Question:
I had an open RNY on 12/26, how long before I am feeling much better??

I see a little improvement each day, but thought I would be a lot better by now. Am I being too impatient??    — Diane W. (posted on December 31, 2001)

December 31, 2001
Congrats on your surgery, sorry so soon after the holidays! Today I am six weeks out and am just beginning to get my energy back. I am impatient too, this has been hard on me. I am a go-getter and this has really knocked me down to size. I have not yet returned to work because I have had some trouble with vomiting and diarhea. Give your body time to heal, it's been through a traumatic time. Enjoy your time and increase your activity a little bit everyday. But don't overdo it cause you can set yourself back. Good luck! Amy
   — purdue_1993

December 31, 2001
By the 1st. of Feb., this will all be a distant memory. You will have a new lease on life!
   — Barbara B.

December 31, 2001
Healing time is very individual. I had my open RNY a week before you and I felt great about 3 days home from the hospital. I have not been nauseous at all, nor am I in any pain. If you asked me to do a bunch of cleaning or take care of my family like I did prior to surgery and I'd have to say NO! LOL I am still too weak. After a few minutes of doing some light chore, I poop out and need to go sit down. Just try your best to get in your vitamins,protein and especially water and you will be better in no time.
   — Karen B.

December 31, 2001
I had open RNY November 5. The first week home from the hospital I slept a lot or sat and watched TV. I did go out for a walk twice every day and the first couple of times I wondered if I would be able to get back home okay because my legs felt like rubber after walking to the end of my very long block. Week 2 got better and I actually went Christmas shopping, went and got a haircut, saw my optomatirst and got new glasses, etc. Exach week gets better. I went back to work week 6 and I was pretty tired that week and got backaches and headaches almost everyday, but by the end of the week I was doing pretty good. Now at 8 weeks, I feel great. My energy level is way up. I am sleeping well and I am enjoying being active and not getting tired as I did pre-op. I am down 50 pounds and loving it. Everyone does heal at their own pace though. Just know that each week it will get better and soon you will be feeling great. Congratulations on your surgery and welcome to your new life!
   — Susan M.

January 1, 2002
I agree that healing time is very individual ... we all recover at our own pace. I think many factors, such as age, general health, whether you had complications, how your body responds to anesthesia, pain tolerance, your body's reaction to pain meds, etc. influence how quickly you recover. For me, it was a gradual process over many months. Progression was something like this: Week 1: In hospital, on heavy pain meds, pretty much out of it. Week 2: at home, not in pain, very weak and tired, still having "anethesia hangover". Very difficult to concentrate on anything. Weeks 3-4: Getting stronger every day, but still require lots of rest. Emotionally fragile ... prone to tears for no apparent reason. Concentration still difficult. Physically, I actually felt better than I did pre-op. Weeks 5-7: Approaching normal; concentration is better, but still not 100%. Still taking lots of "power naps". Week 7: Feeling pretty normal; sleeping less and assuming more normal activities. Week 8: Went back to work; feeling really well. Months 2-9: Energy level and exercise tolerance have gradually increased. Food tolerances gradually improved ... can eat just about anything now except really fatty/fried foods or concentrated/refined sugar. I didn't get the "huge burst of energy" that others describe until about month 10, when it finally kicked in. I am 44, and have not had this much energy since I was a teenager! I am at 13 months post op now and feel fantastic physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I hope this helps you. I think you are doing fine and will continue to see gradual improvement. It only gets better from here!
   — Lynn T.