gtortelli
One week post op
Oct 20, 2009
Today is one week out, and I researched this surgery for almost 10 years and there were many many things that I was unaware that people did not speak of. I am going to list a few and then go along as they come up.
First thing you will be surprised about it how badly your shoulder hurts. Apparently before they do surgery they pump your stomach with air which I just found out is the same muscle attached to your left shoulder. Every time I tried to breath my shoulder shook in convulsions from the pain. I did not get anything to eat for the first three days and the first thing they make you drink is big huge gulps of the most disgusting thing ever. This is when they do the swallow test that they take X-rays of your stomach in order to see if the fluids are going in the right place. You are still in much pain and have to stand up the entire time for this. I almost threw up so make sure you have a barf bag there.
After you come back from that and the tests are ok then they give you a tray of a bunch of stuff for you to choose to eat. Sugary stuff makes me sick. Jell-O, popsicles, and anything that has fruit tastes is so gross now. I ate the chicken broth just a couple sips and it was so salty that I spent the next four hours dry heaving, well I would have thrown up but I didn't have anything in my stomach. It was the worst pain ever, additionally; I was still filled with gas. I still haven't passes all the gas yet and it is still pretty painful.
When you pass a bowel movement the first time, be prepared with a toilet scrub brush because it is like MUD. It is so runny and it sticks to the bottom of the toilet. Once it starts to break up, your stomach sounds like a stopped up drain that just let up and bubbles everywhere. However, even though it feels like you are going to go in your pants, the second you sit on the toilet nothing will come out.
If you have a drain, make sure it stays in long enough. They took mine out on the fourth day when it was still leaking. I finally figured after every 15 minutes of changing the gauge and having blisters on my stomach from the tape, that an overnight maxi pad did the trick. However, because of the blisters and scabs from the tape I couldn't wear anything because of the pain. It finally stopped leaking yesterday. I don't mean a simple little leak, I am talking about your clothes will be soaked.
This is all I have for now, I will give you more things later. Oh and my friend went two weeks without a shake because they didn't tell her she could have it. You must eat them the day you get out or you will lose energy. I have eaten chicken and asparagus already, of course blended with garlic and chicken broth. I even put in grated parmesan cheese in the chicken and it tastes great.
Good luck and I will write later
Gina
