So Scared Now!
I just had my RNY 10 days ago and no regrets! It was painful but nothing unexpected, I am still sore around the main insision site but nothing that is not tolerable, I can walk, and do light house work but still not 100% but completly thankful for an uneventful surgery and post op! I am 10 days out and down 18 lbs and would do it again in a heart beat!
Hello aaaaaaaa :)
I am due to have surgery the same day as you. We can hold each other's hands.
As for me...I try not to anticipate pain of any kind. If it's going to hurt, it's going to hurt. I don't want to waste my pain free time worrying about it. If it doesn't hurt very much then I have REALLY wasted time stressing about something for nothing.
So either way...I'd rather be surprised.
Sandi
I had my sugery on a Tuesday I went home a day early. 2 days after that I was out shopping at Super Walmarts, then went to play bunco that night. I am very pleased and happy my only regret was I waited so long to get it done. I am a slower loser than most, but slow and steady gets you where you are going. It took me over 40 years to get to where I was so if it takes 2 or 3 to get to where I wanna be it will be worth it all. You will do fine just follow your doctors orders. Christina
Edited From My Highest Weight
Hi,
I think that most of the horror stories you have read are stories of people that went in with the idea this is like getting a tooth pulled, that they will be able to go back to life as they new it pre op (work, home, pleasure, etc) immediately post op and that isn't the case.
This is major surgery. and with that in view you are very wise to go into it with the expectation of having pain. I would be worried if I didn't have some pain. But that is what the drugs are for. They will keep you comfortable and they will also send you home with good drugs as well.
For the first wk or so... don't try to be the martyr, or the one who can boast a yr from now that you went thru the whole process without anything for pain. Different people have different thresholds for pain.
Don't wait until you are hurting to take your pain meds. Take it as prescribed for a few days. If you wait until you are hurting before you take anything, it will take at least 45 min to an hour before you are really feeling anything that resembles relief. After about the first 7 days, try taking it only as needed. My case was that I would take it at bedtime so that I could get comfortable and sleep.
You will have good days and bad. In my situation I had more bad days than good, but the good days soon outnumbered the bad.
Just bear in mind that the possibility is real that you might have complications, that you will be tired a good lot of the time for about 8 wks. You will not be able to to everything that is on the list of expectations they give you that is to be completed every day.
I know it is frustrating to not be able to do everything that is expected, and you will be easily overwhelmed in the beginning. You just get up every day with the mindset that you are going to try to finish the list. You won't, and you will be disappointed in yourself and possibly think that something is wrong that you aren't able to.
Start each day as the first day after surgery, add a little more than you did yesterday, and soon you will find that you will be able to do everything that is expected. Below are the musts!!!
1. You must sip sip sip. You won't be able to get in the expected amts of water or protein in the beginning. Just do the best you can.
2. You must walk every two hours.. even if it isn't 10 steps. just add two steps to that each time you get up to walk.
3. You must take you supplements and your meds as they are prescribed. You can't skimp on this. The vitamins will help you to have the energy you need to do everything else.
4. You must do breating exercises as prescribed. In between times that you are using the spirometer for your exercises, while you are sitting relaxing, take in a breath as deep as you possibly can. Try to hold it for at least 10 sec in the beginning, but hold it until you think you will burst. This will strenghten you lungs and help you to get back on your feet sooner. This comes from someone (me) who has had much experience with breathing treatments. I have asthmatic bronchitis and that is one of the exercises that I have to do when I have a crisis. This will also help you to expectorate the residual anesthesia. Plenty of fluids will also make it easier to get this up.
5. Get yourself a small pillow, (travel type). Hold it to you incisions while you are doing your breathing exercises, and when you are walking. This will put pressure on your incisions and keep them from moving at will.
When to call the surgeon.
1. Pain in or around your pouch that feels like is it sore on the inside. If it is incisional pain, pain meds will ease it and keep it in ck. If it doesn't respond to the pain meds, it is time to call.
2. Incisional pain on the outside that is accompanied by yellow drainage, skin is red and inflamed, This is an indication that your incisions might be infected. There will be a little redness right around the incision, but if it radiates out from the incision, there might be a problem. Clear drainage is ok, that is a part of the healing process.
