Questions... questions & some more questions!

[ditzeeblonde]

Hi Guys

I have lots of questions that have been mulling around in my head since my op & wondered if anyone could help please?

Firstly, sleeping or lack of it! Since my op I have been waking around 0430/0500 & then staying awake all day (have tried a little siesta) & then not falling asleep til 2300/2330. The funny thing is although I feel incredibly tired I'm not sleepy... has anyone else had this?

Protein shots/shakes... do they come under the 'food' rule as in not drinking for 30 mins after?

Not drinking for 30 mins before a meal.... I keep forgetting this! I've usually had 10 minutes without drinking before eating anything, is this likely to stretch my pouch?

Not feeling full, is this b'coz I'm still on purees will this change as I get more solid style food in?

I do get a feeling of tightening sometimes after forgetting not to gulp water or having some food... is this my restriction?

How long is it before you felt like yr waist had lost weight? I'm guessing its still swollen from my op & thats why some of my trousers feel a bit tighter than before I went in?

Wounds... I was told to take my dressings off tomorrow & then wait for the steri strips to fall off, what are the things to look out for afterwards? Weeping or bleeding I'm guessing??

The wind pain... I have a real pain in my left shoulder, I'm munching deflatine lots & seem to be releasing gasses... how long before the wind subsides? And does it ever go away or is it one of the 'perks' of the op?

When can you start doing household chores? Hoovering, ironing etc?

Diabetes.. my levels are now in the low 4's since my op, I have come off all my medication & I've had a couple of 3.7's.... I guess I'm going to have to watch for hypos although I've felt kind of ok with these numbers. Will they go up a bit when my food intake increases a bit?

Sorry told you there was alot of them & I'm sure there'll be plenty more!

Thanks so much in advance for any help you can give.

Linzi. xxxx

 

[cherry]

oooo what a good set of questions! now all you need is the right person to come along and not me hahhahah x

 

[ladylite]

I will answer the sleeping one, yes I do wake up earlier and go to bed later. i remember just after to op it was 6ish, but it has improved so now wake up about 7.30am.

 

[CCPM]

Here we go then Linzi

Sleeping: I didn't feel able to keep awake so everyone is different

Protein shots are liquids and come under the 30 minute rule as liquids wash the food out of your pouch too quick for the nutrients to be absorbed.

Yes purees often = more hunger feelings its the solid food that maximises restriction. Restriction can vary from that feeling of tightness to a very tight painfulness.

Wounds yes signs of infection can = change in colour, discharge, redness, weeping and discharge .

Wind can go on for a long time or be gone very quickly for me it never came. Gripe water is also very effective.

Waist: swelling should start to ease after 3-6 weeks.

Chores: Gently does it, don't do too much too soon just small tasks when you feel able and don't do anything too heavy.

Diabetes: No personal experience

HTH

M

 

[ditzeeblonde]

Thanks Ladies....

M.. can I drink straight after a protein shot then?

 

[StephieAck]

Sleeping: In the first couple of weeks I couldnt stay awake but further out and now I wake up naturally early.

Wind: The painful wind was on and off for me for around six weeks but I am a lot more windy post op even to this day, seems to just be a 'perk', in fact today my nickname was trumper mctrump lol

Diabetes: Yes be careful about the hypos, I am now classed as resolved but I still have hypos, it is called reactive hypoglycemia and can be remedied by having a drink of milk or a piece of fruit. The numbers may well go up a bit with solid food but they also may dip because of reactive hypoglycemia. Just research it find out what can cause it and what to do to help with it. I do find milk and fruit to be the best way to resolve post-op lows. Also, a good way to prevent lows is to eat something every two hours, even if it is just a laughing cow triangle on a cracker or a piece of fruit, it keeps the bloods more stable.

Hope this helps xx
Steph xx

 

[ditzeeblonde]

Thanks Steph.. very helpful & loving the latest avatar. x

 

[StephieAck]

Youre welcome xx And thanks xx
Steph xx

 

[shelbell]

No need to avoid drinks before/after protein shots/shakes x

 

[Chuffy_29]

Totally agree about Steph's avatar, your new signature pics are amazing. You look about 20 years younger!

 

[StephieAck]

Aww thanks xx
Steph xx

 

[phatmomma]

Hi Guys

I have lots of questions that have been mulling around in my head since my op & wondered if anyone could help please?

