Question:
what is it like after open gastric when you awake?
— blondieasis (posted on June 23, 2005)
June 23, 2005
You kind of wake up gradually. Your throat is sore because there is a tube
down it. You are groggy from the pain killers. Your stomach has a big
bandage on it, and it hurts. My surgeon wanted us up within 4 hours. The
sooner you get up the quicker you get better. It hurts to get up at first,
but if you take it slow it is so do-able. Let the nurses give you advise on
how to get up the best etc. There were other tubes sticking out of my
stomach and the made gross sounds. But it was exciting, from there on I
have been losing weight. If you just remember this is the worst it's gonna
be and every day is better it's ok. It's really only bad for the first
couple of days, and you have pain killers to help with that. You'll be
surprised how fast you heal. And, it is so worth it. I have lost close to
60lbs in 3 months.
— bettya
June 23, 2005
it was like when i had my c section.......i was tired and and sore very
sore they had me in recovery for 4 hours and then in intensive care just to
be safe .....i had no problems...........they do want you to walk
asap.....you walk around bent over for the first couple weeks.........but
it is so worth it i have lost 123 lbs in 6 months........and my goal is
another 50.......i stand behind what i did 100%
— MIKI4
June 23, 2005
You didn't say what type of surgery you are having, (band or by-pass) but
if it is open surgery, then it is fairly much the same for either.
depending on yor surgeon's routine and that of aneathetist, (and you
shoyuld really be asking them as they can be a little more exact) most
surgeon's these days tend to opt for the PCA (Patient controlled analgesia)
This is a amall object that you hold in your hand, and if you feel some
pain you press it. This causes a computerized pump to release some pain
controle medication into your veins through your drip, and you will be
comfortable again probably enough to get out of bed, go to the bathroom
and/or take a shower. But by the time you are up to taking a shower you
wont need it anyway. One usually has it for the first 48 to 72 hours, then
it is taken down and you could receive a shot or even something orally when
required. But again I sugest you ask your surgeon about his post op
routine. It isn't too bad nor unbearable, but you will probably be aware
that you will be made to ambulate (walk) as soon as possible to avoid
complications of DVTs (deep Vein Thrombosis)etc. The first day you will
fairly "groggy" and you may not remember much.
Best of luck for your forth comming procedure. It is worth any discomfort
you may experience. Think how you could look in 12 months time.
— Lise K.
June 23, 2005
I have had many surgeries, including 3 c-sections. This one was one of the
worse as far as after surgery pain. They did give my strong pain meds
soon, but I am not going to lie. It hurt like Hell. But, the one thing
you need to know is that I am six months out... would do it again in a
minute. Good Luck!D
— lindarodham6
June 24, 2005
Well I'm exactly 1 week post-op, so this is VERY fresh in my mind! Not
going to lie, it hurts.......BUT, they want you to be comfortable so that
you can start healing!!! Don't be a marytr and try to "tough it
out". If what they are giving you for pain is not cutting it, let
them know.
I had my surgery at 8 am, was back in my room by 11:30, and up to the
bedside commode by about 4. At 6:30 PM, the Nurse and her Assistant came
& informed me that I would be getting out of bed, walking to the
bathroom, potty, brush teeth, wash face. Holy smokes I felt like a whole
new woman!!!! Good luck!!
(PS I'm down 17#'s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
— pinkwinks
June 24, 2005
You hurt like heck! I woke up and all tubes were out so I had nothing
foreign to deal with. The nurse saw I was coming too and groaning and
asked if I needed some pain meds. I said yes and she pushed my PCA. I was
in a lot of pain. My surgeon makes us at least sit up 2 hours after
surgery. It took me 10 minutes to get up and out of bed and then I figured
while I was up I'd go for a short walk. I wasn't going to waste the effort
of getting up. I had surgery on Monday morning. I went home Thursday
morning and push my cart of goodies out of the hospital while my mom rode
in the wheelchair. Heck they wanted me to walk a lot, so I did.
<p>No matter how bad the pain it will get better. For me it mostly
felt like I had done about 1000 ab crunches. It wasn't sharp pain, but
extreme soreness. All I know is after the 3 PS's I've had I'd volunteer
for open WLS again anytime. The PS's were by far way worse from a pain
standpoint. Granted I could move around a lot better and easier because I
was so much smaller, but the PS pain sucked.
— zoedogcbr
June 24, 2005
i remember wakeing up in the recovery room in no pain then being in the icu
and having to get up and walk it hurt really bad but when i started walking
the pain went away walking helps alot!
— swbbgurl
June 24, 2005
I had my surgery lap, but it was still the most difficult pain to describe
I've ever had, and some of the worst. When I woke up and was in so much
pain I truly questioned my judgement having the surgery, but within a day
or so, the pain was much less. I had more problems with the after effects
of anesthesia than anything else.
— Linn D.
June 25, 2005
Honest. My first thought IMMEDIATLY upon waking was "MY God! What have
I done?" If I had it to do all over again I'd NEVER have any surgery
UNLESS I get a private room. WLS was the 3rd most painful of 15 surgeries
to date. And I'd have an abdominal binder which I did'nt have.
— Danmark
June 25, 2005
It was a long time ago but I do remember waking up and thinking ok I did it
and yeah it hurts but I know I'll feel better if I walk and move. It hurt
but I felt better each time I moved. I had a moraphine pump and each time
a nurse would ask me to move they squeezed the pump, and that helped too!
I remember thinking even saying out loud to myself that it was my
responsibility to make it all work, it was my decision so I had to try to
do my best and I did. My recover was very easy and I was 48! I noticed
that those with a bad attitude did not do well---by that I mean those who
felt "why me" why did I have to do this". It was my
decision a well thought out one that took four years and lots of counseling
to make. Thank God I did it and everyday I work out...I can run up stairs
walk miles and not feel I'm going to die if its over 65 degrees out..and
wear shorts and tanks ...and sorry to go on and on but life is SOOOOOO
GOOOOOOOOD! Some people do have side effects and problems and its not
their fault or attitude. Good luck to you! I had a incisional hernia 1
1/2 years later and it was much more painful....out patient surgery no
moraphine pump and it was nasty.
— debmi
June 26, 2005
when i awoke in recovery all i could think was DAM I AM HOT GET ME A FAN! i
was in pain but the sweats were way worse lol
— christine S.
June 30, 2005
I had my surgery on 02/12/04 and I I woke up feeling as I was going to
throw up. That was a little painful. However I was surprised to see I
didn't have any tubes or drains anywhere on my body. Just a dressing on
the incision that fell off on my way to the room and they kept it off. I
got up from bed an hour after to go to the bathroom; it was no easy feat,
but it has to be done. I was told I could get pain medicine every four
hours and I was happy to remind them. After a while the anti-inflammatory
shot was enough. I went home 3 days later and never had the need to take
anything else for pain. It mainly hurt when I coughed, but it's only
normal. I have no regrets and it's the best decision I've ever made in my
life.
I wish you lots of luck and a speedy recovery. :)
— [Deactivated Member]
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