Question:
Has anyone caught a bad cold right after Lap RNY?

I had the RNY this past Monday and all went really well. That night, I had a lot of drainage and my docs said it was because of the anesthetics. By the next day, I was full blown sick with a cold. Now, I am 4 days past surgery and it is moving into my chest. No chunks of anything yellow or green, but it is really tight and I cough a LOT. The problem is that I can't call my surgeon for a prescription (if I need it) as I had the surgery done in Mexico. My primary care physician here in town is out of the office for the weekend. So my only choices will be the emergency room or an urgent care (and just as costly) if I get sicker. I had a fever of 100.4 last night, but my surgeon (I was in Mexico last night) said not to worry at all. It is just a cold. Not sure of my temp today as I literally just got home 5 minutes ago and have to unpack. I think it is down. So, has anyone dealt with this before? My surgery went great but I am sick as a dog from this cold. Any suggestions? And any ideas on antibiotics and what can't be taken after a RNY? I may have to educate the urgent center's PA's on this, if I have to go. Thanks! — C P. (posted on March 28, 2008)

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March 28, 2008
Talk about bad timing!!!! I would check your temp every couple of hours to make sure you aren't trying to fight off an infection. Take care of yourself first, worry about the money later.
— Carlyn M.

March 28, 2008
Monitor you temp closely. I'd worry most about pneumonia. That's why you get those breath blowing devices to practice with before your hostpital stay or when you check into the hospital. I don't even know if they give those out in Mexico. These machines help keep your lungs clear. If you're not using one, then start. You don't need pneumonia at this time. Be careful with antibioitics. I took CIPRO for a bad cut finger that required stitches at the ER. I had the diarrhea for a week. My doc said it killed off all good and bad bacteria, and you need a balance in your lower tract for stool consistency. Next visit to the ER, I got bactrum, and no problems. Good luck. I always recommend that people contemplating RNY attend local support group meetings. You can get so many questions answered by those who have had RNY surgery recently.
— Dave Chambers

March 28, 2008
For now I think you should just go to bed ...It probably will pass. A humidifier is probably a very good idea to keep your breathing loose. A great home grown treatment is to steam and inhale steam with a few drops of clove, cinnamon and thyme oil. A facial steamer works really well for this. deep breaths for about 20 minutes...just a tiny drop of oil...Iv'e had lousy lungs from birth and this is often my life line. Antibiotics only if you get worse. The problem with them is they might kill off your good stomach bacteria ...not so sure that would be a good idea at this point in the game with your re-routed digestive tract.
— [Deactivated Member]

March 28, 2008
Take a pillow and put it on your stomach when you caugh and it will not hurt as bad. If that tempature is not improving tomorrow,I would not wait until Monday but spend the money for the emergency room, as you could have something else. I thought I had a cold, no cough, but I started a feaver. I went back to the hospital and they had to treat me for an infection that developed in my lungs. They sent me home, and the drugs they gave me cleared it up, but let them know that you had WLS as anti-infamatory drugs can hurt you now, both with RNY and LapBand. Best of Success to you, and take care of yourself.
— William (Bill) wmil

March 28, 2008
Both times I was in the hospital (bypass & costmetic) they also gave me the little contraption to exercise my lungs so that I didn't get pneumonia. If you still have a fever and you still have a really tight cough I would seek medical attention. Doesn't your Dr. have someone covering for him? If so, I would call. Best of Luck
— niecie54

March 28, 2008
You need to continue your deep breathing exercises, as tough as it may be. This means that you should try to be walking as much as possible to prevent the mucus from settling. Also, and this happened to me after about 3 weeks, you need to increase your fluid intake--- try some warm beverages (like broths which will also have some protein) to cut through the mucus. Remember that with any cold, there is the chance that you will have post nasal drip and the mucus will fill the pouch and irritate it. Also, because with a cold you tend to breath through your mouth, you tend to take more air in which will also irritate your pouch.
— SteveColarossi

March 28, 2008
I had a slight cold going in for lap RNY in Oct. 07, and then it later developed into a whopping chest cold too. Since then, I've had about 7 colds with chest congestion...mostly due to my pre-schooler getting them and giving them to me. I asked my surgeon about the lack of nutrition making me more vulnerable, but they just attribute it to the climate this year. Who knows.... all I know is that it makes recovery miserable and I feel for you! Just be very diligent in keeping tabs on your temperature, using a pillow as already suggested for when you need to cough, it definitely helps support you where your incisions are and get in as much fluid as you're able to tolerate..as that will help push it through faster. Sleeping more upright if you're able will also aide in keeping your chest and sinuses clear. Use the incentive spirometer that you should have gotten at the hospital, otherwise get one. It helps keep your lungs clear and although it will make you cough it will hopefully keep you from getting pneumonia. I would definitely have someone around you that can keep tabs on you the next several days..... just to be on the safe side. I'm sure you'll be fine in a few days. Maybe the travel made things worse too, so once you're home resting... things will quickly improve. Best of luck and congrats on the surgery. You'll feel great in no time I'm sure! Hugs.....Cheryl
— Cheryl K.

March 29, 2008
Hi, the reason the doc wasnt to concerned is the rile of thumb is the reason for a temp is this is the bodies way of responding to anesthesia all my post op pts run temps and please remember that regardless of what ur normal temp is 101.5 and above is a real temp in the medical community especially after surgery. Our docs don't allow us to even give tylenol for a temp below that and hospital policy b/c bodies is fighting a bug/anesthesia and if u kee p fighting it can get rid of one if u have by decreasing its defense mechanism. If u have yellow or green drainage from nose or incision i would call but even lungs you may notice a different color b/c of anethesia... Just be careful and watch colors and trends of temp and drainages.... I sincerely hope this helps
— HelloKittyDawn

March 29, 2008
I would also go to your local pharmacy and speak to a pharmacist about what you may be able to take for the cold. I think you can only take Tylenol products but I would double check with them.
— redlilies

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