Post Op questions - How long?

[BandMomsRock 0]

I'm 4 days post op and I was wondering about a few things.

About how long does it take for the incisions to heal? I guess I'm trying to figure out about how long it will be until I can sleep on my side again.

How long might it be before I can consume more fluids? Yesteday, I could only get about 8-10 oz total in all day.

I know everyone is different, but I'd love to get some input and get a feel for averages.

Thanks

[Maddie 9]

I was able to drink all my fluids from day one. As far as the incisions, I wish I knew. I'm 2 weeks out and still can't lay on my side, and I'm a side sleeper!

[ali567 0]

My 4 smaller incisions were scabbing after about 5 or 6 days. The larger incision took a little longer maybe a week 1/2. I don't know if your doctor told you or his staff but sometimes that larger incision oozes out a liquid which I was told was grease and it was normal. Apparently all that excess fat we have inside needs somewhere to go and I've even heard that in some people it even comes out of their sweat glands. Don't worry its all normal and it goes away after about 6 to 7 days from when it starts. When I first got home I was only able to lay on one side so I slept with my head where your feet would normally go but it got better after just a couple of days. Just move around in the bed slowly until your tummy feels right, I had no problems sleeping. Fluids for me have been tricking. Not able to drink too much at one time and most of my stuff has to be at room temperature or hot. The cold stuff seems to be a lot more difficult when it falls. I just sip all day. Hope this helps and CONGRATS!

[avilda 2]

i am 9 days out and can sleep on both sides.. .I am a side sleeper as well so this has been a God send. I was able to start getting in all my liquids yesterday finally. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress,

[tbarnes18 1]

I'm a side sleeper too and have been able to sleep on one side, i.e., rt side, but the left side had my drain. The drain was removed yesterday!!! so last night I was able to start on the left, then move to the right. We are creatures of habit!

My incisions are starting to heal now. I have the tapes on them and the stitches will dissolve naturally. The hole where the drain was didn't get taped or stitched, just gauzed and the dr said that it should heal in 24-48 house, but I could take a shower now (I hope he wasn't insinuating anything!).

I've had a hard time with the liquids/proteins. I would start really early in the morning, i.e., 5 AM, get as much as I could in, but around 4 PM, I wasn't interested in anymore liquids/protein. It was much more painful, so I stopped at that point. I think the entrance to the stomach would swell after so much abuse and refuse to take anymore. At 7 days post-op, it is getting better. Just make sure you stay hydrated as much as possible. Yesterday the surgeon told me that we should pee about 1 liter a day. If it gets less than that, I will need to go to his office and get an IV for fluids. How I'm going to measure that is anyone's guess, unless I go buy a toilet hat? But, I can see how often I'm going then look at the color, to determine if I am dehydrated.

Surgery date 6/10/10, lost 12 pounds...every day is better and better with Protein and Water...

Terrie

Edited June 18, 2010 by tbarnes18

[SParkle 4]

I've been able to sleep on my side since day 3, the side without the drain - and to start with I used a pillow inbetween me and hubby incase he lashed out in the night!

Drainside it still feels a little weird sleeping that side, so I tend not to yet.

Anyone else getting a furry tongue from all the Protein? I'm not even getting in my total, but still get a load of fur which I have to scrape off - lovely!!!

Kathy

[KathyM 14]

I bought a book called Before @ After, Living and Eating Well After Wight-Loss Surgery by Susan Maria Leach. I found it on the Bariatric Eating website. She had the RNY procedure (gastric bypass) and writes about her journey. In it she talks about the pain in the left side after surgery and what she writes is that "it is through the openings on the left side that most of the laparoscopic action takes place. These are the holes that the larger instruments are manipulated through, so there is more injury to your tissue in this area. It is normal for these sites to cause some discomfort for a few weeks."

I know that doesn't do anything to take the discomfort away, but it helps to understand why you have the pain and that it is transitional.

BTW - The book is really good, even though she has the bypass instead of the sleeve, the feelings of dealing with food, fears and body changes are the same and it was interesting to read hers.

Kathy

[greeneyes 0]

I was able to start sleeping on my side after about two weeks. Thats when things start to heal and im now one month out and my scabs are starting to fall off.

[redroses47 1]

I am seven weeks out and it was really only about a week before I could sleep on my side but I didn't care ... I was so tired that any position I landed in was fine. My surgeon assured me that the wounds wouldn't open but when you are in the position of having six open incisions, it's hard to trust that! .. but I did and all was fine. I 'leaked' as well for about 3-4 weeks actually but that is my body .. I had a similar experience from another surgery a number of years ago. It was a bit of a pain because you didn't want to mess your clothes up and for me, I am allergic to latex and non-latex bandages just don't stick as well (IMO).

As for fluids, just keep working on it until you feel comfortable and are able to get in close to your recommended amount. I was able to get all of my fluids in by the end of the first week but even now, day to day, it's different. On average, I am only able to drink about 6 cups because I am too full all of the time!

Good luck!!

[zephra 5]

I was able to sleep on my side the first night in the hospital but it was tough and it involved a lot of pillows. At home I sleep with 6 to 7 pillows still. As for drinking, it is still very hard for me to get my Protein in because it does not taste good to me anymore. I choke down as much as I can. Water is a little different. I invested in a Camelbak cup from Target. I can drink from a straw without the air. It has made a world of difference in my water intake.

[cwalker 12]

on my 7th day I could really sleep good on my right side and by day 11 I was on my tummy, I didnt have stitches on the outside guess he used glue..but by day3 they were itching and healed up.Hang in there it gets better.:biggrin0:

[lillita 18]

I noticed in some of these postings they talked about a drainage tube? Does everyone have one?

[cwalker 12]

I did'nt have a drain tube but I had a thin tube with a pain medicne for 48 hrs, very thin and right under the skin but every Dr. is different. Good Luck!

Edited June 23, 2010 by cwalker
spelling

[NtvTxn 1,262]

I slept on my side from day one, IN the hospital, but still, at 2 weeks out, I have to have a pillow under my tummy no matter which side I'm sleeping on. I'm a side sleeper, it would have been difficult had I not been able to do this. Ugh, I feel for you! Just find a nice soft, flat pillow and work with it. As far as fluids, my main concern is getting fluids in. I do not want to end up in ER with an IV, so I watch the color of my urine!! :confused1: I don't know HOW much is going in, but I am sipping something from the time I get up until I go to bed, or so it seems. Part of that is 12 oz of skim milk, so at least I am getting SOME Protein in, because very little is the yucky Protein we are suppose to be doing. I DO have protein 'bullets' and I will take a swig of one a few times a day, but not nearly what we are suppose to do. YUCK!!!! I am working in some Soup with cheese, and Greek yogurt a little at a time at this point. Just not enough. Pleeeeeze week 4, get here! Good luck!!

I'm 4 days post op and I was wondering about a few things.

About how long does it take for the incisions to heal? I guess I'm trying to figure out about how long it will be until I can sleep on my side again.

How long might it be before I can consume more fluids? Yesteday, I could only get about 8-10 oz total in all day.

I know everyone is different, but I'd love to get some input and get a feel for averages.

Thanks

[Morgandobes 0]

I have been dosing with liquid tylenol as I had surgery last wednesday, and I have been sleeping on my side since thursday night.

Course i dont have a drain in, so cant answer to that one.

Lisa