Question:
I read some exerps from a bypass surgery book, someones personal story...
She was talking about the 4 days following the surgery, the horendous pain, the trouble with the mucus and crap in her lungs, how horrible that first week was......Somebody please tell me that this is NOT the norm, Ive read alot of stuff to be prepared and I need to hear more about the actually surgery day and the few days following.......thks! — ka11e (posted on June 30, 2007)
June 30, 2007
No, this is not the norm, but it can happen. That is why they encourage
you to get up and walk, most of the time on the first day. And when they
give you the Inspiration exerciser and tell you to use it at least 10x and
hour, that is a good thing.
After surgeries or if you are bed ridden you don't usually breathe as deep
as you normally would. This little gadget will help you do that and in
return you should not get the build up of mucous and things in your lungs.
As for the pain...we all tolerate pain differently. I had open RNY and
after the first 36 hrs it was tolerable just needed some liquid pain meds
"loratab" occasionally.
I have read but don't know from experience that those with Lap RNY will
sometimes have lingering pain in shoulder and chest from the gas that they
use to do whatever it is they do in there.
Good Luck with your Journey!
— CarolynK
June 30, 2007
Hello, my RNY laproscopic surgery was almost 3 months ago, and I only had
1 slight problem and that was the gas pain from when they fill your inerds
during surgery. I really think it depends on if you have open or
laproscopic. I was up walking 6 hours after surgery, and went home the next
day. 4 days after, I went shopping with family to kmart, Target and Cub.
Only used a wheelchair at the last stop. I have had no other problems since
surgery and lost almost 40 lbs!!!!! Also, on the TLC cable channel, Mon.
nights, their is a program called Obesity Clinic, I watch it and it is very
good. Good luck!!!
— LaurieP
June 30, 2007
I put off this surgery for more than 5 years due to an on-line blog I read
from a person who had a terrible recovery. He said there was no way he
could have recuperated without someone's help. Since I live alone this was
scary and the pain he described was horrendous. When I decided to do it
this April and read the postings here on OH, I was amazed at how many
people seemed to do just fine. Then I found another women who also
recuperated on her own and I was sold. I had open RNY on 6/18/07. My
recuperation has been very easy and I did it at home by myself. I was
miserable immediately post-op and the next day as well. I think most of the
misery was due to the anesthesia and not being able to wake up and move.
However, I did walk the evening of surgery and the next day and didn't
experience the terrible gas pains many write about. I dreaded the upper GI
the first day post op because everyone said the liquid you have to drink is
nasty. I didn't ask for seconds, but it wasn't that bad. Having to take a
gulp of it instead of sips made me nauseous, but it passed really quickly
(30 seconds?). Yes, you are supposed to cough and you will naturally have
the urge and yes it hurts, but you can do little coughs and that's
bearable. I went home from the hospital the morning of the 2nd day post-op
(cab ride). Once at home I took no pain killers - I simply had no pain that
I felt the medicine would solve, except for knee pain which is unrelated
and did kind of hinder my ability to get up and down and to walk much. By
the 5th day post-op I was regularly getting in 110 g protein and 6-8 cups
of water each day plus chewable vitamins. It became easier to do as I
stopped snoozing so much; the more the anesthesia worked its way out of my
system the longer I was alert and could sip, sip, sip. One week after
surgery I was at the Y on the treadmill and walked a mile. I've gone to
the Y every day and am up to 1.75 miles in 30 minutes and looking forward
to getting released for additional exercise on Monday when I have my first
post-op check up. Balance your fears of the short-term pain against the
long-term pain of obesity -- now that's a mind game that should work for
you! Godd luck in your decision making!
— cleo66
June 30, 2007
hi,
I am almost 5 weeks out and sorry to say but it was the norm for me.
— Alvernlaw
June 30, 2007
well my first week was horrible but not from the pain but from the caffien
withdrawals because dummy head didn't quit caffien before her surgery! i
went through some discomfort but nothing that wasn't intolerable..more like
a petty annoyance but i didn't need painkillers...i had one little coughing
episode the first night but that was it....just make sure you at least sit
up even if it's just for a few minutes and by the second day you'll be so
bored youre going to want to walk around!
— lizzie42
June 30, 2007
Hi, I am five years out. I had mine Lap RNY and had absolutely had no
problems. Went to surgery on Thursday and went home Saturday mornning.
Yes, I was a bit sleepy, but then I got a lot of energy and I have lost 150
pounds and have beenable to maintain that loss all this time. I wouldn't
have cared if I would have pain. to gain a whole new life is so great.
— Sherrie S.
