Question:
How long after Open RNY when you started being able to go out

I usually go out on Friday nights to my local chinese food restaurant's lounge to do Karoake. There is no food in the lounge. I usually will have a rum and coke while there. I was hoping to be able to go out within 2-3 weeks of surgery. I definetely would NOT drink, I am content with water, but I am sure I will miss my friends and my time out. Plus I am sure I will have cabin fever by then and I absolutely love Karoake. Will I be able to go out and sit down at the lounge with my friends and sing an occassional song, drinking water of course??? How fatigued will I be at 3 weeks out, and if I prepare and nap during the day, could I handle a night out?? Thanks    — [Anonymous] (posted on October 17, 2000)

October 17, 2000
I know everyone is different but i am 3 weeks post op and i just started working. I was in the hospital for 4 days and after only a couple days of being home i was getting restless. I did spend 1 full week at home but on the second week i went out shopping a few times and was feeling really good. I hope this helps
   — Michelle S.

October 17, 2000
I was driving within a week after being discharged from the hospital. I'm three weeks post-op now and I'm conscious of my endurance level - I still tire easily. So I would suggest - Go! Have a good time - just don't overdo.
   — Melinda P.

October 17, 2000
Good question. Everyone is a little different, so the most important thing is to take it slow and go according to YOUR OWN pace, not the pace of your friends. I went out for short shopping trips when I was less than 1 week post op (my mother drove). I was very careful not to overdo it, but I had to get out because I was going nuts inside the house. My first real restaurant experience was 9 days post op and I did fine - no problems at all. I think you can go out when you feel you are up to it. It's good exercise, and it's nice to be in the company of good friends who are supportive of your decision. I do have a few suggestions. For the first couple of times, go out with a "controlled" group - that is, don't go out with strangers or friends of friends who have tagged along. You may or may not want to go into major details with someone about why you're moving around so tenderly, why you're eating the way you do, etc. And you certainly don't want to open yourself up to ignorant comments. So go out with friends who are aware of your surgery and who will be helpful. As you already mentioned, alcohol is a no-no right now. It's very high in calorie and your system is not able to handle the effects of it. You may reach a tolerance down the road, but don't push it. If you do go out to eat, scope out the place in advance if you can or better yet, pick a restaurant that has things you can eat. Whatever you do, eat very slowly and chew chew chew. You must introduce foods into your diet slowly and a public restaurant may not be a good place to experiment in the beginning of your new life! What you ate before is not necessarily tolerable now. Stay away from fried, fatty and spicy foods. Follow your doctor's instructions as to when you can drive and when you can eat solid foods. As for lounge chairs, this is a very good question. You need good cushioning - you might even want to take one with you. If you don't use it, then it just stays in the car. And you may not be able to sit in one place for a long period of time. You may also tire easily. Tell your friends in advance that you may have to call it an early night depending on how you feel and arrange someone to drive you home early. Your friends will understand if they care for you. Good luck, enjoy your new life!
   — Paula G.

October 17, 2000
I say take it easy. I am three weeks post op and I have been practically everywhere. I take it easy, but the house drives me crazy after to long. At two week post op, i was already going to get my hair done. You will know when you have pushed yourself, when that happens, just relax and take your medication and just lay back.
   — Angela A.