Too Much Time on My Hands

Since I don't have a surgery date until December, I have lots of time to think about what is coming.  Can someone tell me just how much pain (discomfort) I will be in after this surgery.  I live in a two story house.  Will I be able to do stairs? Also can you tell me approximately how much weight you lost in the first month. Thanks, Sue

To be honest I didn't have to worry about starirs but as far as disomfort was about two weeks I believe. You will be really weak at first and get tired easily. Just try at least to walk a little everyday until you gain your strength. I lost 23-25 lbs the first month. Good luck!

I had very little pain after the first day or two. I was sore but not in actual pain, except for the gas pain in my left shoulder and some back pain. All of this cleared up after the first couple of days home. The shoulder pain is eased by walking. The back pain was just like how your back can hurt when you've "overdone". They do send you home with pain medication in case you need it. I just took Tylenol a couple of time for the back pain. You may want to limit your trips up and down the stairs. Your energy level will be very low for the first couple of months. Just walking from my house to the mailbox tired me for the first few days home. It does get better though. Try not to think too much about the negative aspects. Spend this time getting your house shined up so you can enjoy a nice clean home while you recuperate instead of seeing all those little things that you mean to get to but keep putting off. Many people use this time to clean out their closet and organize clothing by size so you'll be able to find smaller sizes when you need them. Take a "before" picture. Trust me, you will want this someday. Most of us have been camera shy for years and have a hard time finding a picture for when we want to be able to show others how far we have come. Take your measurements. You'll want this for those times when the scales refuse to budge. You can compare your measurements and see that you are losing inches even if the scales is being stubborn. Start practicing now not drinking with your meals. This will make it easier post-op when it must become a way of life. Come talk to us anytime you need to. We have all been there with the pre-op jitters and we are willing to help you through yours. Edited to add - I lost about 30 lbs the first month. Good luck, Susan

I agree with them.... smile you will do great ....... Annrenee

Hi Sue. Susan gave some great advise. My most painful moments were afterwards in the hospital because I had never gone through a major surgery before so I did not know what to expect. Luckily, they do give you plenty of pain medicine in the hospital and to send home with you. But getting to go home was the best part. You can be more comfortable in your own house. The problem was definatley exhaustion and not so much "pain" although sitting up from the laying position is tough for several days. The stairs will probably not be a good option for several days afterwards just because of exhaustion if nothing else. You may need to move a bed downstairs. Just know that the pain will go away and it is just one small hurdle to a new healthier life for yourself. You should focus on getting prepared for "life" afterwards. Get stocked up on items you will need afterwards so you do not have to be going ot the store to much. Freezing meals for your family. Get the house in order so you can just rest and recouperate afterwards. Stop drinking soda (or at least cut down on it a little at a time) and quite using straws if you do that. Drink more water and try not to drink during meals. When eating, try and chew your food a lot before swallowing. These small changes will help you in your transistion after surgery because you won't have a choice then. You can get your vitamins and calcium and a blender (Bullet). You can order the protein sample pack from BE. It has several brands and flavors of protein powders for you to try AFTER (not before)surgery so you can see what kind you like.  There are plenty of things to get ready for and the time will fly by. It is holiday season so you can get your shopping out of the way now too!  Oh yeah- I know I lost about 40 pounds at my 6 week checkup so I want to say I lost close to 30 pounds at one month.

Hi, I wasn't in much pain at all,,,my biggest problems were nasuea and feeling tired,,which i am still struggling with,,,,,but it is getting better and better.......I dont know if you can do stairs or not,,,,,i have steps going into my house and i didnt have any trouble at all with them..../  Vanderbilt did an excellant job of controlling pain,,,,,,,,,as for weight loss,,,i have lost 25 pounds since surgery and 12 pounds on their liquid diet.......all in all i say it is worth it,,,,good luck to you  december will be here before you know it.....

I hope you don't mind...a few more questions.  Why can't we drink with meals?  Why no straws?  Doing weigh****chers in the past I drank 64 oz. of water but I get the feeling this is different.  Will I only have the pouch capacity to just sip on water or will I be able to take gulps like I can now?  For any of Dr. Colquitt's patients, does he put you on a liquid diet before surgery?   I have 6 weeks to come up with more questions.  Please bare with me. Sue

The reason for not drinking with meals is because: 1. it fills you up faster 2. it causes the food to be washed out of the stomach faster so you become hungry too soon after eating. This can lead to taking in too many calories during the day because you will need to eat more often to keep from being hungry. The no straw rule is because straws tend to encourage the intake of air and that can lead to discomfort. I occasionally use a straw now but not very often. Some people do better with a straw than they do drinking from a glass or bottle though. You may have to test this for yourself. In the beginning you will only be able to sip. I am now almost 2 years out and I can drink like I did before surgery. Right after surgery though, taking more than tiny sips will make you feel like you have been kicked in the chest. You will still need to drink at least 64 oz of water each day. Since you need to stop drinking 30 minutes before a meal and not drink again for an hour after a meal, in between meals you need to be constantly sipping to get in your fluids. Ask all the questions you want to. We are here and willing to help.