New Post Op checking in..........

I am back home and boy oh boy am I bloated and belching a lot. Plus I am having bladder spasms. I was told all of this will go away in a few days. I have the abdominal drain for about another week---and its a real nuisance but I see its necessity. Its too complicated trying to shower with it and not get it wet----so I will not be showering daily for the next week. I had warned my other half Greg that when having post op discomfort I will be likely short tempered as bossy. Plus I have no idea what I said in the recovery room coming down off the anesthesia. Luckily my angel Faye was there to explain things better for him- letting him know its the anesthesia or pain talking---not the real me. I know technically I am on the losing side but in reality I have gained at least 10 pounds from the IV fluids. My fingers were fat little sausages this morning. I have not had any real sleep since the night before surgery. I had Ambien last night at the hospital and it didn't work!?! It's weird being exhausted but not tired or able to sleep. I am a stomach sleeper and must be on my back for the next few weeks oh well This too shall pass. I have been on clear liquids and have been compliant with this no problem. I have no appetite and the idea or sight food seems very ordinary to me currently. It doesn't bother me to see others eating or have food around me. I hope all of my January buddies are faring well. I will check in later and give more updates on my journey on to my profile---but i must get some rest now that I am home sweet home. Hugs, Karen

Karen, welcome home! It sounds like everything went really smoothly, which is great. I've heard a recliner is very helpful those first couple of evenings home for sleeping if you have one. Get some rest and let us know how you're progressing when you're up to it. Lisa

I was wondering about the drains that everyone is talking about and how painfull it is when they are removed. Does everyone get a drain put in, or is it only for the open RNY? And what about the pain? They give you morphine and other meds, so the morphine isn't strong enough for some people. Just getting kinda scared i'm on the 23rd. Good to hear you're home and doing well. take care of yourself karen.

I understand most if not all surgeons use a drain for the RNY. I had the laproscopic RNY and will have the drain until about Wed 1/25. My surgeon tends to keep it in for a week at least depending on amount of drainage. Some surgeons remove it before you are discharged from the hospital. I am not sure what its like yet to have it pulled out but I would say the gas pressure and gas pain is worse than any discomfort I have had from the drain. It may not be for the weak stomached folks though because a clear watery bloody drainage is what to expect given my surgeon keeps it in a little while you have to empty the drain and measure contents and report back the amount to the surgeon. You could get someone close to you empty the drain if needed. Its not to complicated. I will report back what the drain removal process was like. As long as I do not look when its removed- I anticipate it will be only mildly uncomfortable. Same with the multiple injections for IVs and blood draws at the hospital---if I don't look when they are doing it---it doesn't seem to bother me too much. Best wishes Erica on the 23rd. IMO What temporary discomforts exist from the surgery will be well worth the benefits of the surgery. Karen

Karen, Congratulations on your surgery. Having the drain removed is not painful.. Just a quick little pain. It is more of a relief. But it is very quick and welcome. The bloating and weight gain ,I guess are normal. I gained 6 pounds while in the hospital and couldn't even close my robe i was so round! But two or three days after I got home I had lost what I had gained plus about 5 pounds. So don't worry about that. Kim

hi Karen welcom to the losing side. glad to hear from you sounds like you are doing well. get well soon it just gets easer every day dave

Karen, Welcome home, congrats on becoming a loser. May you have a speedy recovery & begin feeling good soon. Carly