What should I exspect post op next week?

Well, my time is finally near, I go to Pacific Bariatric wed for pre-op and my roux-en-y is sometime Thursday. I know it can be a little different for everyone, but I am wondering what to expect when I wake up, I assume I will have a catheter that I pray doesn't stay in very long, but do they usually have drainage tubes too? I have heard they put the leg puffers on you too, I had those with my hysterectomy. My husband just went to work for a new company so amazingly my surgery was scheduled so he is off that day and two after that. He will be with me the day before and there for surgery but will have to drive the 4 hours home after that, it is impossible for both of us to be gone too long with the kids and pets. So, I will be alone for my hospital stay but I am sure I will be fine, then my in laws will come and get me when I get out.  Just curious what to expect, thanks for any input!

Good Morning Mrs P.

First of all, congratulations on your surgery next week.  You're going to love this new life and hang on cuz it's gonna be a wild ride.  Each person's experience is so different, as well as each surgeon's pre-and post op protocols.  I can only speak for my surgical experience, but you mentioned most things....  I woke up in no pain, but was hooked up to a morphine pain pump which I didn't use too much.  I had the "leg puffers" on, and had one drain which was on my left side, which remained in until the morning i went home, and it wasn't a big deal.  For me, the pain wasn't intense and I really only had issues with a tightening feeling when I tried to stand or sit but each day that got better.  I slept in a recliner for about 4 days and that helped tremendously.  I did a lot of blogging about the experience (as quite a few people have done) on my profile page.

I wish you the best, and will keep you in good thoughts and prayers too.  Please keep us posted and we'll be saving a nice warm spot for you on the losers bench!

Hugs,
Barb

Thanks so much Barb, I am not really scared, I  just like to know what to expect, I am allergic to Morphine so they will have to use something else, we figured that one out after my hysterectomy a little over a  year ago, at least this should be done lap so I wont have a big incision, that was the most painful part, that and the darn i.v. that kept needing to be re done and moved several times a day. I know it is a little different for everyone, thanks for sharing your exsperience with me!

Hi--I had lap-RNY in 2005.  I had the leg puffers, but had to have them removed when the second shift didn't know how to adjust them properly.  I didn't have any drainage tubes, but that is usually up to your personal surgeon.  I did have a catheter, but that was removed when I started walking and wasn't re-installed.  I had a small pillow for pressing against my abdomen on the ride home, which made the bumps in the road negligible. 

I don't think you need to worry too much while you're in the hospital;  I only wanted lip balm and to eat a few ice chips, and the nurses were able to supply those easily enough.  They also have almost everything you can think of if you'd like to shower post-op.  Myself, I jus****ched a little TV, wrote in my journal, and slept.

Once you're home, just take it easy, take your pain meds as you need to (I only used mine once or twice at night to get to sleep, but don't be a martyr!), nap as needed, and walkwalkwalk, sipsipsip, chewchewchew.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your Wow! moments!

Best wishes,

Thanks Lyn, I am adding lip balm to my packing list right now!

Hi sweetie! First of all, congrats on your surgery date!!! as Barb said, buckle up for a wild ride, but you will love it!!!
I had PacBar, Zorn, so this is what I know personally about your experience. I believe Tanaka is the only one who uses drains and the pain ball, so you shouldn't have to worry about that. As for the catheter, I think they take it out while you are in recovery. They will have you on the legg puffers. For me, the day after surgery was my worst day (tired and icky) but besides that it was nothing at all. Walk, sip, walk, sip and you will be fine!!!!
The one thing I didn't know that I wish I had is for the day before surgery, make sure you have a list of all your meds and vitamins you take and the dosages. You have to write them all down and especially with you living so far away, you will want to have it all available.    other than that, you are in GREAT hands with PacBar and the nurses on the WLS floors at Scripps Mercy are great too!!!! 
May God bless your WLS journey!   bigg huggs, Becky

Thanks, Becky, good tip, I made myself a note to take those too.

I'm just 4 days post op.  Had the puffy things on my legs, such a pain in the rear....but the alternative could be getting a blood clot in your leg, lung or elsewhere.  After a while I just considered it a massage :-).  Definitely take lip balm.... I used mine every few hours.  Would never have known to pack it in my bag if I didn't read it on the message boards.
I never was given morphine, at least I don't think I was.  When I woke up in recovery, my back was killing me.  it was as if someone had thrown me to the ground when I was asleep.  After an hour or so I asked if I could have some pain medicine & was given a liquid.... was told it was loritab elixir  (close to vicodan). 
Took about 12 hours to get the right combination of medicines, but the next day I didn't need it at all.  Still haven't needed any pain medicine, but everyone is different and every person's tolerance is different.  I had my surgery at Cedars Sinai and I can say that the hospital staff was amazing and really helped me get better quickly.  I hope you have a speedy recovery.  Best of luck.

Thanks Cowgirl, I had the puffers on my legs after my hysterectomy, they were like a massage at first but after a while I wanted to tear them off and hide them, I had a real big abdominal incision so it was very painful to bend to get them off to get up and use the restroom or walk.  I am getting really excited/anxious, only 3 more days! Melisa