Post-op survey questions???

Hey everyone,

I guess I'm freakin out a little about every little thing since surgery and seem to have questions all the time....So I'm gonna ask a few questions in survey format.....

1.)  How many bowel movements should I have within my one week post-op???  I had surgery Friday, had 3 bowel movements on Tuesday and none since.

2.)  What should I take if no bowel movements???  Does this mean a obstruction?  I'm still on liquid diet till next Friday.

3.)  Do I need to wear my abdominal binder all the time???

4.)  Does the normal healing of my wounds look like scabs with yellow covering???

5.)  How long after surgery do  I need to worry about blood clots and life threatening complications?

I'm so sorry for the questions, but I am feeling way better today except for all the time freezing and then sweating, vice versa.....6.)  When does this stop or will it???

Thanks

1. I didn't poop the first week. The next two weeks were very watery, frequent poops. By the end of the first month, I was a once a day, in the morning pooper. After about 5 months (to current), I go once every couple days.

2. This early post op...don't take anything. Your body is adjusting. It's healing. It's thinking you're starving it so it's hanging on to everything you put in there so there is no waste. Poop is waste.

3. I didn't wear my binder after I came home regularly. It was more of a hinderance than a help. I had mine lap and not open though so that might make a difference.

4. Mine were red and had very little scabbing. I'm not sure of the yellow part.

5. I've heard that its 30 days. Just keep moving and watch for "hot spots"

6. Each and every day brings improvement. I had my surgery in January too and remember the hot/cold thing. It was very short lived.

1) It was several days 5-6 before my  first BM, them 3,4,5, a day for a couple weeks by 1 month to now 2 x in the morning now occasional more

2) I would not take anything let you body work things out and get use to your new pipes, I dought u have a obstruction but I am no Doc if you are really worried call you Doctor they will be happy to help.

3)I had Lap and did not need one I had one on stand by just in case, I think if I had been open I would of used it more since it really helped after my 2 c-section

4) Mine were regular scabs ver little yellow, if they start to ozz you might need them looked at

5)Not really sure I was told 2 weeks but the risk went down a lot after the first week

6) I think I have been cold since I had my DS and I was always HOT before But the first month is the worst then it levels out,

Everything will get better each day hang in there that first month I was like O Crap what did do the I weight and I had lost 30 lbs and then realized I can get up and down better already the OOOHHH it was ON and ALL GOOD after that! Best thing I ever done. If I had to go thru that 1st month once a year to get where I am today I would do it!!!!!

Hello Joan, although you just had surgery less than a week ago, keep in mind, any concerns you have about yourself should be communicated with your surgeon. Each of us have different post-op experiences. Do keep tab with your surgeon if you are constipated, if any pain develops or doesn't mellow down and especially if you feel something is not right. I am 2 years post-op and had a very difficult 1st year recovery. I didn't have any direct DS complications, just was a very slow healer and developed severe food intolerance and symptoms that disappeared, after I was 11 months post-op.

1.)  How many bowel movements should I have within my one week post-op???  I had surgery Friday, had 3 bowel movements on Tuesday and none since.

I had my first bowel movement 4 days after surgery. After that, I started having daily bowel movements 7 days postop, sometimes 3-4 times a day and it was watery or very loose. At day 8, I was intaking more food compare to those first 7 days after surgery. It depended on what I ate, how much and the frequency of my food intake. I ate every hour because I had a difficult time eating and my VSG restriction portion of my DS didn't allow me to eat much at all. Just nibble here and there. I was limited to scramble eggs, yogurt, milk, soup, pudding, that I can remember. I did remember eating lots of strawberry/banana yogurts.

At day 12, I began to eat Wendy's chili and was able to eat 1/4 to 1/3 serving of it, at a time. Meat such as ground beef, salmon, roast pork, shrimps, lobster, ribeye steak, etc., I was able to eat 13 days post-op. I could only eat 2oz worth of meat per serving. Once I introduced meat into my daily intake, it helped me become a bit more regular with my daily bowel movements and I drank a lot of water and milk daily, basically all day long. During those first 10 days, it took me 2 hours to finish 1 cup or 8 oz of yogurt. I had to drink up on my fluids every 20-30 minutes to make sure I did not dehydrate or become constipated. I had bottled water by my side all the times and would drink it constantly. If I woke up in the middle of the night, I take the bottled water at my night stand, drink some and then go back to sleep. Also, calcium, iron and pain killers, may cause constipation. This is why it is important to let your surgeon know what is going on with you, in order that he may diagnose you and recommend what is needed for you.

