Re: Nick 17 years old awaiting surgery (questions)

[Guest guest]

Hi Nick- I do remember you.I have a son now 15 who has had lapro.

When he had the surgery he felt very little discomfort! He was up

and doing very well.He took a few advil/tylenol after the first day

home and then he was fine. As far as the scars-His can barely be

seen.ONce he gets a little body hair they will be non visable : )

Thye are very small, almost like a half of a inch each.No big deal

at all.You will still look great in your swimming trunks if thats

what your wondering about.lol

Diet-You will be soft foods for about 4-6 weeks.Dont rush the

steak,time will allow it soon enough.

Exercise- Ummm you may wanna ask about thaT.I owuld say maybe not

for a few months cause things are still healing on the inside.I know

for it was a few months before sports again and such.

Your gonna be in great hands! Dr Patti is a awesome Dr from what I

hear from his patients here.Highly experienced and thats what you

need.

Please let us know how your doing afterwards ok.If ya want to talk

to my son before hand he would be happy too.He has the myspace thing

he could even get on that if you like.Hes very helpful to others

when they are getting ready for this surgery.

Take care and speedy recovery!

Tonia in Va

>

> Hey everyone! I'm not sure if anyone remembers me, but I have been

> really keeping up with almost every post on this forum and it has

> helped me a ton. I would have posted this message sooner, but for

> some reason wouldnt let me enter this group page because of

my

> age. So I could only read the posts on my email.

> Anyway, I'm scheduled for the Heller Myotomy with the

> fundoplication in 5 days. My Dr. is Marco Patti. By the way if

> Caroline is reading this, my mom has been wanting to thank you for

> mentioning my name to him and probably getting me in sooner. Shes

> going to probably write you a big thank you letter really soon, so

> get ready! haha.

> I've been pretty calm about the whole surgery thing, but I

just

> had a few questions if someone would like to give me their

feedback...

>

> 1. I know I will have a few scars around my stomach and such, but

> will they disappear a lot over time?

>

> 2. When I wake up after the surgery am I going to feel a lot of

pain?

> Where at? To what degree? eg. will it feel like I just got hit by

a

> truck?

>

> 3. I think Dr. Patti said something about a soft diet after

surgery

> for about two weeks, does that sound right? How long do you think

it

> will take me to eat a steak?

>

> 4. Last one, when do you think I will be able to weight left. I'm

> talking exercises like bench press and squats.

>

> Thanks a lot guys!

>

> -Nick

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Nick,

Just to add to Tonia's great post, one thing you might

want to keep in mind is that anesthesia has two parts.

They give us one drug to knock us out and another,

Vercid, to make us forget. I wake up after surgery and

ask a lot of questions and then completely forget the

whole event. It can be a bit disorienting, but it

passes quickly.

You will be given pain medications which will help a

lot. When I woke up, after the Vercid wore off,

mostly, I felt a kind of pressure in my stomach but

the pain meds were still working.

Some people think you should tough it out and not take

pain meds. I don't share that opinion. We have done

our share of physical suffering, thank you very much,

and I don't see the point of enduring pain to develop

my character. That's what hard work is for. It's far

easier to keep pain in check than treat it once it

becomes unbearable. You won't become a junkie because

you give higher numbers when they ask " On a scale of

one to ten, how do you rate your pain? "

Good luck and best wishes.

Dan

--- lostwonka1 <lostwonka1@...> wrote:

> Hey everyone! I'm not sure if anyone remembers me,

> but I have been

> really keeping up with almost every post on this

> forum and it has

> helped me a ton. I would have posted this message

> sooner, but for

> some reason wouldnt let me enter this group

> page because of my

> age. So I could only read the posts on my email.

> Anyway, I'm scheduled for the Heller Myotomy

> with the

> fundoplication in 5 days. My Dr. is Marco Patti. By

> the way if

> Caroline is reading this, my mom has been wanting to

> thank you for

> mentioning my name to him and probably getting me in

> sooner. Shes

> going to probably write you a big thank you letter

> really soon, so

> get ready! haha.

> I've been pretty calm about the whole surgery

> thing, but I just

> had a few questions if someone would like to give me

> their feedback...

