post op recovery time
Hi everyone,
I have been a “lurker” on this list for a couple of months now. I have been
researching WLS since October and finally had my PCP refer me to a surgeon in
Jan. I got my approval from the insurance company yestarday and although I have
not been scheduled for surgery yet, I am told I should hear within the next week
and I will have the surgery before 4/15. Anyway, now that it is becoming a
reality, I am starting to prepare. I am definatly nervous (still praying I am
not the 1% fatality or serious complications)
My question is for those of you who have had the surgery (lap-RNY) how long were
you out of work afterward. I am a computer engineer so sit at my desk most of
the day, and i can get up and walk around whenever I need to so it is not very
strenuous. I hear many say they are tired for weeks and need to take naps during
the day, is that the norm?
thanks
–colleen
September 27th, 2003 at 2:30 pm
Hi Colleen,
As you said, everyone is different. All any of us can do is share our
own experience. My job is similar to yours - in that I sit at a
computer a lot of the day - but I can get up and move around if and
when I need to.
So, here is my experience. I had pre-ops on a Friday and my Lap RNY
first thing Monday morning. I was up walking the hallways by 4:00 PM
that afternoon. I did not need to use the morphine pump very much at
all. In fact, the nurses kept having to remind me to hit the pump at
least once an hour. I was released from the hospital before noon on
Wednesday. No complications. I had a perscription for vicaden that I
used at night to sleep - for about a week. I used none during the
day.
By Friday, I was walking around a mall - albeit slowly - for a couple
of hours. By the weekend, I was walking around most of the day. I
would stop and rest on a bench from time to time. The next week, on
Wednesday, I had the drain removed. I was released on Thursday to go
home.
On the following Monday, I went back to work, school, social events.
I did have someone else drive me - although I don’t think that that
was absolutely necessary. I would do my work - and about once each
half hour, I would stand up and stretch a bit, maybe walk around a
little. I am sort of a “driven” person - and I was very determined.
At the end of the day (6:45 AM - 10:30 PM) I was tired but not
exhausted.
By the third week post-op, I was driving myself, working, going to
school, rehearsals, social events, walking - LIVING pretty much as
usual. On the 24th day, I woke up pain-free and able to sleep in any
position in bed.
Since then, the energy has continued to build. During the 2nd month,
I began exercising 5-7 times a week at the gym - which is what I
continue to this day. From the beginning, I have been “religious”
about taking my vitamins, following the eating plan (at the 90% level)
set by my surgeon, and drinking at least 64 oz. of water.
Hope this helps a little. It is just one experience from one person.
Your experience will be different. I am one of the “older folks” on
the list, I think. (I was 53 at the time of surgery and I’m 54 now.)
But keep a positive attitude and you will be successful. Best of
luck to you.
Keep on keeping on,
Susan H
Lap RNY on 4/2/01 at Alvarado, San Diego
Pre-Op 325 with a BMI of 53 wearing size 26
Today 175 with a BMI of 28 wearing size 12
how long were you out of work afterward. I am a computer engineer so
sit at my desk most of the day, and i can get up and walk around
whenever I need to so it is not very strenuous. I hear many say they
are tired for weeks and need to take naps during the day, is that the
norm?
September 28th, 2003 at 9:14 pm
After my lap RNY I was out of work for two weeks. (also mostly desk work). I
did go in a little late the first week, and left an hour early, but that was
mostly to avoid the NYC subway rush-hour crush, and insure a seat. I was very
tired the first two or three weeks, and didn’t schedule any social things after
work until then. But I was happy to be back at work, thinking of other things.
Helene
RNY 12/22/99
350/167
researching WLS since October and finally had my PCP refer me to a surgeon in
Jan. I got my approval from the insurance company yestarday and although I have
not been scheduled for surgery yet, I am told I should hear within the next week
and I will have the surgery before 4/15. Anyway, now that it is becoming a
reality, I am starting to prepare. I am definatly nervous (still praying I am
not the 1% fatality or serious complications)
were you out of work afterward. I am a computer engineer so sit at my desk most
of the day, and i can get up and walk around whenever I need to so it is not
very strenuous. I hear many say they are tired for weeks and need to take naps
during the day, is that the norm?