Recovery question, RNY Wed, visiting nurse tomorrow

Thanks everyone!

It was hard for me to post here via my cell phone (android) so here's the update.

The visiting nurse was really pleased with how well I looked, how much I was getting around (not a lot- like 2000 to 3000 easy wandering around the apt steps a day) and how I was drinking my water and protein, eating Greek yogurt, eating chicken broth with whey protein etc. She was worried about the pain in my side and blood in my stool so she called the surgeon's line from my apt and they basically said "well explain it to her tomorrow- let her know she's fine and the symptoms indicate she's mobile and recovering quickly.

Today I saw my surgeon, while waiting my bowels were considerate enough offer to produce a sample in their restroom. God love nurses who have to go check these things out! The nurse was pleased with the limited quantity of blood.

When I saw the surgeon, he explained that they (my words not his) tack the intestine to the abdominal wall right where I'm experiencing pain. Normally the swelling of the tissues in this location prevents any tugging on the suture until it's fully healed so there isn't significant pain. Because I've been active and because my body is apparently good at healing, my swelling went down and so I'm feeling this tugging as my intestine moves against the stitch and this anchor point is still raw and tender. He said that being less active would reduce the pain, but I should resist this and continue to be active, the spot will heal fine because while it's painful, it's not damaging anything, and my activity level is partly why all the swelling is down and I'm healing so well. The bleeding is possibly from this irritation on the bowel side, but mostly just the body breaking lose the bleeding that took place during the surgery and pushing it out. He said I'm possibly bleeding longer because of the activity but again, the benefits really outweigh the side effects.

It's funny, but for me, understanding WHY it hurts makes it much easier to tolerate. While we were talking I was sweating from the pain level, and he was like "I can see you're really hurting, I'm sorry you have to experience this, most of our patients never have this pain either because of the swelling lasting longer, or just the luck of not having a nerve close to where the stitch is located."

Then the doctor handed me a "return to work" slip dated May 5th. I was like "NO WAY!!! I WANT TO GO BACK TODAY!!!" he offered next Monday, I countered with "today!" and I"m typing this from my work station

My job is a desk job so it's not difficult and I'd prefer to be paid while I recover!

My, you are a stud!!! I took 2 weeks and although I was quite stir crazy, I would have loved 3. Sounds like you are doing great!!

I am glad you saw the doctor -- so now that you have, I feel comfortable sharing that I had very similar worries.

I had a bit of tarry/blood in my very small stool at first. Kind of freaked me out. It was normal. Sounds like yours is similar.

I had HORRIBLE pain where there was no incision on the left of my navel -- sort of lower than you'd expect. It continued LONG after the other pains were gone -- and it was SHARP at times. I also had an intestinal tack -- but also there was a nerve repairing itself. I was sure I would have it forever -- but it magically disappeared at about 5 weeks.

WOW You're a rock star. My surgery is in 2 weeks and I took 6 weeks off LOL. I'm pretty certain I will need to be an open surgery and I'm guessing that will be longer recovery. Plus I want to get "set" in my new eating habits before returning to work 12 hours a day. Not, gonna lie- I want the time off from work too

I'm out of paid leave, and my bills aren't taking time off, so that is part of my motivation! Also, I've had a series of major surgeries over the past ten years and I think I've become somewhat blase about the whole thing. Yeah it will hurt when you wake up, the first day will be ****ty, the next better and soon you'll be fine.

Enjoy your time off! Heal, get used to your new plumbing, take a ton of walks (not pushing it walks, just wandering kind of walks) do gentle stretches and work on flexibility... You'll have a lovely recovery!