>

> 1. I know I will have a few scars around my stomach

> and such, but

> will they disappear a lot over time?

>

> 2. When I wake up after the surgery am I going to

> feel a lot of pain?

> Where at? To what degree? eg. will it feel like I

> just got hit by a

> truck?

>

> 3. I think Dr. Patti said something about a soft

> diet after surgery

> for about two weeks, does that sound right? How long

> do you think it

> will take me to eat a steak?

>

> 4. Last one, when do you think I will be able to

> weight left. I'm

> talking exercises like bench press and squats.

>

> Thanks a lot guys!

>

> -Nick

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

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[Guest guest]

Nick wrote:

> 1. I know I will have a few scars around my stomach and such, but

> will they disappear a lot over time?

>

At first you can fool people and tell them they are bullet wounds. But

shortly and they probably won't be noticeable.

> 2. When I wake up after the surgery am I going to feel a lot of pain?

>

When I woke up I was sore but it was not as bad as some other sources of

pain I have had. I could easily deal with the pain. I was hooked up to a

morphine pump and could push a button for more anytime I wanted an extra

dose and as long as I wasn't overdosed it would give me more. I didn't

push the button and they were concerned that I would be so uncomfortable

that the pain would cause me to not breath as deep as I should. If you

don't breath deep enough it is easier to get a lung infection so they

want your lungs functioning well as soon as possible. Studies have shown

that more pain medication reduces lung infections after surgery.

After surgery following an injury, even though I was so drugged I

couldn't think right, I was still begging for more pain medication. The

pain from the myotomy was nothing like that.

> 3. I think Dr. Patti said something about a soft diet after surgery

> for about two weeks,

I was on soft for two weeks and then i could eat whatever I wanted.

> How long do you think it will take me to eat a steak?

If you don't spend much time chewing, about a minute, but wait until

after the two weeks of soft food. ;-) The day after my two weeks of soft

food was Thanksgiving day and I enjoyed a little of everything there. I

do mean little. It didn't take much to fill me after the surgery. Don't

expect to completely eat a 20 oz stake with sides any time soon.

> 4. Last one, when do you think I will be able to weight left.

You need to tell your doctor how much you lift. This is important. At

first I was told that I would be restricted on lifting for two weeks and

I could go back to work then. When I told my doctor that I often lift

equipment that weighs over a hundred pounds I was told not to go back to

work for six weeks. This is in spite of the fact that I was told most

people are restricted to lifting things under ten pounds in the first

two weeks but the doctor was confident that I could easily lift twice

that with no problem in those first two weeks.

notan

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for the feedback guys I really appreciate it!

From what I have read it doesn't seem like there is that much pain

involved, or at least the pain I do endure will be when I'm knocked out

or can't remember.

Thre only real thing I am concerned about at this point is

baseball season, which starts on Friday.(the day the surgery is.) So I

guess I'm just going to have to play it by ear when I will be able to

return to that.

Thanks again for the fast replies everyone!

-Nick

[Guest guest]

Nick,

Don't do any working out that is not approved by your doctor. But as

a point of reference I had a lap procedure the Monday before

Thanksgiving, was back on a treadmill in 10 day, lifting by New year,

and snowboarding by the end of January. However I was in very good

shape before the surgery, but I also was 44 years old.

As for pain, it wasn't too bad unless I laughed or coughed, and I'm

sure sneezing would not be pleasant either. They sent me home with

some drugs (Perkaset or Demoral) but I never needed to take them.

>

> Hey everyone! I'm not sure if anyone remembers me, but I have been

> really keeping up with almost every post on this forum and it has

> helped me a ton. I would have posted this message sooner, but for

> some reason wouldnt let me enter this group page because of my

> age. So I could only read the posts on my email.

> Anyway, I'm scheduled for the Heller Myotomy with the

> fundoplication in 5 days. My Dr. is Marco Patti. By the way if

> Caroline is reading this, my mom has been wanting to thank you for

> mentioning my name to him and probably getting me in sooner. Shes

> going to probably write you a big thank you letter really soon, so

> get ready! haha.

> I've been pretty calm about the whole surgery thing, but I just

> had a few questions if someone would like to give me their feedback...