Firstly, sleeping or lack of it! Since my op I have been waking around 0430/0500 & then staying awake all day (have tried a little siesta) & then not falling asleep til 2300/2330. The funny thing is although I feel incredibly tired I'm not sleepy... has anyone else had this?

I was getting up at stupid o'clock but i think this was discomfort, get your sleep when your body wants it Linzi, it will help you recover. I know it's not easy with little uns running around.

Protein shots/shakes... do they come under the 'food' rule as in not drinking for 30 mins after?

I class protein shakes as a drink, it's not solid it's liquid.

Not drinking for 30 mins before a meal.... I keep forgetting this! I've usually had 10 minutes without drinking before eating anything, is this likely to stretch my pouch?

I don't know if it will stretch your pouch, you really need to watch the clock hun, it's a rule for a reason i'm sure. Although i do confess now back at work full-time i do sometimes not wait quite 30 mins before having my breakfast. I am strict the rest of the day

Not feeling full, is this b'coz I'm still on purees will this change as I get more solid style food in?

OMG Yes. Once you are on solids you will be amazed how little amounts food makes you feel full!

I do get a feeling of tightening sometimes after forgetting not to gulp water or having some food... is this my restriction?

I get this sometimes if i've had quite solid food and drink (even when it's after 30 minutes) i think it's my pouch feeling the restriction for sure. Sometimes that tightening can feel very uncomfortable, enough to make me rub tummy better!

How long is it before you felt like yr waist had lost weight? I'm guessing its still swollen from my op & thats why some of my trousers feel a bit tighter than before I went in?

The swelling can last for up to a month i was told! If i were you i wouldn't go near a set of scales for at least two weeks. You are full of anaesthetic and gas xx

Wounds... I was told to take my dressings off tomorrow & then wait for the steri strips to fall off, what are the things to look out for afterwards? Weeping or bleeding I'm guessing??

Sorry i was glued, if i was you i would look out for both weeping/bleeding also check for raised red (hot) bits which could indicate an infection.

The wind pain... I have a real pain in my left shoulder, I'm munching deflatine lots & seem to be releasing gasses... how long before the wind subsides? And does it ever go away or is it one of the 'perks' of the op?

The wind does go around 5 days or so post op. However if you eat/drink too fast you will feel wind pains at times.

When can you start doing household chores? Hoovering, ironing etc?

My provider told me nothing for 6 weeks at least as i was 'open surgery'. Personally if you have a sucker ( i mean husband/partner) to do it for longer then milk it honey lol x

Diabetes.. my levels are now in the low 4's since my op, I have come off all my medication & I've had a couple of 3.7's.... I guess I'm going to have to watch for hypos although I've felt kind of ok with these numbers. Will they go up a bit when my food intake increases a bit?

Are you type 2? Ring your provider and tell them your sugars and ask what they advise, should you go see your diabetes specialist?

Sorry told you there was alot of them & I'm sure there'll be plenty more!

Thanks so much in advance for any help you can give.

yvw loser xx

Linzi. xxxx

Julie xxx

 

[slimmerkay]

Thanks for posting these Qs Linzi.

We do all seem to be different. I cannot stay awake. I need an afternoon nap and now (9.30pm) my eyes are shutting again and I sleep right through till 7am.

The wind still bothers me but less and less frequent and less painful.

I have only felt hunger once since the op too.

AND, since the op I haven't got up in the night for a pee ONCE! YYYAAAYYYY

Oh and (oops) I forgot about the 30 minute drink rule. But I am only allowed fluids for 2 weeks anyway so don't suppose it makes much of a difference does it? I will honour the 30 minute rule from now on though.

 

[ditzeeblonde]

No need to avoid drinks before/after protein shots/shakes x

Brilliant... thanks Shell, that will make getting those vile vials down a bit easier! xx

Julie xxx

Julie yr a star... love the milking it idea will certainly put that into play! Spoke to my diabetic nurse last night funnily enough. Thank you. xx

Thanks for posting these Qs Linzi.

We do all seem to be different. I cannot stay awake. I need an afternoon nap and now (9.30pm) my eyes are shutting again and I sleep right through till 7am.

The wind still bothers me but less and less frequent and less painful.

I have only felt hunger once since the op too.

AND, since the op I haven't got up in the night for a pee ONCE! YYYAAAYYYY

Oh and (oops) I forgot about the 30 minute drink rule. But I am only allowed fluids for 2 weeks anyway so don't suppose it makes much of a difference does it? I will honour the 30 minute rule from now on though.

How are you doing lovely lady? x