Need support from my new family

Hi there. Just had the Roux en Y on June 12, 2008. I had to stay in the hospital one day longer than expected due to a sleepy bladder. I had to be straight cathed twice. I am now home and when I am not in horrible pain from my largest incision, I am just confused as to what I am supposed to be feeling. I am having a difficult time sleeping due to the pain that is made worse by my bed. As a result, I am having a recliner delivered tomorrow. Any help with my confusion? I am worries about so many things. Am I getting enough water? Should I be eating more? Why have I not had a bowel movement? I'm starting to think my sister was right when she said that I woud regret taking this easy way out. I welcome any and all thoughts.

First of all, whoever told you that RNY is the "easy" way out doesn't know what they are talking about!  It takes a lot of commitment and diligence to make sure you get in enough protein, water, vitamins, and exercise... not to mention having to make healthy food choices.  I think about food twice as much now as I did before surgery just to be sure I stay healthy and continue to lose the weight.  So don't buy into that "easy" crap! Pain is completely normal... it ahs only been 5 days since you had your stomach and intestines cut, stapled, cauterized, and rearranged!  If it is too bad, though, you should at least check in with your surgeon's office.  The recliner should help you with sleeping.  I had open surgery and had a lot of incision pain and oozing, so I slept in a recliner for almost a month (and when I could finally sleep in bed, I still had to sleep flat on my back for a couple of weeks... and I am NOT a back sleeper!) Did your surgeon not give you instructions on how much (and what) to eat and drink?  You will not be able to eat much for a while, so concentrate on getting in your fluids so you don't get dehydrated.  Most people drink protein shakes early on to try to gte in as much protein as possible. It can take a while for your first BM post-op.  The surgery (anesthesia) and pain meds slow your bowels down AND you are eating almost nothing, so there isn't much in there to eliminate.  It sounds like your surgeon didn't do a very good job of telling you what to expect immediately post-op... Try not to worry. Lots of people have the "oh my god what did I just do to myself?" reaction during the first few weeks after surgeyr.  Most of the questions you have right now have probably been answered on the RNY forum... if you can;t find anythign using the search function, post a question and people will be happy to answer. Lora

Many thanks, Lora! Your words help more than you know. I feel that my surgeon and his staff did a great job, I just seem to have lost direction on my own. Corresponding with people, such as yourself, really helps. I will use the search option. Kind regards, Karen

Thank you guys so much for your support. I also realized today that because I am dealing with my morbid obesity, my sister probably feels reluntantly compelled to do the same. I got my recliner!!!! As a matter of fact, I am sitting in it as I type. I can already tell that I am heading in the right direction. I will keep you guys posted on my recovery. God bless. Karen

"The easy way out" I'm dying from laughter here! No offense to your sister, but please tell her she's so wrong about that statement! In regards to your worries- DON'T! everything you're feeling right now is from the anesthesia! Just sip water as much as possible and follow your eating schedule. For about the 1st 2 weeks after my surgery, I felt pretty out of it & had no desire to eat or drink. It's definitely about being conscious about eating and drinking, but don't stress about it at 1st. You're only 5 days out, as long as you're handling the pain as best you can, that's all that can be expected. You haven't had a BM because of the pain meds & lack of intake, if your doc prescribed stool softener, take it as prescribed. Walking, even just around the house as best you can will help clear the anesthesia and help with the pain. Glad to hear you're getting a recliner, I slept in mine for about the 1st month after surgery because it was just awful trying to sleep in bed! About the middle to end of week 2, you should start to perk up and feel semi-normal again. You'll be able to drink better and start to know when it's time to eat, not necessarily feel hungry, but your body will start to learn & let you know when to eat if you keep it scheduled as much as possible. I'm 6mos out now & have no regrets! By no means has this been easy, but it's all worth it! Good luck with your journey, this is a brand new beginning! Keep posting your thoughts and feelings for support on here, I've only been on here a week & I feel so much better. I only wish I'd found this site pre-op!

Howdy! I didn't have the same surgeon as you, but mine is in the same practice. Everything you are feeling is normal and I went through it as well. I was able to get to the bed really soon, and slept with extra pillows, as well as keeping a constant pillow on my stomach. The large incision (right side?) for me still hurts from time to time because there is scar tissue, but it really feels much better. My surgery was 22 days ago and I am sleeping on my sides, getting up and down with no problem, and really enjoying my new lifestyle. Don't worry too much. We all go through some form of what you have described. Also - I have not gone, but I know there is a monthly support group at OSUMC. If you ever need to reassurance in person, certainly check that out.

You have gotten a lot of great advice and support here, so I won't add a lot of words.  Just want to let you know that you are normal, seem perkier, and that questions make sense.  Ask away of us, of your surgeon.  In the meantime, I'm praying for you!

Janice

Hi all! Doing a bit better; however, was taken back to te ER by squad due to the reopening of one of my incisions. Turns out, it was fluid that had accumulated around the incision. Taking antibiotics...I would welcome any suggestions regarding mild depression. Thanks!

I'm not normally a violent person, but if anyone told me this was the easy way out, I think I would punch them in the face(JUST KIDDING), seriously though, this is anything but an easy way out. I sympathize with you very much right now with the depression. It is pretty normal to feel this right now. I felt it for a very long time after surgery, and it took a while to get through it. Once I saw the weight dropping off, I started to feel better, and after 2 and a half years post op I feel on top of the world. There are still days when I feel down and look in the mirror and see the old me, but for the most part I am pretty damn proud of my achievements, as will you be. Remember this is a life changing experience for you, the physical pain will go. You have to focus on the good stuff that you have done for yourself. Take it one day at a time, eat whatever you are supposed to eat, follow Dr's orders only. Where did you have your surgery? This too shall pass my friend, and you will be good as new in no time. Try to walk and move around as much as you can also, it's very important to your recovery. Please take care of yourself, and email me back privately through this website if you need anymore help. Hugs to you

Joanne - Goodness knows I thought about throwing a punch :)! Thank you so much. It is good to know that depression is a normal part of what I am feeling. The confusion lessens with each day. I am currently working on my MBA, and I was devastated when I had to make the decision to take some time off. Your offer to email is great, but I was unable to view the site you referenced. Please resend. Kind regards, Karen