>

> 1. I know I will have a few scars around my stomach and such, but

> will they disappear a lot over time?

>

> 2. When I wake up after the surgery am I going to feel a lot of pain?

> Where at? To what degree? eg. will it feel like I just got hit by a

> truck?

>

> 3. I think Dr. Patti said something about a soft diet after surgery

> for about two weeks, does that sound right? How long do you think it

> will take me to eat a steak?

>

> 4. Last one, when do you think I will be able to weight left. I'm

> talking exercises like bench press and squats.

>

> Thanks a lot guys!

>

> -Nick

>

[Guest guest]

Astrid Bonemeijer <astrid_bonemeijer@...> wrote: . . . they put some gas in your belly to create more room. They take it out again after surgery, but it is possible not everything comes out. In that case, you could experience some discomfort form that. ,___ I had the pain in my upper back and neck. I asked the nurse for a heating pad and that did the trick. I had bad reactions to morphine during previous surgeries so asked that I not be hooked up to any pain killers. As it turned out, I didn't need any!!! Pam

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[Guest guest]

Nick,

Yes, they will inject CO2 in you body during lap surgery, I was told

it is to create an air space so the camera can see clearly and the Dr

has room to work. It did not cause any discomfort, but my skin on my

shoulders felt like bubble-wrap for a day or 2 after - kind of cool

actually. I remember feeling the air sometimes escape through the

corners of my eyes (tear ducts ?). Then there is the big surprise -

you may get a sudden burst of air when you urinate, like a bubble in a

garden hose, and if you are standing this is messy. The Dr. said it

was normal, but he didn't warn me in advance so I jumped the first

time it happend and the sudden movement caused a lot of ab pain. I

quickly learned that peeing is more comfortable if you sit down for

the first week; less stress on the abs.

. . . they put

some gas in your belly to create more room. They take it out again

after surgery, but it is possible not everything comes out. In that

case, you could experience some discomfort form that.

>

> ,___

> I had the pain in my upper back and neck. I asked the nurse for a

heating pad and that did the trick. I had bad reactions to morphine

during previous surgeries so asked that I not be hooked up to any pain

killers. As it turned out, I didn't need any!!!

>

> Pam

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile.

Try it now.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Nick,

This reminds me of something, just a practical thing. Should you have to cough or sneeze, it is good to take a pillow and press it to your chest. It "absorbes" the shocks a bit. I also had a pillow with me when my husband drove me home after the surgery. This helped if we were crossing a bump or anything similar.

Don't worry and good luck!

Astrid

Re: Nick 17 years old awaiting surgery (questions)

Nick,Don't do any working out that is not approved by your doctor. But asa point of reference I had a lap procedure the Monday beforeThanksgiving, was back on a treadmill in 10 day, lifting by New year,and snowboarding by the end of January. However I was in very goodshape before the surgery, but I also was 44 years old.As for pain, it wasn't too bad unless I laughed or coughed, and I'msure sneezing would not be pleasant either. They sent me home withsome drugs (Perkaset or Demoral) but I never needed to take them.>> Hey everyone! I'm not sure if anyone remembers me, but I have been > really keeping up with almost every post on this forum and it has > helped me a ton. I would have

posted this message sooner, but for > some reason wouldnt let me enter this group page because of my > age. So I could only read the posts on my email.> Anyway, I'm scheduled for the Heller Myotomy with the > fundoplication in 5 days. My Dr. is Marco Patti. By the way if > Caroline is reading this, my mom has been wanting to thank you for > mentioning my name to him and probably getting me in sooner. Shes > going to probably write you a big thank you letter really soon, so > get ready! haha.> I've been pretty calm about the whole surgery thing, but I just > had a few questions if someone would like to give me their feedback...> > 1. I know I will have a few scars around my stomach and such, but > will they disappear a lot over time?> > 2. When I wake up after the surgery am I going to feel a lot of pain? > Where at? To what degree? eg.

will it feel like I just got hit by a > truck?> > 3. I think Dr. Patti said something about a soft diet after surgery > for about two weeks, does that sound right? How long do you think it > will take me to eat a steak?> > 4. Last one, when do you think I will be able to weight left. I'm > talking exercises like bench press and squats.> > Thanks a lot guys!> > -Nick>

