Pre-op Curiosity

Questions that have occurred to me:

Did you have a lot of pain after surgery, and if so for how long?

How long before you returned to work?

Do you have a trick that helps you get in all your water and was that hard to do at first?

Tips that help you get in all your protein?

Do you have trouble with dry skin after surgery?

How did you cope when you first went back to work and were still on a very limited diet and demanding schedule of  gettomg water and protein in?

Did you lose hair? Starting when and how long before it started to grow back? Tips for managing while it's shedding so bad?

Is there anything you know now that you wished you had known during the first few weeks out that would have been a big help?

Some of these of course are answered in many other places but I am getting to know and care for all of you and would love to hear your answers and any other advice you have that would be helpful to me and others "in waiting".

Thanks,
Rhonda

OK Rhonda, here goes.

Pain, a little when I came home, the pain meds in the hospital and after worked well, off the narcotic pain meds within a few days, off the tylenol by a couple weeks, for the most part.   Worse pain at about 2.5 weeks out from surgery when I got horribly constipated.  Recommend taking something to prevent constipation problems.  Check with you MD on recommended things to prevent troubles.

Work, I was super tired the first couple of weeks, felt good enough that I could have returned between weeks 3 and 4 after surgery.  I need to do lifting at work, they required that I have no lifting limits when I returned.  So ended up spending 6 weeks away from work.  The first week, I was still tired but doing well.  Everyone heals at different rates, time off work needs to be adjusted for your specific job.

Trick to get in fluids, keep a glass at your side at all time.  Take a sip every time you think of it, maybe even every commercial if the TV is on.  The task of getting fluids in gets easier quickly.  If water does not go down easily, go for protein shakes, jello, broth, sugar free popsicles.  All are sources of fluid.  I still keep fluids nearby.  At work, take several small sips every chance you get.

Initially I needed to get most of my protein from shakes, as my diet increased, I switched over to high protein foods.  Surgeon's office will offer time lines for the advancement.    Protein powder can be added to many things to improve the protein content.  I also increase the protein in my hot cereal by adding dry powdered milk to the water for making the cereal, then I eat it with a dab of butter or margarine instead of additional milk.  I use a 1:1 ratio of powdered milk to water.  1/2 cup dry milk in 1/2 cup water for the hot cereal.  Fat free re-fried beans, cottage cheese, greek yogurt are all things that I use for improved protein intake.

I live in northern MN, always have issues with dry skin in the winter time.  Use lotions and moisturizers as needed.

Hair, just starting to shed more hair this week,  I am now 3 months out from surgery.  The hair loss usually started about 3 months out and may last for a few months.  The tip is to get in your fluids, protein and supplements.

20/20 knowledge.  Wish that I had wised up years ago and did the surgery at a younger age, improved my health, even now at age 47.

Thanks for the chance to speak on several issues at one time.  Hope your wait time is short.  Take care, Hugs, Kathy

Thanks Kathy. I totally understand that  everyone is different and it's impossible to know exactly how any one individual will fare, but it's still helpful to me to get as much info as possible.  I read an interesting article yesterday about probiotics and how in a study on WLS patients, the half given probiotics did not become B12 deficient. That would be a great plus! Plan to talk to the surgeon about that. Have you heard anything related to this? If I find it again, I'll try to post a link in case anyone else is interested.

As far as losing a lot of hair, I don't mind paying that price in exchange for the weight lose! I think that the hardest adjustment for me will be not drinking before, during, and after meals. But my SIL tells me that she eats so slowly and chews so much that she hardly notices not being able to drink for the required time period. Hopefully that'll be the case for me. I'll just have to adjust either way because the payoff will be well worth that price!

I usually have a water bottle near me most of the time now, difference will be how slowly I have to sip, sip, sip. I'm very excited AND very nervous and anxious at the same time. I guess pretty much like everyone else pre-op. LOL.

Thanks again Kathy for always taking the time to answer  questions! Oh yeah, my DD tried to help me post a photo last night but we never could get it to load. I guess I will remain that sinister looking mystery man for the time being!

Hugs,
Rhonda

Hey Rhonda! Sorry it took me so long to post a reply, BUT I had my hands extremely full with my 13 month old grandson, and just could never get enough time to make a decent reply to this with him here.  So.. Here goes! 

