Aug 3rd is the day!!! - ThinnerTimes

mello mom · 07-31-2005, 07:58 PM

I'm getting very nervous...this is the day that I will have my surgery. It will be an open RNY. I'm so ready for this day to come but scared as hell that something will go wrong and will have alot of complications. I'm missing my daughter already and it is still 2 days away. As you can probably guess I'm not apart from my daughter much at nights so it will be a change for both of us.
I've got the stuff ready for me for when I get home from the hopsital but I'm wondering what kind of post op care is really involved with once I get home. All of my co-wokers have had their procedures by lap and have not been able to tell me what I might experience with an open procedure. Any ideas with what my mom and I might have to deal with when I leave the hospital? Any help and reducing of fears will be greatly appreciated.

Melissa
08-03-05

eyesthatkissu · 07-31-2005, 08:15 PM

Having had THREE c-sections and being told many things are similar... here's what I know. Yes you will be in pain, no it won't be so bad you want to poke yourself in the eye. Coughing, laughing and sneezing are the worst. If you come home with an abdominal binder... USE IT. Walk when you can, but take your time... standing up straight will be difficult at first but try and force yourself to, your back will thank you! Take it very easy, rest a lot, walk every few hours. Don't do chores! I know that's hard, but you'll be grateful later. That's all the "general" knowledge I have for abdominal surgery, I'm sure someone else has more specifics on the open RNY, Good luck sugar, you will be in my prayers.

Andromeda · 07-31-2005, 09:26 PM

Good luck, mello mom! I am sure you will do great! I can't speak from RNY experience (yet!), but having had two c-sections......it's just like eyesthatkissu said....sneezing, coughing and laughing suck! (as did going #2

) I have my consultation on Wednesday, so I am ready to get the ball rolling! Again, good luck!

Alleusion · 07-31-2005, 11:23 PM

I had a messy c-section and wasn't allowed out of bed the first day. Once I did, there was a nurse there prodding me to get walking with insults and jeers. I wanted to kill her, but dang it, it worked! After that I was doing laps around the nurses station.

veroniquetalk · 08-01-2005, 06:06 AM

I did not have open RNY so I can't say much about that. But, I do want to wish you the very best on your journey to the skinny side!

LizardQueen · 08-01-2005, 11:46 AM

I had the open and it is tough the first week or so but nothing you can't handle. Coughing is awful! They gave me a bear at the hospital to hold when I coughed or sneezed. I also used it to get up and down. I had two drain tubes that had to be milked each day and the drainage measured. Its not that big of a deal. My Grandmother did mine for me and the nurse told us for her to use some lotion on her hands to help slide the drainage out of the tubes. That works well! We did it for a week without and there is a big difference in time and ease. You'll be sore and uncomfortable and have a hard time finding a good position to sleep in. I put pillows all around me (especially under my arms) for support and I did just fine. A lot of folks here preferred to sleep in a recliner. Whatever works for you! If you need any advice or help, I'm just a click away! Don't hesitate to ask! I'll keep you in my prayers and get back to us soon so we know how you are doing!

Anne · 08-12-2005, 09:34 PM

Melissa,

I had the open procedure and yes.....the first week is rough. But I live alone, and my sister came by every now and then to help with everything, mainly groceries. Other than that, everything was ok. I had a recliner that really was nice for the 1st week or 2 and tried to walk as much as I could. But I really felt ok. The hard part is re-learning what and how much to eat. And drinking enough water!!!!! I got 2 UTI's within the the 1st 2 months after surgery. Drink, drink, drink (or as everyone says, sip, sip sip!

)!!!!!!!!!

You'll be fine. I didn't have any small children around, but I did have 1 dog and 2 cats, and then decided.....jeez, I'll never get this much time off again.........I need a puppy for my older baby. So about 3 weeks out, I got a puppy, and went back to work after 6 weeks. Take as much time off as you can. It really helps. Good luck and try not to worry too much.