I have some questions. I am so excited i made it through the surgery, but I am wondering if anyone else shares the experiences I am having. The pain is pretty bad. I am doing the walking, but the gas doesn't want to come out (either end), I know it sounds gross, but it feels like knives in my chest, shoulders and tummy. I use a heating pad as well, but it still hurts. I may be acting like a big baby too, but the soreness is pretty intense as well.

How long after surgery did everyone feel better? How many days until I feel like I can stand straight up instead of favoring my tummy and leaning over while walking?

I am on liquid Lortab and it helps with the soreness, but not the gas.

I constantly feel as if I need to hiccup, and it hurts.

Any suggestions, thoughts or shared experiences would be great.
I also wanted to share that I am not super hungry, but don't feel satisfied with just the protein shakes and popsicles etc, too sweet. I am going to try some soup and see if that helps. I am worried that I am still going to be hungry and this isn't going to work for me like all of you. Am I just overthinking everything and did anyone else have this sleeve paranoia afterwards?

I lost 14 lbs pre-op and am waiting to weigh in for another week since they told me to due to all the liquids etc in the IV, that I may not go down for a while and don't want it to discourage me.

RCARTER
I AM JUST 2 DAYS OUT TOO AND THE GAS IS REAKING HAVOC. IT IS MOVING AROUND LIKE A MINI TORNADO. WALKING IS HELPING SOME BUT MOSTLY JUST BEING STILL AND LETTING IT PASS. MY DOC DID SAY IT SHOULE EASE UP BY TOMORROW- I DONT KNOW HOW EITHER - IT ISNT GOING ANYWHERE. i HAVE ONLY HAD ICE CHIPS UP INTIL NOW SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE JELLO AND JUICE IN THE MORNING. iF ALL GOES WELL THEN I WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL FOR ONE MORE NIGHT AT A CLOSE HOTEL AND THEN BACK HOME ON FRIDAY! i AM ALSO FAVORING MY LEFT SIDE. AT LEAST MY DOC WARNED ME ABOUT TODAY BUT HE ALSO SAID THE NEXT ONES WOULD BE EASEIR AND EASIER. gOT MY FINGERS CROSSED.

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lucygoose

I am 8 days post op. I had the gas in chest for about 3 days. I too have liquid lortab. I only took it 3 days, that's it. But more to sleep than for pain. My pain completely went away by day 3. I had gas the first 4 days, but not bad. I do the hickup thing, but it don't hurt. I sneeze and cough and laugh with no problem. I bought 3 boxes of gas-x, but have not
used it yet. I have had very little pain, I've walked a LOT, in the house, and the last 4 days I've been walking 1.5 miles daily.
I got tried of the liquid diet after 4 days. I started eating SF pudding, that helped me feel more satisfied. This week I've added more things thicker.
Like sucking on oyster crackers until they melted my mouth, and ritz the same way. Refried beans and mashed potatoes. All very tiny portions.
I even pulverised 3 doritos and ate them for the taste. After a while the broth is just nasty. Same way with protein shakes, and SF popcycles.

Eating something more substancial made me feel great. But all cannot do this. Do what feels best for you. I've had little to no discomfort, so I must be the acception. I wish you the best, it get much better as it goes.

How can we NOT loose weight. We are eating nothing compared to what we all used to eat. It has to work, and it will.

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Did your instructions say to stay on liquid for a few weeks and you are just doing what you think feels best?

Will it be bad if I try some crackers to settle my stomach?

Congrats on such a speedy recovery!

rcarter 76....I was sleeved on Dec.7th, sent home on the 9th. So far I have been relatively pain free, and have been following the dr recommended SF clear liquid diet. Based on A LOT of research on both this forum and google, I have now decided too switch to a full liquid diet next week, and progress to a soft food diet the following week. Hope this helps?

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Sleeved 12/7/2009
By Dr. Miro Uchal AGH Pgh,PA

Thanks for the quick reply. So next week, what is the difference between clear liquid and then full liquid diet? What foods are you moving into?

Would love to know. Am actually feeling a bit hungry, not like I want to eat a burger, but just that I need more sustenance.

Let me know what and when and how you plan to do this. I am very interested.

R

From what I have gathered...full liquid diet allows you to add SF puddings, thin oatmeal, Grits, etc....basically anyhthing SF that you could consume through a straw without of course using a straw. I too am not really hungry, but don't feel like I am getting enough sustenance throughout the day on a clear liquid diet. Unsweetened apple sauce can also be eaten during this phase. I figured one week, based on a surgery date of the 7th. But, of course most importantly everything must be tried slowly to make sure your body is ready for the change

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Sleeved 12/7/2009
By Dr. Miro Uchal AGH Pgh,PA

How about taking some gas strips? Might help??

