Question:
Need reassurance on some post op behaviors

I have a number of miscellaneous questions, some I've asked of Dr.'s office. Just wondering if these things are "normal" and when they will most likely go away (I know, every individual is different.) I guess I'm just asking reassurance. 1. I still feel pressure on my ribs, especially later in the day. 2. My waist & stomach measurements are down less than an 1 inch, although my hips 3 inches, bust 2-1/2 inches. So, my belly sticks out just as much (although I now have "hollows" about halfway between my side and the middle of my belly.) 3. The last 5 days or so, later in the evening, I've felt momentary pain under my incision. 4. I still feel some discomfort occasionally (like when trying to find a comfortable spot lying on my side.) 5. I still have a scabby area at the bottom of my 8 inch incision. 6. The vein in my arm where I had my iv is lumpy. 7. I lost 20 lbs the first 3 weeks, only 2 since then. 8. I feel like I have no time left for anything besides getting sustenance in me (I will start solids in a few days.) It is hard to get my floor back exercises in (can't sip while lying on my back!) and I have not had any time for a nap since surgery. I have not had time for nap since surgery. I feel really inefficient at this. Thank you! Open RNY proximal 10/10/01 As of 11/9 down 22 lbs BMI 43 Age 62    — Gail J. (posted on November 20, 2001)

November 19, 2001
I can respond to the one about sporadic pain under under the incision. At 16 weeks post op I still get that too. My surgeon assured me that it takes a good 6 months for complete healing. When I get a twinge of pain, sometimes rubbing my belly helps...but the pain is gone in moments regardless. Also, I don't think I was 100% comfortable sleeping really until about a month ago. Now I sleep great. Hope that helps a bit.
   — KimBo36

November 19, 2001
Sounds all normal to me, healing and adjustment takes time. For me its only been the last couple weeks I am well hydrated and probably eating enough protein. Awhile ago I decided to just do my best and quit worrying about some issues like protein. I worked extra hard at getting enough water in. Plateaus are to be expected, its a great time to watch your measurements shrink!
   — bob-haller

November 19, 2001
I, too, am one of the 'older' women to have the open rny. I had my open rny on 7/6/01 at age 60. I was told yesterday by my doctor that when we are older, it takes longer to heal, longer to lose to weight, and our skin sags more. The pain in your side is part of the healing process from having your ribs spread wide open. It passes. But the little aches and pains from just plain getting older are still there. And even though we may lose slower, we still lose regularly. Just keep drinking your water every day, eating your protein (I use a protein drink because I'm too lazy to cook), and walking a brisk mile every day to keep your metabolism up. To date, I am 20 weeks post-op and have lost 76 pounds. But I eat a whole lot less than what I see posted by others on this Q&A site. As we get older we have to eat less, and this gastric bypass to a great tool to help us to it. Right now it's working, but we'll see how it does over the long haul. Obviously at our age, we've been on a million diets only to fail. Still can't believe this will work forever, but maybe ---
   — [Anonymous]

November 20, 2001
My goodness, Gail...please try and relax a little. Give yourself some time to heal. Yes...you will feel crummy for a time. Some of us feel crummy for quite a long time. It was ten months before I could start to eat reasonably normally again. Just trust that eventually your body will heal, you will lose the weight, you will begin to eat normally, and your life will return to a more 'normal' routine. It takes time. I know it is hard not to focus on the pounds lost and your body size, but try not to become obsessed with weighing, measuring yourself, etc. I was a slow loser and would become depressed by daily weighing or measuring. I did much, much, much, better when I started jumping on the scale only once a month. Regardless of plateaus, I showed a steady ten pounds a month loss, which never failed to brighten my spirits considerably. Focus all your attention on getting your protein, water, vitamins and exercise. The pounds and inches will take care of themselves...in fact, they seem to have much in common with that 'watched pot'. The less you watch them, the easier you seem to lose them.
   — Anne G.

November 21, 2001
Hi, Me again ... Ah well, I am just weighing & measuring once per week but will try to extend that time period. I was concerned mainly about my extended belly but from answers I'm assuming I'm simply still swollen from the rough treatment. 11 years ago I healed pretty quickly from a hysterectomy but then I was 11 years younger and no ribs were affected. Kind of hard on my spouse ... he doesn't get much bed because I have so many pillows! Plus, one cat used to sleep beside me ... no more. thank you
   — Gail J.