Did anyone have open rny?

I was just told that I am having my surgery open instead of lap. I am wondering if anyone can give me any clue what the recovery is like. I am concerned about wound infection and also about ripping open the incision. I have been told not to lift anything heavier than 10 lbs and I am going to have to lift myself in and out of a high bed. How am I going to do that? If anyone has advice on caring for your wound after open rny, please respond. Thanks, Vickie

I had open surgery and on the plus side you don't have the awful gas pains lap patients have. The recovery is not so bad. It is uncomfortable getting out of bed in the hospital, but the discomfort is fleeting so develop the mindset that you will grin and bear it. If you have a pain pump hit it before you get up. Walk as much as you can in the hospital and at home. My incision was glued shut. Whatever the method they use it on it, it will not come open. The very outer skin might seperate a tiny bit, but it will rip open, I promise. They stitch you up inside as well as close the outside. After the first week I was tired of being sore and my husband said that it wasn't over yet, so I started doing stretching. When I sat on the toilet, I reached for the sky. I stretched to the right, then left. I leaned forward slightly and then sat back up. I did light things like that in sets of ten. It really helped. I slept in a recliner for weeks because I went into surgery with back problems and had difficulty sleeping on my back. When you sleep on your back, put pillows under your knees. In the hospital they will help you arrange your bed in a comfortable position. You can shower when you get home after open surgery, sometimes in the hospital. The incision does not require special care. The doctor will tell you what to look for in case of infection. You will be sent home with plenty of pain medication, more than you will probably need. Feel free to e-mail by clicking on e-mail at the bottom of the page. Best of everything to you. Loris

Hi Vickie, I had open 15mos ago. I was over 400lbs. I personally have never heard of anyone ripping open their incision before. The Drs. know you have to lift your body, but that is different then carrying something in your hands or arms. Before my surgery, I washed my belly with an antibacterial soap for a week prior. I just did it on my own, my Dr didnt tell me to do that. I never had an infection, and I didnt have any other problems with getting in and out of bed. I didnt sleep in bed for 3 weeks after because of the JP tube, but I chose to sleep in my recliner. As far as my recovery, I was able to drive to my support group meeting in 2 wks. I went back to part time work in 3 wks. Truthfully, my c-section was worse then the open RNY, and I was 25 years younger then. The aftercare for you incision is nothing. You can take a shower and the Dr will tell you about washing it. I dont remember any special care at all. I also am diabetic, which could increase the chance of infection, but I was fine. Best of luck on your Christmas present surgery to yourself. Hugs, Soos

Hi Vickie, I had my open RNY on November 9th. It was hard the first week and I slept on my sofa sitting up and my feet up on the ottoman. I tried my bed but it was too hard to get comfortable and to get out to go to the bathroom. If you have a recliner that may work well too. By day 11 or 12 I felt wonderful. The incision was still a little sore but I felt like myself again and could do alot more. I had help from my husband and my mother, but I needed it as I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 21 month old. As for caring for your incision, all I did was shower and dress it with fresh gauze daily. It has been 3 weeks and the incision is all healed with just one little sore spot. I wish you well on your journey and hope I was of some help to you. Take Care Fran

Fran!!!!!!! So good to see you here again! Missed ya! Huggs, Ruth

hey Fran!!!! Glad to see you back. How are you girlfriend!!! Hugs, Monica F. Welcome to the losing side of life!!!

Hi Vickie, I had my surgery done as an Open RNY. You have nothing to worry about. Currently I am only one month out and I can only lift upto 5 pounds. You just have to take your time. I did not have any problems with infection or splitting myself open. I can tell you that was my greatest fear - splitting myself open. Now I would have to take a pretty bad fall to split myself open. And as for getting yourself in and out of bed. The nurses will teach you how you will need to get in and out of bed, sitting up, etc. Honestly - I am very pleaseed with having my surgery done as an open RNY. I think that for me and my families bad history with cancer. I decided ok open me up and make sure all my insides are ok. Hope that this helps. If you need any more information feel free to email me. Monica F.

I had open RNY in March ... no problem with my incision, and I was 400+ lbs. They basically had me leave my incision alone after discharge ... it was loosely taped with a long telfa pad, and I was to wear loose clothing to keep from irritating it. I had more problems with the drain wound and reactions from the tape than anything else. If you bed is really that high, my advice on your bed is to get one of those little 1-step stools and lift yourself into bed by stepping up on that rather than pulling yourself up and straining. Hope things go well for you, Myra

I just had open RNY on the 11th, My incision is healing nice No infections or anything my advice to you is i got sent home with draingage tubes and a G-tube (didnt know it was a g-tube) know you tubes because my home health nurse that the doctor office sends took it out 3weeks early really could have hurt me but thank god i was alright! Doctors office yelled at the home health people i felt bad but it wasn't my fault she should have known what she was doing. I wish you luck and a health recovery

Thanks guys for your responses. This is such an awesome place to be able to share my concerns. It is great to have a group of people who believe in this tool to talk to . Sometimes when I share a concern with "outsiders" they just say well then don't have the surgery. I know if I don't have the surgery my quality of life will continue to deteriorate. I know I have a shot at a happier healthier life by doing this. Be encouraged, Vickie