What should i expect following surgery? - ThinnerTimes

fatalbeauty1 · 12-17-2007, 02:42 PM

LAP RNY gastric bypass booked for 30th January - 6 weeks and counting..

I have to tell you all the truth, ive been sat on my computer for the last three hours reading so many posts. Im feeling very emotional and have a few tears in my eyes as i write this.

After finally making the decision and booking my surgery it seems fear and anxiousness has taken over. At first i was adiment that this was my only and final option, i was so excited about having it done that i hadnt really looked at the bigger picture. Ive had alot of surgery before, both for cosmetic and health reasons but on none of those ocassions have i felt this way. Its almost like i am preparing myself for the end of my life, possibly not in the literal sense but its dawning on me that this is a life changing operation. I havent gone into this with my eyes closed, i just think the enormity of what im about to do is kicking in a bit.

I have a few questions to ask and i would appreciate it so much if any of you could take the time to answer some of them. Please do not hold back on your answers, i want the good and the bad. Just so you know i dont blush easily so you can be as outspoken as you like!!

1. Im not massively massively over weight, i think my BMI is around 35/40% Does your size/weight effect your recovery and pain following recovery?

2. If i am likely to experience pain, what should i expect?

3. Is there anything i can take before or after to help with the pain?

4. Toilet issues... Does it hurt when you first go for a poo after surgery!?!?!? There, i said it

5. Is it normal to feel so emotional before the opp?

I had a million and one questions in my head but i seem to have gone blank. Natural blonde moment...

Love to all.xx

Toony · 12-17-2007, 03:03 PM

Hi Olivia... I'm about a week behind you - and can't really answer your questions since I haven't been there yet... I know I'm all over the board with my emotions about this surgery, but always end up landing on the spot that says, "Yes, this is right for you!" There are others here who have had the surgery and who have had Dr. Dillmans - they'll be here to "hold your hand" through this time of high anxiety!

Katie

Zenomia · 12-17-2007, 03:36 PM

What to Expect: Simple...Expect Everything!! That way no matter what happens, your prepared. Take this time to research, study and understand everything that can go right and wrong with this surgery. The more you know, the easier it is to deal with the situations you will face. Sadly, there is NO set pattern that we all follow post-op. We are all individuals with individual patterns of recovery. No one can say...it will be this or that for you with any certainty. Best to just know everything you can..and understand that you have to be able to adjust to whatever life throws at you!! Welcome to RollerCoasters for WLS Dummies...101!

Corrine · 12-17-2007, 04:06 PM

1. Im not massively massively over weight, i think my BMI is around 35/40% Does your size/weight effect your recovery and pain following recovery?

I don't believe so. You can't count on identical twins handling the situation the same way. We're all different.

I was a lightweight at the time of surgery and even with an umbilical hernia repair at the same time, I didn't think the pain was unmanageable but then I believe that a positive attitude is the only way to go into this.

2. If i am likely to experience pain, what should i expect?

Truthfully, I didn't experience much in the way of pain. I had the pump thing in hospital and made good use of it thank you. I was told beforehand not to be a martre.

I came home on day 3 with liquid Oxycodone. I used it for two days and then used it for just the night-time for two more day days.

3. Is there anything i can take before or after to help with the pain?

The hospital should send you home with pain medication - TAKE IT if you need it. Getting behind with pain meds isn't a wise thing.

Put liquid Tylenol on your shopping list. Do not take it in conjunction with the stuff the hospital gives you though.

4. Toilet issues... Does it hurt when you first go for a poo after surgery!?!?!? There, i said it

LOL Didn't hurt me and I didn't have a bowel prep either. The best thing you can do is to drink as much water etc. as possible post-op.

I did have constipation issues about a week after surgery but Milk of Magnesia helped with that. Ask your doc. beforehand as to what they'd recommend.

5. Is it normal to feel so emotional before the opp?

Yep! And it's normal to feel super emotional afterwards too. The best thing you can do is come here and post about it. Sods law you'll find you're not alone and that in itself was enough to get me over the hump.

fatalbeauty1 · 12-18-2007, 03:08 AM

I find the more im on this site the more im saying thank you to everyone!! I cant wait for the day that im giving advice to fellow newbies.

