Question:
How long was it before you were back on your feet?
Not necessarily "normal" but simple things like driving to the store, getting out for walks, even going back to work? Any personal experience would be great :) Thanks.. you all are wonderful! — Jen S. (posted on August 6, 2001)
August 6, 2001
i was up on my feet 4 hours after the surgery. Taking walks within 24
hours. went on vacation 1 week after surgery. back to work within 4
weeks-(very strenuous job).
— Allie M.
August 6, 2001
2 weeks driving and walking, 4 weeks and back to work after open rny. Took
several months to get strength back, that was hard to deal with at the time
but worth it now.
— [Anonymous]
August 6, 2001
Jen,
I am only 25, single, have no children and have no other real health
problems. I say that because often that can affect recovery. I had lap RNY
exactly 2 weeks ago. I have been off pain meds since the first week. Like
Allie, I started walking 24 hours after surgery, too. I went back to work
as a teacher one week after surgery. Granted, that was july 30th and no
children return to school until august 14th, so i guess thats light duty.
My surgery was on a Monday and I went to the movies on that saturday and
again the next saturday for two movies. What else? Mall shopping I did that
first Thursday for about two hours. I did have family to help with cleaning
and bending stuff so i didnt do any of that, I only did relaxing things
that got me up and about. Just yesterday, I actually forgot that I even had
surgery. Everyone is very different. I thought I would be one of those that
needed like 6 weeks, but I was happily wrong. Good luck!!
— Courtney W.
August 6, 2001
Your profile indicated that you had chosen a lap RNY. Following my lap
RNY, I was up to the bathroom two hours after returning to my room, was
expected to walk in the hall a minimum of six times the next day, was
discharged home two days post-op, and returned to a full-time job eight
days post-op. Now...that was wonderfully "speedy", but the
experience wasn't entirely without discomfort and fatigue. Compared to an
open surgery however, it was indeed a "walk in the park". The
discomfort was never more than the prescribed pain medication could manage
(injections the day of surgery, and pain pills starting the next morning).
The first time my feet hit the floor, I had two thoughts, "What on
earth have I done to myself?" and "He's (the surgeon) got to be
kidding!!".....however, each time out of bed was easier and easier,
and by the second day post-op, I was maneuvering the halls like a pro. I
think that the single greatest "hazard" of a lap surgery is that
it feels SO easy compared to a traditional open surgery....patients tend to
forget that the "inside" work is exactly the same and that both
surgeries are "major" surgeries. Lap patients need to guard
against doing too much, too often, and too fast. Going back to work in one
week presented no problems at all....I was off all pain medications by the
fourth post-op day....however, I was really tired by the end of the day.
Try to allow plenty of time for naps and get to bed early. Take advantage
of any help with childcare or housework that is offered by family or
friends. If you overdo in those early days and weeks, you will pay for it
later in terms of fatigue, irritability, depression, etc... You've waited
a long time for a chance to REALLY live and enjoy life...don't rush through
this process....take good care of yourself. Good luck!
— Diana T.
August 7, 2001
I had an open rny three years ago. The nurses got me up and walking
the halls (with assistance..) the day after my surgery. I was in the
hospital for 5 days. I actually felt pretty good when I was discharged.
The stitches were out and I had very little soreness at the site of
the incision. I was told not to lift heavy objects, bend, etc. for a
month. I was also told not to drive. But, I felt so good and I wasn't
taking any pain meds so I was driving a week after discharge.
I did feel quite weak and drained of energy for 6-8 weeks after my
surgery. I went back to work after 6 weeks, but I really should have took
the full 8 weeks, I was still drained. Pain wasn't a factor at all. I
never even filled the prescription they gave me. All in all, the whole
wls experience was easier that I thought it would be. I'd say that my
week 10 I was 100% my old self. Better actually....I'd lost 50lbs. and my
feet and knees were no longer aching and my sleep apnea had gone "bye
bye".
— [Anonymous]
August 7, 2001
Check my profile, it has a every other day description of my activities.
— bob-haller
August 7, 2001
Don't drive while on any pain medications, or before 2 weeks postop if you
had open surgery (slamming on the brakes could hurt ya). You'll be walking
the day of surgery and it is important to walk several times a day, even if
short walks. Don't start doing other exercises for about 8 weeks giving
the internals time to heal sufficiently to avoid a hernia - dont lift over
10 pounds either during that time period, or pick up a child, or move
furniture, or garden, etc. You'll likely need a month off of work with
daily naps to let the body recoop and heal properly. You may go back to
work 1/2 days if possible and see how it goes about 4 weeks. Get out an
walk as you feel like. Best wishes to you.
— Cindy H.
August 7, 2001
Hi, I had LAP RNY 9 days ago, and I'm up and around, have taken my kids
school clothes shopping and am driving. I still have some discomfort, but
basically I'm back to being me.
— Carey N.
August 9, 2001
I was driving after two weeks, and feeling pretty well (just a bit tired).
I work from home so I can't help you with that (it didn't take long for me
to be able to go downstairs to my office), but as far as walking, I was
walking 30-45 minutes after about 3 weeks. Good luck!
— Mary Ellen W.
Click Here to Return