Pre op questions - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

BFD · 03-04-2005, 06:09 PM

Just some more newbie questions, sorry to bother you all, I plan on asking the Doc but was hoping to get some answers sooner.

1) After surgery what a good amount of excercise
2) Is there a waiting period before starting excercise?
3) Is there a waiting period before sex?
4) What can be expected right now I am 500lb, 6 feet tall?
5) How long is the average hospital stay?
6) I hear theres a lot of hernias after such a surgery?
7) I hear alot about doing paper work before getting surgery? What is this about?
8) Out of the following list have anyone heard of this conditions stopping?
Sleep Apnea, Diabetes, Infertility, High Colesteral, DVT

Mr AOR · 03-04-2005, 07:20 PM

Here are some answers, based on my personal experiences:

1) ANY exercise is a good start! I would recommend getting a pedometer so that you can measure your activity throughout the day. Start with 5000 steps in your day, move up to 7500, and eventually get to the recommended 10000 per day (equals 5 miles). Once you get that under your belt, then continue to pick up the quantity and then, even more important, the pace. Just like all goals, it should be incrimental.

2) Some exercise needs to be put off...anything that deals with the adominal region has a waiting period.

3) The rule for sex is 2 weeks. Then you just need to be careful! No chandaliers or contortionist-activity! LOL

4) I can't tell by your profile or your post whether or not you're male or female. Believe it or not, it does make a difference! Men lose the weight much more quickly. I know it's not fair, but that's the way things were engineered. At 500 lbs, you're going to lose weight pretty quickly. To maintain a weight of 500 lbs, you're looking at well over (stimate here) 6000 calories a day. For the first couple weeks of surgery, you're looking at maybe 200 or 300 calories being taken in. You're gonna burn like a furnace, baby!

5) Average hospital stay, provided there are no complications, is 2 and 1/2 days. I know...hard to believe, but true! This is the case with Dr C's practice, at least.

6) There are hernias, and various other complications that can occur. You want to be in-tune to your body, watch for warning signs. Also, when you're checking out a surgeon, ask questions regarding their stats. They should be able to break down all of the potentials for complications, and you can make sure that you're comfortable with teh odds of the procedure.

7) There is a ton of paperwork and clearance required. Insurance companies and the surgeon want to make sure that this isn't just an overnight, reactionary decision. They need to make sure that you're fully aware of the procedure, and that you've undergone all of the required testing. They need to substantiate the surgery, and the co-mordities that come up during the paperwork process will solidify your chances at approval. A long, varied, and verifiable diet history is also required.

8) I had sleep apnea, and it was done in a month. I had Diabetes, and I was completely off the meds within 6 weeks. I immediately switched to 1/2 doses right out of the hospital. I'm also no longer experiencing high blood pressure. Also, my pulse rate and level of exertion have become normal. This is after being over 400 pounds and grossly overweight my entire life.

Hope this helps!

LizardQueen · 03-04-2005, 07:59 PM

I went to a Doctor around where I live. I don't want to give false info so PLEASE ask the doc to be sure. I was in the hospital for four days, but that is me. I just had the procedure done on 2-22-05. So, I am still on the liquids and still new to the game. However, my blood pressure is already down and my husband says my sleep apnea has already vastly improved. I have lost 17 pounds in just the short time. The paper work is a killer, but keep your eye on the prize. Follow through with everything. I wish you the best of luck!!

BFD · 03-04-2005, 11:00 PM

Thanks guys the info is great. First thing is I am a man just so everyone knows. I wasn't sure about the paper work so that is why I asked don't need to worry about insurance companies which is good one less worry. Again thanks for the info.

TabFox · 03-06-2005, 06:52 PM

I had my surgery on May 26, 2004. I got a referral from my PCP, then a cardiac ultrasound because of the diet drugs I had previously taken years ago. Insurance approval took 1 day, then pre-op testing. My husband had the surgery on October 25, 2004. He had the referral from the PCP, then pre-op testing. His insurance didn't require pre-approval (lucky, huh). I had/have arthritis in my knees, but they no longer hurt since losing nearly 140 lbs. That was basically my only comorbidity. My husband had sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, plus he's had a total hip replacement, knee surgery, shoulder surgery twice.....his blood sugar was completely normal within 5 days after surgery. His blood pressure went down before leaving the hospital, and his sleep apnea is gone. His hip doesn't hurt quite as bad, or as often. He rewarded himself by buying a Harley Ultra Classic; #$%%$@%^ nice bike...not so nice payments...but that's another story!!!

