Question from a noob

Hi Guys,

Steve here with a question on how soon after surgery were you able to resume light home work tasks? I am scheduled for November 5th and am hoping to put out my Christmas display around Thanksgiving.....thoughts?

Hey Steve,

I'm about 3.5 months out and can tell you that the first month my energy level was pretty low for the first month. Activities that require extended or extra energy oftentimes were out of the question except for short bits. Maybe this is the year you hire someone to help out and relax.

If it feels too soon, then listen to your body. At this point in my journey I have no issues....get ready for an amazing journey.

Nicholas

Thanks For the reply Nicholas,

Gonna try and get the bulk of it done this week and just have a couple of things to plug in around Thanksgiving which my nephew can do.

I mowed the lawn the week following surgery...granted it is a small yard(around 1200sqft) with a push mower but it took me all day with rests in between and wiped me out.  The second week I was much better but still could not lift anything per doctor so I did not temp fate.

Thanks Andrew, I have no intention of 'tempting fate' either, I think I can tempt the nephew with a few bucks and not have to worry about it

Here is the thing...You are losing a ton of weight the first few weeks.  One week I lost 10 pounds!!  The weight loss really takes it out of you.  You will try and grab for energy and it just won't be there.  Before you could grab a Snickers Bar and keep going.  Not post op RNY.  You have to listen to your doctor and your body.  Your pouch will start out the size of a walnut.  Not much can fit in there.  You probably will be losing some muscle mass (that is why they say protein first) to prevent the loss.  Also you need to know the signs of dehydration.  Dehydration is the # 1 reason post WLS people reenter the hospital.  Remember it takes energy to get up from bed, go to the bathroom, get dressed, eat something, piddle around the house, get in the car, drive to work, work, walk to the car, drive back.  The energy probably will not be there.  You have to decide what are the important tasks and what can wait to be done (or be delegated to the young high school kid in the neighborhood who needs a few bucks).  I tell guys it is best to work 1/2 days at work for the first few days...See how you handle the energy level.

After a few months post op, your energy level will come back...You can move more because you have lost the weight...Which in turn allows you to exercise more and do more activities, which cause you to loose more weight.  But, the first few months are very hard and draining.  Just my thoughts.  Brian

Thanks for the advice Brian,

I am going to be putting up the tough stuff this weekend and setting out the power cables so that i can supervise the nephew around Thanksgiving finishing off and switching on.

I'm already making big plans for next year....I want to animate the lights and annoy the neighbors

This is good stuff... You can now find it in the Men's forum FAQ!

Well if it is your wife wanting to know it will be 10-15 years before you can resume tackling items on your Honey-Do list.  If it is for you well listen to your body and go with what feels right.  The doctor will usually say like 8 weeks some people heal faster and some heal slower so go by what your body feels.

"Well if it is your wife wanting to know it will be 10-15 years"