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Rny in january 2012

Pat99

Pat99

Member
Hi everyone. Had my pulmonary testing yesterday and only need cardiac clearance now. Psych and bloodwork are done and OK. Since I do not know anyone who has had weight loss surgery I thought I would join this forum for some support. At this point, I'm nervous about post surgical discomfort but not the surgery itself. I may have to have open surgery. My surgeon said he will try his best for laproscopic but it will be difficult. I appreciate his honesty. I'm no stranger to surgery but know pain level and recovery is different from person to person. Any feedback on recovery and post surgical diet tips from RNY would be welcome.
 
Pat
It appears all is quiet on your question. I was so hoping someone would respond, as I too am due for surgery and it is the post pain that has me a bit worried too. Although I have spent the entire summer dealing with totally shot knees, a bad back, and recently strained achilles tendon, whats a little pain after months of it I ask myself.
I am having the bypass next Tuesday, we are on count down as I type. My surgery is in another town we have a week in motel after the surgery, I will post and let you know if you would like. I noticed my bariatric surgeon sent me a list of prescriptions one is for a pain patch to put on the night before the surgery. That is something I never could understand why they did not address for years one was never given a pain killer until they were out of surgery and awake somewhat.. relieved to see he tends to the pain prior that was a relief.
 
Shiregal-Thanks for the reply. Yes, I would like a post surgery update. I have major hip pain and am more concerned about this being controlled since I have been taking narcotic pain meds for over 3 years. My surgeon promised he would make sure I was given a pain pump to address the hip pain but I still have concerns. I know from past surgical experience the nursing staff cuts the pain meds down to what they think you need and will increase it in very small increments if you complain enough until you reach the maximum amount the surgeon has authorized. I never understood why they do this. I hate staying in bed in the hospital and need pain control for my hip so that I can move around more comfortably. Don't be afraid to speak up if you are uncomfortable, especially in the recovery room. Best of luck with your upcoming surgery. I'm sure everything will work out great
 
I'm thinking about both of you right now. Hoping all is well with you, Shiregal, and hoping you are not too anxious, Pat.

I'm curious about why the pain patch. I had pain meds in my IV when they put it in prior to surgery and it remained intraveneous until the IV was actually removed. Then they started me on the liquid. Is it possible it is to also calm you down a bit? There is so much anxiety prior to. I still remember the last thing I asked my surgeon when he came in to check on me. LOL. He explained it all again, just to make sure I understood the process then placed a hand on my right shoulder, looked me square in the eyes and asked if I had any questions at all. You know what I asked him? LOL. I asked... "so since you are removing my stomach does that mean I will never have a stomach flu again?".

He just looked at me like I had bologna stapled to my forehead. Then the nurses chuckled and he laughed and said he'd never even thought about that before. I suppose for a surgeon about to cut a patient open, he displayed a great deal of humor. LOL. I know I thought it was great and laughed for a bit.

Y'all will both be just fine.

As an fyi. they had the IV in me well into the 2nd day. So in recovery I had no pain at all. The hardest thing was wanting to have something to drink immediately after and the dang nurse flaunting a coke at my recovery room roomie and me. You will have to walk walk walk. But yanno, it felt good to walk. Wonderful experience. I would do it again if I had to.
 
Cardiac testing is complete as of Friday 12/9 and I am happy to say that everything is OK. The cardiologist said I didn't need a stress test (thank God) but he ordered a heart ultrasound. Since someone cancelled their ultrasound appointment just minutes before I arrived I was able to have mine done right then. The technician said everything looked good but the doc still needs to see the results and sign off on the report before it's official. Once he signs off and sends the results to my primary care physician I should be good to go. YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

When I spoke to my surgical coordinator earlier in the week she told me she was missing a couple of pieces of documentation like the H pylori blood work and the notes from my primary care doc regarding attempts at supervised weight loss. She said she would follow up on this and let me know if there were any problems with getting everything. I plan on calling her early next week so I can rattle some cages if need be.

It's been a bit frustrating for me because I have been on this journey for over 5 years. Since yesterday though I feel like a great burden has been lifted off of my shoulders. I am now in my "coast" mode and need to focus on staying healthy and injury free until surgery. Except for a few regular errands that need to be done I do not plan on leaving the house between now and surgery day. This is mainly due to not wanting to come into contact with the flu bug *lol*. If you knew the type of luck I have you would fully understand. I am having an overwhelming urge to celebrate by going to the casino so maybe I will do that anyway since I haven't been there in about a year.
 
I wrote a whole long reply but don't see it so I will do the brief version and try again. Had surg 12/1/11. When I woke up it did not feel like I had even had surgery. I had a morphine pump but only used it 3 times. I did ask for a shot in the recovery room because someone had told me to get a shot even if you weren't hurting so you wouldn't start hurting. So when the nurse asked me if I was in pain I crossed my fingers and said yes. She brought me a shot and the next thing I knew I was being wheeled to my room in the bed I would stay in. I was so happy not to have to scoot over. They put blood pressure hose that kept putting pressure on my legs so I wouldn't get blood clots, I had a cathter and an IV hooked up to a morphine pump. Only used it 3 x. The hardest thing was no water or ice chips. Got up before the nurse asked me to-my daughter pushed my IV pole and carried my cath bag and I walked up and down the halls because I didn't want blood clots. The nurses were surprised that I got up so soon. The next morning I got up and took a spit bath and washed my hair in the sink and blew it dry. I put on makeup before the dr got there. He seemed surprised that I had done all of that. I went to xray for my Ba swallow and thank God no leaks. Had broth jello and water when I returned to my room-I was in heaven. Got to go home that evening. Worried about my stairs but had no problem. Kept my gown on the next day but after that I dressed everyday and cme downstairs. The only problem I had was fluid gain on the 3rd day-17 lbs-called dr on call and he said take dieurtic again. Have lost all fluid gain plus 6 real pounds. I did not have a drain. Take chap stick you will need it until you can drink. Hope this helps. Only took my pain med 3x at home mainly to help me rest.
 
OMG sweetmama-thank you for posting a reply for me. I was wondering when someone would say something regarding their recovery. It is refreshing to read such a positive story. I am so glad you are doing well. The 17 lb. post-surgical water weight gain would have freaked me out. You handled it well my friend. Since I also take a dieuretic I now know what to expect. The surgeon said to discontinue after surgery but I feel better knowing its possible to take it after surgery with the doctors authorization, of course. Your story will certainly be an inspiration to me once I have my surgery. Please come back to this site to let us know how you are doing. I now have cardiac clearance and it's all down hill from this point. I just hope I recover as quickly and as gracefully as you are doing.
 
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