Not sure what to expect!!

HI! I had my open rny gastric by pass on Oct 11,2007. I have lost 160LBS. It is amazing. I have been aproved for an abdominalplasty and hernia repair. THis will all happen on Aug 24, 2009.
 I am not sure what to expect! I am excited overjoyed and scared to death. THis surgury the doctor said would be alot worse then the by pass surgury. He thinks he will remove 30 to 40 lbs of skin and stuff. I read some of the other topics on what to wear and that was helpful.  I just can't imagine myself thin yet without all of this stuff. THe doctor is going to to the procedure in the hospital because he said my hernia was so big!  I go to pre op on Aug 17th. Just not resure what to expect! Any comments or suggestions or anything would be helpful. How long did it take to recover. the doc said 6 weeks. but my job  I have to be able to lift 70 lbs! THanks Wanda

good luck on your upcoming surgery.  as far as going to work too soon and lift that much, i would do exactly what the doctor said and not pu**** you could wind up with another hernia. i know because i have one too. i am waiting for my repair and panni removal myself.  good luck to both of us. vick

Hi Wanda,
I just had a tt and hernia repair on July 8th.  I also had a very large hernia (9X4 inches) and then 9 pounds of skin removed.  I do think it takes longer to recover from a tt with a hernia repair than just a tt.  I was in surgery  almost 2 hours extra just for the hernia repair (four hours total).  I had a general surgeon and a plastic surgeon doing the surgery.  My surgeon said at least 8 weeks before I could lift over 15 pounds and then he cautioned me about lifting after that.  He said it just takes once to get the hernia back and each time it comes backs ups the percentage that you will get it again.

I am 3 weeks out and I am feeling pretty good.  I will get my last drain out tomorrow.  I am just now getting comfortable sitting up right.

Good luck to you.  Just remember, you just have to get through the first four/five days and then it all gets better.

THanks,
   My doctor said it will take 4 to 6 hours for my surgury! I will find out more with i go to pre op on august 17th. the first week was the worst for you??

The first 5 days was obsolutely the worst.  I was also on pain meds for about 10 days.  When I saw my surgeon last Friday he said I could not lift over 15 pounds for 3 MONTHS.  That should be a challenge, but I will obey because I will do anything not to get this hernia back.

Good Luck!

15 lbs for three months! Wow ! I work for the post office and case and deliver mail! we are suppost to be able to lift up to 70 pounds! I will get around that! hOpe you are doing well! like i said i am excited and scared!! keep  me updated on how you are doing! THanks