The one incision that will be more irritated and will give you more pain will be the longest one. This is where they insert the camera... I don't know why it is any different than inserting the other tools they use, but it is.
3. Low grade temps.. 99.5 and above and doesn't respond to tylenol. This also is an indication of infection or other problems.
4. Shortness of breath. If you feel very short of breath, almost panting type. Call the surgeon immediately or go to the ER. This could be an indication of pulmonary emboli and pneumonia.
5. If you have diarrhea and/or vomiting for more than 24 hours. This is indication of dehydration.
I hope that I have not added to your anxiety. I only wish you to be informed and know what you may expect. You will think that you have been hit by a freight train and this is normal. You will have major mood swings and hormonal outrages. This is normal because of all the rapid changes that are going on in your body.
You can expect extreme discomfort for the first wk or so and maybe even up to two wks. This is also normal and it depends on the individual and how healthy you are going in.
Even if you have one or all or even none of these it is all to be expected. I will have to tell you that the more that you move around the sooner you will be back to your normal schedule.
Even with the complications that I had, I knew that I had just given myself the most important and unique gift that I have ever afforded myself.. That is the gift of life.. a second chance at life that I knew that I would never have if I hadn't embarked on this journey.
I know that I am different than most, and I had different results than most. After 3 months out, I never looked back. I have had stellar results from my procedure and wouldn't change a thing. I would be first in line to do it again if it ever became necessary.
Just stick to the plan religiously and do everything they tell you to do. Early out, you will not be able to do it all. Don't obsess or worry about it as long as you have given it your best. Think of this as building blocks. The things that you didn't accomplish, set out the day determined to do as much as you can tomorrow. Don't worry about what happened yesterday, there is nothing you can do to change it. Just strive to do better today. Before you know it you will have everything licked.
Start today by collecting protein samples. There are many different brands on the mkt. The one that will be your favorite will be there. When you are shopping for protein, try to get the ones that don't have a lot of extra vitamins and protein added to them. Over the yrs I have found that these are the ones that have the most putrid taste and odor. It is also these that will turn you off from trying anything else. But this is a must. I know that most programs want you to get your protein from food sources and that is fine, but for at least the first 6 to 9 months, it is necessary to have a suppliment to be able to get the prescribed minimum of protein. This is imperative as this is where you get your energy and your body gets its strength for healing.
Blessings, and best wishes on your upcoming procedure.
Carlene
I think that most of the horror stories you have read are stories of people that went in with the idea this is like getting a tooth pulled, that they will be able to go back to life as they new it pre op (work, home, pleasure, etc) immediately post op and that isn't the case.
This is major surgery. and with that in view you are very wise to go into it with the expectation of having pain. I would be worried if I didn't have some pain. But that is what the drugs are for. They will keep you comfortable and they will also send you home with good drugs as well.
For the first wk or so... don't try to be the martyr, or the one who can boast a yr from now that you went thru the whole process without anything for pain. Different people have different thresholds for pain.
Don't wait until you are hurting to take your pain meds. Take it as prescribed for a few days. If you wait until you are hurting before you take anything, it will take at least 45 min to an hour before you are really feeling anything that resembles relief. After about the first 7 days, try taking it only as needed. My case was that I would take it at bedtime so that I could get comfortable and sleep.
You will have good days and bad. In my situation I had more bad days than good, but the good days soon outnumbered the bad.
Just bear in mind that the possibility is real that you might have complications, that you will be tired a good lot of the time for about 8 wks. You will not be able to to everything that is on the list of expectations they give you that is to be completed every day.
I know it is frustrating to not be able to do everything that is expected, and you will be easily overwhelmed in the beginning. You just get up every day with the mindset that you are going to try to finish the list. You won't, and you will be disappointed in yourself and possibly think that something is wrong that you aren't able to.
Start each day as the first day after surgery, add a little more than you did yesterday, and soon you will find that you will be able to do everything that is expected. Below are the musts!!!
1. You must sip sip sip. You won't be able to get in the expected amts of water or protein in the beginning. Just do the best you can.
2. You must walk every two hours.. even if it isn't 10 steps. just add two steps to that each time you get up to walk.
3. You must take you supplements and your meds as they are prescribed. You can't skimp on this. The vitamins will help you to have the energy you need to do everything else.
