Question:
I am planning a cruise right now...and just found out that my surgery will be about..

7 weeks before my cruise date. Do you think I will feel up to taking a 7 day cruise at that time?? Will I be strong enough and feel well enough to go??? Also, I am in nursing school full time and was wondering if 9 weeks postop I will feel well enough to go back to school 3 days a week. Thanks in advance.    — Getting H. (posted on April 19, 2002)

April 18, 2002
Everyone is different, so it's difficult to say whether or not you'll be able to do these things. Are you having surgery lap or open? That's also a factor. I had my surgery lap, and had very little pain. Physically, I could have gone back to work full time in a week, but I took off the 3 weeks I had planned ahead of time. I'm now 10 weeks out and feeling better than ever! At 7 weeks I definitely would have been able to take a cruise, and at 9 weeks go back to school. Again, it will depend on your personal tolerance to pain and whether or not you have any complications. Good luck!
   — GGinMA

April 19, 2002
Like the previous poster said, everyone is different. I had problems...but I would have been VERY happy to go away on a cruise at 7 weeks post-op. Something fun, to keep my mind off of my NEW life. Actually, I took a later surgery date so that I could go on a cruise before my surgery! :o) I would also be willing to say that you should be ok to go back to school at 9 weeks post-op. I started feeling pretty good at 8 weeks. I was back in school at 3 months post-op. Best of luck on your upcoming surgery.
   — Kristin R.

April 19, 2002
Please be careful on that cruise---they have food available 24 hours a day--don't undo what you have just accomplished--
   — Linda L.

April 19, 2002
I didn't have the RNY, but the open VBG. I'm only 11 days post op, and I'm already back at work. (a boring desk job!) I agree with the others, everyone is different, but you should be feeling MUCH better at 7 weeks post op!
   — Shannon P.