Question:
Just starting my journey, fear and Concerns?
I am starting my journey..I am 33 weigh 335 and am 5'4.I have had 3 c sections and I am terrified of this surgery.I am wanting to have the lap ryn.How bad is this surgery.Has anyone else out here had c sections and then had this surgery?I need alot of support...hoping to hear from you soon — Bamma_Gurl (posted on August 2, 2005)
August 2, 2005
I have not had any C sections, and the experience with surgery is different
for everybody, but I can tell you how it was for me. For the first couple
of days I was in no pain, due to the cool push-button pain thinguie :-)
And then, I had very minor discomfort. Healing after lap is so much
quicker than with an open surgery! Good luck to you!!! Angie
— [Deactivated Member]
August 2, 2005
Since I have no children, I have never had a C section. However, I do have
a friend who had a previous C section and then had a successful lap rny. As
the last poster said, it is different for everyone, but I can tell you my
experience. About three months before my lap rny, I had an umbilical hernia
repair. The incision for that wsa only about two inches long, but when they
told me to put on my clothes to go home, I thought I'd pass out when I
tried to stand up. I was uncomfortable afterwards for awhile and couldn't
sleep for quite awhile. I took my prescription pain meds after that
surgery. In fact, it made me consider how much I really wanted the rny. But
luckiy, my brother had it before me and told me it is so worth it. So I
went ahead with my rny. The day of my surgery I was still loopy, but they
got me up to walk that night. It wasn't that bad. Then the next day they
took away the morphine pain pump. I took liquid roxicet once, and that was
it. By the time I came home from the hospital, I was done with pain meds
and walking around quite well. It wsa so worth it for me. I, too, am
5'4" and was over 300 pounds. In about 8 months I lost over half of my
body weight. I got down to 149 pounds. It has been over a year and my
weight remains around 150 pounds. I was in a size 28 before surgery, and it
was tight even. I now have things in my closet that are a size 4. I even
have a sweatshirt that is a boys' size XL, and a top from the little girls'
department that says MaryKate & Ashley. It was cute, on sale, and I
figured who is going to see the tag anyway? It is so wonderful to be able
to shop anywhere. I recently bought a few dresses on sale for $4 each. I
now go to the gym every day and do 10 miles on my mountain bike. I have so
much more energy. I am a full-time college student, maintaining a 4.0, and
work part-time. I am finally living my dream. I now have the confidence to
do whatever I want to do. This surgery has changed my life in so many ways
that I am amazed. When I walk past a mirror, I still wonder who it is I am
looking at because I have been so heavy for so long that it truly amazes
me. I feel so much better and am off all of my pre-op meds. I even made it
through spring with no allergy meds. Last year I was on three of them. This
has been, by far, the wisest decision that i have ever made. The best thing
you can do is to research this surgery intensely and make sure that you go
with a good, experienced, well-qualified surgeon, should you decide to do
it. My surgeon was wonderful. I love him for the change he made in my life.
This was what I needed to jump-start me into becoming active and thinking
about whether the food I put into my body is a wise choice. You do have to
be willing to hold up your end of the bargain by changing your lifestyle
and following doctor's orders. But the reward is so worth it. Good luck in
arriving at a decion and best wishes for health and happiness always.
— Donna F.
August 2, 2005
I have had 1 c section. I had lap rny with no complications. Where they
went in was no where near my c section scar. Actually, my c section was a
lot worst off than this. I have 5 small incisions that is slowly going
away. My surgery was feb 2005.
Good luck to you.
— lucyd2
August 2, 2005
I had 3 C-sections and an abdominal hysterectomy (All 4 times my incision
was horizontal, above my pubic area.) I had a lap RNY in 2003 and did
great. I am over 2 years post op and you basically can't see my lap scars
because they are so small now. Good luck on your journey.
— Sharon T.
August 2, 2005
— aprilbaree
August 3, 2005
Don't worry Heather! My lap RNY was a trip to the spa compared to my
c-section & VBAC! I'd do it again in a heartbeat! In April of 2003 I
was a 39 yo mother of 3 girls ages 17, 6, & 3. I was/am 5'8" &
weighed 295.5. I lost a total of 155 pounds & have since then regained
about 15. I just started working out last week after a year of little
exercise. I still feel great & fully expect to drop the 15 pounds. As
far as the surgery went I had very little pain, and I am someone w/ a very
LOW tolerance to pain. The worst part was when the nurse pulled out the
drain. I went home the next day. I had my mom fly out to help w/ the kids
& was embarassed because I didn't really need her. What was key for me
was a good attitude going in & my trust in God! Blessings Heather!
You'll be fine!
— fowlerloriann
August 3, 2005
I had three C-Sections, gallbladder removed and Open RNY. I believe the
RNY was the most difficult to recover from but it could have been because I
had it at 47 years of age, and my C-sections were in my 30's with the last
being 39. But that said the recovery was not exceptionally difficult with
occasional pain medication. I think with the c-sections your mind is
diverted to caring for the baby and the RNY is pretty much focused on you.
Good luck it is a journey very much worthwhile, just like having the kids.
— jeriksson
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