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[Guest guest]

mmacera2000 wrote:

> ... my skin on my

> shoulders felt like bubble-wrap for a day or 2 after - ... feeling the air

sometimes escape through the

> corners of my eyes (tear ducts ?). ... a sudden burst of air when you urinate,

Just goes to show how things can be so different from patient to

patient. I had no effects from the gas. No pain, nothing.

notan

[Guest guest]

Hey Astrid,

The one with the pillow sounds great! I will put that on my need-to-

bring-with-me-list too! Iff you have more tips.....??

from Holland

> >

> > Hey everyone! I'm not sure if anyone remembers me, but I have

been

> > really keeping up with almost every post on this forum and it has

> > helped me a ton. I would have posted this message sooner, but for

> > some reason wouldnt let me enter this group page because of

my

> > age. So I could only read the posts on my email.

> > Anyway, I'm scheduled for the Heller Myotomy with the

> > fundoplication in 5 days. My Dr. is Marco Patti. By the way if

> > Caroline is reading this, my mom has been wanting to thank you

for

> > mentioning my name to him and probably getting me in sooner. Shes

> > going to probably write you a big thank you letter really soon,

so

> > get ready! haha.

> > I've been pretty calm about the whole surgery thing, but I just

> > had a few questions if someone would like to give me their

feedback...

> >

> > 1. I know I will have a few scars around my stomach and such, but

> > will they disappear a lot over time?

> >

> > 2. When I wake up after the surgery am I going to feel a lot of

pain?

> > Where at? To what degree? eg. will it feel like I just got hit by

a

> > truck?

> >

> > 3. I think Dr. Patti said something about a soft diet after

surgery

> > for about two weeks, does that sound right? How long do you think

it

> > will take me to eat a steak?

> >

> > 4. Last one, when do you think I will be able to weight left. I'm

> > talking exercises like bench press and squats.

> >

> > Thanks a lot guys!

> >

> > -Nick

> >

>

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> Be a better friend, newshound, and

> know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

>

[Guest guest]

Sports type underwear with no boning, hooks etc.etc. for the trip home. My holes were higher up, but I'd think for lap surgeries, that is more comfy also. Chap stick.. keep your glasses with you in pre-op so they will be taken to you in recovery or sooner than any guest can bring them to you if you don't see well. Not being able to see in pre op and recovery right away is not fun. Bring loose elastic waist clothes to go home as seems like they put so many fluids in that you may likely come home heavier. (kiss your skinny days goodbye)

Maybe figure out the phone system to call out before you are back in your room. I couldn't figure out how to make calls after surgery and w/ drugs. (But really didn't care to make any, drugs were kind of fun on their own sometimes.)

Sandy> > >> > > Hey everyone! I'm not sure if anyone remembers me, but I have > been > > > really keeping up with almost every post on this forum and it has > > > helped me a ton. I would have posted this message sooner, but for > > > some reason wouldnt let me enter this group page because of > my > > > age. So I could only read the posts on my email.> > > Anyway, I'm scheduled for the Heller Myotomy with the > > > fundoplication in 5 days. My Dr. is Marco Patti. By the way if > > > Caroline is reading this, my mom has been wanting to thank you > for > > > mentioning my name to him and probably getting me in sooner. Shes > > > going to probably write you a big thank you letter really soon, > so > > > get ready! haha.> > > I've been pretty calm about the whole surgery thing, but I just > > > had a few questions if someone would like to give me their > feedback...> > > > > > 1. I know I will have a few scars around my stomach and such, but > > > will they disappear a lot over time?> > > > > > 2. When I wake up after the surgery am I going to feel a lot of > pain? > > > Where at? To what degree? eg. will it feel like I just got hit by > a > > > truck?> > > > > > 3. I think Dr. Patti said something about a soft diet after > surgery > > > for about two weeks, does that sound right? How long do you think > it > > > will take me to eat a steak?> > > > > > 4. Last one, when do you think I will be able to weight left. I'm > > > talking exercises like bench press and squats.> > > > > > Thanks a lot guys!> > > > > > -Nick> > >> > > > > > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________________> ______________> > Be a better friend, newshound, and > > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ> >>