Question:
how long did it take you after wls to feel good?
i know every one is different but i have 3 children at home 8,5 and 1...my husband is military and will be gone most of next year again...anyway i hope he will get to take 3 weeks of leave to stay home..i hope that i will get to have lap rny..everything that i have read the recover time it faster and not as much pain as an open rny. anyway do most feel well enough after say 2 or 3 weeks to take care of them selves, kids, family, household things? — Rebecca73 (posted on October 7, 2004)
October 7, 2004
I had open,wish I could have had lap. I felt pretty much back to normal by
one month out. My energy level has been great and I have had zero
complications. I had lap when I had my gall bladder out and recovered in a
week, felt great. I think you will recover fairly quick, but everyone is
different. I was taking full care of my family by then begining of week 3,
was able to drive after only 5 days. My dr. felt the sooner you get back to
normal activities the better. Good luck
— bubbleboo K.
October 7, 2004
Barring complications, you should be fine. I had 3 children under 5, and I
had help for a week. After that, I had them on my own and managed. I'm
not saying my house was spotless, just that I could take care of things.
— mom2jtx3
October 7, 2004
I had open RNY 8/24/04 and was pretty much able to do household things
about the 2nd week although I was pretty tired!!! I am a perfectionist
when it come to keeping up my house, trust me I got over that fast....do
what you can and the heck with the rest :) Good Luck!
— debbiecoyne
October 7, 2004
Dear Rebecca,
If you are well prepared, then it shouldn't take too long. I would suggest
making mini-meals for your kids ahead of time and freezing them. I bought
EAS ready mad3e shakes (carb control) from Walmart and drank them for the
first month. Then I went to EAS Myoplex and drink one of those a day.
I am the Wife of a retired Marine. My job didn't offer paid vacations, so
I milked the time off. I drew disability benefits for 6 weeks.
Tricare prime paid all but about $300.00. I have heard of Tricare sending a
nurse to the patients home at a cost of $11.00 per visit.
There is a support website for military wives that have WLS. Perhaps
another wife from your area could help out. That's what we did in
California.
I was up and out three days after surgery. My doctor is very strict after
surgery, and I had no problems.
Best of luck & email me if you want to chat more.
sincerely,
Loriann
[email protected]
— Loriann J.
October 7, 2004
I had open and I often say it took me longer to recover from the obesity
itself than the surgery. I was not very mobile pre-op, so after didn't
make me so immediately. I needed help getting up & down for a day or
two after I got home, but went back to work p/t at about 10 days. I had
frozen meals in advance for my husband. WE didn't have many choices in
protein back in the dark ages (grit or slime, I always say) and no one told
us til we were 7 days post-op! Today, I'd have several samples of good
whey powders on hand, the vites I expect to take and someone to help those
first few days. One of the girls in our support group made her own soups
and froze them. She froze some broth into ice cube trays (and then put 'em
in baggies) and the other soup for her family. She made a few variations on
that and thus provided herself with her clear liquid (flavored as SHE liked
it) and her family with her own good cooking. Perhaps you have a friend you
can swap favors with for some of the heavier housekeeping duties if your
husband can't handle all of it. Friends from church brought meals (I never
told them I was ready with my own, because it was SO nice) and helped Don
out with some of the housework. He could do it, but it made them feel good
to help.
— vitalady
October 7, 2004
Depends on your definition of 'feel good'. Physically I was up and going
within 3 days of the surgery, but I didn't have a lot of energy. I did
begin walking at that time, but the thing I remember as energy stayed low
for a couple of months. I did have periodic bouts with nausea and that
zapped my energy a lot. Emotionally, it was kind of a roller coaster for
the first 2-3 months because I went through that phase that hits almost
everyone of 'what did I just do to myself' and adjusting to the changes in
food, body were tough those first few months. I would say I kind of
leveled out at about 6 mos. and began to feel pretty good from my
definition. Most of my co-morbidities had disappeared by that time and
life was pretty good.
— Cathy S.
October 7, 2004
Keep in mind EVERYONE is different. I know of some who had this type and
recovered (able to walk around) in a short time. ALSO keep in mind there
IS NO LIFTING (5 lbs or more) for almost a month. You have a small child
who may want to be picked up and that is a NO NO. Your recovery also
depends on your condition before surgery. If you are in fairly good health
and don't have any other major medical problems you could recover fairly
well. You won't be your old self for at leas a couple of months. Again,
everyone is different and there could be complications. We need to be
honest with ourselves. It's a roll of the dice how we will recover. I will
say if you are starting to think about this surgery you can start doing
things that will help your recover. START EXERCISING, build up those
muscles. The stronger you are the faster you will recover. Start eating
protein. Protein help with muscle growth. Once you have the surgery,
start walking again. Walk 3 or 4 short walks and build up. The faster you
start moving (NOT LIFTING) the better your recovery. Drink your liquids
(VERY IMPORTANT) after surgery. See my profile. It may help answer some
of your pre-op questions (how to prepare your house after surgery). Have
some friends help you out. You can alway pay them back in kind once you
are up on your feet. Being prepared ahead of time really helped. Look at
all the old questions on this site to. I would join a support group before
the surgery also. They can be a great source of support and help. See
your church also. I'm sure there are some helpful ladies who would be
happy to help with child care and with your care. I wish you the best.
E-mail me if you have any questions.
— Linda R.
October 8, 2004
I understand that your plate is full right now with kids and running a
household alone while your husband is away but believe me, you have to take
it easy for another few weeks. I was 8 weeks out and had a yard sale and
strained myself whereas I was unable to hardly walk without shooting pains
in my side. I was on tylenol 24/7. An 8 year old is capable of helping
around the house and I'm sure your 5 year old is too. The one year old is a
full hand but try not to pick the child up alot. Good Luck and Take Care of
number 1 (you) or you wont be able to take care of anything. D
— Diana W.
October 8, 2004
As you have stated Rebecca everyone is different. For me I had the lap,
09/27/04. I have a 9 month old and a 6 year old who is so active he is
like 3 children. Anyway, my husband is a mailman and didnt quite have very
much sick time on the books. He had to take sometime off in December
because I was in and out of the hospital with my daughter. Anyway, I am
home by myself today and taking care of my children. It is not complete
care, because my son is pretty much eating what he wants today, but I am
home until lunch time. You are very fournate(sp?) you have a 8 year old
who can help you quite a bit. You may do quite well after 2 weeks. I
stated doing good after a little over a week. As I said it is not complete
care, but they are being taken care of. As far as pain, I did experience
quite a bit of pain, but my dr gave us loritab(liquid vicodin) I take about
half of what they prescribe to take the edge off the pain. Now this is my
case. Some people are of course different. Actually I am doing quite
well. After my c-section I didnt get into a grove until about 5 months
down the road. So hope this help a little. Best wishes on your surgery!!!
— Tonya G.
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