Question:
I have a very important event closely following my surgery date, NEED ADVICE !!
A little over a week after my surgery is scheduled I have to go out of town. Its an all weekend event. However, I have many friends going with me who said they will help make it as easy for me as possible so i know my activity will be low and I will be sitting for most of it. Can you tell me what the week after was like and how much activity you could do. Even if you were able to go out anywhere with friends. Im stubborn and prone to cabin fever so Im hoping that it will help me in the healing process. Thanks for the advice. — Kymberly H. (posted on June 25, 2003)
June 25, 2003
Assuming no complications, you'll probably be pretty tired but not
immobile. Assuming you're having lap, you may even be mobile. If you're
open, you'll be in some pain. Just take it easy.
— Kimberly L.
June 25, 2003
WELL, IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO. I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING OR GO
ANYWHERE ONE WEEK AFTER SURGERY. BUT I HAD A HARD TIME WITH THE SURGERY AT
FIRST. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU AND THE WHOLE SURGERY IN GENERAL. I HOPE YOU
GET TO GO. AND GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SURGERY.
— CHRISTY F.
June 25, 2003
I see that you're having an open-RNY - so the question is, do you have a
fairly high pain tolerance? Otherwise the painkillers may keep you rather
zombi'ish and if you don't take them, you may feel miserable! Ever had
major surgery before? Did you bounce back well? How are you traveling?
Is it a long car trip? I found that exhausting - doable but exhausting. I
wish you luck, but frankly after major OPEN surgery on your gut, I think
you'd be nuts to do it. :>)
— [Deactivated Member]
June 25, 2003
Im having OPEN.
— Kymberly H.
June 25, 2003
I had open RNY and a week after surgery - heck, even 2 weeks after surgery,
I couldn't even stand up straight, much less travel. Make sure you have
pain meds, plenty of water, and appropriate food. That's not a good time to
be experimenting with food that you don't either make or choose yourself.
If it were me I think I'd pass on the trip this time and do it next year
when you're feeling fantastic. Good luck.
— Vicki H.
June 25, 2003
You are young and a lightweight! Even with on open RNY, you should do
pretty well. Just take it easy and be sure you take medication for pain to
keep yourself comfortable.
— koogy
June 25, 2003
My best friend is having open RNY next month, and I looked at this question
as if I were answering it for her..... I would check with my Doctor first -
is he going to want you that far away from him so soon. All surgery has
risk, open even more. Blood clots are a big issue, so IF you decide to go
make sure you do LOTS of walking. Not sure how long you will be in the
car, but will need to make sure you stop and walk at least once an hour
while traveling. Pain control is another issue - not knowing how you will
react, being on a post surgery diet, You will need to keep well hydrated ro
end up back in the hospital. I think I would try to limit myself to smaller
day excursions until your body has some time to recuperate. I had LAP 5
weeks ago today, and did well and am going to Vegas this weekend, and have
my concerns still because of food and bathroom issues. Good Luck on your
surgery and your decision regarding the trip!
— J G.
June 25, 2003
You didn't say if you are having open or lap. I had open and I felt like a
mack truck hit me the first week home. I had no energy, couldn't even walk
upright and just in general felt awful. I would ask my doc about this if I
were you. Nothing is worse than to be away from your own home and not feel
good.
— Delores S.
June 25, 2003
scrap the idea of going out and stay home and try to recuperate. 1 week
after an open rny is no time for social events...The pain is horrid. You
will be miserable and your friends will be miserable watching you be
miserable. It is best if you just rest and try to get used to your new
routine as well.
— hooterzgirl75
June 25, 2003
OK here goes - It will be a 2.5 hour road trip and i have about 6 friends
including my bf going with me to help me bc they know whow important this
event is to me. OK OK Ill stop being ambiguous, I race and show my car.
NO IM NOT DOING EITHER for this event but im letting my friend do it for
me. This is a huge show where my car will be shot for a magazine and it
means the world to me. Im going to see how i feel but after gall bladder
surgery i was pretty mobile altho i know thats not near as major.
— Kymberly H.
June 26, 2003
just a few thoughts, if you don't mind..... first of all, no one can
absolutely guarantee that a procedure, even if scheduled as a lap, will end
as one... frequently, scheduled laps are completed as laps, HOWEVER, there
are a significant number of laps which are converted to open procedures,
for many reasons. that said, there can't be an absolute guarantee as to
length of in-hospital stay. at one week, you MIGHT be home, and raring to
go.... you might not. in your situation, if it were up to me, (and i know,
it's NOT), i'd suggest that you consider having the friend who will be
showing the car, go, and you stay home and recover. from your statements,
it seems that it's important for your car, not you, to be there..... and
you can send a press pack along with your team, which would, of course,
include your photo, which could be included in whatever photo op in the
magazine. best of luck, in both the surgery and the event.
— tuxedoll
June 26, 2003
I took a roadtrip about 3 hours away only 7 days after my (lap) surgery for
an outdoor party at a winery. I felt great by then. Just make sure you
bring your own food since finding soft stuff to eat/drink at a car race
might be difficult.
— mandajuice
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