Thank you all once again.xxx

txchick1971 · 12-18-2007, 06:03 AM

congrats........and i wish you the best!!!......my nerves are so shot that i just hope i can make it til surgery date

fatalbeauty1 · 12-18-2007, 08:39 AM

Hi Tricia, so pleased to see that you are as nervous as me!!! Im not sure if you have seen her on here yet but Vim&Vigour left a wonderfully detailed posting of her experiences during and after her opp. It was a great read and i felt alot better afterwards.

Enjoy your christmas time and food etc while you can, its a whole new life for us afterwards.

All the best. Olivia.x

rappaport · 12-18-2007, 08:59 AM

As everyone has already said, there's really not much in the way of pain, but there will be some discomfort from the soreness/stiffness of your stomach muscles and one of your incisions in particular, which should be just left of your belly button where they insert the camera is the only incision that I even noticed. A bit of advice, when you're in the hospital, get off your bed from the right side. Your left side will be somewhat sore and maneuvering off the bed from that side stresses your camera port incision. That doesn't feel good.

Take the pain meds offered. They are great at bedtime to allow you to sleep somewhat comfortably for the first week or so. I couldn't sleep in bed for the first week because I have a sleep number bed and it was hard getting in and out. I slept on the couch till I was able to get up and down easier. I never sleep on my back, so it took me a little longer to get to the point where I could feel comfortable, almost three weeks.

When you leave the hospital, have a pillow available in the car. The trip home is a fun one and holding the pillow across your stomach helps to reduce discomfort from the bumps along the way.

Vim&Vigour · 12-24-2007, 08:04 AM

Hello Ols!
Thank you for your nice words above (ALWAYS wonderful to be approved!)
I like your questions - they should be included in a Newbie Hanbook (start writing it as it could certainly help others!)
I consider myself exceptionally lucky in my recovery, but in part Dr. Dillemans uses a different technique than in the US (called CAPELLA) which reduces a lot of post-op discomfort. My replies to your queries in blue...
Good luck!
Cheers,
Vim

1. Im not massively massively over weight, i think my BMI is around 35/40% Does your size/weight effect your recovery and pain following recovery?
My BMI was just at (morbidly obese) 39.4, below the "usual" 40 and Dr. D said that is no problem at all, only makes it easier (for him).

2. If i am likely to experience pain, what should i expect?
Yes, pain comes already in the recovery room and for me lasted 12-15 hours, even though I had pain meds. A lot of the pain is worry or fright for what we do not understand. We worry that the stiches may come undone if we were to sneeze, we worry about the wounds becoming infected, we worry that if we turn on our side the internal stiches will come undone... There is genuine discomfort (as though somebody has walked across your stomach with Doc Martens heavy shoes!) but you KNOW that you have access to painkillers. You are worried that if you cough you might vomit or throw up blood... Once many of these, genuine, fears are allayed, you'll be just fine. This is when having your Mother with you becomes all important. You'll want someone you love to hold your hand and reassure you that you are ok....

3. Is there anything i can take before or after to help with the pain?
The hospital provides you well with all the painkillers you need. You are NOT allowed ANY medication 2 WEEKS before surgery other than PARACETAMOL. This is very important because of the blood thinning etc.

4. Toilet issues... Does it hurt when you first go for a poo after surgery!?!?!? There, i said it
There is no reason for the poo to hurt. Enjoy your last meal, go on the loo if you can before you go in for surgery and don't worry if you can't produce anything. Post-surgery, you'll be so grateful to even wee in the loo rather than into a bedpan. Once you are up and walking, you will enjoy a visit to the loo and produce small post-anaesthetic farts. Perhaps Day 4 of your op you'll have your first - small- success. It just comes naturally when it wants to and no pain involved. Nearly 3 weeks out, I have regular motions, but only every other day. Remember, we are foodies in comparison to the US liquid diet.

5. Is it normal to feel so emotional before the opp?
Choosing this operation is indeed life changing. Consider it as a marriage - wouldn't you be thoughtful, high and low when moving in and settinig up home with a nice guy? Is he the right one for me, what ifs? - It is like a good relationship - it needs working at and will offer you good and bad days... (I have been happily married so far for 25 years - we have just bought wedding bands for our next 25!) same goes for our RNY!