Day 4 - resting and protein

[Reminyx]

So my first day after surgery I could barely stay awake and when I was awake both day 1 and 2 I was in a huge amount of pain. I was able to go home the next evening thankfully so I was a bit more comfortable for night 2.
Last night and today I feel a lot better since I have realized about 99% of my pain is my back (I did injury my back about 10 yrs ago but never had it been this bad). Sleeping directly on my back or probably how I had to get up from the hospital bed probably made it bad but I did want to ask a few quick questions as I recovery.
Anyone have any good tips for sleeping? I do not have a recliner as so say. I was sleeping propped up on a sofa with a bench to raise my legs out but I tend to not sleep very well and slump down so oooowie. I’m thinking tonight of trying to lay in bed with a wedge pillow (while on my back might be a bit easier over all). Any help would be amazing.

im also worried since I can keep drinking water okay without issue but the second I drink protein I feel like my throat is rough and dry which makes me cough or even want to vomit (I’ve tried two different types so far, have a preotein2o I’ll try tomorrow). Yesterday I got a good 30grams in today I barely got 20. Hopefully I can do better as the days go on but this dry throat is killing me in a way I didn’t expect.

really trying to stay positive but lack of sleep and the amount of pain is making me stress a bit. Ty everyone for all your amazing help.

 

[Reminyx]

RYGB laparoscopic is what was done. Probably would have helped

 

[Tokash]

So my first day after surgery I could barely stay awake and when I was awake both day 1 and 2 I was in a huge amount of pain. I was able to go home the next evening thankfully so I was a bit more comfortable for night 2.
Last night and today I feel a lot better since I have realized about 99% of my pain is my back (I did injury my back about 10 yrs ago but never had it been this bad). Sleeping directly on my back or probably how I had to get up from the hospital bed probably made it bad but I did want to ask a few quick questions as I recovery.
Anyone have any good tips for sleeping? I do not have a recliner as so say. I was sleeping propped up on a sofa with a bench to raise my legs out but I tend to not sleep very well and slump down so oooowie. I’m thinking tonight of trying to lay in bed with a wedge pillow (while on my back might be a bit easier over all). Any help would be amazing.

im also worried since I can keep drinking water okay without issue but the second I drink protein I feel like my throat is rough and dry which makes me cough or even want to vomit (I’ve tried two different types so far, have a preotein2o I’ll try tomorrow). Yesterday I got a good 30grams in today I barely got 20. Hopefully I can do better as the days go on but this dry throat is killing me in a way I didn’t expect.

really trying to stay positive but lack of sleep and the amount of pain is making me stress a bit. Ty everyone for all your amazing help.

The throat might just be that way from the tube. There is always risk it can get scratched in the process. I had issues for almost 3 weeks post with my throat.

As for the back...did you get the numbing in the spine? If you did you may want to get the pain checked out.

 

[missyinacage]

Absolutely get an abdominal binder if you do not have one. Amazon has them for as low as $20. It helps with your abdomen and will help your back. I found it to be very helpful for the first few weeks. I slept in bed, on my back when I got home from the hospital. It is a bit uncomfortable to get up/down due to the incisions, but I could not sleep on my side. Some of that back pain may just be where your gas pains have decided to show themselves. I know some people say shoulders but my pains were in my back.
As for protein, dilute it with your water. I did not drink any plain water the first week I was home; I mixed it with clear protein water. I could not stand the taste/texture of the clear protein drink by itself so I just did 1/2 and 1/2 with water until I finally got to full liquids.

 

[Reminyx]

The throat might just be that way from the tube. There is always risk it can get scratched in the process. I had issues for almost 3 weeks post with my throat.

As for the back...did you get the numbing in the spine? If you did you may want to get the pain checked out.

The throat might just be that way from the tube. There is always risk it can get scratched in the process. I had issues for almost 3 weeks post with my throat.

As for the back...did you get the numbing in the spine? If you did you may want to get the pain checked out.

Thankfully everything I got when I was at the hospital was through the arm or oral so nothing for my back. I injured it many years before and when it gets bad it hurts just like this. Sleeping on my back for days isn’t helping I’m sure.

 

[Reminyx]

Update:
1st off thank you everyone for all the help I really appreciate it!

I am a bit better, back isn’t 100% yet but a lot better than it was. I only have pain from surgery when trying to get up from what little sleep I get. The only “comfortable” way is hard to roll out of so I have to pull myself up to sitting....
I barely sleep 2 hrs at a time and feel worse each time I wake up so I normally don’t get sleep much :-( I’m terrified of laying on my side at all right now.

Still having some weird issue with my mouth/throat. Makes it actually hard to sleep since it dries out my mouth and makes me cough/dry heave :-( hopefully my appointment tomorrow will give me some answers or help on that. Whatever it is gets worse when I drink anything outside of water so protein has been a HUGE struggle for me this week.... water intake has been higher than expected though.

I feel like I’m super scared something is wrong with every weird new pain I feel. Every bathroom trip I leave wondering if something is wrong and maybe I’m missing it. My mental state is very low and just questioning why I am putting myself through this....

 

[WazzuCoug]

You are not alone in having mixed emotions post surgery. There are so many things going on in your body and mind right now. A lot of people go through a "why did I do this?" phase. Sometimes there are mouth/throat issues from intubation during surgery that causes some sensitivities or other painful issues for a while until it heals up.

Take everything slow. Walk as much as you can and be sure to drink water, at the very least, if you can't tolerate much of the protein drinks. Be sure to ask lots of questions at your appointment and make sure they deal with your concerns.

