Question:
This is for those who have had open rny surgery. I am scheduled to have my surgery
done "openly" in August. I am wondering how long it took you to feel like yourself again (able to go out with friends, shopping, housework, etc)? The reason I am asking is that after that surgery, there is a possibility I may have to have my rotator cuff on my shoulder redone. Since I have already had one rotator cuff surgery done, I am familar with that recovery. But since I have never had the rny, I have absolutely no idea what to expect (other than what I have read and spoken to people about). So anyone out there have the rny and another surgery ... say with in 2 weeks of eachother? Sorry this was so long, but really am concerned about this and am hoping someone can help. Thanks much and have a great day! — Julie M. (posted on June 22, 2004)
June 22, 2004
i had my surgery on april 12, 2004, and had to have it "fixed" on
april 14th. i didn't get home until 5 days after my second
surgery...however, i was up and about, running errands, etc. about a week
after i got home. i was sooo bored that i absolutely had to start getting
out! but i would say that i felt a tremendous difference in the second
week after surgery.
— Laura H.
June 22, 2004
Based on your lower BMI, meaning you are not SMO and trying to haul around
200-300 extra lbs, your recovery should be quicker. You will likely be
able to get active sooner. Even as a SMO things started coming around
reasonably fast. Personally I would not have wanted to have another
surgery 2 weeks later but if that is how it has to be, you will survive. I
have had decompression surgery on both shoulders so I am aware of that
recovery. The biggest thing is that you will need to be able to lift and
move yourself totally with your other arm before going ahead with the
shoulder surgery. For me that would have meant at least 4-6 weeks after my
WLS.
— zoedogcbr
June 22, 2004
I had Open RNY a year ago. I was 285, 5' 7". I was doing light
housework the second week; back to work (desk job) after 3 weeks. It takes
a couple of months to really feel like yourself. My incision healed really
well. The big leap is when you get the staples out at 11 or so days. Much
more comfortable after that. Good luck!! Renee
— ReneeJune03
June 22, 2004
I had open rny on 12/10/03. I really don't think I could have opted for
another surgery that soon after this surgery. Christmas day I felt almost
human and was able to spend the day with my family. I also had heavy
drainage from my incision (no infection)which resulted in opening the
incision up about 2 inches, packing it 2x a day, and letting it heal from
the inside out. They originally thought it would take an extra 3 months of
recovery. I was back to work 2/9/04. I wasn't allowed to drive until
after my 2 week check up and then usually took someone with me for the
first month or had them drive me. I was doing light housework (dishes,
folding clothes) after a week or so. Since its your shoulder, I'd think
about how hard it will be to get yourself in and out of bed and move in bed
with one arm and your incision healing. Getting in and out of bed is very
hard in the beginning. I felt GREAT now and would it all again in a
heartbeat! Good Luck!
— Kathy *.
June 22, 2004
Julie, I had an open RNY on 5/16/03 I felt good (no pain around 3 days
post-op (mind you I have a very hgh pain threshold). I too had to have a
torn rotator cuff repaired (though it was this past Dec). I felt my
recovery for that was much slower than teh RNY. It hink it had to do with
that surgery being my shoulder and being stuck in a sling for 6 weeks. It
is hard to compare the two somewhat. I had more discomfort/pain with the
rotator cuff surgery. I think this was due to my inabiity to use the arm
and teh muscles spasms I was having. The open RNY was more mental. I
didn't feel like eating and eating became work.
Good luck on both the surgeries! - Janine
— jmusser
June 22, 2004
After one week I was helping my Mom paint her kitchen and went shopping at
the mall for the day. I was Blessed that I never had any pain so I was
back to my old self in just a few of days. But thats just me. I had a
friend who had open 1 month before me and it took her over a month to feel
better. I'm not sure about the second surgery so I'm no help there but I
wish you all the luck in the world. ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02 down 140+
and under goal
— Siddy I.
