Post Op questions...

Hi Everyone,

I had a very successful surgery on Oct. 1st. Was home by the 3rd. Was able to have it done larpro which makes me very happy.

I have a couple of questions however....

1.) how quickly did everyone start back up thier meds, ie lexapro and bp meds after coming home after surgery?

2.) how quickly did everyone start their vitamins back up?

3.) how long should people be on the narcotics, I'm on oxycodone. Keep in mind, I'm not a drug or alcohol abuser, barely even a user, but people have questions.

I will be calling the doc tomorrow on those things. I have two different things people have told me.

When I feel better I'll have to share my poop story..I'm still mentally recoving as much as physically recovering from that.

1.) how quickly did everyone start back up their meds, ie lexapro and bp meds after coming home after surgery?

You should be able to start these up right away.  You should have received some information regarding this before you left the hospital.  If you cannot recall, look for your discharge paperwork.  It should be in there.  Otherwise, call your surgeon.  If you are taking BP meds, please monitor your BP regularly.  Mine plummeted to 60/40 within days of coming home.

2.) how quickly did everyone start their vitamins back up?

You should start taking these right away.  Out of curiosity, what does your surgeon recommend you take?

3.) how long should people be on the narcotics, I'm on oxycodone. Keep in mind, I'm not a drug or alcohol abuser, barely even a user, but people have questions.

Pain is subjective and everyone experiences if to varying degrees.  If you are in pain, take your medication.  It is easier to keep pain managed, rather that try to bring it down to an acceptable level.  Having said that, I took one dose before leaving the hospital and another when I got home.  I never had to take any more of the prescription meds after that,  Tylenol was fine for me.

Congratulations on your WLS!!!

Thanks Sharyn, I am going to hold off on the BP and start my lexapro tonight.

I was somewhat out of it when I got home. Still a bit out of it. Can barely type. Had some really bad nausea which I thought was contributed to by drinking too much, but then I never had the full feeling. Ends up the nausea and dry heaving was due to be constipated. Haven't had an issue since I went.

The other thing I'm finding is that my body is constantly itching all over the place. Initially they said that was from the morphine drip...I'm thinking it might be something else. However, I don't have any hives.

The other interesting thing is that everytime I wake up I have caked blood in my nose, but I don't get bloody noses while I'm up and walking around. I'm able to increase my activicty more and more everyday and hope to be walking outside tomorrow.

The itching could be from the morphine.  That is a common side effect.  Take some Benedryl if you have it.  That should help.

I'm not sure on the bloody nose.  It might be from dehydration or the anesthetic.  As long as you are not losing too much blood and it stops for you, it shouldn't be a problem. 

Be sure to crush all of your meds and vitamins and such for now.  Do you have a pill crusher???  If not, you can pick one up from your local pharmacy for ~$5.

LMAO Been there, done that with nausea and dry heaves from constipation. I ended up taking mag citrate (don't suggest it unless nothing else has worked).

I had the bloody nose thing too.  It went away after a couple of days.  Dr said it was from the oxygen tubes in my nose.  It went away after a couple of days.

Welcome to the loser's bench!

I started up on my reg meds the day after I came home. I was on some in the hospital. I agree with Sharyn about the BP meds. Mine dropped to 80/40 (I know it got lower) and I passed out. NOT FUN!

Vitamins were started the day after I got home too.

I agree with Sharyn. It's all how you feel. I was on them for about a week after I got home BUT... I was open.

CONGRATS on your surgery Sweetie. I'm glad everything went well for you. I can't help you with your questions due to I'm still pre-op...but I'm anxiously waiting to read your POOP story...lol.

Welcome back hon!

Hi Jody,
Congrats on your surgery!!
As far as when you should start backs taking your meds, I think the only person that can answer that is YOUR DR!  I was also on many meds before surgery, and after my Dr told me, "NO MEDS!"
Please dont take your health into your own hands. Call the DR and ask these questions. (as you said, your have 2 differnet people telling you things. BUT, the most important is "YOUR" DR!!!!
(All surgeons are different and they have their own beliefs of what to do after surgery. I know many people had pureed food after surgery, but mine said only clear liquids for 2 weeks and then start eating foods like cottage cheese, fat free cheese, egg (yuk), white fish, tuna, baby shrimp, but said I did not have to puree, just chew!)

My vitamins did not start until my 4th day home and he suggested Flinstones Childrens Chewable (2). (another YUK)

Pain meds didnt happen for me. The pain was very tolerable.

I wish you much success and wonderful things in your new life!!!
Sweeny

CONGRADULATIONS !!!

I WOULD CALL YOU DR. TODAY ABOUT THE MEDICATION ISSUE.  YOU SHOULD BE TAKING YOUR LEXAPRO TO AVOID ANY WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS. THE ITCH IS FROM THE PAIN MEDICINE. A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. BENADRYL WILL DO THE TRICK.....YOU SHOULD DRINK AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE...TAKING SMALL SIPS .....CONSTANTLY !! ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS AFTER THE SURGERY IS DEHYDRATION. YOU WANT TO AVOID IT THE BEST YOU CAN !!! IT WILL ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE "POOP WOES"

PLEASE CALL YOUR SURGEON'S OFFICE TODAY. DO NOT FEEL YOU NEED TO WAIT FOT FOLLOW UP AT APPTOINTMENTS. THEY WERE RATHER HERE FROM YOU BEFORE A PROBLEM OCCURS !!!