WLS - Day 5 Post Op

Apr 12, 2009

Firstly - HAPPY EASTER everybody!! :o)

Well, I've made it this far and retained my sanity. Yesterday was a difficult day in terms of pain, discomfort and overall spirit. I had many moments of "why did I do this", largely exacerbated by the physical way I was feeling. A large part of it was caused by the gas they had pumped into my stomach cavity during surgery which takes awhile for your body to dispel and absorb. ugh.

So the first thing I've been dealing with is is this overwhelming desire to burp all the time except most of the time I can't. Secondly, a bloating and uncomfortable pressure in my tummy that just really feels horrible. I was genuinely worried that the sensation of needing to burp was a permanent thing but folks who have been banded here assure me it is temporary and I will start to feel better so that filled me with great relief.

God I hope so. lol

Last night I felt a bit better and some friends came over and we played poker. I had to stretch my feet out on another chair so that I was more reclined as sitting up hurts a bit atm. It was a good night although I was still achy throughout. They all munched out on pizza and egg rolls and garlic bread and salad. I had 3 oz of vegetable broth and two sugar free popsicles. lol One of which (a purple one) proceeded to turn my teeth, lips and tongue nearly black - much to the amusement of my guests and husband.

I thought it would be really difficult with all the food there and while it wasn't easy easy, it was nowhere as bad as I expected. Partly perhaps bc I genuinely didn't feel great with all the gas pressure in my tummy and chest and I think largely bc I knew I couldn't have it so no point drooling over it and torturing myself so I pretty much focused on other things.

I will say I've been having some difficulty getting my fluids in. I don't want to end up dehydrated but when you're not allowed to have more than 6 oz of liquid an hour it's hard to not forget to keep drinking and how much you have had already. Plus I am supposed to also take in around 3-4 oz of protein liquid an hour. gah I will say once I flavored my water with lemon Crystal Light it made things much more bearable. :o) I just really am not fond of plain water. Wish I was but I ain't.

I have been good at keeping my log current of my injections and have been self-injecting the blood thinner twice a day as prescribed. It actually seemed far worse when they told me I'd have to do it than the actual act of doing it. It usually doesn't really hurt, it's just a PITA. My hips are black and blue lol but aside from that, it's all good. I think it helps that the needles are so tiny and short. I feel kinda bad ass when I do it. Like I'm tough. rofl. It's true. heehee

Robert says he can see a definite difference in me already (I wonder if he's saying that to make me feel better though) although I still can't register on our scales (they show an error reading if you're heavier than 350 lbs) but I will confess that my top seems looser this morning than it did a week or so ago when I wore it last.

My tummy is still sore and feeling bloated but every day seems to be an improvement. I've been getting some (normal - gas related again) pain in my left shoulder and side which also supposedly subsides soon (thank goodness) and that kinda drags you down mentally.

I switched from Hydrocodone (my lovely narcs) to Extra Strength Tylenol (liquid form) so I'm a bit more crotchety as it doesn't alleviate the pain quite as effectively but I know I just need to suck it up and deal. I've probably also been pushing myself a little bit too much around the place so that probably also contributes to my soreness.

I had hoped and planned to return to work this Tuesday but thus far I doubt that will happen. Maybe Thursday but we'll see. I wanted to work overtime on Friday and Saturday so I can accrue the time needed to our trip to Australia so I need to be feeling good by then at least. Argh.

Well, I think I'm going to doze by the fire for awhile. Robert is out having brekkie with one of our friends we normally brunch with and I've just turned the gas fireplace on. It's a good day to be lazy. :o) Robert promised to bring me back a Starbucks latte (I have the non fat sugar free but had to downsize from a grande to a short now lol) so that'll be something to look forward to.

Cheers folks and again, the happiest of Easters to you all. *smooches*


p.s. I now have four flower arrangements in my house and am expecting a fifth (from my family in Australia) to arrive in the next day or so. I'm running out of places to put them. :o) (Granted, one bunch is from me to my hubby for taking good care o' me).

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