Yet another speed bump?

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Duffey and Lyn, I am watching my weight on a digital scale - daily and at about the same time. I have been fairly consistent except for an abrupt gain of 1 lb. yesterday AM, 0.6 lb. of which I lost as of today. Over all weight is close to my pre0-surgical weight, although my ankles are visibly swollen. My first guess is that the pound or more iw right at the ankles, but I am keeping a close eye on other breathing issues. I have a follow-up appointment with my surgeon next Thursday, unless things get worse before that.
 
Hmmm.... Puffy Ankles (do you do the Thumb Impression on the Shin test?), difficulty breathing, and can's sleep except with your upper body vertical ? Those aren't good signs right after surgery.

I'd want to be evaluated by a DOCTOR (your PCP, Cardio, or Surgeon), just to make sure you don't have fluid around your heart or in your lungs. Those issues can get Serious FAST. I sure wouldn't want something serious to develop over the Weekend (i.e. if you aren't better Thursday, get an appointment to be seen Thurs or Friday).

Better to be SAFE than Sorry!

'AL Capshaw'
 
Steve,

Sorry you have had these speed bumps. I don't have anything profound to offer, just my best wishes and prayers.

Will note that I slept in a recliner for quite a long time after surgery. I had something like the "sleep fear" you mention, which could have been related to anxiety or could have had something to do with the body adjusting. However, I believe I did sleep with the recliner cranked down a bit whereas you say you are having to go with it fully upright so I don't know about that.

I remember how frustrating the weight thing was -- thought I'd at least get a nice weight loss out of the surgery and instead had to closely watch for any gain.

You are well-informed and are aware of all this, and that's good. Just wanted to say I'm thinking of you and sending my best vibes.
 
Al and Bob - My ankle swelling has gone down some with activity. Longer walks have seemed to help, as I have lost a pound (the one I gained since surgery) in the last two days, so I am back to my weight immediately post-surgery. Absolutely no trouble breathing all day, even with activity (lots of stairs in our house) , so I'm hopeful this is a transitory thing. I sleep well at night, just have been afraid to recline my backrest much - will try to do so tonight and test the result. My surgeon's assistant is, thus far, not worried, although we are continuing lasix and potassium for another week. I can live for a while with things as-is, but if I note any further detrioration I'll be on the phone pronto.
 
Steve,

I had my surgery about a week after you did (3/8/11), and I am experiencing some sleeping problems myself. I've been home for three days from the hospital and I think I've slept good only one night. Last night I think I got about 2 hours of sleep. I'm like....what is this? When I left the hospital on March 14th, I weighed 223lbs (200lbs pre-surgery). I am now down to 217lbs as of this morning. I am also continuing to keep up with my inspirometer and walking program. I'm able to get my inspirometer up to 2000mL of inspired volume as of today. That's up from only about 1000mL in the hospital (those damn chest tubes felt like knives in my side), but certainly short of the 4000mL I did before my surgery.

I don't know if my sleeping problems are related to the fact that I can now feel my heart pumping louder or stronger than before, so there might be some sort of an adjustment period for that. We'll see.

Just keep plugging away at it and I hope you feel better real soon.

James
 
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