Question:
Will it be hard to get out of bed or chairs the first few weeks of surgery?

I will be having the DS proceedure soon and am trying to prepare for my time at home right after surgery. I am currently 438 lbs with a BMI of 67. My mobility is quite good now, but I am concerned that I will not be able to get out of bed or out of a chair on my own for a while after surgery. I'm wondering if any of you can give me an idea of how long it would be before I will be up and about with no assistance. (I do realize each person is different - Im just trying to get a general idea)    — pattyincali (posted on December 28, 2001)

December 27, 2001
I had open DS (split sternum to belly button) surgery at 494 pounds 19 months ago. I was sitting at the edge of the bed within 24 hours with only little assistance, and walking within 48 hours. By the 3rd day, I was pretty independent for getting in and out of bed and chairs. And once I got home (5 days post op), I required no assistance with that kind of thing. I did have problems picking up stuff that fell to the ground for about 10 days. Of course, I was sore and moved slowly, but it was ok. Good Luck to you!
   — merri B.

December 27, 2001
Hello -- My surgery is in two weeks, so I can't speak from WLS experience, but following gall bladder surgery many years ago, I found it helpful to have a sturdy chair near my recliner and bed just to add the extra leverage that made it easier to get up and around. I could do it by myself, but the extra support increased my comfort level so, in my mind, was good to have around. If you happen to live alone, which I do, be sure to have the chair(s) in place before you go in for surgery, because you shouldn't be lifting or moving anything once you get home. Best of luck and Happy New Year!
   — Linda W.

December 27, 2001
I had open RNY 3 weeks ago (starting weight 513) and while I can pretty much get around on my own I deffinately needed help out of my chair when I got home for the first week. I would take help as long as you can to prevent over doing it and increasing your risk for complication.. 3 weeks out I'm still tender and tired and while I do what I can I still let my husband do some things for me.. Again though, this is where everyone is different..
   — Elizabeth D.

December 27, 2001
I had an lapRNY about 1-1/2 weeks ago (Dece 17th) and first two days after surgery I was still in the hospital and I was so greatful for the bed that lifts your head up because I did not have the strength to pull myself up and out of bed. Once up I could walk very slowly, but the more I go up and out of bed the easier it became. On the thrid day after surgery I was at home and I needed many pillows to support by back and I needed assistance to get up out of any chair. One thing I did notice was that the toilets in the hosiptal are taller that mine at home. It was very hard for me to sit down on the toilet I would suggest that if you could get one of those booster chairs that go over the toilet I would. The friday after surgery I got my drain removed and that seemed to make all the difference. I don't know why but it seems to me that after the drain came out I was able to move round more and the more I moved the better I felt. Today I can get up out of bed and a chair without help and with little or no pain. Best of luck to you in your surgery.
   — blank first name B.

December 27, 2001
Getting up and down from bed or chairs was the only time I really felt any pain, after the first day. I started with a BMI of 46. Im now 18 days post op from Open RNY. My incision is 3 1/2 inches long. Its been a week since I've had any trouble getting up. I had a couple of Physical Therapy sessions while still in the hospital which showed me the easiest ways of rising. For me it helped to put my weight on my elbow, swing my legs around till I was in a sitting position and then ease up. I admit to hitting the morphine button a few times after getting up, but it was never unbearable. At home, I wish I had invested in a recliner. I had a difficult time sleeping and because of the pain in getting up, I felt trapped in the bed. None of this discomfort lasts very long, the days will go by fast and the pain becomes a distant memory. Good Luck!
   — Donna L.

December 28, 2001
Hi! All I want to say is remember to wear your binder! Any time you are up and about, you should wear it! It helps support you and keep everything in place. I personally found it made my back feel better, since the minor pain made me slouch in my chair. Also use your pain meds as prescribed, the first few days, it will help you stay comfortable and more able to move around. Good luck and God bless!
   — Kerry P.

December 28, 2001
How tough it is depends in part on how strong your arms and thighs are. I found that if I got my "center of gravity" (a/k/a my behind) too low, it was harder to get up. Work on strengthening your thighs and upper arms (muscles on the back,not your Popeye muscles)so you can use them to "push" with. I borrowed a walker and kept it within reach to sort of brace myself. The best thing, though, was a recliner/lift chair that I was able to borrow. That was the only way I could sleep the first two or three nights. I just could not get comfortable in my bed. I had a followup surgery and that time came home with a hospital bed and trapeze, but that was an unusual circumstance. I started at 398, am 5'4; had open RNY. I also have terrible knees, which is why I liked having the walker for bracing myself (I did not use it to walk). When I moved from the recliner to the bed, I put a dining table chair with a high back next to the bed to help swing myself around (put books on it to keep it from moving on me). The bad news is that the first few days can be a hassle - the good news is that after the first few days, getting up from the chair or bed will get easier and easier!! Good luck.
   — mskarns