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5 Days Post Op

KAT in PA

KAT in PA

Member
Hello! This is the first I've logged onto this site since surgery 5/18/22. I had a conversion from a gastric band (placed 2009) to bypass with 3 additional procedures: gallbladder removed, hiatal hernia repair, and fundus portion of stomach resected due to damage from the band. My procedure was more complex than most. The surgeon told my husband he earned his pay with me that day since I had 5 surgeries in one. My procedure took 4 hours with an additional 2 hours in recovery. I stayed one night in the hospital. So, I'm 5 days out and feel like I'm on pace to recover as expected. I'm getting my protein and fluids in, moving around and walking, even came into my office this morning to catch up on some things, though not sure I'll stay all day. One of my incisions is pretty sore, the largest of them all. I'm in zero pain when I'm resting and have only taken extra strength Tylenol post surgery in the hospital and at home, no need for anything stronger. I took a short walk the first night with the nurse and then quite a few laps with my husband around the halls the next day before being discharged. I still have pain with deep breathing and checked in with my bariatric team this morning since the hospital staff attributed it to gas pains and I would have thought those would have dissipated by now. PA said it seemed normal recovery as long as I'm not experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, which I'm not. I'm sure it's because of all the abdominal reconstruction, I'm just very tender inside and when I inflate my lungs, it is sore. The first few nights it was difficult to be comfortable and get some steady sleep. I was moving from the bed to a recliner. The recliner was the least painful but not as comfortable. The past 2 nights I slept only in the bed and got some good stretches of sleep. I've been taking naps too. In addition to my fluids, I've been having protein shakes, broth, sf jello, sf popsicles. I have my first post-op visit on Wednesday! I'm on my way to my version 2.0!
 
Way to go Kat. Thanks for this update. This will be so helpful for all those upcoming surgettes lol. I was lucky not to have gas pain after surgery, but my understanding is that it could last a week to 10 days. Otherwise it sounds like you are experiencing the beginning of your wonderful new post-surgery life in a great way. Good luck throughout your recovery. ❤❤
 
suzannethemom said:
Are you some kind of Superhero? What are you doing going in to the office? I was still taking an afternoon nap on the sofa on day 5, LOL
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Believe me, I'm no superhero! I'm sure my doctor's office would prefer I was still resting at home. My husband and I own a small business and we have a couch in a back office for me to rest. I wasn't all that productive yesterday but am here again today and feel like I have a lot more energy!
 
Please try not to overdo things. Don't forget that you have reduced your caloric intake to starvation levels. It wouldn't be surprising or unexpected if your energy begins to fade for awhile until you increase your calories. Congrats on going through everything you have and coming out of it with such a positive outlook. Good luck.
 
I had my post-op visit yesterday and all is going well except for I am having an allergic reaction to the surgical adhesive/glue over all the incisions. Originally, the instructions were to leave it alone and it would flake off on it's own in about 2 weeks. The surgeon told me yesterday to pick/peel it off, scrub it and apply hydrocortisone as best as I can to begin to reduce the reaction. It's tricky to get off! My practice moves to phase 2 diet after the post op visit if all is going well. For me, that meant tasting some Greek yogurt and cottage cheese for the first time again yesterday. Both wonderful! This morning I had the best single scrambled egg ever!! I took tiny bites over 1/2 hour, and all went well. I'm in a soft foods stage for a month, keeping portions 1/4-1/2 cup. In the coming days I will try ricotta bake and refried beans with a sprinkle of cheese. Can't wait! I'll need to supplement my protein with shakes. I've been looking for protein water, but still haven't found any. Started my bariatric vitamins also yesterday. I am prioritizing rest and sleep and happy with my progress.
 
KAT in PA said:
I had my post-op visit yesterday and all is going well except for I am having an allergic reaction to the surgical adhesive/glue over all the incisions. Originally, the instructions were to leave it alone and it would flake off on it's own in about 2 weeks. The surgeon told me yesterday to pick/peel it off, scrub it and apply hydrocortisone as best as I can to begin to reduce the reaction. It's tricky to get off! My practice moves to phase 2 diet after the post op visit if all is going well. For me, that meant tasting some Greek yogurt and cottage cheese for the first time again yesterday. Both wonderful! This morning I had the best single scrambled egg ever!! I took tiny bites over 1/2 hour, and all went well. I'm in a soft foods stage for a month, keeping portions 1/4-1/2 cup. In the coming days I will try ricotta bake and refried beans with a sprinkle of cheese. Can't wait! I'll need to supplement my protein with shakes. I've been looking for protein water, but still haven't found any. Started my bariatric vitamins also yesterday. I am prioritizing rest and sleep and happy with my progress.
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Wow all of this sounds so great! So glad things are going so well for you! How is your energy level?
 
Nymiria said:
Wow all of this sounds so great! So glad things are going so well for you! How is your energy level?
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I'm tired by the evening even though I'm not expending a lot of energy during the day, and I'm not nearly as active as I was pre-surgery at this point in recovery, but I feel like I'm alert and getting through the day okay. There's a lot of things I'm not doing right now that would take energy such as cooking, cleaning, laundry. But every day seems a little better and my husband is helping where he can. We went to the store together (which he NEVER does) and he'll push the cart and carry the bags, he's carrying the laundry up and down stairs since I have lifting restrictions and I can still sort and put it away. He's mostly been cooking for himself post-surgery but I did some of his meals pre-surgery. Just kind of feeling my way through this and taking breaks where I need to. Overall though, I'd say I'm not played out, just making sure I get enough rest.
 
KAT in PA said:
I'm tired by the evening even though I'm not expending a lot of energy during the day, and I'm not nearly as active as I was pre-surgery at this point in recovery, but I feel like I'm alert and getting through the day okay. There's a lot of things I'm not doing right now that would take energy such as cooking, cleaning, laundry. But every day seems a little better and my husband is helping where he can. We went to the store together (which he NEVER does) and he'll push the cart and carry the bags, he's carrying the laundry up and down stairs since I have lifting restrictions and I can still sort and put it away. He's mostly been cooking for himself post-surgery but I did some of his meals pre-surgery. Just kind of feeling my way through this and taking breaks where I need to. Overall though, I'd say I'm not played out, just making sure I get enough rest.
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Sounds like you're playing it smart! That's great that you've got a great support system aka hubby. Congratulations again on everything!
 
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