what to expect - lap rny

I have a little over a month to go before my surgery and i've been thinking more about it lately and frankly getting a little nervous. those of you that have had Dr. Bell and a lap rny, can you tell me what to expect after. like how you felt that day, the next day, at home, when you started feeling like yourself. how much time i should request off. stuff like that. i kind of am looking for a blow by blow description of what to expect, what normal looks like so if something is abnormal i will know that this isnt right and say something. If you have had dr bell and a lap rny, please respond. thanks

Hi Lauren: Although I did not have Dr. Bell, I did have lap rny 10-28-03. Dr. Ehrlich in Norwalk did mine. If you'd like to e mail me privately, I'd be glad to give you my phone number and I'd be happy to answer any questions that you might have. Wishing you all the best as you count down!! Have a great holiday! God Bless, Bob

Hi Lauren, I did have lap rny 3 weeks ago, but not with Dr. Bell. I had Dr. Crum. I was very fortunate and have had really no problems. In the hospital my pain was mostly from the very small incisions, but it wasn't excruciating pain it was just very, very sore (like you did 5000 stomach crunches). I did bruise quite a bit, but doc says that doesn't happen to everyone. I got up out of bed about 3 hours after surgery and walked the halls for a while. Walking is very important because they pump your insides with air (actually some type of gas) so they can manuever your organs more easily for the actual work inside. This gas needs to get out of your body or it will move up into your shoulder blades and can be painful. I kept walking so I never felt this pain. Also, walking gets the blood moving better and you will heal faster. I did experience slight back pain the first week or so only because I wasn't standing up straight from the stomach soreness and I have back problems to begin with. But by the time I left the hospital 2 days later, I really felt like I was healing quickly. My doc also said to just keep drinking all day in the hospital to get my insides working right away. This will help from getting the dry heaves. I guess it worked because I never felt queasy or nauseus ever. You really don't ever feel whats going on internally since the trauma of the surgery causes the nerve endings inside not to react and they don't start to return until 3 to four weeks into it. I am now just starting to "feel' my insides and it is not pain its just kind of there. I had planned on going back to work only one week after surgery, but decided to wait it out to 10 days. Only reason was the car was the only place I felt uncomfortable. The bumps would make the muscles in my stomach very sore, but at home I was moving around just fine. Just don't try to pick things up or do too much strenuous stuff. It didn't hurt but it could cause problems internally that you wouldn't feel because of the nerve numbness. Follow ALL the instructions the doctor gives you. They have been doing this enough that they know what works and doesn't work. If your doctor isn't helpful email me and I can give you all the lists I was given for each week for the first 6 weeks. So far I do everything I'm told and haven't had any problems. It sounds scary, but I am the biggest chicken when it comes to doctors and I can't even describe the calmess and at peace I was the morning of surgery and even during prep prior to entering the surgical room. You'll do just fine. Just be sure this is really what you want to do before you go. I think this is why I am doing so well. I was really, really ready. I wish you the best of luck and keep me posted. Tee

Hey Lauren, I am 3 weeks post op tomorrow (Wed) and feel great! Just like the other person the funny thing is I was not nervous at all the day of or even when I got in the operating room. I had Dr Barba and I just love him. He was right there in the operating room talking to me with such an ease I couldnot get over it. After I was in recovery for a long time waiting for a bed but really didn't matter to me since I was so groggy from the anethesia (sp). I had no pain at all the first night since again all the drugs. They were great with pain meds since they do not want you to feel anything that first night. Also if you at ALL feel nausous when coming out of the surgery tell them since they can give you something ASAP and it works that fast. The second day I was awake enough that I wanted to get up and walk. Which I did. You certainly feel discomfort but actual pain I would say no. Don't get me wrong, the discomfort is there and you kind of hunch over since you feel that you are stretching your stomach if you try to stand up straight. Each day I did feel better. Bring the chap stick with you since like everyone tells you that is the one thing you want for sure!!!!! I was in the hospital for 3 nights/4days (including the day of surgery). I went home on a Saturday and was tired. Just rested that day. Of course walked a lot as they want you too. Saturday night was tough being at home and having to get out of bed. Thank goodness for my husband and kids. They helped alot. Sunday was ok and that Monday was definately the turning point. I felt good. Was able to get up and down in chairs by myself. Luckily for me I am taking a bunch of time off of work. But I would say plan on AT LEAST 3 weeks. I am saying this because tomorrow will be 3 weeks for me and although I could go back I am not just yet. My doctor says take at least 4-6 weeks because although we are feeling better our insides are still healing and we have had major surgery. Hope that helps. If you have any specific questions, feel free to email me. BEST of LUCK, Carrie

Hi Lauren, I had my surgery done by Dr. Bell and I would be happy to give you the blow by blow experience but I must preface this by saying that I am not sure my experience was average. You see I had not pain and very little discomfort. I hardly used the morphine pump in the hospital at all and never used the liquid pain med that Dr. Bell prescribes for us at home. The most I took was some liquid tylenol for a headache which turned out to be unnecessary once I realized the headaches were from my blood sugar dropping over night. I merely adjusted the time I had my last 2oz of ensure (or boost) and the headaches went away. I was ready to go back to work after 2 weeks but did stay out for 4 more because I was enjoying the time off than needing to recuperate. I had lots of energy pretty quickly. I started walking more and more each day and then went to the Walk Away the Pounds tapes when the weather got too cold. I joined the gym and haven't looked back since......... if you want details please email me and I will be glad to fill you in. Be advised though that not everyone has had it as easy as I did. Take care and take some deep breathes. You will do fine. Linda

Hi Lauren, I had my lap with Dr Bell in Oct. I really didn't have any pain. The pump was great, it was mostly just some discomfort, and when the pump came out, the other meds worked just fine. I didn't take alot of the meds when I got home, but slept most of the time as I healed.I took 2 weeks off, but really didn't need that much time, except to build my strength back up( from all the sleep!) I got up the same day at the hospital and walked. NO problem at all. Going back to work was a piece of cake, even thought I was still on liquids! I think DR B is the BEST, but I am a little predjudiced when it comes to him!! Nerves are normal, I didn't really have any jitters until the whole IV "incident" but thats just me. You're gonna do great and are in fabulous hands! Robin R