Question for Post-op RNYer's

Hello everybody! I hope everyone has had a very good week and is having an even better weekend.

I have a question or two or three for all post-op RNYer's. 

How did you feel when you first awoke after surgery?! What did you do when you got home?! If you required pain meds how long did you use them?

These are just a couple of simple questions that have been running thru my mind. I know that everyone is different and no one feels things the same way. I have only had one surgery in my life, well I'll take that back 2 but the second one didn't require any anesthesia, just a numbing shot. WOW! I know how anesthesia can be and I know what it's like to be cut, clamped up and then having to awaken and take nice DEEP breaths and even cough hard to clear those lungs. I was so anxious to get up and move around afterwards that I couldn't resist it but soon found myself back in bed.
I'm surely not a stranger to drains either. I just hated them, especially emptying them, gack!

I'm the type of person that wants to get up and get moving again like I did before having surgery. How realistic does that sound?! LOL (sarcasm).
I've always been curious as to how I might feel when I awake from this surgery.
Everybody is different as I said and as we all know but some informative feedback would be very beneficial and educational too.

Thanks in advance!
Diane

Diane,

I was just really sleepy, I had a history of nausea after anthesia and told them and they gave me some meds for that with the anthesia.  I didn't have any problems.  I did not hit the pain meds button at all, I was uncomfortable and sore but not enough to knock myself out (I was afraid I would miss something I guess LOL)  .  The worse time it hurt was after walking the first time and when I coughed, just hold a pillow over the incisions when doing this.  I didn't have aany drains so I cant tell you about them.  I went home in two days, and I livee 200 miles from hospital so I did take morphine for the ride home otherwise I was just on my regular fibromyalgia pain meds. Its a good think you like to get up and get going after surgery because they want you to do that pretty quick, as soon as you are awake good.  And I suggest you walk as much as possible because it helps with the gas buildup from surgery. Now if you are having an open procedure then it will hurt more, mine was laproscopic.  

When is your surgery?  Hope everything goes well, and take you some chapstick with you to the hospital my lips were parched.

darlene

Hey Darlene,

Thanks for sharing your story with me I am looking forward to having my procedure done laproscopically. I have my nutritional assessment on March 3rd and then things will shift into a different direction, hopefully, pretty quick. I just wanted to ask a couple of "last minute" questions but I know that I will continue to learn even after surgery. I will let you all know when insurance approves and when I get my date.

Diane

Diane, Having recently had my surgery, I can tell you mine was pretty much a breeze.  The 1st day, I don't remember too much because I had the pain button in my hand all the time.  But after that, it was good.  They took my pain pump away less than 24 hours after putting it on.  After that, I only took 2 more doses of pain medicine by mouth.  I was in on Tuesday and out on Thursday.  I went shopping on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  I was back at work 2 weeks after surgery and even cleaned house the weekend before going back to work.  The days I was at home, I picked up and straightened things.  I did laundry and just generally tried to keep busy and moving.  I felt great, and am really glad I made the decision to have the surgery. Just keep in mind that this is my story and everyone's is going to be different.  But having the surgery laparoscipally (sp?) was the greatest thing.  I didn't even have any problems with the gas everyone talks about.  I have had several surgeries over the years and this and my hysterectomy were the 2 easiest surgeries I've ever had. Hope that helps and good luck to you - you will do just fine.

Thank you for sharing your story! You sound a lot like myself.....LOL I like to try to get going again as soon as I can get out from under anesthesia.

You really had fun for several days shopping...lol

I'm excited about the new life around the corner waiting for me and a little anxious too. The thing I can't wait to do is get out and go for a nice long walk without a lot of pain.


Diane

Well I'm 12 days post-op and I can't believe how good I feel. I don't remember my surgery day at all, my hubby told me that my mom, dad, their pastor, my sister and brother inlaw were there and I had no idea. lol I did like my pain pump according to my hubby, that first day. The second day I was still groggy also but that is normal for me. I got up and walked 4 times each day I was there. I stayed in the hospital from Tues.-Fri. I did not take my pain meds. but twice since I've been home, I also have fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, degenerative discs, and arthritis so those things hurt worse than the surgery.

There is no way I could shop or clean right now. My energy is low. I'm debating whether to go back to work Fri. I'm a substitute teacher and I got a call this weekend to teach for this coming Fri. and I don't know yet. I'm still on those protein shakes and I'm having a hard time getting my vitamins in.

Everyone is different. Good luck.

Thank you Neena for sharing your story! I think I have gotten some educational and very useful information from the 3 of you. I will truely take these things to heart but like have already said. Everyone is different but I don't anticipate on having any problems.

Diane