice water and squeezing a couple lemon wedges and some truvia - makes a nice light lemonade type drink!

Good luck and happy healing! 

Hi there,
I want to give you some hope. I had a very rough start too, but for different reasons. I needed blood transfusions due to oozing on the first postop day. They still discharged me late on my first postop day, running a low grade fever and of course once I was home my fever hit 101.5.  Was on the phone to the on call doctor within 2 hrs of discharge. Was readmitted within 12 hrs. Fever up to 101.9. I had a hematoma on the left side of my abdomen that covered from just under the breast to the pubic area. Through all of this, no pain and no nausea. I had two more days of IV fluids and antibiotics. The next hurdle came when they discharged me on oral antibiotics. My poor sleeve just couldn't take it, but I forced them down for another day until I couldn't take the nausea and discomfort any longer. I never finished them. I tell you all of this because I am now 2 and a half weeks postop and I feel pretty fantastic. My doctor prescribes liquids for the first 3 weeks so I am still on full liquids, but I am getting all my protein and water in without a problem and I am walking 30 minutes every morning (I could actually have enough stamina for 2 walks per day so I may start that today.) I will go back to work in another week or so and I think I will be ready. You will be feeling like new in a couple of weeks tops. Keep on doing what you are told to do and you will do great! Best wishes.

Wow! You were sleeved the day before me. My recovery was much smoother but I had major "buyers remorse" until day 4. I had trouble breathing on my own after coming out of surgery which made pain medication risky.

Surgery went fine but I couldn't get out of ICU because all the liquids they administered via IV weren't coming out of me via catheter. Finally a sweet nurse had a trick up her sleeve that got my bladder to move along. (I was on my menstrual cycle and I think the fluids went straight to my uterus because I bled like I was hemorrhaging!)

I walked like a champ. After my leak test I sipped like crazy and peed at least 10 ounces every thirty minutes thanks to all those fluids in ICU. It was hard to get any sleep because I had to get up to pee.

I wanted out of the hospital SO badly! I felt better being at home. I sure hope you do too!

I had a bout with nausea last night. Grr...I'd rather be in pain than nauseous! But meds helped -And using the bathroom.

I can only do Unjury Chicken Broth or unflavored protein in flavored water for protein so far. I tried a shake and it made me sick.

Every day is better though! Today I walked about nine blocks with no problems. You are right it does help to move!

Take good care! Thank goodness for wonderful hubbies!

Wow!!! You are a champ considering all that you are going through. I would have had major buyer's remorse too had my recovery been as difficult. I was so lucky, was able to drink right after waking up, had no pain meds after one night and no nausea at all...no drains or cathaters and everything worked just fine. Also no diarrhea at all, normal BMs after a couple that were a bit on the constipated side. I was able to get my 64 oz in on the third day after surgery and really have had no problems with anything. I really hope your recovery is smooth and easy from here on. Sending good thoughts!