Newbie - tell me about surgery
1. Admitted on Monday, released on Thursday...needed all those days finding it difficult to comprehend outpatient.
2. Pain levels between 4-7. Walked within five hours but tough-going. Followed a liberal post-op diet compared to varied other plans. Not one moment of regret because I was in serious health-trouble and it was "do this or else."
3. At age 52, I couldn't have gone back in a week, desk job or not, nor would have wanted a DD to go back to work that fast.
4. WLS is like taking a giant leap of faith.
I am a lap band to gastric bypass patient so I'll quickly tell you my experience.
1. I was in the hospital for 2 total nights and needed both nights. My surgery was pushed back 10 hours (ugh, I know) due to my surgeon having an emergency so I was operated on at 9pm. My husband had gastric bypass in 2009 and was released the day after his surgery, just depends on the person.
2. I was among the unfortunate few who had horrible gas pains. I had a drain, an On-q pain pump, and a catheter. I walked as soon as I could stand and walked the halls every couple of hours and it didn't help with my pain at all. I cut myself off of the morphine after a couple doses because it did nothing... This isn't the norm from what I've read on the forums. My husband had no gas pains whatsoever! After 24 hours I was able to "eat" clear liquids... Broth, popsicles, jello, etc. I wasn't hungry and didn't get much down. I've never once regretted my decision even with the post op gas pains. Never!
3. I took 9 days off of my full time retail job and could have easily went back after 5-6 days. Once I got home and the gas pain subsided, I was back to normal. I didn't really suffer from fatigue too much.
4. Everyone should have a small fear of complications from major surgery, it's normal! You can ask your surgeon about their complication percentages and even if they've had any deaths. I comforted myself with knowing that my surgeon does revisions in his sleep, pretty much. I put my faith in him and the team.
Good luck and feel free to message me if you have any more questions. 😊
I had bypass on Thursday 5/14. After my surgery I woke up in extreme pain. I usually can take pain but it was awful. I was definitely questioning my decision to have this surgery. On top of the pain I was vomiting old blood all night. I was on two different nausea meds but was still vomiting up nothing/ stomach acids. I didn't have a drain and when I got up to walk and use the bath room my incision was dripping blood. I was leaking through my gown. Once I got changed I started to walk. The walking made things so much better. I was released the next day but I sated in a hotel close to the hospital just in case I needed to go back. I made it home Saturday morning. I still have pain in my left side. I have trouble sitting. I'm at the point I need a refill on my pain meds. I'm off wor****il Wednesday and then I will Telework for a week. I'm making sure to walk and get I'm my protein and fluids. I'm also monitoring my temp since I have this pain in my lower right side. I also purchased a binder and that seems to help with my pain. I wasn't worried about death. But I was out cold after surgery until about 10pm.