June 30, 2007
well anything can happen, see my profile I will be 6 years out in july time
sure flies. surgery monday morning home wednesday morning started walking
in neighborhood, walked over a mile on my one week anniversary:) get LAP
surgery it minimizes pain and incisional hernia risk. WLS THE BEST DECISION
I EVER MADE IN MY LIFE!!!
— bob-haller
June 30, 2007
No not normal at all! I had lap bypass and had only gas pain for like the
first few hours after surgery, but everytime I felt it coming on, I got up
and walked and within 30 seconds it was gone. One good walk up and down
the hallway and all is well, plus it helped with getting me more mobile
after surgery and my body hurt from laying in the bed all day, so it was a
nice change to get up and walk as much as I did. Impressed the nurses on
the floor I walked so much and my surgeon loved it! Good luck and God
Bless!
— crystalsno
June 30, 2007
That was not true at all for me. I had my surgery on Jan 18 2007 ,when i
woke up i was wondering what or if my surgeon did anything, And with every
passing day it just was better and better,,, Everyone is differant and i
know that you will do great. I did everything that the doctor told me to do
...... As long as you follow the orders you will be fine. Do not let
anything scare you out of it, it is the best thing that ever happenend to
me. Good-luck and lets us know what happens,,you will do great!!!!!!
— M. Moore
June 30, 2007
I've had 15 surgeries in my lifetime and every recovery has been a
different one. Of those 15, I've had 4 abdominal laparascopic ones
including my RNY, the most recent being a week ago yesterday to remove my
gall bladder. Each recovery was different than the last abdominal surgery.
With my RNY, I had quite a bit of pain and nausea the first week but after
that it all passed and I was doing splendidly shortly after that. With the
gall bladder this past week, I went shopping on my way home from the
hospital and was up and around within two days although I did have some
significant pain at one incision in particular. Every experience is
different for every person, so taking one person's word for it isn't
accurate. Good luck and hope this helps.,
— oceanrayne
June 30, 2007
For me... I pressed the morophine button anytime I felt pain, I was asleep
most of the time and up and walking when I wasn't asleep. Also using the
lung thing cause I did have a horrible problem with the mucus.
— Silkie
June 30, 2007
Everyone's experience/adventure is different; mine journey was nothing like
what you described. I had an amazing recovery.....my stay in the hospital
(for what it was) was enjoyable. My only issues: when I woke up they had
given me pain medication (deluaded - sp?) that made me very ill - nauseau.
I asked the nurse for something else, they changed the med and seriously
1/2 hr. later I felt human and fine. Sure I had pain after surgery - would
I say horendous pain....no. I had pain like I just had surgery. Take your
pain meds and everything should be OK.
— jammerz
June 30, 2007
Hi Kallie, thanks for writing. You are very brave to look into the
negative things that can happen in surgery. Things do happen in any
surgery. Some people go in with very serious health issues and have a lot
of complications. People have gone in healthier than myself and also lost
their life to a blood clot or some other issue that came up. It is right,
in my opinion, to respect those who have had this surgery and not made it
or have suffered with grave complications, by reading some of their stories
and listening to what happened. Before I had wls, I went on this site and
read every memorial that was there to respect them for their surgery. It
put a healthy respect in my heart for what might happen to me. I think you
are doing the right thing. There are many who have different struggles.
You need to be sure that your surgeon is a seasoned surgeon, well
experienced with this surgery and what his complication rate is. If it is
high, you need another surgeon, if you think he is lying, you need another
surgeon. You need one with a good reputation and one your can talk with
honestly. The answer to your question is that recovery is hard after wls.
We are still very obese, we have incisions, and it is most uncomfortable.
I, personally, took morphine for just about 2 or 3 days, then came
completely off it. I was uncomfortable, but I would not say that I had
real bad pain. Pain pills were enough for me. I was walking in less than
24 hours, and as hard as it was to get around, by God's amazing grace, I
was beginning my journey with wls. There is pain with recovery, but many
do not have what you are describing above. There are many success stories.
Mine started with God's amazing grace, and continued with a superior
surgeon. You can also prepare your body for surgery by walking now, not
smoking or drinking (forever by the way), drink water and get rid of
caffine and carbonation, and strengthen your upper body to support your
lower body. Do these things with exercise, be sure of your surgeon, and
that your relationship with God is a Biblical and sound one, then you have
prepared for surgery to the best of your ability. Take care, and I wish
you well. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
June 30, 2007
I had surgery last Aug. There was some pain, but nothing compared to
child-birth.....The worst pain for me was when I decided I was bored at 2
weeks out and scrubbed my bathroom, I reinjured my liver which was still
healing from the liver biopsy. It was painful for a couple days, but I did
it to myself! I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was the best thing I
could have done for myself. I am down about 90 lbs and will be one year in
about 2 months. I feel great and never thought I could look like this
again....email if you'd like....
