I did it!! Post op, day 1 at home

[Caitlunn]

Well, my DS surgery with Dr Kemmeter was yesterday, and overall, it went well. And boy, is he fast! He clocked in somewhere around 3.75 hours. That first day was pretty rough, I had a lot of nausea and pain. It felt like I did a hundred sit up and then got stabbed in the gut, lol. I spent probably about 80% of my time after the operation drifting in and out of sleep.

This morning was rough as well. Quite a bit of nausea, though nothing ever came of it, since my stomach was empty. Later on, I realized that my uvula is VERY swollen and hanging super low from being intubated, I would assume. I wonder now if that was interfering with my gag reflex. As the day got on, my pain lessened somewhat, but I don't think what they gave me through IV, nor the oral pills they gave me to take home are working worth a damn. But I gritted through it because I just wanted to go home to my bed.

Boy, was that ever the longest car ride. We got out to walk around at a rest area, and I thought I was done for. Not only is it 90 degrees, but I have a loooot of pain if I'm not just laying still. Too bad for me, as I keep getting up and walking around as much as I can.

Other than that, recovery is not as bad as I imagined. I was prepared for the worst. For now, I'm just focusing on getting those fluids in. The rest I can handle as it comes.

Oh! I did have kind of a funny moment in the OR. I have a piercing between my eyes, at the bridge of my nose. I took all of my.other jewelry out because they told me that the machines could cause a burn. But I didn't want to take out the last one, since I knew the hole would close up. One of the nurses had the genius idea of taking an IV Cath and putting it through there to keep it open. Then the anesthesiologist taped across my nose a few times for good measure. I bet that's the first time they've ever dealth with that! Lol.

 

[southernlady]

Welcome to the Dark Side...now sip, walk, and rest and REPEAT.

 

[writegirl]

You're doing so great with all the walking and moving and remembering to hydrate. I love the piercing story! Congrats on crossing the DS bridge

 

[hilary1617]

Congratulations! May you have a speedy recovery. Job one right now is to stay hydrated. All the best!

 

[Susan in Tennessee]

I'm glad you're home and doing good!

 

[galaxygrrl]

So glad. Welcome to a new life! Recovery will take a while, but you will be fine and the world will open up.

 

[Charris]

congratulations you and your surgeon are quick

 

[Larra]

Just focus on staying hydrated and walking. Nothing else matters at this point. And if anything seems not quite right, don't hesitate to contact your surgeon. I can't believe how fast they send people home these days.

 

[Caitlunn]

Thank you all for your kind words and concerns. The gas pains are getting to me today! And oh, how I wish I could take a giant gulp of ice water. But other than that, I'm feeling okay.

My pain is definitely more manageable today, thank goodness. I'm hoping it will be even better tomorrow.

 

[Pink Unicorn]

Congratulations on getting through the surgery.

 

[Munchkin]

Hopefully you are starting to do better?

 

[Caitlunn]

Hopefully you are starting to do better?

Yes, I'm feeling pretty good! I've been able to get fluids in easily, and yesterday was the first time I was able to finish a whole protein drink, so that was exciting.

I even took my dog for a (very short) walk yesterday. It was soooo nice to get out of the house, but is it ever humid in Indiana right now. Later on, I also went to the grocery store with my boyfriend, and at that point I think I was overdoing it. We were only there for about 15 mins, but as we were waiting in the checkout line, I was in so much pain. My incisions were just killing me. But once I got back home and sat down again, I was alright. Live and learn!

 

[Settledownnow]

@Caitlunn congratulations on your successful surgery! Keep hydrated, get up and move, and drink/eat protein as able.

 

[Caitlunn]

I had my two week check up today. Overall, my recovery is boring, haha. There were a few days that I was having some serious regrets about going through this. Some nausea/pain while eating, I think it was mostly due to reflux, which is under control. The past two days haven't been great either, but I suspect that has less to do with my surgery, and more to do with me starting my period for the first time in 6 months, which always meant I was in for 2-3 days of misery.

According to my surgeon, I am his second patient ever to report problems with dehydration during sleep. Literally, every time I wake up during the night, I have to have a few drinks of water, and even then I wake up feeling very dry. Annoying, for sure, but he is telling me it will get better. Also, I have a weird rash on my arm where they first attempted to stick my IV, but he didn't seem too concerned about all that.

Overall, I'm feeling pretty good. Today was a long day of driving without caffeine, so I'm pretty beat. Tomorrow is my first day back at school since surgery, so we will see how it goes. My energy is not all there yet, but I know it will come with time...and more protein, haha. I met with the dietician today who was very adamant that I need to try and get in 90 grams of protein. I'm currently getting 30, 40 on a good day. I'll try to get up to 60 as my next goal, but it might still be a few weeks away.

 

[Clematis]

You're doing great.

Your bypassed intestines can no longer absorb water so you may be more thirsty than before. (Your non-bypassed intestines will pick up the slack but it takes a while.) Keep drinking!

90 grams of protein at 2 weeks is a daunting task. I couldn't have done it. Around here we believe in 30 grams of protein by 30 days, 60 by 60 days and 90 by 90 days.