post-op questions
Hi all,
I should have introduced myself earlier, I have been a long time lurker, first time poster. I had RNY at Barix on Monday, 3/22. Surgery was very uneventful, I was up walking within hours, did my laps every 2 hours, and really felt better than I ever expected. The staff at Barix and Dr. Boe are awesome! I came home yesterday and I now have all of these new paranoid thoughts running around in my head - am I moving enough to prevent blood clots? What was that little twinge in my side? Can I move too much and tear something? Is this normal? I went to get in bed last night and I was too stiff to lay flat - once I found a comfortable position on my side I felt a little muscle spasm that sent me running out to sleep on the recliner. Did anyone else feel this crazy post-op?
Holly
I should have introduced myself earlier, I have been a long time lurker, first time poster. I had RNY at Barix on Monday, 3/22. Surgery was very uneventful, I was up walking within hours, did my laps every 2 hours, and really felt better than I ever expected. The staff at Barix and Dr. Boe are awesome! I came home yesterday and I now have all of these new paranoid thoughts running around in my head - am I moving enough to prevent blood clots? What was that little twinge in my side? Can I move too much and tear something? Is this normal? I went to get in bed last night and I was too stiff to lay flat - once I found a comfortable position on my side I felt a little muscle spasm that sent me running out to sleep on the recliner. Did anyone else feel this crazy post-op?
Holly
OK - congrats first of all!!!
To prevent blood clots you should be moving around at least every hour - now no marathon but walk to the bathroom etc. You should be walking longer a few times a day though. At night Dr Brader told me that whenever I woke up to get up and take a short walk, mine was usually to the bathroom (might as well if you are making me get up right? lol) then some water and back to bed.
Those twinges in your side are muscles recovering from the surgery
You can move too much this early out and tire yourself or hurt yourself - just don't do anything crazy or lift anything heavy and you'll be fine.
Totally normal not to be able to lay flat in bed for a bit. You can try propping your head up with some pillows and putting a pillow under your knees if you really want to be in bed.
Oh and YES we all have these questions post op!!!
Welcome to the losers bench!
Liz
PS - Walk SIp Breathe and repeat!
To prevent blood clots you should be moving around at least every hour - now no marathon but walk to the bathroom etc. You should be walking longer a few times a day though. At night Dr Brader told me that whenever I woke up to get up and take a short walk, mine was usually to the bathroom (might as well if you are making me get up right? lol) then some water and back to bed.
Those twinges in your side are muscles recovering from the surgery
You can move too much this early out and tire yourself or hurt yourself - just don't do anything crazy or lift anything heavy and you'll be fine.
Totally normal not to be able to lay flat in bed for a bit. You can try propping your head up with some pillows and putting a pillow under your knees if you really want to be in bed.
Oh and YES we all have these questions post op!!!
Welcome to the losers bench!
Liz
PS - Walk SIp Breathe and repeat!
YES, I felt that crazy post-op!!! Haha. Welcome to non-lurker status and congratulations.
To your questions:
1. You can't move "too much" - keeping yourself moving is great and will set you up for more flexibility, the start of a good exercise program, and will ward off those nasty blood clots.
2. The little twinge in your side was quite likely just normal muscle healing. Especially on your left side, which is where the larger instruments go.
3. Not surprising that you're feeling too stiff to lay flat yet - I got one of those big "triangle" foam things and used that for about a week or so until I felt comfortable laying flat. However, it's purely a comfort thing - you're not going to hurt yourself by laying flat.
4. You're not going to tear anything. There are so many layers of sutures and staples and glue and whatnot that they use to reconnect you, that you'd have to do some really major work to rip things. Stay within your surgeon's guidelines for lifting (you're probably at the "don't lift more than 10 pounds" stage), but otherwise go with how your body is telling you it feels. Soreness is good, remember!
As with everything, though - if something doesn't feel right or if you have questions, call Dr. Boe or Barix.
Good luck and welcome to the loser's bench!
Karen
To your questions:
1. You can't move "too much" - keeping yourself moving is great and will set you up for more flexibility, the start of a good exercise program, and will ward off those nasty blood clots.
2. The little twinge in your side was quite likely just normal muscle healing. Especially on your left side, which is where the larger instruments go.
3. Not surprising that you're feeling too stiff to lay flat yet - I got one of those big "triangle" foam things and used that for about a week or so until I felt comfortable laying flat. However, it's purely a comfort thing - you're not going to hurt yourself by laying flat.
4. You're not going to tear anything. There are so many layers of sutures and staples and glue and whatnot that they use to reconnect you, that you'd have to do some really major work to rip things. Stay within your surgeon's guidelines for lifting (you're probably at the "don't lift more than 10 pounds" stage), but otherwise go with how your body is telling you it feels. Soreness is good, remember!
As with everything, though - if something doesn't feel right or if you have questions, call Dr. Boe or Barix.
Good luck and welcome to the loser's bench!
Karen
Hi Holly and welcome! I also had Dr Boe for my surgery and just love him and the entire staff at Barix - it is an awesome experience and what you're feeling is 100% normal. I slept on a chaise lounge in a propped position for a couple of weeks before I felt really comfortable in bed, but that was about the only real pain or discomfort I had. And if you think you have a question that may be too 'medical' for us just pick up the phone and call Barix - they are so helpful and you can never be too careful following any type of invasive surgery.
Welcome to the Loser's Bench - keep us posted on your progress.
Kathy
Welcome to the Loser's Bench - keep us posted on your progress.
Kathy
'One shoe can change your life'...Cinderella
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