Question:
How soon back to normal

My surgery is scheduled for July 11. I am looking at my calendar and trying to decide what to clear off and how far out. I have no idea what to expect. How my energy level will be or how soon I can go back to normal stuff. Any suggestions?    — Tiffany S. (posted on June 25, 2002)

June 25, 2002
There are alot of variables here. Are you having open or lap? What type of work do you do? They say that lap is a quicker recovery than open. Desk work is easier to return to than one that requires movement, standing and /or lifting. And everyone recovers at a different pace. I know of some that were back to work in less than 2 weeks-desk jobs. As for myself, I needed every bit of 6 weeks to get my energy back and to get over the nauseousness that I had every morning for the first month.
   — Cindy R.

June 25, 2002
I hear from so many people who have LAP RNY it takes about 4 weeks.... And that's exactly how long it took for me to feel "good". Up until three weeks I had NO energy. Of course with an open the doctors say to plan on 6 weeks o recuperation. I would think alot will depend on if you have any other health problems and what condition your body is in when you go to surgery..
   — Linda M.

June 25, 2002
I had open RNY and went back to work full-time after four weeks, so I guess you could say I felt normal by then. But, it was at six weeks that I started feel really GOOD.
   — PaulaM

June 26, 2002
hiya! i had open rny and the first week home was tough with the pain and not being able to sleep in any position but sitting up on the couch so i tried to sleep as much as i could...i went to the beach the first weekend i was home (i came home on a monday) of course my hubby drove and i took some pain meds before we went but i was able to go for about 4 hours and play a little in the water...by 3 weeks post op my energy level had increased a lot and at 4 weeks post op (when i could drive locally) i started taking my daughter to the local pool and giving her swim lessons. but also at 2 weeks post op i started throwing up the protein drink so my doc moved me up to the soft food phase..i had my surgery 6/14 and on 7/4 i went to a party, played in the pool a lot, ate a tiny bit of chicken and potato salad...i stayed for about 4 hours before i started getting pooped out. i stayed off work for the full 10 weeks simply because i could! good luck!
   — jkb