QUESTION FOR ANYONE WHO HAD THE OPEN TYPE SURGERY

Hello All, I have been approved and am waiting on a surgery date...My Surgeon is doing it OPEN....which I was advised it would be in the next two weeks..I have never had surgery before..and I know things are different from person to person..I just want to get a general idea of how long you missed work..or were not able to be active?

Elizabeth, First, let me say congratulations on your surgery! So you have never had any surgery before? Well, your in for a good one! See, it's been over two years for me, so I am at the stage where I can joke about it! My surgery was an open RNY, and at the same time I had a hernia repair x2, and Gallbladder removal. After coming home from the hospital, I wasn't really able to get in and out of bed, my incision was about 10 inches long. Oh, that is a great question to ask your surgeon, how long is your incision expected to be? Anyway, I spent most of my time over about 10 days, in my recliner. I used a small little pillow to cover my abdomen and apply pressure (my surgeons advice) It felt really good to have that support. I used it whenever I got up to move around the house. You are so right when you say that everyone is different, for me it was a good 2 weeks just to be able to be mobile, and 6 weeks before I felt "normal", for some I am sure that they will give you a totally different timetable. The one thing that I will tell you, is that this was the best thing that I have ever done in my life, and I hope that after your surgery you will feel the same way! Good Luck, Cathy Martin

Hi Elizabeth - and congratulations on being approved! I had open surgery nearly 8 weeks ago, so it's rather 'fresh' in my mind. My incision was about 5" long, but I did not need any other repair work done, just the RNY. I was in the hospital for 2 days, then came home. The first day I needed the pain meds they gave me, but not after that. From the 3rd day it was mostly just soreness. It was difficult getting in and out of bed, or up and down from a chair, but I was walking without any pain. After about 2 weeks I was feeling pretty good, just tired, low energy. I would not have been ready to go back to a full day's work for about 5-6 weeks, although I know others have returned sooner. (Most of them have said it was too soon, though, still not enough energy.) Just take naps, pamper yourself, and walk, walk, walk! It really helps! Best of success to you, Cheryl

I saw on your profile that you're using Dr Hixon. I know from expirence that he worked with my surgeon (Dr Burrowes) and uses very much the same method that my surgeon uses. My scar is about 3" long (and oddly enough is shrinking with the weight loss). I have another friend of mine who used Dr Hixon and her scar is vere similar to mine. Every person has a different recovery time. For me I was in the Hospital 3 days and was okay - except the gas pain was HORRIBLE. Once the gas moved I was a new person (man - you'll understand that one) I was walking from the day after surgery and haven't stopped with my working out since. I was back at work in 3 weeks - but was begging to go back at two weeks. I also work a non-physically strenuous job (I sit at a desk all day) so going back wasn't a big deal because I wasn't doing anything differently than what I was doing at home. (Except my naps....LOL) Asl this question to your doctor - he's honestly going to be the one to best judge what he feels your recovery time will be! Best of luck to you - I pray that you join the loosers quickly and safely!! Dee Dee

I too, had open...Dr. Burrowes and my scar is also about 3...maybe 4" long.. it's very small though. Surgery on Monday, released to go home Wed. PM. Like the others, the tough part was getting in and out of bed...SORENESS! pulling on all those muscles that you forget you use to get up and down with.I had no gas pains that so many speak of. For the first two weeks, I kept thinking this has to get worse! but except for the fatigue "spells" I had a couple of times, it didn't. I mean I was able to walk my driveway within a few days and that helped me. I don't mean to sound like I didn't know I had surgery. I DID! I did not go back to work for 6 weeks, my choice...I had the time...I truly would have been in bad shape for an 8 hour day if I'd gone back before 4, but overall the experience was not that bad. I know you're gonna do just fine! Sometimes..ignorance is bliss! The less we know the better off we are. ;) Good luck!

I had the open procedure and I was out of work for only a month. I was driving in only two weeks. (ok, I was driving very gingerly)