A couple of post op questions.

[Liam]

Had surgery on 12th of June. Had a AVR, and got a tissue valve. Overall recovery has been great, but a couple of points that have been frustrating. Getting the gut to start working as usual. I am not having to use much if any pain medication, but even a little amount of food will make me bloat and feel poorly for a couple of hours. Second question is just how long did you struggle with feeling short of breath. I go on my walks but it feels like I am well on my way to the top Everest without oxygen. I do use the spirometer daily and sleep with a CPAP. Didn't talk with the MD about having any need to change the CPAP setting after surgery. Wonder if people have to do that. Thanks for any insight.

 

[Cooker]

At two weeks out your body has a lot of healing and adjusting to do ... give it time ...

 

[Bryan B]

It might seem like almost 2 weeks would be enough time for the body to sort itself out but it takes longer than that. Even if you're not using much pain meds it still takes awhile for the anesthesia and other meds to get out of your system. The belly should be coming back online soon. It took mine about 2-3 weeks before it totally got back to normal. As far as being short of breath and using a CPAP I would call your doctor and run that by them. I was still a little short of breath at 11 days, but according to my spirometer results my lungs were gaining more capacity with each day. I think part of the feeling of being short of breath is because it is still uncomfortable to take deep breaths. We can do it but unconsciously we may not be taking the deep breaths necessary and feel short of breath. After saying all of that...give it time like Cooker said.. :biggrin2:

 

[AmyR]

Today i am 6 days post op. Stomach is still not the prefect itself for me as well. Shortness of breath not really while just siting but activities makes me feel a lil suffocated. But as bryan said i also feel its the rib cage and tight muscles that avoid u to take a normal full breath. hang in there it should be fine. Give your body time to recover from the torture its been through. All the best.

 

[kimcdougc]

I am now (4) weeks post op and finally not feeling breathless when picking up my stride when walking. It is a slow process so don't lose hope. I to am getting a little frustrated but the people here on this site keep me calm I should say. Give it time. I can feel myself getting better everyday. I still get short of breath going up my 14 stairs - darn it. One foot in front of the other.

 

[Liam]

Thanks for the replies. The SOB is much better I am finding staying away from certain foods -gluten containing bread, dairy and any type of sugared upped treat. Liam

 

[jhc1]

Liam-I'm two weeks post op-while the gut is functioning, I've not had much of an appetite. kind of have to force myself to eat. running less than half normal portions.

 

[Heather Anne]

This is going to sound incredibly shallow, but I've been trying to lose ten pounds for the last three years. I'm loving all this talk of having no appetite post-op! The OHS Diet may work where all else failed!!!

(Okay, don't throw things at me. Especially if they are edible.)

 

[Agian]

You in the waiting room too, huh?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

This is going to sound incredibly shallow, but I've been trying to lose ten pounds for the last three years. I'm loving all this talk of having no appetite post-op! The OHS Diet may work where all else failed!!!

(Okay, don't throw things at me. Especially if they are edible.)

Yes, it's shallow, but also incredibly human!

I lost 7 pounds between admission and discharge. Shocked the heck out of me because I am usually the one who gains weight just by walking past the bakery.

I am 3 weeks post-discharge and the pounds have not reappeared but the appetite finally has. However, I now need to transition myself back to eating in a more normal manner. While I have been eating 5 small meals with protien, I have also been drinking a lot of fruit juice and dressings and dips. Now I need to start cutting back.
Best of luck to you. -- Suzanne

 

[kimcdougc]

I lost 12 pounds 5 weeks post op and still haven't gained it back. I could still lose a few more pounds myself. I am eating regular and all is good. I hope with my increased walking (that I finally am able to do after 10 years of warnings of not doing heavy exercise) I will be able to drop a few more pounds!

 

[Heather Anne]

Kim and Suzanne, you are making this surgery sound better and better. An extra 40 years of living and skinnier, too? Sign me up! (Oh, wait....I already am).

Agian -- That post is brilliant. Are you in the waiting room? It'll be nice to share the space with someone so delightfully witty. (I'm up on August 5).

Liam -- I'm glad your gut is better, and it sounds like you're eating healthier, which will serve you well in the long run. Good luck!

 

[dwhist]

I unfortuantley did not lose any weight from AVR surgery. But at 10 weeks I went in for emergency surgery to take fluid out from around heart. I think I was about 205 when I went in. Maybe a little more due to fluid buildup. My normal weight before AVR surgery was 205 to 210. It is a new hospital with beds with built in scales so the nurses are carefull on how many pillows and sheets are on when the check the scale. On day 3 I had a nurse who was not the greatest. She seemed to be in a huury and she weighed me and said I was down to 164. I looked at her and said that could not be right and she replied "well you were 184 yesterday". I had to argue with her to redo the weight and after a few minutes she came up with the 205.

I only wish I was down to the 164. Heck I would take the 184.

 

[Rachel]

I lost weight after OHS too, but I didn't have much to lose to begin with so unfortunately I looked like a POW….. but I can understand and appreciate the humor of the “OHS diet”….and I loved your post Again – funny!

 

[Agian]

Agian -- That post is brilliant. Are you in the waiting room? It'll be nice to share the space with someone so delightfully witty. (I'm up on August 5).

It would be a pleasure. However, I'm not due for another 2-3 years. I'd rather get it over and done with.