Questions.....

I said I would be back.  Lots of questions some are going to be silly. For the folks who have had RnY; how long was your hospital stay? What about having a catheter, did you have one? Epidural, is that a common pain reliever for this type of surgery? The questions are because I am a 36 year old who has never had surgery, not even day, and only spent 4 days in the hospital and that was in 1978 when I was diagnosed with diabetes.

 I have spent the past 2 years in a medically supervised weight loss program. I have not lost a significant amount of weight during this time.  I am positive that this is going to assist me in meeting my goals. The only worries I have are not having my mental issues resolved, hid, or whatever is supposed to happen with that crazy stuff.  I go to a weight loss support group, and to a psychologist so, maybe that will fix me.

 

 

To answer your questions as best I can... I was in the hospital 2 nights. I had surgery on Tuesday, went home Thursday afternoon.

Most surgeons do not use an epidural for pain management. Since most procedures are now done laproscopically, the pain is minimal. They want you up and walking the night of surgery and if you have an epidural, that is not possible.  The most common method for post-op pain management is a pain pump that allows you to self administer measured doses of medication as you need it for pain. As for the catheter...as a woman, I had one for the first 24 hours. This is not uncomfortable. I don't know how long they leave it in for a man. One of our post-op men, or your surgeon's office, will have to answer this one.

 I also only stayed in hospital two days. I don't remember having a catheter at all. This may vary on doctor and hospital same answer for the epidural. My pain meds were through IV and pump hooked to IV tube to self admister pain meds. It was very good stuff. I was in very little to no pain. As far as the mental issues that is very good you are aware and wanting to resolve this. Having support is a very impotant part of the process. It is very strange for me as far as the "head hunger". I try to deal with it as it comes. When I feel I want to eat out of boredom, depression, sadness, I try to focus elsewhere or find something else to do, after a while I tend to adjust and deal with it much better than before surgery. Not sure if this helped but I wish you the best!

Hi Keith. I am gladyou found a surgeon and decided on the type of surgery you want. Trust me - as time goes by, you will have many more questions. You can ask anytime. It is a major thing to go through. I had never had any major surgery prior to this either. Honestly, for me (because I am a baby and had never gone through surgery) the pain was a little much. But the pain medicine they give you works wonders. I had the IV medicine with a pump for me to control it. Most do not use an epidural but you need to check with your surgeon to confirm he doesn't. I was in the hospital for 3 nights and 4 days. I stayed an extra day because of a fever I had. Yes, I had a catheter too. But for me, those are my best freinds! Weird I know but I do not like to be rushed or pushed to get up and move around after surgery. I like to take my time and do it as I can so I welcomed it. I had to have my gallbladder removed a few months ago and actually asked for one for after that surgery too! It was not painful at all. I would also suggest that you get involved in as many support groups as you can. Those really do help with the mental aspect of coping with the changes (physically and mentally) you will go through from surgery. I did not get involved in them like I should have and regret that. I am trying to do better now. Talk to you later.

Before I say anything, I must preface it with DO NOT FREAK OUT READING MY STORY!!!!  Because of several previous surgeries, I had to had open RNY, lap wasn't an option...so I naturally experienced more pain and more time in the hosptial.  I was in for 5 nights and my pain was horrendous but I do not regret for one minute having this surgery!  I did have a catheter and like Misty, I thanked the good Lord for it and did not want it removed for a few days.  I had the patient controlled pain pump...no epidural.  I did have the central line iv in the neck and I was worried sick over it but it turned out to be a blessing because it didn't hurt a bit and it kept from having to have one in my arm that would need to be moved every few days and would have gotten sore.  As far as I know, epidural is not used for this type of surgery.  As far as mental health issues, take advantage of the support groups you can access and consider regular counseling as well.  We are all here to keep answering questions and to give you support!