Post-op Question - ThinnerTimes

chiquita · 12-21-2007, 12:24 PM

I have my Lap RNY scheduled for January 8th, I am quite heavy, and one of my questions about after the surgery is. Laying down to sleep and then sitting back up.

I keep imagenin that all my stitches are going to rip open when I go to sit up from a laying position. I know they have to do an excellent job at patching things up, but still have that to worry about, I am the queen of making things go wrongn lol.

My questions are?

Have any of you had problem of feeling like the stitches where coming appart when transitioning from laying to sitting?, or from sitting to laying?

Is there any suggestions you can give me to prepare for this?

Today I went and bought me some quite large solid couch pillows to use for support. I know that laying down is important for blood circulation, so I don't know if sleeping on a recliner the first couple days is such a good idea, as this can get my legs swollen and my blood preasure goes up when I do this. I did this for a long time that is why I know.

Anyways, any advice, or any words to ease my concerns along this issue.

Oh yes, sigh,,, how about toileting issues?? if you feel comfortable enough to share.

Thanks.

CeeCee · 12-21-2007, 12:53 PM

It will hurt, but you'll sit up fine. No, you won't bust open; I didn't and I had open!
Me, my po-po and the toi-toi: Move slowly, carefully. At this point I thought the Cottonelle Wipes were a godsend! I kept telling myself it was a smidge easier every time, that it was good for me to do a slow, steady stretch like this. Some have gotten creative- I think it was LisaM who mentioned a wooden spoon that was discarded when it was no longer needed...
Good luck!

lward76 · 12-21-2007, 01:01 PM

i slept in my recliner for almost 2 weeks and i was done lap!! Not open!! it was just too painfull for me to try and lay down and get back up!! the recliner was great!!

Tim · 12-21-2007, 01:51 PM

I agree Laura, I also slept in the recliner for the first few weeks, it hurt to try to lie flat, when to try to sleep on your side it pulls everything inside.

kit60 · 12-21-2007, 05:36 PM

I had open. Yes it felt like I was going to come apart at the seams. I found using one or two pillows and hugging them close to me when changing positions helped a lot. If you put one under the side of your belly you are lying on and hug the other one to the center as you sit up that seems to work pretty well. I wished I would have had a rail on the side of my bed to hold onto with one hand while hugging pillow with the other. A couple of times I had my son come in the give me a tug as I was getting up. I never was able to get comfortable in the recliner. I couldn't figure out how to get my feet down without using a lot of stomach muscles.

Oh yea its easier to roll over to your side before you sit up. Don't just sit straight up, that hurts a lot.

I did much better if I could sleep on my side rather than on my back. Even in a reclining position. 8 weeks later my behind is still sore from sitting on my butt in the bed in the hospital.

Good luck. Remember that it gets better every day. Even every time you get up it seems to not be as bad as the last.

rappaport · 12-21-2007, 05:48 PM

I echo everyone's thoughts so far. I was told by my surgeon that it's almost impossible to rip your sutures, so not to worry.

I slept in a recliner as well for the first week and a half. Once I moved to my bed, which is a sleep number bed, I had to have an additional pillow to keep me from moving side to side.

If you're offered pain meds, take them. They really help you get through the first week of sleep.

flyerzfan17 · 12-21-2007, 06:34 PM

I also did the recliner for the first 3 weeks. I could not get up into my bed (I need a step stool to get into it) and it was very comfy on the recliner.
As for toileting issues, lol, my husband had to wipe my a$$ the first 3 days. He was not a happy camper, but did it cause he loves me. The worst part of it was it always seemed to happen overnight, and it took forever. I'd be in the bathroom for about 45 minutes. He was great and woke up when I called him to get me out of the recliner and then again when I needed his assistance. Until the 3rd night when it took me so long that he fell back asleep and I couldn't get him up. So, from that moment on, I was on my own. Hmmm, I wonder if he purposefully didn't wake up?

rappaport · 12-21-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyerzfan17

As for toileting issues, lol, my husband had to wipe my a$$ the first 3 days. He was not a happy camper, but did it cause he loves me.

lol...I forgot this little unpleasantry. My wife was my personal assistant for three days as well, complete with her latex gloves. It's times like these when you find out how much your loved one really loves you.

flyerzfan17 · 12-21-2007, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rappaport

lol...I forgot this little unpleasantry. My wife was my personal assistant for three days as well, complete with her latex gloves. It's times like these when you find out how much your loved one really loves you.

Absolutely the truth. That's all my DH kept saying was, you know I love you to do this. And I forgot, he also wore latex gloves, lol. He was so grossed out by the whole thing cause we all know that gbs poop is nasty, especially in the beginning.

chiquita · 12-22-2007, 05:55 PM

I thank you all for your so very imformative answers

Hmm a wooden spoon, now there is an idea. I don't think my husband would do me the honors, he gets grossed out very easily. A month ago we had to drive my daughter to the next town for an EEG, and she got sick on the way there and puked all over herself,, I had to pull over and he got out, opened the door to where she was and he did not know where to start. I know puke and poop are different things, but if he can't handle that, he can't handle me, I had to get out and do the business of cleaning up my daughter and the car. I guess it comes in the been a mom territory, I have done all sorts of checking on things for him in the past, but things are different for most man I think (most, not all

)

I practiced sleeping with my big pillows last night,, they did kept me proped up most the night and I think it would help me a great deal with the not laying all the way down and having to work my self back to a sitting position. But the problem with my lower legs started, they get swollen and my knees hurted. I will try putting a soft pillow under my knees tonight to see if it takes the preasure off of them, and hope my but don't go completely numb and flat lol.

A rail by the bed does sound helpfull, I know they sell them but I think the hospital rents them as well, I will have to look around and see what I can find.

Thanks all again