Questions from someone still slogging through the approval process

Hi all!  I've been reading posts and blogs and such and was wondering a few things:

Was the surgery painful?  I've had two c-sections and an appendectomy, but never anything laparoscopic, so I don't know how much pain to expect.

The physchologis told me the first month is the hardest emotionally, is that the case?

How soon after surgery did you start exercising and what did you do?

I know my surgeon/bariatrician can answer all these, but I would like to here from someone who' s been there.  Thanks!

Therese

Hi Therese.  I don't believe I've seen you here before...welcome.
I did not have a painful recovery at all.  Only used the liquid pain killer once and probably didn't even really need that.  I was up and doing laundry the day I got home.  I just took it easy.
I also did not have any emotional upsets either, some do however due to the hormonal changes weight loss can bring.
I began walking for exercise at a few weeks out and started with short amounts slowly on the treadmill.  Gradually by spring into summer I was doing 3 miles outside.  I have since added pilates and recently got back on the treadmill, the weather had me stuck indoors.
Feel free to ask more questions any time.

Welcome, Therese!  Great questions - good for you for asking!

I've had more than my share of surgeries, too, and found this to be one of the easier recoveries - even tho I also had an open hernia /adhesion repair and appendectomy before my surgeon even STARTED my lap RNY!

My biggest issues post op were the GAS for the first week to 10 days - man, I felt like a balloon stretched to near bursting!  And having had the extra work and a 3 night stay vs. 2, I was UP 19 pounds (fluids) at 6 days post-op.... VERY disappointing!!  But also very temporary...

The emotional thing is partly mourning the loss of your best friend, food, and partly chemical - estrogen is stored in our fat, and as we lose fat, a mess of estrogen goes running rampant through our system!  Causes some major emotional distress, but it's normal - and if you know about it and warn your friends and loved ones ahead of time, well, hopefully they'll just help you ease through it. 

GOOD LUCK with your approval!!!

Hi Therese,

I am 6 weeks post op now. The surgery was a breeze. I had the gas pain that others talked about for about the 1st 7 days. I went back to work a week early so I missed less than 2 weeks.
I didn't have the emotional except while i was home recovering but I channeled it into finding things i could eat and make post op. Got 200 pages worth. I just started working out at the gym a few days ago and am suprised at how slow I have to take it ut i know it will get better. Its been a good year since i did more than walk the mall!! Good luck with everything!!

I had lap RNY and it wasn't very painful.  I think I took pain meds the 1st day I was home, and then I was done.  I was off work 2 weeks, but definitely could have gone back sooner.  I think since you've had other surgeries, this will probably seem easier and less painful.

I had some "loss of my best friend" feelings about not being able to eat right away, but it wasn't too bad for me.

I started exercising exactly 1 month after surgery at my doctor's direction.  I joined Curves, and it was an easy, gentle way to get back into exercise.

Good luck on your journey!

Thanks for all the answers!  I am getting nervous as so far it's been hard to make some of the changes I know I need to make.  I think part of me is thinking that if I get sick when I eat the wrong things, it will be easier to make those changes after surgery.  How many here really stuck to the plan religiously before surgery?  I just want it to be over so I can start the post-op journey!

The only "plan" that I had to follow pre-op was the 10-day liquid diet.  This I followed religiously.  I knew that it would help the doc during the procedure.

The things I practiced pre-op were no more pop (and I don't miss it one bit!), chewing everything to death, and trying to put protein before all else.  I thought it all helped!

And the liquid diet?  I had a panic attack once when I realized I licked some cream of mushroom soup off my thumb, and begged God not to punish me for having a communion wafer 5 days before surgery.  So yeah, I guess you'd say I was pretty religious about it!

I'm one of the exceptions it seems. I found the recovery harder than my 2 c-sections & appendectomy. I was expecting it to be the same or easier since it was LAP, but for me it wasn't. I'm 3 weeks out and still have pain on my left side. It's not debilitating by any means, but way more uncomfortable than I expected to be at this point.  I find even doing 1/2 hour in the grocery store to make me tired and more achy in the tummy.   Definately not a reason not to have surgery, I don't regret the decision in the least.  I find the emotional side easier than I expected, in part I'm sure because I don't feel hungry and the head hunger isn't as severe as I thought it would be.

  I am only 3 days out, and in more pain then I can imagine or explain. I have had 3 csections and a open hysterectomy, I didnt have as much pain with them as I am with this. Its really only one spot, I have some issues with gas, but have a endless amount of pain  on my lower left tummy. The food for me really hasnt been an issue the last few days, the smell of anything cooking makes me vomit, or try to!  If someone asked me right now if I could take it back, and if I would ever go thru with this surgery I would hesitate I think, but I also think I would still go thru with it.
 I really think it depends on the person, everyone experiences this differently! With or without the pain, and the emotions, in the end we have something great to work with! SOmething to help us get to the goal that we struggle to reach!
 You may breeze thru this no pain, maybe you will have some pain, nobody can really say! I wish you luck in your trip to the losers side!