Post-Op Timing

Can anyone tell me their timeline for surgery. I am going in for my lap RYN next Tuesday and I was wondering how many days most people were in the hospital, days before drains were removed, days before they went back to work, etc. I am trying to get a feel for scheduling... Thanks. Carla

Hi there Carla... I am about 8 weeks post op and down 45 pounds! My time line I feel was quite typical for the average, no complications gastric bypass patient. I was in the hospital for two nights. My drains were removed about a half hour before I was allowed to leave the hospital, I did have a slight issue with dehydration my first night after surgery so I wasn't allowed off my IV until I was just about out the door of the hospital. I was home from work for 3 weeks. I probably, if I needed to, could have gone back at 2 weeks, but I really needed that 3rd week just because I was still so tired all the time. You're body uses so much of your energy healing itself that it really drains you and I was taking 2 to 3 hour afternoon naps into the 3rd week. Physically I was healing and felt good after about a week and a half. Hope this helps. Good luck with your surgery!

Thanks Katie. You are doing great! 45 # in 8 weeks- wow! I hope mine goes as smoothly as yours. Thanks for the info. Carla

Hi Carla!! I just had the procedure. I was in 2 nights. Drain removed about 3 hours before I went home. No complications and very little pain if any at all. Went back to work in 2 weeks. Had dehydration problems last week but fixed it. Down 39 lbs in 4 weeks. Good luck, it's a breeze, you will do just fine! Erin 302/292/253/130

Thanks Erin. I hope it is a breeze. I am so excited!

Hey Carla, I am one week out on my surgery. I was in the hospital 2 nights (I could have gone home after one but decided to stay through a meal.) I was walking around the first day - not comfortably but still walking. I will go back to work after 2 weeks out. My drain came out about an hour before I left the hospital and my iv came out around the same time, I think. I have been off pain meds except for sleeping time since I left the hospital. Honestly, aside from all the naps I was taking, I felt fine. I went out and shopped my first day out of the hospital. Just make sure that you give yourself rest times when you make plans. Oh, and I traveled a 6 hour car ride 5 days post-op and I was fine. I just stopped and walked around as much as I could. Good luck! Tuesday is a gresat day for surgery. Neely

Thanks for the info Neely. I am hoping to be able to get back into the swing of things quickly. I am not a sit still kind of gal, so I may need my hubby to hold me down. I will know more on Tuesday!

Hi Carla, I am just about a month out. I was only in the hospital for 28-hours after surgery, and only about 5 hours or so out of surgery I was up walking the floor I was on. After I was home I was on pain killers for about 2 days, and I was up walking and feeling fine; I did not get my drains out until 6 days post op. I am a student and my school is very strict on attendance; so strict that if you are out more than 5 days even though you were in the hospital, they kick you out and tell you to come back later. So I took a term off of school which is 3 months; but I just got a job today so I will be starting that the beginning of next week. Jessica

Hey Carla, I had Lap RNY on 8/29/05. I was the first surgery of the morning, and I spent the rest of the day and night at the hospital recovering. I was able to go home the next afternoon. I didn't have any drains or anything, so I don't know how that works with other doctors. I recovered at home the rest of the time and you definitely need help. Getting up and down is hard to do the first 2-3 days by yourself. Not to mention, in case something happens you should have somebody closeby. I didn't really start feeling like myself until about 2 weeks out. After that I was able to eat a little bit of pureed foods and walk around for longer periods of time. I wasn't working, but I don't think I would have been ready for that until at least 4 weeks. I'm sure you could go back sooner, but I would take as much time as you're allowed! Good luck!

Thanks Lisa.