Day 2 post op

Hi, I've surfed lots and now am home from OHSU. Had the RNY on Tuesday. Now I know about all the pain and discomfort that's been discussed. I've kept everything down I've sipped so far. Any advice on how to navigate the first week home would be appreciated. Met some nice people at OHSU. Time to goto sleep. Thanks in advance, Mike.

Mike, I am 9 weeks out and as I think about what to tell you it amazes me how long ago it feels already. So take hope in that even though its so very rough right now it will get much better soon. Take one day at a time. and when you are feeling good move around a little and prepare for when you are not feeling so good. there will be times when you feel like you made the worst mistake of you life. It will pass and you will be glad again. I dont know what I would have done without all of the people on here that helped me get thru those hard weeks. Keep talking to us I had several doses of my crushed pain meds on the table next to the reclyner chair ( I spent the first 2 weeks sleeping in the reclyner chair) most comfertable place and easy to get in and out of. If I overslept the pain meds I would mix the dose with crystal light take it and wait for the rush of numb before I started moving around to much. I had some of the crystal light frozen in ice cube trays and used it for ice in the glass of crystal light so it was always cold even when I was sitting or sleeping for hours now showering and using the bathroom. These were very hard for me. Being obese hygene was allready hard but adding the pain of surgery was very dificult. I got a product at the store in the incontience area called control wipes they are not flushable but are medicated and easy to use for wiping. I couldent reach and just couldent make my self as for help so I would wrap them around a soft hairbursh and then I could reach myself. Now the wipes are very think so there was no discomfert and it was a miracle for me. If you do not have a shower head that is removable and has a hose ask someone to go to home depot and buy one for you and install it, Easy to install and a life saver for showering and cleaning. I know someone that used it to help with the clean up after using the toilet also. and while you are healing you will find that you will have some direa from time to time. just one day at a time Mike!!! and soon you will be weeks away on sliding down the loosers bench!!! Sleep as much as possiable your body need the healing time. Kelly

Thanks for the advice. I do have a removable showerhead and am thankful for it! I tried to walk around a little today but I'm just pooped. I think pain meds plus recliner is what my life is going to be for the next couple weeks. I'm finding that I need absolute liqids to intake right now. I like the Crystal Light idea...sounds flavorful. My wife made a lime SF jello last night and when I put it in my mouth it was the biggest burst of sweetness I've ever put in my mouth. Where has SF Lime Jello been all my life? Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. Mike

Believe it or not you won't need that long to be moving around. At about a week out I remember it still hurting so much to lay down in bed and get situated, and I was thinking "when will I ever not feel like I'm sore inside" but it was not but a few days later that I was moving pretty quick and turning in bed without thinking about it anymore. I needed naps for a couple of weeks, but little by little I was doing more of my daily activities. It's O.K. to nap and wonder if your energy is going to come back. I had the same recovery needs when I had my hysterectomy last year - it's not so much WLS but any surgery one has. The anesthesia alone takes time to leave your system. If you think SF jello is heaven....don't forget the SF popsicles. Patty

Kelly - Who would have thought? I had not idea that this would be a problem, but it makes total sense to me! I am so glad I read this - what a great "heads up" for those of us who haven't had surgery yet. Thanks for your honesty on this subject!!! I am heading to the store to pick up those items to have ready for May 23rd!!! Thanks, Gayla

Well, day 5 now...As the days go on, I feel like my pain moves from one part of my gut to another (weird?), though my left/center side has a constantant pressure/pain. I'm only eating things that I can suck through a straw. Campbell's select Butternut Squash Soup was for lunch today and was a woderful divergence from the SF Carnation Instant Breakfast with Protein powder. I spiked my soup with a little bit of unflavored protein though. I have had SF popsicles!! My daughter and I bonded with those last night for snack. My rest comes mostly at night with my catnaps on the reclining couch here and there. Gayla, also evaluate how comfortably you can use the bathroom without having some assessability/assistance. There is one bathroom in my house I won't use yet because there is little to no leverage to hoist myself up; the other one is not a problem for me. At OHSU, an Occupational Therapist stopped by and went through a few basic motions on how to function the first week home. How to roll off and sit up in the bed as painless as possible was actually helpful. Thanks for the info...talk more later. Mike