Good luck on your journey!

Tabitha
Open 5/26/04
321/186/???

BFD · 03-07-2005, 06:39 PM

Added an avatar

Butterfly · 03-07-2005, 08:34 PM

1) After surgery what is a good amount of excercise? - start off with walking. Walking is the best thing you can do to start with. I started working out more at 6 weeks and as time has gone by, I've added more activities to my routine. I work out 30 minutes a day 4 times a week.
2) Is there a waiting period before starting excercise? You should probably ask your doctor this question. Like I said, I started walking right away, but didn't over do it.
3) Is there a waiting period before sex? This all depends on how you feel. We were told that we could after our 2 week follow up meeting. Bill & I didn't wait that long.

4) What can be expected right now I am 500lb, 6 feet tall? I'm not sure I understand your question. I know afterwards when the weight starts coming off, you're going to feel GREAT!
5) How long is the average hospital stay? 2-3 days...depending on how you feel and what your surgeon thinks.
6) I hear theres a lot of hernias after such a surgery? I've heard that as well. Knock on wood...I haven't gotten one.
7) I hear a lot about doing paper work before getting surgery? What is this about? Basically, you need to make sure you have all your ducks in a row. Documentation in your medical records that you've attempted at least one medically supervised diet for 6 months. There is a lot of paperwork that is needed. We had to write out our diet history, why we want to have surgery, medical history, etc.
8) Out of the following list have anyone heard of this conditions stopping?
Sleep Apnea, Diabetes, Infertility, High Colesteral, DVT - I don't know what DVT is, but the rest I've heard have been resolved from the weight loss. I stopped snoring completely the day of surgery! My blood sugar is normal, my blood pressure is normal, my arthritis is better, you just feel so much better when the weight starts coming off.

I want you to know that these are all great questions and if you have any other questions, regardless of what they are, please don't hesitate to ask. I do want you to know that if I could do this over again, I would definitely do it in a heartbeat! I am so pleased with my progress and how well I've healed. I know that once I'm done with losing all of my weight, I will want to have some cosmetic surgery, such as a tummy tuck. I have stretch marks on my lower tummy from being pregnant with close to 9 lb. babies each time. I would like to get rid of that and the semi-loose skin I have in that area. Whatever it takes...even if I can't afford the tummy tuck right away, my weight loss is good enough for me. I don't regret it one bit.

Good luck to you & I'm glad you posted your picture! Now we can put a name to a face.

BFD · 03-08-2005, 06:42 PM

Yea thats me, and my Chewie he's a 9 month old landseer newfoundlander dog. DVT is Deep vein thrombosis blood clots in the leg, also had Pulmanary Embolisoms clots in the lungs, never want to go through that again they are some main reason I am going for this. I will probrobly post here alot sence I site a computer most of the day at work. I will find the differances very interesting between the United States and Canada.

Meaghan · 03-08-2005, 09:31 PM

Irela,

I know what you mean about the baby thing - my son was 10 pounds, had him on my due date thank God! I'd like to get a tummy tuck after I lose my weight too... but my insurance is miserable and if they won't cover my GBS I doubt they will cover the tummy tuck.

bridgetgirl · 03-09-2005, 09:51 AM

Hernias usually occur with folks who have their procudure done open vs lap. Although I had my procedure was done lap and my plastic surgeon found a hernia? I dont know if thats true or not, I never felt one, he states he took pictures and was going to forward them to Dr C, so we'll see....
Also you must start walking for at least 10 mins a day a couple times a day the day you go home from the hospital. This will help keep DVT away.

All of my preoperative MO conditions have pretty much resolved at this time: The asthma and shortness of breath are gone, my blood sugars are normal, no more aching hips, knees, ankles and feet. I had a DVT also, it was a few years prior to surgery... all went well so far. The urinary/stress incontinence... still working on that, but its not nearly as bad as it was. The great thing is, I havent twisted/sprained my ankle in about 6 months... this use to be a bi weekly occurence at best!