Tweets for Today

[heidi]

Where was Heidi traveling today?

• 17:54 recuperating from gall bladder removal. and someone stole my phone while i was in surgery!!! #

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Comments

[marie-j-granger.livejournal.com]

Get well soon; That REALLY sucks.

[ozratbag2.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

So pleased you came through all right. Just keep pressing the button on the pain relief (PCA) and rest. :D

BTW - may karma bite the thief in a big way.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

I'm actually not on any pain meds. BIZARRE, I know. My throat hurts more from the intubation than my stomach from the surgery - my belly is still numb from the local, I think.

[ozratbag2.livejournal.com]

Ah, well, the best solution for the sore throat is ice and/or ice cold water sipped. If you drink it too fast (think gulp it down), you'll get the relief in your throat but stand the chance of giving yourself horrendous wind pain due to the surgery. Same goes for soft drinks/soda. They're notorious for wind pain - that awfully sharp stabbing pain - because of the carbonated air.

Trust me, you really don't want that. :)

The nurses (I know I would :p) will probably have you up and moving for a shower in the morning, and you may well need something just to take the edge off.

Depending on where the stab wounds are (unfortunate name for the little slits but there you go) you should ask the Dr if you need a letter to exempt you from wearing a seatbelt. Some surgeons do prefer no seatbelts, others less so. Just depends on the surgeon, but it's worth asking. Also, ask when you can drive, because most surgeons have definite ideas about that too. Oh and lifting too - not that you'll feel like lifting much, but some surgeons put a limit on what people can lift post-op.

Aside from the ice, the best advice I can give you is, don't be stoic and put up with any pain. It takes far longer to dispel pain if you've been gritting your teeth for a while before you ask, rather than than it does if you get on top of any pain straight away. The same applies to any nausea you might get.

/all the things no one ever tells you. :p (sorry for the long list, but you may never have most of these things).

Far better to be informed than not though - well, I think it is at any rate). :D

*hugs*

[wishwords.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you made it through unscathed, so to speak. I'm sorry to hear about your phone. It was the one you were so excited about finally getting?

How will not having a gall bladder affect you, other than not having pain anymore?

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Yes, but we had insurance for it, so they are sending me a brand new one set to arrive today, which is wonderful. And unlike normal days, I'm by a land-line constantly right now and into the weekend.

Basically, I have to be careful with higher-fat foods for the next few months until my body acclimates and I can't drive til next week, or work out til next month but other than that....

[wishwords.livejournal.com]

That's good news, but what a pain to input all your stuff again. It will be pink, right? ;-)

That's the only issues? That's entirely workable. A bit of an imposition, but not outlandish. And you seem to be doing very well post-op (except that you seem to be up awfully early). Very good news.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

I lost about 50 pictures, but they weren't fabulous anyway,so it's ok. Other than that, everything on my phone was also on my computer, and it'll update wirelessly when I get the new one today. Hurrah for Google!

It's actually a white G1 phone , and I had a lovely white-and-pink case for it, which I re-ordered this morning. Should have it by the weekend...

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Coughing hurts-hurts-HURTS! The incisions are all over the place - one about four inches above my belly button and two a little above my hip, so given that my stomach has not healed 100% yet from the lap band incision way down low, I think I am off stomach crunches for the next six months or so. But unless I am coughing, or going over a bump in the car, nothing hurts, not even raising my hands up so I can brush my hair, which is terrific.

Definitely not lifing ANYTHING for a long time! I am under orders not to lift anything more than 10 pounds for at least six weeks. It's kind of frustrating, as I was just getting back into the swing of things at the gym and now I can't until at least the middle of April. But then I will be able to jump right back in, and really enjoy it all.

[ozratbag2.livejournal.com]

Coughing hurts-hurts-HURTS!

Unfortunately, and it won't make you feel any better, the midline incision/stab wound will cause the most grief - and pain because of its proximity to the diaphragm. :(

When coughing, it's best to hug a pillow/cushion. Hold it firmly against your abdomen. It won't get rid of all the pain, but the support will lessen it significantly. Oh, and something for the pain will help too. :)

I'm really not sure about the best times for exercise and what you can and can't do. These are all questions for your surgeon on your follow-up visit. Pilates is always good, easy on the bod but great for toning and flexibility, but checking is the best idea.

You'll get there, Heidi, and the worst part will be when you start to feel better and want to do everything again, but you'll still be inside the six week limit. *hugs*

Enjoy the rest and take care of yourself. :D