My first couple of days after surgery, while still in the hospital, my pain med button was my best friend in the world. By the time I left, I only needed my vicodin for a couple of days, even then taking less than I was permitted. Tylenol worked fine after that. Changing positions was what was most painful as far as suture areas, like going from laying to sitting, sitting to laying or standing, etc.   Prepare yourself that for the first couple of weeks you likely will be stuck on your back whe in bed, so have lots of fluffy pillows to use to be able to change pressure points. I didn't at first, and my back and tailbone ached so much after a few days home. Once I got smart and arranged multiple pillows and blankets to change angles and pressures I did much better. The most annoying and consistant pain I dealt with was the pain from all the air they pump into you during surgery. It was crampy and uncomfortable and very annoying for me. Best advice here is several short walks all day. This helps move it out and also helps prevent clotting so a good thing to do!

I wasn't working, was at home caring for my husband who was in a bad work accident just a year prior and was blinded and badly injured. Started back to that at about a week out, but did little things after 4 or 5 days. (Had someone to help me with him).

Keep a sports bottle on hand at all times and NEVER leave the house without it. I had a hard time at first, as the plain water made me very nauseated the first 2 weeks. Crystal light was fine and I lived on Sugar free popsicles  to get my liquids in.

Protein, I got in by mixing my vanilla protein in to my orange crystal light and sip sip sipping it. I would have never gotten in protein without doing this early on.

I have terrible dry skin..still do, but always have. Like Kathy said.. lotion. Use A GOOD one, not one of those watery ones, as they will not help for more than a little bit.

Hair loss... One of my biggest fears I had for sure. BUT I lost hardly any. barely noticed it. Protein is the key here, and vitamins the secondary key. Hair is made of protein, if you do not get enough in, you will begin to shed after 3 to 4 months. Stops around 6 months out usually and almost always comes back.  Biotin is also something that is great for the hair, and you may consider starting it before wls. 

Increase your protein intake before surgery, as this will help ensure a faster and easier  and better healing of your surgical wounds. Bring chapstick to the hospital.

One thing I wish I had done before surgery was to get more used to taking small bites and chewing thoroughly and eating very very slowly... it is very hard to get in this habit.. at least it was for me, so the sooner you get used to it, the better off you will be. Also try to get used to getting in more liquids and walks now, will help you be better prepared to do so after wls.

Have EVERYTHING you will need for the first week post op at home and ready before you have surgery, so you do not have to run around to get it.. you likely will not feel up to it. Plan on being tired and needing a lot of rest the first couple of weeks. I did the first 5 days, then after that wasn't too tired unless I went out and about, but then I always ended up doing too much when out, as my hubby couldn't do the things that needed done so I had to.

Hope this helps!
Very good questions!
Hugs!

Thanks so much Patrece. After caring for your grandson, I'm sure you're worn out. Lots of good tips here from you and Kathy and I'm gonna print them out and add to my file of information. I am taking vitamins and have the protein powder but haven't started on that yet. I'll take your advice and begin adding them to my days. The orange Crystal lite and vanilla protein ssound good. I keep planning on exercising more so I'm as healthy as possible for quicker healing, but so far my good intentions keep getting pushed aside as everything has been so hectic at work and at home. But I'm just gonna have to find time. Maybe less time on the computer : (

I am trying to take smalller bites, chew well, and slow down but boy you're right it IS hard. My friend at work warned me that you have to be careful when you're eating around others that are eating fast because if you watch them eat, you sometimes (without thinking) eat at their pace rather than the pace you must eat. All kinds of things to think of and make a habit!

Sleeping on my back is going to be a real problem because I have never in my memory been able to sleep on either my back OR my stomach. I am a side sleeper and I undestand that is a problem because of the pain of the incision areas the first weeks out. I guess I'll just have to wait and see and hope for the best. I plan to get a big body pillow and I will do as you suggest and have a lot of pillows to prop and arrange different ways. I have a recliner but have difficulty even sitting in it, let alone sleeping in it. I hurt my back as a teen and pretty much always have to sit in a "straight up" position, even in a car. Reclining even a tiny bit is hard for my back. I'm hoping that will improve a lot after weight loss.

Again, I'm so sorry about your husband's work accident and I greatly admire you for all that you deal with. Please remember to take time for yourself too! Any more word on your plastics?

Hugs,
Rhonda

Thanks Rhonda.. we're going to be okay. One day at a time. I will be having my plastics on Feb 8th. I am excited, yet nervous, just like you are with the wls. I too have added extra protein to my day so that I will heal as well as possible.

You are welcome for the tips. My pleasure to help out however I can.
Big hugs to you!

P.S. If you email your pic to me, I'll resize it and post it in our group photo area for you, then from there you can save it to your computer and post it to your profile. Let me know.