Question:
How big is the incision and how long are you out of work?

I am 25 years old and I have been heavy for at least 21 years of my life. Now that I have had a child I am even larger. I want to have the surgery because I don't want my child to be embarassed for me to take her to school. Is 25 too young? How big is the incision? How long will I be out of work? How long in the hospital? What should I expect in the first 8 weeks after surgery? Thank you all    — nalmond (posted on June 18, 2000)

June 18, 2000
Age is not as much the issue as how overweight you are and how it is affecting you physically...what health-related problems you are experiencing as a direct result of the obesity. In addition, I believe that most bariatric surgeons take into consideration the deep emotional impact that obesity has on your life. The size of the incision, how long you will be in the hospital, and how long you will be out of work will depend on the type of procedure. I had a laparascopic RNY and had six 1/2" incisions "scattered" across my upper abdomen...no tubes, no drains, no external sutures or staples. I was in the hospital 2 days and returned to a full-time office position the following week. An "open" procedure involves a larger incision and a longer post-op recuperation time. Regardless of the surgical approach, you can expect that it will take several weeks to regain your full strength and energy. It will be important to follow your surgeon's guidelines to the letter and not over-do.
   — Diana T.

June 18, 2000
Hello, Nikki I am 24 years old and had the Surgery. 25 is not young at all. My incision is from under the Breast to about a hand away from the navel. I can measure my incision with my thumb and index finger.It depends on you and how you feel after surgery. Some people can go back just after two-weeks. My hospital stay was only 4 days. Well, I can tell you the first 4 week are the time you need to worry about: There is adjusting to taking your Meds everyday, Protein Drink and being on a Liquids and only eating 2oz. The pain that you may have and not being able to sleep in your bed. You will be tired a lot and want to sleep. You then will have to move on to puree foods (soft foods) Which is not bad but you will still have to wait an hour before you drink. You will have some intolerances, where you might not can eat certain foods and then you will vomit. Please feel free to e-mail me for more information.
   — Queen K.

June 19, 2000
Depending on which surgery you have will depend on your incision. For me, I had an open RNY and my incision is 9.5 inches long. That is not the norm though, my surgeon found an umbilical hernia after opening me up that he had to repair. So, my incision goes around my belly button a bit. And I am now almost 1 yr. post op and my scar is NOT bad at all. Faded to almost nothing...As for being out of work, I wasn't working I was going to school and I was out of school for 2 weeks. The first week in the hospital and the 2nd week home resting. By the time I went back to school I had no pain anymore and was feeling wonderful. By then I had lost some weight and could tell the difference in my attitude and manner, I was ready to show the world a new me =) And in the first 8 weeks after surgery, it takes a bit getting used to having this new plumbing. Once you make it to the solids, you really have to remember to chew chew chew. And to only eat until you feel full. The ability to eat for absolutely no reason is gone and you can't eat for emotional hunger anymore. I guess you can, but it really makes you not feel very well at all. It's a learning process and in the weeks and months to come post op you really learn a lot about your new system and yourself, I'm still learning =) Good Luck...
   — Marni

June 19, 2000
It depends on what type of gastric bypass you have as to how long you will be out of work. I was out four weeks. My incision is from right below my breast bone to the tip of my belly button. You are not too young I am 27 and had the surgery last December. a month after my 26th birthday. Good luck on whatever decison you decide to make
   — Barbara P.