I have begun the process of removing my sutures!

I went to the group for the patients of the doctor and was reading the saga of one of the pts who has a blog.  Amazing story and pictures.  Scary though - she said she woke up during the surgery.  Do they give you pain medication?  I have a very low tolerance to pain.  My RNY surgery was very painful for me.  I was on morphine and dilaudin (sp?) for 3 days then vicodin for a while.  I was reading her blog and she said the beds were hard.  I had problems with Scripps' bed.  My back ached terribly for probably 3 weeks after the surgery.  Are you glad you did it now?  I remember thinking after the RNY, "what was I thinking" but I don't regret it now.

The scars look pretty bad that she posted.  Hopefully in time they will not look as bad. Do they give you something or recommend something to put on the scars to make them recede?

I'm a ways off until I consider that, plus I'll have to save up for the expense of it all and the time off,.  I'm assuming one needs 6 weeks off to recuperate.  Am I right?

Ok.. I will try to answer all your questions.. if I miss any, just post them again.

I awoke for just a sec in surgery. Remember hearing "its ok" and that is that..no memory of pain at that time at all.
While you are in the clinic (hospital) they do give you pain medications to keep your pain under control. If you are still having too much pain, Dr. S. is very good about either changing your pain med or increasing the dose. I had mine increased the day after surgery. Was able to get by with less tho, the following day. Once you leave the clinic, your pain should be tolorable with the iburpofen and ketoprofen Dr. S. gives you. I took Vicodin with me, because I knew once I was back at the hotel there would be no strong pain meds. I took it once. That was it. AND the reason i needed it is because I was out running around wayyyy too much the first day out of the clinic. It was crazy.. I felt incredible that day and the next.. then started to tire out cuz i was wayyyy overdoing it. The average clinic stay is 3 days. The beds in the clinic are pretty much the same as any hospital bed. Not ultra comfy for sure. The hotel beds are very comfortable.

The day after my surgery.. I did think "what on earth was I thinking". But only that day. I do not regret it. I am glad i did it.  I would recommend that if you have a lot to get done, to split it into 2 different times. There too are some things he will not do at the same time, if he feels it is to risky for you. As far as the pain.. I can tell you it takes a bit longer to bounce back from this than it does a laproscopic procedure. I had the anchor cut, which involves muscle tightening, and it is about the only thing that is still very tender if I do the wrong things.

As for the scars, there are silicone scar strips, that i am actually about to start using that many people claim flattens the scars and reduces redness very well. Remember tho, the scars take a while to fade. Vitamin E helps too

And YES definately allow 6 weeks for recovery if you can. Some go back after 4 weeks. I will be 4 weeks out tomorrow and would not feel up to going to a job yet. I might be able to if I had to, but it would be tough.

Its great that you are learning all you can. Smart lady!

Thanks for the info.  It helps to hear it from someone else who has been there.  I imagine I won't be considering doing it until a year from summer or so.  I need to stabilize my weight.  I will need a reconstructive breast lift and probably a smaller implant.  I had implants put in when I was 26 y/o and my breasts are hideous right now.  I've lost enough weight that I can see where the implants are in my breasts.  My breasts got huge with my weight gain and nursing children.  I think I'd like to go down to a size C cup.  Right now I'm wearing a EEE.  I have to buy my bras at a foundation store 'cause I can't buy any off the rack yet.  They are very expensive and I don't need the hassel. I also think that is one of the reasons I have back and neck pain.

I will also need the tummy tuck, the thigh lift, arm reconstruction and probably a butt lift by time I get done.  Maybe I'll start with the breast and tummy tuck first and save the others for later.

Good to know about bringing one's own Vicodin.  I thought as RNY patients we couldn't take Ibrupofen???  that it can cause bleeding, is what my doc said, along with any NSAIDs, Asperin, etc.

I had my own tylenol there too. BUT with that said, we are supposed to avoid ibuprofen, but for the short term use of it , my surgeon said it shouldn't be a problem. I did however take the tylenol when I felt it would cut it. (forgot about this!) ..
Definately split up all those procedures!

Ok thanks for the clarification.  How are you feeling today?  Did you end up in the emergency room?

Oh yes.. i sure did. for 3 1/2 hrs.. Then this am had a fver of 103.8.. Ugggghhhh

My gosh.  Did they give you an other antibiotic, I hope.  Did you end up with strep throat?  Hope you get better soon.  It's got to be miserable trying to recuperate from surgery and then get sick.  I feel for you.

Thanks Marybeth. Yes, It did in deed end up being strep throat. The ER doc called an ear nose and throat specialist to find out the best antibiotic to give me, because when I got this strep, I was already on Augmentin for a sinus infection, and he could harly believe I got the strep while on that.
Still getting fevers, but not like this mornings, thankfully. Hoping I am on the road to recovery. Ohhhh yes i is quite miserable. I am not typically whiney.. but today, lol.. well I have been a bit.

I'm so sorry you feel miserable.  I'll say a prayer to the Great Healer that He'll heal you soon and you'll be on the road to recovery.  How's your pain from the surgery - do you still have any?  Hope tomorrow is a better day for you.  You're allowed to whine - remember that's what you told me. LOL
mb

hehehheee... yes i did tell you that didn't I.. lol.

Yes i do still have some pain, but it is mostly just tenderness. I had my stomach muscles tightened, and that takes a while to heal up from altogether. Being sick always makes everything hurt and ache more.. but I am healing very nicely and am being cautious not to overdo it, as i do not want a hernia!

Thanks for the prayer...it is appreciated!