2.)  What should I take if no bowel movements??? 

Do contact your surgeon to make sure he is aware you have no bowel movement and what he recommends. Make sure you are drinking enough fluids. I didn't have issues with no bowel movements, but was told to have Miralax upon my surgeon's recommendation, after I went to his office and asked him if I become constipated what should I have at home. He also recommended Fibercon and Metamucil, and to make sure I was eating food rich in fiber. he told me calcium and iron may cause constipation, especially the amount we take. Hence up the fluids, food rich in fiber, etc.  


Does this mean a obstruction? 

Your surgeon can medically evaluate you on that if you feel or think you have an obstruction. If you are having symptoms of severe stomach pain, throwing up or other symptoms that is signalling your boady that it is not right, do not hestiate to go to the Emergency Room or contact your surgeon to be properly diagnosed and find out what it is.

I'm still on liquid diet till next Friday.

I think each surgeon's has different post-op protocols. I was on puree food (not liquid diet), after I had my surgery and taken to the step-down ICU. I was eating scrambled eggs once I got home from the hospital on day 5.


3.)  Do I need to wear my abdominal binder all the time???

An abdominal binder was not required, but recomended by my surgery to help me with my post-op surgical recovery period, after I told him it was extremely painful within and every time I move about, it hurt like a mofo. My surgical pain lasted 28 nonstop days and I am serious about this, even with various pain killer. I was just a slow healer. Wearing it, helped keep everything within feel snugged and not feel too much pain when I move, especially getting up from a chair, sofa or bed. I did not need to wear it all the time. It did feel good wearing it when I went to sleep.

4.)  Does the normal healing of my wounds look like scabs with yellow covering???

The incisional site where the cut was made does get hard. I had a severe allergic reaction from the steri-strips that cause swollen and red skin around the area. But, any cut may on the skin will "harden" along its crease, as it heals.

5.)  How long after surgery do  I need to worry about blood clots and life threatening complications?

If you have a history of blood clotting, if is very important your doctor knows to make sure proper treatment has been provided. After surgery, I was on herparin every so hours while at the hospital. But did not need any medication or preventation for it, once I was home. Besides, I was in constant contact with my surgeon because I had other surgical recovery issues and visted him every 4 days to make sure there weren't other post-op surgical problems. I was ok, just a rough recovery period and felt peace knowing my surgeon was there for me any time I needed him. If blood clotting is present, they might need to insert a Greenfield filter or provide something else. 

6.)  When does this stop or will it???

I didn't have problems with being hot or cold. I just wear what I need according to the temperature. Each DS post-operative person is different. Same thing as, some heal and recover faster than others. Some recover within 2 weeks of surgery, some within 4-6 weeks, some 8-10 weeks and like me that it took 15 weeks to recovery. Hang in there, the first year may be smooth sailing or a rough one. But, after that, it is beautiful living with the DS.

My best to you.

1.One week post op I remember waking up every morning witth slight stomach cramps and usually went right when I woke up and then once again 15-30 mins after. That was it. It was really loose while on the liquids....as expected.

2.I've heard people taking differnt OTC remedies. I never did. I was adding benefiber to my protien shake though. Maybe give it a try.

3. I wore my binder for a while...maybe 2-3 weeks. It made me feel secure like a safety blanket. I had lap and don't know what the requirements are for open.

4. My incisions were glued shut and there was some sort of coating over top. I was told not to pick it off but let it fall off by itself.

5. I've read 4-6 weeks but don't quote me on it.

 

It will all be ok. The first month-6 weeks suck big time!!!
 

Joan, I don't have any answers for you, but I'm so glad you are home, and I miss "talking" with you!

Oh!  On the binder thing, when I had my open RNY, I wore it until I felt I didn't need it any more.  When I took it off, if I felt pulling and was uncomfy, I put it back on....like one of the ladies said, a security blanket.

I know you are still healing...but I do miss ya lady!  Email when you can.

Take care!