4. You must do breating exercises as prescribed. In between times that you are using the spirometer for your exercises, while you are sitting relaxing, take in a breath as deep as you possibly can. Try to hold it for at least 10 sec in the beginning, but hold it until you think you will burst. This will strenghten you lungs and help you to get back on your feet sooner. This comes from someone (me) who has had much experience with breathing treatments. I have asthmatic bronchitis and that is one of the exercises that I have to do when I have a crisis. This will also help you to expectorate the residual anesthesia. Plenty of fluids will also make it easier to get this up.
5. Get yourself a small pillow, (travel type). Hold it to you incisions while you are doing your breathing exercises, and when you are walking. This will put pressure on your incisions and keep them from moving at will.
When to call the surgeon.
1. Pain in or around your pouch that feels like is it sore on the inside. If it is incisional pain, pain meds will ease it and keep it in ck. If it doesn't respond to the pain meds, it is time to call.
2. Incisional pain on the outside that is accompanied by yellow drainage, skin is red and inflamed, This is an indication that your incisions might be infected. There will be a little redness right around the incision, but if it radiates out from the incision, there might be a problem. Clear drainage is ok, that is a part of the healing process.
The one incision that will be more irritated and will give you more pain will be the longest one. This is where they insert the camera... I don't know why it is any different than inserting the other tools they use, but it is.
3. Low grade temps.. 99.5 and above and doesn't respond to tylenol. This also is an indication of infection or other problems.
4. Shortness of breath. If you feel very short of breath, almost panting type. Call the surgeon immediately or go to the ER. This could be an indication of pulmonary emboli and pneumonia.
5. If you have diarrhea and/or vomiting for more than 24 hours. This is indication of dehydration.
I hope that I have not added to your anxiety. I only wish you to be informed and know what you may expect. You will think that you have been hit by a freight train and this is normal. You will have major mood swings and hormonal outrages. This is normal because of all the rapid changes that are going on in your body.
You can expect extreme discomfort for the first wk or so and maybe even up to two wks. This is also normal and it depends on the individual and how healthy you are going in.
Even if you have one or all or even none of these it is all to be expected. I will have to tell you that the more that you move around the sooner you will be back to your normal schedule.
Even with the complications that I had, I knew that I had just given myself the most important and unique gift that I have ever afforded myself.. That is the gift of life.. a second chance at life that I knew that I would never have if I hadn't embarked on this journey.
I know that I am different than most, and I had different results than most. After 3 months out, I never looked back. I have had stellar results from my procedure and wouldn't change a thing. I would be first in line to do it again if it ever became necessary.
Just stick to the plan religiously and do everything they tell you to do. Early out, you will not be able to do it all. Don't obsess or worry about it as long as you have given it your best. Think of this as building blocks. The things that you didn't accomplish, set out the day determined to do as much as you can tomorrow. Don't worry about what happened yesterday, there is nothing you can do to change it. Just strive to do better today. Before you know it you will have everything licked.
Start today by collecting protein samples. There are many different brands on the mkt. The one that will be your favorite will be there. When you are shopping for protein, try to get the ones that don't have a lot of extra vitamins and protein added to them. Over the yrs I have found that these are the ones that have the most putrid taste and odor. It is also these that will turn you off from trying anything else. But this is a must. I know that most programs want you to get your protein from food sources and that is fine, but for at least the first 6 to 9 months, it is necessary to have a suppliment to be able to get the prescribed minimum of protein. This is imperative as this is where you get your energy and your body gets its strength for healing.
Blessings, and best wishes on your upcoming procedure.
Carlene
Lord, help me to never go so far as to forget where I have been and to never forget the ones who so graciously have helped me to become who I am . Lord, help me to day to keep my "big" mouth shut. Amen
I'm very very happy!! Almost 3 months out, I'm down 54 pounds, size 24-26 clothes to 18's and I feel great! I have had absolutely no issues (besides a little potty trouble). After surgery, I took meds only 2 nights after I came home. I have tried most meats, salads, fruits and veggies. I don't eat breads, taters, rice etc...but I have tried a little popcorn (my fave) and it was fine. I just munched a little during a movie and chewed it well. I take all my vitamins, drink my protein and drink lots of water. I have an incredible gift....my life back....what could be a better result? Strangers are already treating me differently. They smile more, speak more and don't give me the look (you all know the one) a cross between disgust and dislike. I know some people have more confidence but losing weight has really helped me. I also take no meds....woohooo!! I hated those insulin shots!!! Good luck, you're in the right place for encouragement! Connie
Hi,
Relax! I am 7 days post op. Does it hurt? Pain is one of those subjective things. But yes, IMHO, the post op part hurt. Was it unbearable? No - it hurt, but so does getting a root canal or wisdom teeth pulled or the c-section, or even stubbing your toe!! So you can manage the pain with ease, you know you can because you did it before with your c-section.
