Re: A question about drains..........

[Guest guest]

Hi ! ) I had a drain... it was taken out at my first post-op 6

days after surgery. It was more of a nuisance than anything. I had

to clean around it several times a day and used gauze/tape to keep

the tube secured to my tummy. The worst part was that my skin got

irritated from using the tape over and over in the same area. Once

they took it out, the incision healed within a few days and the

redness from the tape went away. It didn't hurt coming out )

I had horrible dry mouth... which was something I hadn't heard

about, so it was a surprise! All of my family was waiting for me

when I got out of recovery and I wanted to talk to them... and

tried... but my mouth was so dry, everything kept sticking together!

Have you ever slept with your mouth open and woken up with the top

of your tongue being all dry? It was that, but all over and down my

throat. They eventually brought me a little sponge dipped in water

that I could roll over my tongue, which was heavenly!!! I didn't get

actual liquids until the next day, and not until after I'd done the

leak test.

Someone else mentioned gas... Well, I didn't have to toot my way out

of the hospital hehe, but I did have some of that once I got home.

It wasn't uncontrollable, though... )

2 more days!!! I'm so excited for you!! Having this surgery was the

best thing I've ever done for myself and for my family. I had

surgery on April 5th and am down probably 70 pounds (haven't weighed

in a week or so, so don't know exactly). 70 pounds!!! My clothes are

falling off of me and I feel so much better... there are even days

where I'm starting to feel attractive again, and I haven't felt that

way about myself in a very long time. I'm more physical with my

daughter, too... going for walks, playing basketball, chasing her,

etc. I've noticed that I don't shy away from things because of my

weight anymore! I feel free )

I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday and sending good vibes your way!

Congratulations!! You're going to be so happy you did this!!

Susie in CA

> >

> > I haven't seen this on here, but then again I haven't been here

too

> > long. My question is drains. Does everyone have to have them?

Most of

> > the people that I have talked to that has my doctor says they

have had

> > them, but I haven't heard this here and my firend who had the

surgery

> > (she had open)said she didn't have to have drains. My nurse had

the

> > surgery last year and she was talking about how she didn't like

the

> > drains, but that was the wrost past of the surgery.

> > I also heard that you are extremely dry mouth after surgery, how

bad

> > is that?

> > I am getting more nervous and my time nears (Tuesday 7/18), and

I have

> > more questions..........it's just nerves I think.

> >

> > H.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Trust me...you will want to pass this gas! The nurses are used to the farts!

Ummm...but just as a warning...the first few days after surgery I couldn't fart

unless I was on the potty. I won't give you the details as to why...let's just

say it was safer that way! :-)

380/342/160

-------------- Original message ----------------------

> Since we are addressing the absurdities of surgery, do

> you have a lot of gas after surgery? I remember the

> nurse telling me to let the gas pass and I would feel

> better, but its soooooooooooooo humiliating.,,,please

> tell me there isn't a lot of gas. I don't want to

> have to be the Farting queen again to be allowed to go

> home.

> Deb

>

[Guest guest]

I burped a lot more than passing gas as well. I still do. But not as bad as

those first few days.

380/342/160

-------------- Original message ----------------------

> Deb,

> That is the only pain I had after surgery, other than your normal

discomfort

> in the belly. I did not pass gas as much as I burped. There was an over night

> period where I had to take more of my meds to get through the night because

the

> gas climbed underneith my left rib. OUCH!! Once I rubbed and slept that out

of,

> I was fine. Mine was for about 4 days I want to say.