Home from TT :)

I want to thank all who answered my questions prior to my TT.  Insurance at first denied my panni then when my surgeon spoke with the review board I received an approval letter on May 11 for panni and abdominoplasty. I went for my pre-op on May 18th and had surgery yesterday. Surgery was at 9am and I was in my room at 12:30. I was expecting worse so that helped me I think. The pain was not bad at all. I dozed on and off for several hours. I was able to get up at 5pm to go to bathroom and then got up every two to three hours after that. Once up I didn't want to lay down. I decided to take my first walk in hall at 10pm. Of course very slow and bent over again very surprised at at the pain level. It may have been a two or three.
When I woke up at 2am this morning my IV was burning my hand and my hand was very swollen. So, several nurses tried getting IV back in, in several different places and no luck. After speaking with surgeon he said to not put IV back in and if I continued to walk to take stockings off as well. I was not tired at all or on pain so I was up and walked the halls every two hours. They have a little lobby I was able to go in and get on computer. I had my surgery at Siouxland Surgical Center (physician owned) and it was wonderful. I thought my first shift of nurses were wonderful then the night shift came on and I loved them and then Susie my day nurse was just as wonderful. I am now home have drained my tubes and sitting in recliner.
I go back on June 1 to have drains removed and stitches from belly button out. I am excited for that.
So, does the pain get worse after a couple days or am I just lucky? When did others pain start or get the worse.
Thanks again for all of the questions you have answered prior and sorry for the long post. I just wanted to share  my experience. The walking hunched over is the hardest part for me.
Jenn

I think this will probably be as bad as it gets. Consider yourself lucky and take it easy. Usually the first day or 2 are the toughest but you have gotten through that beautifully. Now don't overdo it too soon just because you are feeling well. Your body needs time to heal.

Melissa

I am sitting back in my recliner now and do not plan on doing too much at all.  That is good to hear that it is the first day or two that is the toughest. I keep thinking ok when is it going to hit. I had pain med before leaving to come home today at noon and haven't had since. I could have had them at 4 or 6. I am not in pain really just slight discomfort so did you go ahead and take them just to stay ahead of the pain?

I took them for about 4 days and yes it was to stay ahead of the pain or really just to keep the pain away.  There was discomfort but those first few days I got a burning sensation on one side of my incision only.  The pills helped that go away.  Otherwise I wouldn't have needed them.

How long did you have to walk bent over? How do we know when we do not need to do this?
At what point did you lay in your bed. My recliner is hard to get in and out of. I think I am going to try to prop pillows up and try the bed tomorrow night.
I did go ahead and take the pain med. I noticed when I walk around my back bothers me and if we are to walk like this for weeks I am worried my back will be killing me by then.
Again, thanks for your reply
Jenn

So glad you are doing so well.  Just be careful not to overdue.  When the pain level is down and you don't feel tired...it is quite easy to do too much.

I am 3 weeks post op.  I was fortuate with tolerable pain.  Completely off pain meds by a week.  I had drains out at 18 days....too much drainage to have out before that.  Was told that is quite common with those who have had RNY.

Don't go back for a month....which will make it 6 weeks post-op.

Continued blessings on your recovery. 

Thanks and I wont over do it. How long did you walk bent over and before you laid in your bed or are you still not to this point.
I go back June 1st and hopefully drains will come out then. I had RNY and I hope I do not have to wait 18 days. He did say that I could shower tomorrow.
How do you feel now? Walking ok, belly feeling tight still....  Glad to know you too had tolerable pain.
Jenn

I know I am only a few days out (May 20th) but how much drainage did you have a day that made it too much.?
The nurse forgot to give me the sheet  and measuring cup to record my times and amount so I am just doing it myself. I do it 4x a day. and they have been 20cc in right and 10cc or 15cc in left each time. I go June 1st to have mine out. Hope to get them out anyway.
So being 3 weeks out are you back to wearing your clothes and being able to go out with no issues if you need to?
Sounds like you are doing great!
Jenn

Everyone is different. My pain level was SIGNIFICANTLY worse during weeks 3 and 4 due to muscle spasm. I have a high pain threshold; didn't even take pain meds immediately post op while in the surgery center (and I even had natural childbirth!!). But muscle spasm, combined with that DARN compression garment and a number of very poor nights sleep meant I was worse off later than I was earlier.

I suggest you hope for the best and prepare for the worse. I didn't know that the doctors could prescribe valium and/or a muscle relaxant for the type of pain I was experiencing. So if you notice that type of pain, call your doctor early and ask about those meds I mentioned.

GOOD LUCK.
 

Congrats on your recovery.  I had the same as you, plus BL/BA on April 6th.  My pain levels also were manageable & I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop after reading some of the experiences of others.  But really, like you are discovering, my pain was usually discomfort.  The most pain I ever had was from my back, which I attributed to sleeping in the recliner.  However, I'm still having it & my surgeon thinks it must be my way of walking or overcompensating somehow.  Even with this pain though, it is minimal.  I walked bent over for probably 5-7 days.  Your body will straighten up slowly on it's own.  One morning my mom looked at me & said "your standing up straight"!  And I was.  So don't worry, it'll happen probably quicker than you think.  I probably went to my bed to sleep around day 8, with pillows propped up under my knees & behind me.  It was fine & within a couple days went without the pillows.