I took myself off the morhpine asap and went to oral lortab (tyelonol w/codeine) as quickly as possible. I switched reg adult strength liquid codeiene by 3 days post op. If the pain was not manageable I would not have been able to do that. Right now, I'm only taking the tylenol to keep by fever in check - not for pain relief.
7 days out and I don't have "pain" but the staples/incisions ache and are uncomfortable. Not painful.
I think for me the hardest part as been the chest congestion (I refuse to admit to pnemonia), the fever and the really gross thrush. But those are side effects of the anesthesia - and while not desireable, it's again manageable.
You have come so far and waited so long... you can manage it because...
7 days out and I'm down 11 pounds. 11 pounds in 7 days. I'm not hungry. I am enjoying my protein shakes, malt-o-meal cereal and yummy refried beans. Crstal Light and SoBe drinks make getting the water in easy. So bottom line - it's worth it. I'm not 100% right now, but I can already appreciate the surgery and see the long term benefits it will have.
Hang in there.
Don't get psyched out. You are stronger than that!!! 
Dawn
Relax! I am 7 days post op. Does it hurt? Pain is one of those subjective things. But yes, IMHO, the post op part hurt. Was it unbearable? No - it hurt, but so does getting a root canal or wisdom teeth pulled or the c-section, or even stubbing your toe!! So you can manage the pain with ease, you know you can because you did it before with your c-section. I took myself off the morhpine asap and went to oral lortab (tyelonol w/codeine) as quickly as possible. I switched reg adult strength liquid codeiene by 3 days post op. If the pain was not manageable I would not have been able to do that. Right now, I'm only taking the tylenol to keep by fever in check - not for pain relief.
7 days out and I don't have "pain" but the staples/incisions ache and are uncomfortable. Not painful.
I think for me the hardest part as been the chest congestion (I refuse to admit to pnemonia), the fever and the really gross thrush. But those are side effects of the anesthesia - and while not desireable, it's again manageable.
You have come so far and waited so long... you can manage it because...
7 days out and I'm down 11 pounds. 11 pounds in 7 days. I'm not hungry. I am enjoying my protein shakes, malt-o-meal cereal and yummy refried beans. Crstal Light and SoBe drinks make getting the water in easy. So bottom line - it's worth it. I'm not 100% right now, but I can already appreciate the surgery and see the long term benefits it will have.
Hang in there.
Don't get psyched out. You are stronger than that!!! Dawn
Dawn 
Pain? what pain.....7 going on 8 months out and would do it again in a nano second.....there is nothing better than being able to breath and walk and to have a life again.....so forget about the pain issue..K....this time next year you will be well into you "New Life" and a whole lot smaller than you are now......BTW...7 month out and in a size "2"...yea I'll take that little bit of pain....LOL
Best wishes...
Best wishes...
Cor
I had no trouble at all. I was off pain meds two days after surgery (when I went home). Slept on my side the night I got home with little to no pain. Worse part for me right after surgery were the stupid staples. They itched me like crazy. I have had no problems eating things except when I didn't chew my salmon enough and it got stuck. Lesson quickly learned!! I am big into chicken. No problems there. I get full quickly and stop eating and am not famished.
I highly recommend WLS. Best thing I have ever done. Wish I had done it sooner though! Good Luck!
P.S. Sometimes these boards scare the crap out of me with the horror stories. But I look at those as the exception, not the norm! I come now to gather info and get ideas.
I highly recommend WLS. Best thing I have ever done. Wish I had done it sooner though! Good Luck!
P.S. Sometimes these boards scare the crap out of me with the horror stories. But I look at those as the exception, not the norm! I come now to gather info and get ideas.
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