Comments on: recovery time?

By: Elwood Caitlyn

Elwood Caitlyn — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 03:20:08 +0000

Hi Ruth, I started chewing gum shortly after my RNY.No it never made me gassy.
Matter of fact I seem to have a nasty taste in my mouth. most of the time.I use
lot of gum and sugar free hard candy. So chew away. Sharon inMi.

By: Candy Justina

Candy Justina — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 02:51:22 +0000

I think that each person’s recovery time is VERY VERY individual. I’m
hoping to go back to work in 3 weeks - 4 at the most. My doctor says to
plan on 6 weeks (it will probably less), although she had a nurse go
back to work in 2 weeks (after an open - I’m thinking she was very
young, and maybe not very large.) I think another determining factor
for your job is not only physical, but mental - how alert you are for a
long day. I think it might take you longer to get to that point.
As far as the gum - my doctor says “NO GUM” - because if you swallow it,
it WILL clog your stoma and you WILL need scoped to remove it. Every
doctor that I’ve listened to talk about WLS says that, and they ALL have
had a patient ignore this and swallow their gum, and have to sheepishly
return and be scoped.
Good luck to you.
Pam
Pre-op - 12/18/02 <- first time I’ve written this sig!!)

Dr. Kelly Francis

By: Adeline Babara

Adeline Babara — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 00:53:17 +0000

Going back to work I guess would be what your doctor calls recovery time also.
My doctor always says 6 to 8 weeks unless you have a sedentary job. He has had
patients go back to work within 2 weeks after surgery. I went back to work in 4
weeks after surgery. I am a secretary so I have a pretty much sedentary job
though I do have to get up and walk short distances alot. To the mailboxes, to
the printer, to the administrators office etc. I felt fine but then I was lucky
and had a pretty easy recovery. Sounds like with your breaks you have quite a
bit of time to be able to get your little eating times in. Since we are supposed
to eat small meals more often. As far as steps. I have steps in my house to my
bedroom and I haven’t had any problem with them. Oh and chewing gum. We were
told the reason for not chewing gum because of the air you swallow will cause
burbing and probably gas also. I forgot and one week after surgery I chewed a
piece and got a bellyache but I know people who have been postop for a while and
chew gum with no problems.
Good luck

Thelma
open rny 10/1/02
2/02 consult 307lbs/surg276.5lbs
276.5/244.5