 

[JudyNY]

Remi, you are not alone by any means about surgery remorse. I had it BIG time, but once my problems resolved I did a 360 and was completely happy I had the surgery. I wish things for me had gone smoother but it is what is and I no longer have any regrets.

For me, my pains were on both my sides. The muscles there still cause slight a problem for me on one side when I lie on it but I came off of having 3 surgeries and the last surgery was open, not laparoscopic. You will get better each day while healing more and more, I assure you. Take it easy on your body right now. If you can't sleep well at night, take naps during the day. Your body needs that time to heal. Feel better!!

 

[Reminyx]

Remi, you are not alone by any means about surgery remorse. I had it BIG time, but once my problems resolved I did a 360 and was completely happy I had the surgery. I wish things for me had gone smoother but it is what is and I no longer have any regrets.

For me, my pains were on both my sides. The muscles there still cause slight a problem for me on one side when I lie on it but I came off of having 3 surgeries and the last surgery was open, not laparoscopic. You will get better each day while healing more and more, I assure you. Take it easy on your body right now. If you can't sleep well at night, take naps during the day. Your body needs that time to heal. Feel better!!

You seem like You’ve dealt with a crappy start but knowing through it all you would do it again makes me feel a bit better. My pain seems to be mostly left side pain but still side pain randomly coming up makes me stressed. I’m so worried about all the issues that can go wrong right after. I’m hoping tomorrow mornings appointment will get me to calm down. I made a list to ensure I don’t forget anything.

I really have to say I love this place everyone is so amazing even if it’s just from me lurking and reading others posts. Thank you all!

 

[Reminyx]

Random update: thrush causing my throat and mouth issues so I’m now using a mouthwash to help. However pain on my left side pointed to a slightly worse problem. I didn’t know being winded would be a huge issue (still mentioned it). After a blood clot scare I have fluid in my left lung and all around my heart apparently.
Not a good mental state after today. Hoping to find out more tomorrow about fixing this, but still seems pretty terrifying to me over all.

 

[JudyNY]

Oh no! So sorry Remi. Sending you hugs and well wishes. I know what it is like to have complications and it is indeed frightening. Sending prayers your way that it all gets resolved.

 

[Tokash]

Update:
1st off thank you everyone for all the help I really appreciate it!

I am a bit better, back isn’t 100% yet but a lot better than it was. I only have pain from surgery when trying to get up from what little sleep I get. The only “comfortable” way is hard to roll out of so I have to pull myself up to sitting....
I barely sleep 2 hrs at a time and feel worse each time I wake up so I normally don’t get sleep much :-( I’m terrified of laying on my side at all right now.

Still having some weird issue with my mouth/throat. Makes it actually hard to sleep since it dries out my mouth and makes me cough/dry heave :-( hopefully my appointment tomorrow will give me some answers or help on that. Whatever it is gets worse when I drink anything outside of water so protein has been a HUGE struggle for me this week.... water intake has been higher than expected though.

I feel like I’m super scared something is wrong with every weird new pain I feel. Every bathroom trip I leave wondering if something is wrong and maybe I’m missing it. My mental state is very low and just questioning why I am putting myself through this....

For almost a month post I slept either in a recliner or the gravity lawn chair...yes I brought it in the house and my camper to do so

 

[JudyNY]

For almost a month post I slept either in a recliner or the gravity lawn chair...yes I brought it in the house and my camper to do so

Me too! (on the recliner)

 

[Dlkm]

Prayers! Just something worth mentioning but you said about back pain. This leads me to ask if you were on a acid reflex med prior to surgery, if not it could possibly be coming from your acid reflex med. I ran into this problem after my bypass and they had to switch mine and after they did the back pain left within a day or two. Haven't had a issue with back pain since and I was like you had two very nasty car accidents and a lot of trouble with my back previous to the surgery. Hope this helps you!

 

[Reminyx]

Prayers! Just something worth mentioning but you said about back pain. This leads me to ask if you were on a acid reflex med prior to surgery, if not it could possibly be coming from your acid reflex med. I ran into this problem after my bypass and they had to switch mine and after they did the back pain left within a day or two. Haven't had a issue with back pain since and I was like you had two very nasty car accidents and a lot of trouble with my back previous to the surgery. Hope this helps you!

i have actually been on the same acid reflux med prior to surgery as I am now. Luckily the back pain has been a bit controlled, still sore when I wake up but better by a lot

 

[Beccs2011]

I found the brace actually hurt my incision areas. The way it rubbed on the bandages when I would move irritated me. I got one of those pillows with the arms, college dorm pillows I think they are referred to, and used that to prop me up at night. I am a belly sleeper so it was an adjustment for me.
Good luck!!

 

[Reminyx]

I found the brace actually hurt my incision areas. The way it rubbed on the bandages when I would move irritated me. I got one of those pillows with the arms, college dorm pillows I think they are referred to, and used that to prop me up at night. I am a belly sleeper so it was an adjustment for me.
Good luck!!

Same with the binder/brace - it pulled off the surgical glue for two of six incisions :-(. I have so many different types of pillows but it’s still wasn’t easy to sleep (still actually is difficult almost three weeks post op for me). The pillow set up that kind of works bothers still my lower back and shoulders and sleeping on my side has been unpleasant but I try each night to see if I can get it more comfortable (surgeons idea actually).
Still can’t get enough protein and 0 energy but slowly making it through.