Question:
Getting a Fever after Open RNY surgery

I have been on this site since April. I have noticed that when I have read about patients that have had Open RNY, they always seem to get a fever after the surgery. I was wondering why this occurs?    — Lisa N. (posted on November 13, 2002)

November 13, 2002
Its caused by ANY surgery. Open makes it worse but even Laps get a low grade fever. My wifes a nurse and said fevers are normal. Incidently the big difference between open and lap is that 33% of opens develop a hernia post op that requires another surgery to fix. LAPS the incisional hernia rate is near zero. Low grade fevers post op arent a problem unless theres a infection.
   — bob-haller

November 13, 2002
Lisa, I had an Open RNY on 8-15. I went in at 6am Thursday and was not discharged till Tuesday afternoon b/c I ran a 101 fever the whole time. However, as soon as I got home, the fever went away immediately. Sometimes, you get sicker by being in the hospital!
   — heathercross

November 13, 2002
I had lap rny and also developed a fever about three days after surgery. As it turns out I wasn't using that little breathing exerciser they give you. It seemed kinda silly to me. My doctor told me to start using it once an hour. By the end of the day my fever was gone.
   — Linda A.

November 13, 2002
I agree with the poster who said it had something to do with the breathing exerciser thing. I wasn't using it and got a high fever about 24 hrs. after surgery. Nurses got on my back about practicing my breathing exercises, and problem self-resolved within a few days. I think it may be a low-grade lung infection or something causing the fever. Not sure.
   — Terissa R.

November 13, 2002
I had open RNY and never had a fever, neither in the hospital nor at home.
   — Roxanne M.

November 14, 2002
I ALSO RAN A HIGH FEVER AFTER OPEN RNY HOWEVER AS STRANGE AS IT SEEMS THE NURSE TOLD ME THE MORE I WALKED THE FASTER THE FEVER WOULD BREAK AND SURE ENOUGH IT WORKED. GOOD LUCK AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT [email protected] ^j^
   —  emma lavonne G.

November 14, 2002
Lisa, its Heather again (from Support Group)...I ran a fever (see below) and I did the breather once an hr all day long, I walked about 10x/day as I have a small bladder and had to go as soon as that catheder came out! I don't know why I had it, but, I will tell you this, Lenox Hill nurses' take your temp every 2 hours, so, don't worry. They also wouldn't let me go home with a fever either. See you next Thursday!
   — heathercross

November 14, 2002
I saw this question and was quite alarmed! First of all, you can get a fever for a variety of reasons.....but most importantly, IF YOU HAVE A FEVER REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY! I can't stress this enough! I won't go in to all the reasons that the body may become feverish, but it can be a sign of a mild or life-threatening complication -- INFECTION! Hopefully, it's nothing, but better to be safe than very very sorry.
   — Lynette B.