How long til you could really go back to work?
I am scheduled to ave my surgery on Wed. Sept. 15th and planned to be back at work the following Monday. Is this realistic? I am in sales in the construction industry so I am carrying tools around (some that way up to 20 lbs) and walking all over construction job sites.
I am getting the gastric sleeve. In your experience - how long til you are REALLY back to 100%??
Thanks,
Mias Mom
Best wishes on your journey.
Lois
Ask Dr. B how frequently it happens; he'll tell you exactly how many episodes they've had. I don't think it is frequent, but it does happen and I remember him mentioning it in the seminar as a complication. I think mine had about stopped when they opened me up on Friday; they glued the entire staple line and sucked out the pooled blood. Since then I've asked him about what might have caused it and was told it could have been a blood vessel didn't get completely crimped by the staple line. My personal suspicion is that the first time I stood to walk, I was queasy and retched, tearing loose a tiny spot.
You're younger than me and will probably have an even better recovery. Some people on the VSG forum talk about still feeling hunger after the surgery. I never did, but I think the fact that I had done a low carb diet for three months prior to surgery may have helped. Also, sometimes people confuse acid problems and stomach tenderness with hunger. Talk to the doctor if you are feeling uncomfortable about anything.
Good luck!
Looks like you are doing great with your weight loss. Any hunger or anything after your surgery?
As far as hunger, I just kept my stomach full of liquids so no hunger issues. The first couple of weeks I would see a commercial and think oh that looks good but the thought of eating it made me sick. Your stomach is so fragile at first. Now 2 months out, I feel a small amount of rumbling in my stomach like ahunger pain but that is because I might not have drank in quite awhile. But my head says I dont want to eat anything. Very trippy. So I just get a drink and it goes away.
I had the same scheule: check in early weds a.m. had surgery by 1pm, walking by 3ish, d/c 1pm next day. back to work on Monday.
Only my abdomen was sore, felt like I'd done a million sit ups or been puking for a week (LOL). I went back to mostly "desk" job and was fine other than somewhat tired. I didn't have a choice either, not enough sick leave and didn't really think I'd need anything more unless I had a complication.
Had no comps, no pain meds, did everything I usually do and just didn't get overly into more difficult chores. Like I wouldn't have mowed the lawn or anything like that--but I did carry a case of water into the house (but didn't have to bend over or down to let go) so just be smart. You'll know what you can do and what can wait. Some people are not knocked out by surgery but some are.
WHAT I DO RECOMMEND is taking a pillow with you to surgery. You will want to hold it to your stomach when you drive home. It feels like you have no control, you're full of air, fluids, and gas and you might feel like your tummy is now uncontrollable jello (feels like that) so when you make a turn or hit a bump....you feel like your guts are gonna come out. A pillow is merely a psychological bandaid but feels good!!
My surgery was textbook perfect. I had absolutely NO complications. That being said, I had surgery on Friday, went back to work on Tuesday, and was wiped out in 5 hours. My job requires no lifting.
Please talk to your surgeon and see what he has to say.