Recovery Time after TT?

Afternoon everyone :)

So I am currently awaiting my OHIP approval for my panni (to be upgraded to a full TT with inverted T cut) anyone who's had the full TT can you let me know what your recovery time was like?

I work in an office shuffling papers boring i know but I'm hoping to only need 3 weeks off as that is the amount of vacation time i get each year. So I'm just trying to get the jist of what everyone's recovery time is like and then try to work out the specifics of how much time i can expect to be off. I know the lifting will take about 6-8 weeks but i need to be able to give an estimated return to work date from the date of my surgery. I was up and raring to go after a week and a half after my laparoscopic Roux En Y Gastric Bypass so I'm hoping that the 3 weeks im currently banking on will be enough.

Looking forward to any and all responses :)

Thanks in advance.

Margo 

At three weeks you should be good to go. Hard to say as everyone is different and we heal differently. I developed a wound infection at week 3 . It was small but required wound care. 

I was back to driving and shuffling around my kitchen within 10 days, but still had a drain  putting out until 4 weeks...... everyone recovers differently and even though you'll be up and at it..... the fatigue factor will be a major player. 

I'm having my TT in November and my surgeon told me about 3 weeks. I also have an office job. We won't be able to lift anything over 50 lbs for 8 weeks. Your RNY and TT are 2 very different surgeries. Most of us did really good after our WLS, but I hear TT's are painful and you're pretty sore. Good luck with yours.

Thanks all for the replies so far. I'm wondering since I am not having any muscle tightening (i've never had kids) if that will affect the healing at all? any thoughts?

Thanks :)

Margo

Will you feel 100% at 3 weeks? No. You are having major surgery... but you should be fine to go back. The biggest thing after the first week was getting the drains out. Once they were out, I felt human again. Mine came out on days 10 and 16. My Doc only did 2 drains, some Docs do more. My Doc also pulls them out at 3 weeks no matter what- where was someone who posted here a while back hers were in for like 6 weeks....yuk! This is harder than the RNY. Pain Meds help.

I would suggest taking 4 weeks off if you can. You cannot gauge how your recovery will go and an full incision TT recovers differently than a laparoscopic surgery.  You could have the drains for a couple weeks and though you'll feel infinitely better once they're out you will be tired easily and may not be able to work full days for a few weeks even after you go back.  It's major surgery.  Lifting restrictions are a definite and that includes laundry baskets, groceries, etc.  nothing over 8 lbs.  I highly suggest taking as much time as you can to dedicate to your recovery because the more you rest/recover at the beginning the better things will go as time progresses.  Push too hard too soon and you will lengthen your recovery.I took it super easy for 4 weeks and didn't have any wound opening, seromas or infections.  Good luck!

hi margo i live in etobicoke, how much weight have you lost?

Who are you seeing for your TT?

Thank you

Lisa

You cannot compare your TT recovery with RNY recovery.  The RNY was much easier.

Check out the videos on youtube so you know what the TT does to your muscles - and why it works so well.  You will get a better idea of what you will need for recovery. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o_424ckxW0   WARNING = Real Operation - blood, scapels, etc.

Or just search on youtube for more pixs and videos.   I am concerned that you are basing your recovery expectations on your recovery from RNY, which maynot be a good comparison.