— andrealej
July 1, 2007
I had an open RNY on 6/18. I have not had any problems. Discomfort would
describe it best. I still have my g tube (until Tuesday). I would say
even that is not a problem. I would say the best defense against
complications is a doctor who knows what he/she is doing. This surgery is
a high income surgery for the hospitals. There are a lot of doctors doing
them, but find one who has been doing it a long time. Also, be sure to
follow their instructions to a tee. You will do fine.
— Debbi S.
July 1, 2007
sounds like a smoker
— DonnaB.
July 1, 2007
IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE PERSON.I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR MY OPEN RNY FOR 6
DAYS.I HAD UNCONTROLING PHLEM COMMING UP.I WAS REAL BAD.DIDNT THINK I WOULD
GET OVER IT.IM 5 YRS OUT THIS MONTH AND I STILL DUMP,AND STILL HAVE PHLEM
COMMING OUT.I LOST 120LBS AND GAINED 20 BACK.SOMETIMES I WISH I COULD UNDO
THE SURGERY AND HAVE A NORMAL STOMACH BACK.
— deb44m
July 1, 2007
First I'd like to say there is a huge difference between laprascopic
surgery and open surgery. Laprascopic has a couple small incisions, Where I
had open and I was cut from my breast line down near my belly button. So Um
yeah I was a bit uncomfortable BUT I was NOT in horrendous pain. And I
wasn't even taking pain killers. I was sore, but that was about it. What is
important is how well you take care of yourself before, during, and after
surgery. I had a slight cough, but no mucous. That was just my lungs just
trying to get back to normal after the anesthesia. I learned to press a
pillow tightly against me while I coughed to minimize the discomfort. I was
given this elastic wrap (a thick/wide elastic velcro belt type thingy)
which I treasured and continuously wore for my first 2 weeks. It not only
gave me a feeling of security but it also minimized my discomfort. Another
thing I was 498 lbs, prior to surgery. So I was quite big, and learning how
to lie and sit without flopping, and get up while trying to minimize my
discomfort was always the biggest issue for me. I also slept with feather
pillows up against me and half way laid my tummy on them to provide
security and comfort while I slept. Walking is definitely they key, it
speeds up your healing process, as well as doubling up on your vitamin
intakes weeks prior to surgery will always help build up your immunities
and the ability to heal faster. It worked for me.
The day of surgery is your worst day in my opinion. Let's be real here.
That is when you wake up and and you are hit with the reality of it. So you
have to re-adjust and learn to sit, lie, turn, bend, and walk in ways to
minimize your discomfort. Every new day it get better for you, and thats
what you must let your mind focus on. How the next day will be much better
for you. A postive outlook is essential to your healing process as well.
Even if you don't realize it.
Now, not everyones pain tolerance is on the same level. Let us use an
example...How does it feel to get a shot in your arm? To me, slight sting
it's over. To some, OH MY GOD THAT HURT! See the difference. Now of course
a shot is nothing like surgery, but the response is still the same.
Do NOT let someone else's horror stories deter you from your goal. Remember
to keep a positive outlook, and take care of you. Physically and Mentally.
Good luck to you on Journey!
— [Deactivated Member]
July 1, 2007
That is definately not the norm- The first week peppermint tea, n sugar
Italian lemon ice and sugar free popsicles tasted the best due to the
ketosis changing my taste but I was up walking within 12 hours of surgery
and the next day had the IV and foley out and was walking the halls
multiple times a day and visiting those from my preop class who had surgery
the same day- went on 48 hours after surgery. That was almost 15 mos ago.
Good Luck Donna 286/134
— dabby
July 1, 2007
Kalle,
This is not the norm. I had surgery on a Tuesday, discharged from the
hospital on a Thursday and driving that following Friday. The surgeon I
had was excellent -- after the first day -- I had very little pain --
discomfort yes, pain that I'd consider excruciating NONE! For a few days I
couldn't lay down and would sleep prompted up like I did in the hospital.
I had a good surgeon because my pain tolerance in VERY LOW.
You will be fine -- stay positive before, during, and after the process.
Any concerns about surgical pain after the procedure, direct them to your
surgeon and ask what are their pain management processes.
— the7thdean
July 4, 2007
No, this is not the norm. the key is getting out of bed as soon as
possible.
— Novashannon
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