[marymelodi]

Returned home on Thursday, 1/27/11 exhausted but otherwise in good shape. The worst part was the drain I had in my side. Created sharp pain in my shoulder for day an a half. Nursing staff was great but I didn't get the private room I requested so I shared with woman who was not very considerate. How she got visitors in the room at midnight is beyond me. She played the TV ALL NIGHT LONG and was talking "love" talk to her boyfriend on the phone at 2 am. She was not a bariatric patient and so maybe had no clue.

I am surprised by how good I feel. No real pain to speak of and so far, taking in the liquids is going well. I have had few moments of asking myself "What have you done???" but I am trying to focus on the health I expect to enjoy and not the changes I am going through now.

I would appreciate any words of advice and encouragement pertinent to the first couple of weeks of this new life.

[kiwi-leelee77]

Hey and welcome to the Losers Bench! you have prob heard it all before, but water is a huge thing that is difficult to get in, so the old sip, sip, sip is sooo important. Stick to the food you have been allowed (all surgeons are different), but get your protein in first. water, protein and walk. shuffle if you have to, around the house, to the letterbox, whatever you can manage. The gas HURTS and maybe added to the pain you felt in your shoulder? Mine was right into there, back and chest, not pleasant at all, and initially hurt more than my tum!
When you eat your food, use a small teaspoon or a small kids cutlery set, get a metal set as it will last, to this day my fork is small..lol
Chew slowly and if anything, over chew your food.
Introduce food slowly. Dont mix your foods on your fork, so you will know if you have a negative reaction, like a puke, you will be able to see which food likely did it... um... keep very strict about the 30mins before and at least 30mins after food before drinking, it wont interfere much at the moment as you arent taking long to get a cpl of teaspoons of mush down.
Others will add stuff.
Oh and get a stool softener for later on. at the mo, you wont poop much, maybe a cpl of times a week, but with the high protein and iron tabs (if you have them) and sometimes low fibre, you may get a bit bunged up, and you do NOT want to be straining...not at all... lol it has to be said though

Best wishes on the next leg of your wonderful journey!

[gail1011]

Glad things went well--

[Fishanhook]

Upstate NY! I am upstate also! Congrats on your surgery. Be sure you take it easy - even when you feel good you are still healing inside! Day 4 I did laundry and a bunch of other stuff. I paid dealy for it! Leelee is right - sip often, move often, and rest in between. Good luck!

[pretty woman]

Hi Mary
I go in Monday for my surgery and was interested in reading about how you did.
I heard the magic phrase is "SIP, SIP, SIP, WALK, WALK, WALK." I keep thinking this time next week I will be home and sore.
Do you get or need pain medication? Just wondering.
Keep sharing.
Pretty Woman

[minnie want to be]

that is great just remember to walk and sip because the gas will come

[Perfesser]

Welcome to the bench!! I can only give you two pieces of advice.

1) Follow the rules strictly.

2) When following the rules is difficult, refer to Rule #1.

CT

[yvonneiam]

Welcome to the losers benchTake it slow and sip..sip..sip..walk..walk..walk..

((((hugs))))

[SummerBreeze]

Welcome to our family, look around ask away and enjoy this incredible journey !


annie~

[kaytijo]

Awesome you have done a great thing for you!! Welcome!! And sip sip sip walk walk walk...the rest will all come with time!! Congrats!!