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellance, then, is not an act, but a habit - Aristotle





Sleeve Date: Dec 29, 2009
PreOp Weight: 332 lbs 6' tall
Goal Weight : 170 lbs

I had "sleeve paranoia" from day 1 and now at nearly 3 months out I still do!!! This forum has helped me tremendously. I'm trying to take one day at a time and stay in the moment without projecting too much. It feels strange for a while, tastes for certain things shift around and you will need to take it very slow for a while but these conditions do improve in due time. Some people sail smoothly from the get go through each phase, others a bit slower. Just stay connected, read through the posts by topics that concern you and ask questions. Best wishes to a healthy and happy holiday.

I was sleeved yesterday in Houston, sent home today after the barium type test to ensure the liquids were going thru. This evening I ate 4 oz of Unjury chicken stock and now i'm about to DIE...I feel like it isn't going anywhere...maybe it is just the soreness and swelling too. Tomorrow I'm sticking with straight water...I think I might have to get the pain meds for sleep too...I feel like when I press the incisions it helps the pain...don't know when I'll be able to slee on my stomach again, I hope eventually I will be able to without pain!

Your home so early from surgery. It was anticipated that I'd remain in the hospital 2-3 days (that ended up being 5 days). The pain of your incisions will hurt for a few days but the pain medication should help. The incisions should heal with each passing day. I wrapped my entire middle with a girdle type elastic band that velcro'd closed. It really helped. Once healed you will be able to resume sleeping in whatever positions you are accustomed. As for the broth, 4oz. seems a little too much too soon. You can probably try again but very slowly sip and maybe try 1-2oz for a couple of days. Please don't do like I did and panic. I was afraid of everything, while in the hospital and when I came home. Keep us posted because the people at VST are here to support one another. Let us know how your are doing real soon.

Now that I think about 4 oz, it wasn't(I made 4 oz)..but I drank 2 of the medicine bottle measurement cups...so that was 2 fluid oz? Doc and Bariatric Nurse said to drink 1 little measurement full every 10-15 minutes as I could stomach it.

I do have alot of burping and a few pains in my back--maybe that is the gas everyone talks about? Going to go walking when it warms up a bit today--kinda chilly right now.

Sleeping last night was rough, woke up at 2 p.m. and sat up for an hour drinking my 1 oz of water every 10 min or so...then took a shower and let the heat pound my back...finally back to bed at 5 and slept till 7:30. If I take those pain meds I can't drive! SOOO, guess I'll call my friend from work and see if I can car pool with her the first week back to work.

When is a good time to start trying the broth, might try a SF popscicle this evening...kinda scared! This feels totally different from my band years back.

RCarter,
Please allow your body and your new stomach time to heal. You've had MAJOR surgery where they removed approx 75% of your stomach. There is a LONG incision line with staples on the inside that has to heal completely. It WILL NOT heal if you start adding foods too fast and get something stuck in the staple line. The doctor prescribed diet is necessary....not just a suggestion. While some people break all the rules and may not see complications, it's definitely not the recommended course of action. If you aren't feeling satisfied with your portions, please contact your surgeon or his nurse for advice...don't just start adding in solid foods because someone else did. Protein powders, liquids etc will help you feel fuller and more satisfied. GasX helps many people with the gas pains.
Most of all, allow your body the time it needs to heal and pamper this new "restriction tool" that has been formed out of your own stomach.

Advice is good here....but don't take the advice on any forum OVER the advice of your own doctor's orders without seriously understanding the risks!

You're gonna do great!!!!

Tracy

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Revised from Lapband to VSG on 12/14/09
by Dr. Alberto Aceves, MD, FACS



Tracy

Did anyone else only drink water the first few days. I'm going to try and get some isopure tomorrow, or if my hubby can get me some today, Doc said to eat unjury or isopure during this first week, and that unjury isn't working for me yet.

I'm definately glad I found this site...I don't feel quite so alone. The bariatric nurse said my doc uses a 38 something to measure the nuew stomach around...so not do drink more than 30 cc at a time. Sound familiar to anyone?

Hey all. Thanks for all the comments and posts. I know everyone is different and every doctor is different. I start on full liquids in a couple days and then mushies. I am not sure how they differ but I see my nutritionist later this week.

Where do runny grits fall in? Are they liquids or mushies?

Just want to be sure to protect my sleeve and not damage the healing. Will grits get stuck like some of you have suggested if they are super runny in my staples?