Question:
How concerned should I be about sitting too much after surgery (clots)?

I am a teacher and will continue working towards my masters this summer. My surgery date is May 16th and my classes begin June 1st. I will be sitting from 9am until 6pm (except for 1 hour lunch) Monday through Thursday. Is this something to be concerned about with blood clots?    — Jenigal1974 (posted on April 16, 2006)

April 16, 2006
I am a professional obesity surgery counsellor and also a consumer of WL surgery (BPD). I can tell you in no uncertain terms that it is vitally important that you do not sit for such long periods so soon after your surgery. If you are determined to complete your degree at this time, I recommend that you delay your procedure untill you have time to move around more. I have had the sadness to be around when we have lost patients to DVTs because they did not mobilize, one patient died 6 weeks later and another much earlier, and now more recently 11 months later because she did no exercize at all and got DVTs and passed away last sunday. It feels just terrible when your hands are tied and every warning has been given all to no avail. Please go have a heart to heart chat with your surgeon, I am sure that you and he can work something out. Your dates for study are so close to your surgery, there is a very good chance that you will not feel up to it anyway. God bless and all the best for your upcoming surgery. Please write to me and let me know how things are going. Lee
   — Lise K.

April 16, 2006
Lise said it well, pick WLS or degree and get other later. You just CANT do both safely. Now before someone reports they sat around endlessely without troubles.... Those who had troubles may not be around to report:(
   — bob-haller

April 16, 2006
Thanks for responding...now the "what ifs" My professors are pretty flexible and have no doubt they would let me break as much as needed, I could possibly stand in the back of the class for periods at a time. Our groups are pretty small (usuall @ 10-12 students in each class) If I still took these precautions do you think that it still would be too risky?
   — Jenigal1974

April 17, 2006
you need to discuss this directly with your surgeons office today! Dont wait if you opt to delkay surgery they will want to fill your slot. Frankly I wouldnt run the risk, you need to be walking and standing probably isnt enough.
   — bob-haller

April 17, 2006
You need to move - not just stand. The movement of muscles (particularly in the lower extremities) act to massage the blood vessels, and helps to keep the blood from pooling in the lower extremities. I have to agree with the other posters. I can't emphasize enough how the recovery after weight loss surgery must be your primary, A-#1 concern.
   — koogy

April 17, 2006
HONEY, This surgery is NOT a "haircut and a manicure"! It is DEADLY serious that you get better information from your surgeon about what you can and can't do and what you MUST do! You MUST move....clots are dangerous, if not deadly! The last thing you are going to feel like, is fighting your schedule to keep your water, food and meds straight and trying to be a student, too. You need to make a choice between classes and the surgery. You might "feel" ok, but your body will have taken a HUGE shock. Your body needs time to reset and heal....and that doesn't include being in a classroom for 9 hrs a day, 4 days a week. If you have a lap RNY, you will be sore. If you have an open RNY, you will be in FAR MORE PAIN and hopefully on better/stonger pain killers.You won't want to be in class, maybe some napping, walking, water, food, meds, repeat, will be the definition of your day for several weeks. Good luck. Gary
   — Sporty_g

April 18, 2006
I had my surgery on March 28, 2006. I was told not even to drive for 2 weeks let alone sit for that many hours. Just sitting here at the computer for 40 minutes my left side is hurting. I agree with th e other poster to pick one. You cannot do both. Trust me, I know. I still feel like crap. Good luck!
   — nygiantsfan1969