Surgery on Monday!!!

Hello All,

I'm soooooo happy I have my surgery on Monday morning, i'm pretty nervous but excited for this change in my life. Any suggestions or advice from anyone who has already gotten their surgery??? I'm mostly worried about the post-op process and the pain. Also, how soon did you guys return to work??

Everything you're feeling is so normal! I took pain meds for 3 days and returned to work on day 5 (just because I have a sit down job that's not strenuous). The hardest part for me was getting comfortable sleeping. I'm a side sleeper and it would pull a bit. Other than that, post-op was great.

I'm blessed that everything went great during and after.

I wish you an uneventful surgery and recovery. Let us know how you're doing when you can.

One more thing: You've got this!

-Jan

Thank you so much for your kind words and advice Jan, I also have a sit down job so i'm guessing I should be ok to return to work by the following Monday. I am a stomach sleeper so that might be a little rough for me trying to get comfortable. Thanks again, I will definitely update on my progress!!

If you happen to have a recliner, you might find it works for sleeping the first few days. I would think stomach sleeping would be nearly impossible for a while (I'm a side sleeper so can't say for sure). Best of luck!!

Congrats on your upcoming surgery! It's totally normal to have mixed emotions. I was excited but also nervous as well.

I'm six weeks post op. Walk as much as you can after surgery. Might not feel like doing much the first day, but the second day, will get your intestines working again the more you walk. I was in the hospital for two nights, but wouldn't let me go if I couldn't pass gass so do what you can to get up.

The staff were I had my surgery was amazing. Kept up with my pains meds and what not. It was the gas pain for me that was the most difficult to deal with. I was on morphine on day one, and switched to an oral medication oxycodone the next day (which actually did a better job than morphine). Other than that pain was minimal. I expected to be in more pain regarding my stomach and incisions. It was sore, but it wasn't painful. If not for the gas pains, I might have been able to be without pains meds.

Do your best to get your fluids in. Its tough, but do your best. They will be on you lol

As for work, it varies. Most surgeons will give you 4 to 6 weeks off depending. I've seen people go back 2 to 3 weeks after and they manage, but get home and are exhuasted. If you able to take 4 to 6 weeks off, I'd recommend it. However I know some people financially can't so do what you can.

Good luck with your sugery!

Good luck!

Most people find the pain not too bad at all. The biggest thing you need to do is drink as much as you can, as often as you can. Dehydration is the single biggest issue. Even if you don't feel like drinking, do it anyway!

Best of luck to you. Afterwards;

sip sip sip

gas x strips helped me a lot and walking

my only pain was on incision where tummy was pulled out, but day 3 way better

don't worry about protein intake at beginning just get your liquids in.

I took 2 weeks off, really need 1 week for recovery and the second week learning my new eating

Read this forum for awesome advice and experiences

Most people seem to take 2 weeks off - that seems to be the average.

You'll be tired post-op, so be gentle with yourself. But walk and sip as much as possible. Hydration is your JOB post-op. Treat it accordingly. :)

As for pain, just remember that it's easier to keep ahead of it than to chase it once it's there.

I'm 11 days post op. Use the nurses and such to help you out of bed. Taking my legs and moving them on my own was so painful. I'm thankful I had a pain pump and it was pushed every 10 minutes by me. If I felt I was above a 2 it wasn't going to get out of control. I couldn't have anything to drink for 36 hours after. I used a water swab and that was nice. My chap stick was my savor for dry chapped lips. I did have gas pain, neck and shoulder pain about day 3. But, pretty much gone when I got home. I slept a lot in the hospital and could care less about other things. When I got home I used the couch. The bed wasn't happing! I just moved to the bed like 3 days ago and I wake up sore, and my incisions hate me laying on my side.

All in all it's going to be ok! :) Stay on top of your nausea medication too! Just in case.. you don't want to be throwing up!

Good Luck, and just take care of you!

I'm scheduled for Monday too! Best wishes to you!