Question:
I want to know are you bloated or swollen after lap surgery?

If so, How long does it take for the swelling to go down? Should you take stretch pants or sweats to the hospital to go home in? I just want to be prepared for my surgery next month.    — charlyce B. (posted on December 1, 2002)

December 1, 2002
Hey sweetie, congratulations on your upcoming surgery and good luck. I had LAP RNY on Oct. 2nd and the swelling for me was not as bad as I thought. I had to be at the hospital at 4:00 AM so I just wore in my pjs. I wore the hospital gowns the whole time until I left, which I wore the same clothes I wore in to the hospital. I was bloated but because I became lactose intollerant and hadn't realized it until I got home. You'll be fine. The swelling took me a couple of weeks, but remember, mine wasn't that bad to begin with. Good luck!!
   — Heather B.

December 1, 2002
Charlyce: I was very bloated after Lap RNY. You should definitely plan to wear something VERY comfortable for the trip home. I wore sweat pants and an over-sized sweater. The bloated feeling lasted for about 3-4 days post-op, then resolved. Surgery was 3/4/02 - down 101 lbs.
   — ZaZa F.

December 1, 2002
Yes, I was bloated after my Lap Rny. Probably for a few weeks. It was suggested to me to make sure that I had baggie undies. So I bought a package of inexpensive very large ones. I did make sure to have oversized stretch pants and a sports bra for my release from the hospital. Best of luck!!
   — Stacy L.

December 1, 2002
I was blown up like a balloon. Sweats would be a good idea. I can't remember exactly how long it lasted, but when I went back to work at 14 days post op it was gone and I was down two sizes in two weeks.
   — Linda A.

December 1, 2002
Yeah, you will be retaining a lot of fluids when you are discharged, but that's okay...you'll lose it pretty quickly. In fact, I kind of had fun with all the fluid I retained...I was discharged on a Friday afternoon and was only approved to stay 3 days in the hospital. My doctor didn't know that, so I told my nurse I had to leave or insurance wouldn't pay. So she called my doctor and he said to run another bag of IV fluids before I go, so they did. I think that entire bag went straight to my left hand (where my IV was), and by the time I got home, I could not move my fingers because they were so fat!! LOL! We took pictures of my giant "Man Hand" (remember the Seinfeld episode?) and had a real good laugh! The swelling came down very quickly and by the time I went back to work at 12 days post-op, it was completely gone. I did wear my most comfortable clothes to work for the first couple of weeks until they were too baggy, so make sure you wear sweats or comfortable knit pants for the first few days. Also be careful about your bra...underwires are PAINFUL on your little incisions, so get a comfy bra with no underwire. Good luck to you!!! Lap RNY 3-13-02, down 85 pounds!!
   — LaRayne H.

December 3, 2002
My husband was shocked at how bloated my face looked 2 days after my Lap RNY. (It's all the fluids they put into you via IV). I, of course, didn't know because I couldn't see myself! He tells me it took about a week before I looked completely "unbloated"! I wish I had warned him. I'd heard about the bloating, but I really didn't think it would be that noticeable. He was so upset he even spoke to the nurses about it because he was afraid something was wrong with me !
   — Kathy J.