Hi Mitzie,
Welcome to the Wrapped Club!
Glad to hear you're out of the hospital. I remember how I felt the morning after the surgery...all I wanted to do was get home. It's so much easier to take care of yourself that be at the mercy of hospital protocol and overworked nurses! There is nothing like getting back to your own bed or couch (or both) in the comfort of your home and family.
Get lots of rest, and be sure to ask any questions that might come up during your recovery. Remember, your recovery is in charge. Just be patient and follow your body's cues. If you can relax into the process and surrender to the recovery process, you'll be much happier and more relaxed. It is the wanting to control the pace and wishing the process was faster that causes stress and discomfort. Expect some discomfort and difficulty swallowing.
Your upper GI tract has undergone a major revision, so it's totally understandable that there will be swallowing issues and spasms. Don't be surprised if your stomach decides to rebel. It's no fun for it to have been pulled and wrapped around your esophagus, then stitched into place. Keep in mind that it was your stomach that was used to create the wrap. That's going to make your stomach angry for a while!
The swelling of the wrap will continue to swell over the first two weeks, to peak at two weeks, then begin to subside. Therefore, your swallowing will get worse before it gets better.
You'll also feel very full when you eat very little. It's because the stomach is swollen, making it stiff. That swelling is interpreted as fullness.
It's all worth it! So glad you're on the other side and beginning your recovery.
Take care,
Denise
