6 days post RNY and ready to go back to work

Sorry for not posting sooner after surgery but frankly I didn't feel much like getting back on my computer until day 4 at home.

Surgery and recovery in hospital went great. I was up and walking the halls pretty quickly and went home the day after surgery. Was able to get down hot & cold liquids from the get-go.  The gas pains are the only thing I could complain about and they gave me liquid loritab for pain and a pill for gas (forgot the name) than helped.

Recovery at home was rough the first 3 days. I got very bloated leaving the hospital and the gas pains got worse at home and gas-x did not help. I seemed to be plugged up as I couldn't belch or fart or crap to relieve the gas and bloating. After 2 days I took milk of magnesia 3 times (2 sips each time) over 24 hours. Finally on the 3rd day I started passing gas and having loose crap.  Be careful. That guy that has "Nerver Trust a Fart" as a signature knows what he's talking about. I had one accident crapping in my drawers thinking it was a fart and almost had another. Started going to sit on the comode every time I felt like farting after that.

For the first 2 days at home I slept most of the time day and night and had to force myself to get up and walk so I didn't wind up with pneunomia or pass a clot. I tried to limit talking the Liquid LoriTab pain med they sent me home with because I didn't want to get constipated (as I was already plugged up).  In restrospect, I think taking the Liquid Loritab proably would have been a good thing rather than a bad thing. Drinking a lot of fluids helped with the craps after they started. I think maybe being a 62 year old guy might have made my recovery a little harder.

Now I'm really feeling much better and looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. Gained 9lbs in the hospital and took 4 days to lose that. Finally I'm starting to lose weight at a rate of a pound a day. Hope to keep that pace for a while.

Glad to hear you are doing ok.  Everyones recovery is different regardless of age, and physical ability.  I walked 4 miles a day before surgery and am 41 and had a very rough time after surgery.  I was barely allowed out of bed for 24 hours after 2 failed attempts, and only if someone was right there holding me.

I still never trust a fart it has to be the best piece of advice ever.

Sounds normal to me.  I'll throw in my 2 cents on a couple of things.  Most people have problems getting rid of the gas (moving the gas through the system).  Here are some old wifes tales that may help...Alittle nutty but who knows if it works;  Roll around on a clean floor...Maybe with your feet on a chair or couch, getting your body in different angles...laying of different sides (protect the scar sites), walk (the old standby), this last one I heard from a nurse who had RNY...Work out the gas like you are working out a "Charlie Horse"...By rubbing and pushing it through your system.  Goofy but they may work.
Concerning going back to work...It seems alittle early to me.  You may be trying to grab for energy and it may not be there (can't reach for the candy bar like before...curse you Snickers).  Even with a desk job it can be hard early on.  Remember it takes energy for getting up, getting dressed, driving to work, walking in.  Plan ahead for food and drink in both the car and at work.  What I tell guys who go back to work is try and do two 1/2 days first...4-5 hours...see how you handle it.  If you work a Monday-Friday...Go in Thursday and Friday for 1/2 days.  Then you have 2 days off to rest and see what special needs you have to take care of there at work.  Brian  PS  Know the signs of dehydration...It's the #1 reason WLS patients reenter the hospital...

Sounds like you made it through a tough spell there, good!
I think the craps are going to kill me.
Everytime I try full liquids, I might as well stay on the toi-toi for a good 6 hours.
Fire IN the hole, big time.  Ouch.
But, it's obvious I can talk to you guys about this w/o out any cringing or "gross" comments, so thank you.

Sure is going to be tough to get our tum tums and systems use to regular food again and that is something I am not looking forward to.  I'm 1 1/2 weeks out and have all ready dumped because one of the 20 Fuze drinks I bought has 28 grams of sugar, instead of 1 - 5 grams.  I only had about 1 oz and it took an hour, but boy did it hit me like the flu x 10.

Hey, 32 lbs down since 10/1 and already seeing and feeling the loss, so I guess I can handle some volcanic visits to the toilet for a while as trade.

~Amanda

I don't go crap, I give birth.

That is why it's there brother!  Sorry about you having had to experience a "laundry emergency"!

Glad you're back and on the mend.

I, too, gained weight in the hospital and I assume is was all the liquids they pumped in.

I also echo the advice on understanding your limits on work. It is tiring just getting ready and I found it very helpful to get everything ready the night before (i.e. clothes laid out, lunch in the fridge, etc.) I also found it helpful to carpool or have someone else drive you.

I lost a lot of weight the first week but have settled in to about 1 lb per day. Wish the loss was faster but as long as I keep losing, I'm not complaining.

Be sure to keep the liquids going. I "thought" I was getting adequate water on Saturday while doing some very simple and easy yard work. But, apparently I wasn't but I luckily caught it before it became a serious issue.

Keep us posted on your progress.