1 Week Post op, pics & some Qs

[sec9]

I had surgery on August 6th, so tomorrow will be one week. This week has been one of the hardest weeks of my entire life. I am a big eater and eat a lot so to be on a liquid only diet for me is like hell on earth, I feel like I have eaten nothing but yogurt and Carnation instant breakfast a long with a few other things, basically

yogurt smoothies
carnation
cream of wheat
blended bananas, blue berrys, peanut butter
baby food
some soup

Does anyone have any ideas for something different put together?

Also my stomach has not been reacting well to this diet. I dunno if it is eating out of the bags or what but I have been getting like acid reflux where it burns in the stomach up to the throat and that has been going on pretty much all week, the worst is at night because it makes even harder to sleep. As of yesterday I am able to drink out of a plastic cup so I haven't been using the zip n squeeze since and I hoping that will help. I also started taking prilosec. Did anyone else have this problem, what some ways to help it?


Then there is sleep. For the first few nights home I have gotten less than a few hours of sleep. I dunno if it is having to sleep propped up or constantly having to swallow to keep from drooling but it just hasnt worked. Yesterday my surgeon prescribed me Halcion to help with that and it helped a little last night but I still did not get a full night of sleep. I feel extremely tired but just wont go to sleep. Anyone have any ideas to try and make sleeping come easier, like positions that worked or whatever? I know it would be a lot easier if I could lay on my side but since I dont have much feeling in my lips or cheeks I just end up drooling.

Those are pretty much the problems I have right now, but since day 1 I have improved Alot and looking forward to that third week when the splint comes out then I know it will be downhill from there. Anyways any advice I can get from those who have gone through it would be much appreciated.

Before



During



Not the greatest picture, but its the only post op I have right now. this was yesterday. 5 days post op

[chipmunkcheeks]

hang in there...the first week sucks! it will get better!!!

are you able to open your mouth to eat, or are you banded heavily??? it all depends on how much you can open. I was allowed to take the rubberbands off to eat, even though it was a "liquid diet." This meant that I would eat whatever I could swallow whole. Try muscle milk or those protein shakes, mix vanilla silk (soy milk) and raspberry sorbet to a consistency you like- thats good, hmmm, applesauce, mashed potatoes...if you can open up, mix stuff like smooshed canned veggies with deli turkey/chicken cut really small with some mashed potatoes and gravy, youll be able to swallow that whole and it tastes like thanksgiving! i was on a liquid diet for one week, and i did not like the idea of blending my dinner, so i just swallowed it whole once smooshed a bit.

i also still have bout of reflux (5 weeks post op), which at points gets pretty painful. I have been taking pepto for it, and that seems to help me. But mine didnt start until about week 3- 3 1/2 sucks for now i guess. things will get better, trust everyone on the board. weve lived to tell the tale.

[sec9]

hang in there...the first week sucks! it will get better!!!

are you able to open your mouth to eat, or are you banded heavily??? it all depends on how much you can open. I was allowed to take the rubberbands off to eat, even though it was a "liquid diet." This meant that I would eat whatever I could swallow whole. Try muscle milk or those protein shakes, mix vanilla silk (soy milk) and raspberry sorbet to a consistency you like- thats good, hmmm, applesauce, mashed potatoes...if you can open up, mix stuff like smooshed canned veggies with deli turkey/chicken cut really small with some mashed potatoes and gravy, youll be able to swallow that whole and it tastes like thanksgiving! i was on a liquid diet for one week, and i did not like the idea of blending my dinner, so i just swallowed it whole once smooshed a bit.

i also still have bout of reflux (5 weeks post op), which at points gets pretty painful. I have been taking pepto for it, and that seems to help me. But mine didnt start until about week 3- 3 1/2 sucks for now i guess. things will get better, trust everyone on the board. weve lived to tell the tale.

Thanks! as of right now I I can open my mouth a small about a half an inch. I have rubber bands but was never told I could take them off, that would help ALOT if I could. I have another appointment next week so maybe he will say I can do that then, but as for now Im eating everything out of a plastic cup so things with a really thick consistency are hard to get down. I like idea of turkey and mashed potatoes and vegetables but that will probably come next week when I can open more.

[loulou123]

It really will get better but the 1st days do suck!

I suffered with stomach ache and indigestion too, some nights early on my stomach would keep me awake at night as it was churny and felt horrible. I put this down to all the liquid only food and as soon as i was able to eat things with a liitle more solidity-mashed potato for example it improved.

Sleeping wise, keep trying till you find something that worked, i used a reclining chair for naps during the day and my normal bed with about 2 pillows arranged around me at night. Its really trial and error to find what works for you.

Hang in there, itll get better

[phil]

Hi, Sec9,

How's the sleeping going? This is really my department. I have major experience in conquering post-operative insomnia. If I could do it, you can too! Mine was about as bad as it gets.

How "outside the box" are you willing to go?

If the drugs don't work for you, I have some other tricks up my sleeve that I could share with you. Just pm me, ok (that goes for anyone else, too!)?

As far as diet goes, lots of dairy, fats and sugar is going to make your stomach sour. If you can consider eating some other things that might be more "broth-based," for instance, you might notice an improvement in your acid reflux.

Let me know if you want some help on the sleep thing, ok?

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

[Thathrill]

liquid diets aren't fun but you have to be creative. I bought a ton of ensure and boost and honestly I probably drank 3 out of 24. LOL I don't use much dairy except for yogurt for smoothies and ice cream for milkshakes. I use vanilla soy milk instead of regular milk. I use juices, frozen fruit, bananas, and blended oatmeal for smoothies.

Sleeping was difficult. I slept on a recliner for the first few nights then it became uncomfortable. I then slept in my bed which was a nightmare. Then I moved to my couch which I have been for quite some time. My couch is very comfortable. I have a moldable pillow from target which is amazing. I use it to pretty much cup my head without sleeping on my jaw. I am also a side sleeper and have been able to sleep well this way. Just have to be creative and try everything

[jawbreaker]

I also had trouble sleeping for some time after surgery. The surgeon did prescribed some sleeping pills but I didn't take any dose as I was hesitant to do so. Anyway, the issue will eventually go away on its own.

[ema27]

The first week is the worse...survive that and you will be ok....
I am 12 days post op,banded shut but can eat sloppy foods mash potato,scrambled egg,weetabix etc...
I think my body is adjusting as i made a roast for the family today ,blended mine down and it didnt even bother me...
As for sleeping after day 7 i slept propped up on my side and found sleeping so much better..
Hang on in there it does get better!!!!