Question:
Can anyone share good pre and post op P.T. program activities?

I am a Physical Therapist working at a hospital with a new Roux-en-y bypass program. I have been asked to put together a pre surgery and post surgery wellness program including Physical and Occupational therapies. I have some ideas, but was hoping to obtain feedback from real people having undergone therapy. Were you on a specific pre/post surgery therapy program? if so, what worked, what didn't. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I want to make sure I serve our participants in the best way possible. Thanks, Dawn    — Dawn L. (posted on May 12, 2002)

May 12, 2002
Hi Dawn, That question encompasses many, many aspects.....depending on the health of each patient and the current weight and abilities and limitations they have.I did not have any specific program to follow. I could write a book but not really sure what you want so here are a few thoughts... 1- Exercise....my surgeon only stresses walking at the beginning...20 minutes a day...walk for 10 minutes - rest - turn around and walk home....at first this was a BIG deal for me and I only made it 2 blocks away - now 10 months post op I can go 1 1/2 miles in that amount of time. I still hate it but I do it! 2- What to wear immediately after surgery - what goes on easy without alot of pulling and stretching? I went and bought 2 mu-mu's/caftans...wore it home minus undies and bra - looked great and no one knew...practically lived in them for 3 weeks...if anyone stopped over I looked dressed but could easily make a dash to the john if necessary without pulling down pants etc. If you have Open it is difficult to wear bra and panties over the staples etc. otherwise suggest loose jogging pants or sweats and big tops. 3- Difficulty wiping oneself? I used a portable bidet....got myself an empty water bottle with a pull up top...while doing my business I let the hot water run and filled up the bottle...squirted my fanny clean with that nice warm water and only had to pat dry - fresh as a daisy without alot of bending and pulling on the incision. 4- Personal hygiene is very important to healing...besides wound care just brushiing hair, teeth and a little make up works wonders...suggesting a hair cut pre op etc. 5- Make sure your recovery area is ready for when you get home...I had a recliner ready with a telephone and phone book, kleenix, empty bag for trash, books, magazines, tv remote etc. I had everything at my finger tips without having to stress the incision. Same goes for stocking the kitchen with the needed supplies. 5- I kept a hard back chair by my bed to help me get in and out...perhaps showing some pre-ops how to use the triangle to get out of the hospital bed would be helpful...as I was able to sleep on my side I needed a pillow under a leg to keep from pulling my incision...oh and the needed pillow for the car ride home and post op sneezing... Hope these ideas help. Diane Z.
   — Diane Z.

May 12, 2002
What a good question! I felt really good doing water aerobics for the 3 months leading up to my surgery. I feel it really helped my lung function and getting some muscles toned really helped me to move my girth in the hospital just getting in and out of bed. Make sure your hospital has bari-beds for those that are very overweight--otherwise you can't get out of bed (sometimes) to start walking in the hospital! Afterwords, I walked each day--starting with 5 mins. then 10 mins. as needed. One thing I did, that I wouldn't recommend is going back to water aerobics too soon--I went at two weeks out (I figured I had done it for months--I was in shape) I thought I was literally going to faint in the water--I didn't go back for 8 weeks, and I had to start like I was new at it all over again. Good luck to you--this is one area where I think a lot of programs are lacking. Maybe you would consider posting your plan here when you are done? It would help us, like we are helping you! :)
   — sandieguy