Day 3 of Miralax. No results. Coffee each morning. Coffee each evening. Nothing. Drinking liquids like it's going out of style. Peeing every 2 hours. Cutting back on pain meds (they increase the risk for constipation).
Moving on to Milk of Magnesia next. Gross. Might have to add some Colace each day.
I have to be careful with the more laxative result type of assistance (mag citrate, enemas, etc), since that can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which are both bad, bad, bad in a post op RNY (gastric bypass) patient.
Constipation is a big issue as a post RNY person. It always has been. I drink my fluids, I eat my fiber.
(Yes, this was one (little) whine post.)
Showing posts with label post op. Show all posts
Showing posts with label post op. Show all posts
Friday, November 19, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
3 years since my WLS
It's my "surgiversary" today! Today marks three years since I had my WLS (weight loss surgery). My weight, as of yesterday was 158.6 lbs. Down from 310 lbs! YEAH!!
My lowest weight post op was 137 lbs, that was January 2009, when I was having stomach pain for months and months, with little reprieve using medical and non-medical interventions. Finally had an exploratory lap Jan 2009, and had tons of adhesions cut down from my bowel (which had loops stuck to the abdominal wall). No more belly pain! And, able to eat again, which means........weight regain.
My goal was to stay stable at 150 lbs, but I seem to be stabilizing out right about 160 lbs, give or take a few pounds in either direction. I'm ok with that. I think. I guess I have to be, because that's where I seem to be.
Anyway, here I am. Three years post op. It has been a rough trip getting here, and it can be a daily struggle at times. But it was well worth it.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
post op update #2 - wound healing
I had a wound check on Thursday with one of my favorite nurse practitioners. My umbilical incision is healing perfectly. It's the lower incision that isn't doing so great. Do I fault my surgeon? Absolutely not. He did a marvelous job with my tubal.
However, I believe that I am at fault for my delayed wound healing. Why?
I went back to work on post op day #3. I did do some lifting, nothing heavy. I was on my feet for 8 hours. I didn't gradually build back my activity level. My fault. Totally. I should not have gone back to work so soon.
Thus, I split my wound open, and it actively bled.
I also take up to about two weeks to blow the general anesthesia out of my system. I am tired, dizzy, and lightheaded until this happens. I am prone to needing to take 2-3 hr naps during the day time.
Anyhow, the NP opened my wound a little more, and did some digging with hydrogen peroxide and sterile Q tips. Turns out I had some nice blood clots that needed to be worked out of the wound before it could approximate and start to heal from the inside out.
I also was started on antibiotics - something I RARELY take. Just FYI.
I should also mention - I am a slow healer with some of my incisions. I have a history of slow wound healing, and even rejection of suture. It could be the site - were there is excess skin from weight loss (a.k.a. My Pannus).
WARNING! WARNING! PANNUS PICTURE BELOW!!!!
(Note: this is a picture from the web, not my pannus, but looks very much like my very own pannus. Isn't it beautiful?)
Picture from: http://xnet.kp.org/permanentejournal/spr08/TPJSpr08/Spring08bweb-web-images/PreopFig1_fmt.jpeg
It could be that I do not always get optimal amounts of nutrition (from having gastric bypass). I blame none of this on my surgeon. I knew this info, going into an elective surgical procedure. (This is aimed at the anonymous MD commenter from my previous post op post.)
Am I belly aching and moaning and groaning about my complications? Heck no. I'm just blogging. I write about whatever pops in my head. Take it or leave it.
(Oh, and I'm also off of work til Tuesday. Another wound check on Monday, this time with my surgeon.)
Signed,
Your sassy AtYourCervix Nursey Nurse
However, I believe that I am at fault for my delayed wound healing. Why?
I went back to work on post op day #3. I did do some lifting, nothing heavy. I was on my feet for 8 hours. I didn't gradually build back my activity level. My fault. Totally. I should not have gone back to work so soon.
Thus, I split my wound open, and it actively bled.
I also take up to about two weeks to blow the general anesthesia out of my system. I am tired, dizzy, and lightheaded until this happens. I am prone to needing to take 2-3 hr naps during the day time.
Anyhow, the NP opened my wound a little more, and did some digging with hydrogen peroxide and sterile Q tips. Turns out I had some nice blood clots that needed to be worked out of the wound before it could approximate and start to heal from the inside out.
I also was started on antibiotics - something I RARELY take. Just FYI.
I should also mention - I am a slow healer with some of my incisions. I have a history of slow wound healing, and even rejection of suture. It could be the site - were there is excess skin from weight loss (a.k.a. My Pannus).
WARNING! WARNING! PANNUS PICTURE BELOW!!!!
(Note: this is a picture from the web, not my pannus, but looks very much like my very own pannus. Isn't it beautiful?)
Picture from: http://xnet.kp.org/permanentejournal/spr08/TPJSpr08/Spring08bweb-web-images/PreopFig1_fmt.jpeg
It could be that I do not always get optimal amounts of nutrition (from having gastric bypass). I blame none of this on my surgeon. I knew this info, going into an elective surgical procedure. (This is aimed at the anonymous MD commenter from my previous post op post.)
Am I belly aching and moaning and groaning about my complications? Heck no. I'm just blogging. I write about whatever pops in my head. Take it or leave it.
(Oh, and I'm also off of work til Tuesday. Another wound check on Monday, this time with my surgeon.)
Signed,
Your sassy AtYourCervix Nursey Nurse
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Post op update
So..........
I went back to work on post op day #3. Big mistake. My lower incision burst open and was bleeding bright red blood. Had to change my dressing several times. Granted, the incision is only about 3/4 inch, but it wasn't closed with suture. Also, I wasn't doing any heavy lifting at work. Circulated for a c/section (felt like I was going to pass out at one point.....ahhh, the dizziness continues!), and took care of a post op c/section on complete bedrest. Just too much walking around, too soon.
I still have periods of dizziness -- not narcotic related - not taking them during the day at all, just one tab at night for soreness and PRN sleep.
I called off of work yesterday to rest up, and was still having some bleeding from the open incision. The bleeding is less today, and I'm leaving the incision open to air now.
To those of you who have had a tubal - how long did you take off of work afterwards? Do you have a highly physically active job or a sedentary job? Just curious......
I went back to work on post op day #3. Big mistake. My lower incision burst open and was bleeding bright red blood. Had to change my dressing several times. Granted, the incision is only about 3/4 inch, but it wasn't closed with suture. Also, I wasn't doing any heavy lifting at work. Circulated for a c/section (felt like I was going to pass out at one point.....ahhh, the dizziness continues!), and took care of a post op c/section on complete bedrest. Just too much walking around, too soon.
I still have periods of dizziness -- not narcotic related - not taking them during the day at all, just one tab at night for soreness and PRN sleep.
I called off of work yesterday to rest up, and was still having some bleeding from the open incision. The bleeding is less today, and I'm leaving the incision open to air now.
To those of you who have had a tubal - how long did you take off of work afterwards? Do you have a highly physically active job or a sedentary job? Just curious......
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