Yeahhhhh - I'm back and on the losing side - ThinnerTimes

Hope · 05-08-2005, 10:44 AM

Hi Everyone,

I am back, day 6 post op. I am feeling reall good today. Hopefully I will be in a little less discomfort today so I can be up a little longer. Thank you everyone for all of your support and encouragement. Now I have a few post op questions.

1. Still can't eat or drink much, only taking less than 1/2 of everything in that I should be. Is this normal and any advice is appreciated.

2. When did you all take your first real shower? Was is painful when water hit the open drain tube site?

3. How long were you all on post op pain meds?

4. Little gross - drainage is lightening in color but not decreasing in volume, is this normal?

5. All other post op advice of things I forgot to ask would be greatly appreciated too.

Thanks again guys.

Love Trace

Jeanie · 05-08-2005, 10:53 AM

I took my first shower in the hospital. The day after surgery. It wiped me out. Everytime after I took a shower for about 2 weeks I had to lie down because it took everything out of me. I didn't have a drainage tube, so sorry I can't help you with that. My parents forced me to eat and drink because I had no desire, so yeah I think it's noraml that you don't eat that much.
I'm glad to hear that you're feeling good today. Hopefully you can slowly stop taking the pain meds. I think I stopped taking mine like a week and a half out, but then again I went back to work 2 1/2 weeks later, because I'm a nut!

Anne · 05-08-2005, 11:47 AM

Hi, Hope,

Glad you're feeling good today. It does get better. I had my first shower the day I came home, it felt soooooo good. I could have in the hospital, but just didn't feel up to it. Also, I made sure my sister stayed while I took it to make sure I didn't fall and kill myself. (That would've been bad after making it thru surgery!

)

I still can't eat too much, so, yes, I think that is normal. I was told to mainly keep myself hydrated and don't worry so much about the food.

I, too, didn't have a drain, but that sounds like it's normal. Sounds like you're doing just fine, just keep sipping the fluids and walk as much as you can.

LizardQueen · 05-08-2005, 04:26 PM

CONGRATULATIONS LOSER!!! I didn't shower for a week (doc said two but I couldn't take it anymore) The water didn't hurt the drain at all. Just be careful not to get anything (soap excess water) in the hole. My drainage got lighter but the volume stayed the same for a few days. I actually started draining body fat in my drain (I thought I had worms lol). I never could get down all I was suppose to and still have some trouble (10 wks out) with keeping hydrated. I was on pain meds for four weeks (had the open and doc said to) I did go down to a med that wasn't as strong after 2 wks. Try to sip throughout the day and walk as much as you can. The worst is over so just try to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Amber

Meaghan · 05-08-2005, 07:27 PM

I showered when I got home (5 days in hospital), it felt so good! I covered my drainage area with a plastic bag and taped it down, after the drain was out I would put a bandaid over the hole. The drainage area is finally healed - I'm 4 weeks out. I don't eat a whole lot either, so don't worry about it so much, just be sure to stay hydrated.

CJ Skinner · 05-08-2005, 09:42 PM

I would also like to add a few questions on this line too. The one that comes to mind is, about not wanting to eat. Is that normal with most people or is the the exception. I hope i fall in that group where i dont want to eat. i was told i would be laprascopic at first and if he couldnt do that he would open me up in the first 15 minutes of the operation. Did anyone go in thinking lap and then got open instead. And why.
pre op
(368/372/186)
cj

Anne · 05-09-2005, 12:15 AM

CJ,

I went in wanting lap, but after my pre-op with my sister attending, we both decided I should do the open. Why? Well, most of all, is my body shape. I quess I am an apple more than a pear. All my weight is in my middle mostly. And I wanted him to have room to move and see everything that he was doing. I decided the day before surgery to do open. I just felt better that everything would be seen and there would be no problems. That was my decision, He would have done lap and changed to open if need be, but I felt better with just starting with open.

I hope that helps, but it is ultimately your decision. Good luck,

kristyann · 05-09-2005, 08:18 AM

Hello,
I am actually having the same dilemma. I am really not sure of what procedure I feel better with. My surgeon will be doing laporscopic with a specialist during the time frame I will be having surgery however I don't know if that is better or worse for me. Knowing that there will be someone who is focused on laporscopic is great but thinking that my surgeon is basically new to garstic bypass laporscopically is scarry. My surgeon has done other procedures laporscopically just no this one. I am really stuck with this descission.

twokids · 05-09-2005, 08:51 AM

First of all Congrats on becoming a loser!

In my experience, I was in the hospital three days and took two showers. They removed drainage tubes before I came home, all I really remember about them was how they hurt coming out!

I took pain meds for about a week, then went to ibuprofen for a couple more weeks. I was back at work two weeks after surgery (I'm one of the nuts too!)

At first, I ate by the clock. I felt sick just to think about eating, but knew I had too. And yes, I ate about 1/2 of what the doctor recommended.

My surgeon preferes open vs. lap. Says he can see more and feel more. He felt there were less chances of any complication doing it open. I opted to go with what the surgeon fel comfortable with.

Good luck making your decision open vs. lap. This is a great place to find the answers you are looking for.

Hope · 05-09-2005, 09:28 AM

Thanks for all the reassurances. The last thing any of us wants is to do something wrong after all the hard work we have put into ourselves. Drainage is actually lightening up and decreasing in volume. YEAH!!! Took my first shower last night. THANK GOD!!! (my poor husband). I am also moving around much better. Just a heads up for all you pre ops....your back muscles are going to be very sore. Just try to make yourself a comfortable as possible.

I personally wanted lap instead of open because I didn't want to be laid up for too long. I have 3 young children and I watch 2 during the weekdays. Thank you to my husband who has been taking care of everyone. I am getting stronger everyday and can't wait to be strong enough to start walking in a few days. I have to say that I owe how well things are actually going to GOD first then my HUSBAND because without them I would not be doing as well as I am now. Prayer really works. AMEN!!!

Without GOD I am no one.
Trace