June 22, 2004
my name is rachel and i had mine done oct-24-03 i was in for a week but
nothing the doc did, you will be fine, dont worry its not bad at all and
just remember you can do all things in christ that strengthen you. put it
all in the lords hands and he will guide you every step of the way. and
also have faith in your surgeon and staff, there is nothing wronge with a
prayer, you will do wondereful and you will be fine.
— rachel A.
June 23, 2004
I had my surgery on 6-11-04 and had a great deal of pain for the first 3
days afterwards it lessened considerably each day. I am now 12 days out and
doing nearly everything, sans lifting, that I did before. I thought I had a
high threshhold for pain, but this was much harder for me to deal with. I
have had another open procedure and lap, neither was as difficult as this
was. I guess each surgery is different.
— bubbleboo K.
June 23, 2004
I had gall bladder surgery in May 2003, knee surgery in November 2003 and
then had open rny on December 8. I wasn't back to full strength after my
knee when I had the rny. It took alot out of me but I felt pretty good
after about 3 weeks. It was probably 3 months before I felt like myself
again. That is alot of stress on your body and alot of anesthesia. The
thing that helped the most was exercising. It was incredibly hard when I
first started because I just had NO energy. But I can honestly say that it
helped me feel like myself again and better! It has been 6 months now and I
feel great! Just take one day at a time and don't expect too much for the
first couple of months. Take it slow and let your body heal! Good luck.
— Michele P.
June 23, 2004
I'll be 5 years out in August, and as I remember it, you'll have stages of
recovery. The first few days can be rough. I really had no pain, just
discomfort. Then, by 2 weeks, I noticed that I had started feeling
considerably stronger (I'm guessing the anesthesia had worn off). At 2
months, I felt great, and at 6 months, I felt pretty normal, used to the
new eating habits, etc. Those are the increments that I remember, but
obviously, YMMV. Good luck, it's SO worth it!
— Leslie F.
June 23, 2004
As far as feeling like yourself again -- I was mostly functional in three
weeks, but not really myself until six weeks out. However, that's
different from being in shape to undergo another surgery.<P>My
personal feeling is that doing another (planned) surgery just two weeks
after RNY would be a bad idea. It's not just the recovery time; your body,
at that time (open OR lap, btw), is starving and you're barely able to get
enough liquids in to avoid dehydration, or to get enough protein in to
avoid healing problems. I wouldn't schedule any surgery that soon after an
RNY simply because your recovery would be complicated those thorny
nutritional problems in the first month or two post-op, and of course, you
don't know if you'll adjust fairly smoothly or if it'll be rocky for awhile
in terms of pouch tolerance. I had a thyroidectomy 3 1/2 months after my
RNY with no recovery problems. I don't know about rotator cuffs, but off
the top of my head I'd want to wait at least two months, maybe three,
before contemplating any surgery after an RNY.
— Suzy C.
June 23, 2004
I had open RNY on Monday morning. I went shopping for about 3 hours on
Friday (slowly and resting occasionally) and I did the same on Saturday.
Now, as far as feeling myself that took a long time. I felt fine to do
things around the house and go for walks in my neighborhood, etc. But, to
totally get my energy back took months. I took 5 weeks off work then went
back half-time for another 3-4 weeks. I could have probably gone back to
work sooner but I had the sick-time built up so I used it. I don't know
how to help you since you are considering another surgery back-to-back with
the RNY, I think that your doctor should be the one to tell you when she
thinks you will be ready for that. Good luck to you!
— [Deactivated Member]
June 23, 2004
hey julie,
well to be perfectly honest it really depends on the person..i know some
people who had the exact surgery as me and were up and around after a
couple of weeks...me it took me a whole two months before i felt normal..i
could not lay down in a normal bed until 7 weeks...slept in a recliner...my
doc also said not to do alot of chores that one needs to bend down like
laundry...i also went through a big depression..i was mourning the lass of
my comfort friend food..its super good to have encouragement and support..i
did not have much and its was hard,, but after the months it was like nite
and day...feel free to read my profile..needs big updating though
lol...Dawn
— sweetdarling_ab
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