What did the first week after hospital discharge look like for you?

[roxannez 27]

And then what did the second week look like?

Because I’m curious – what did you guys do on the days you were in recovery after you came home from the hospital. My surgeon just said don’t work (even though I have a desk job and can work from home), don’t lift anything over 10 lbs and go about life as normal. Really? What was the experience like for you guys? I’d love to hear real life experience from y’all. My surgery is this Wednesday.

[Tawnie 99]

Hi! Just finished week two. I walked a lot. Took a good deal of time to focus on fluids and Protein requirements. I did work from home 4 hours each day. I had too! Was loosing my mind.

The mental piece comes into play because I was so used to eating when bored. No one was home but the pups! So take time to reflect on what you want a year from now ...... I am back full time today and other than structured meal time doing and feeling great!

[Sleevedintx 39]

For me it was easy I'll be 2 weeks out on the 31st. I pretty much relaxed at home. Did light housework, folding clothes. The first few days after my voice was kinda funny sounding from the tube and oxygen but that went away in time. Other than that I didn't do much but walk walk walk. You will be able to know if you feel upto working from home. Just remember recovery comes first. Good luck and you will do great.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

I was back to normal life as soon as the day after my surgery. This may be normal for some and not others, but I feel wonderful. I took 3 1/2 weeks off and got totally bored and restless. I went shopping and sightseeing in MX on day three and never stopped moving after that. I'm 6 weeks out and lost and stalled and I'm now slowly losing and perfectly happy with my progress.

I AM A HAPPY PERSON!

[jrsygrl0520 19]

The first way out i was burning in pain i work at the hospital and all depts got treated well i had to shots of morphine when i got out diuladed then something for nausea my husband was in recovery with me after he went home started vomiting blood they said it normal most people were walking around the unit i couldnt second day a lil better walked around they have me antibotics for two days for no imfections no jackson p i have fluids and mulitvitamins iv also pain shots n nausea and blood thinners in my stomach 2nd day they make you drink barium to see if everything is ok then some Jello Water broth diet ice tea the first day nothing after surgery no ice chips because of the leaking test make sure to bring chapsticks sweats under your tummy because your incisions hurts then the second morning blood work gets done third day you go home no lifting was on pain meds four to six hrs then Protein Shakes two weeks still pain hard to do no 2 not easy also when you do go first time hold a towel by the part where they take out your stomach feels better driving was hard my husband had to drive we went to dc and i had a pillow on my tummy the whole time in the car i had my meds second week still sore when its cold out its worse walk to get the gas pains out alot dont over eat first couple of days you cant get much down good luck

[No game 14,437]

I think everyone is different, but giving yourself the time to heal for the first week or two is a good thing. If you feel great that's good! But some have it a little rougher those first couple of weeks. I felt really back to normal (no weird pains) at about three weeks out.

Oh and another reason to lie low the first week or so is the Bowel movement thing you will want to be by a bathroom sometimes! I learned that 4 days out when I decided to go shopping

[roxannez 27]

Thanks so much for the info, I really appreciate it. I’m a classic Type A, busy, driven, social person so I think I might go bonkers if I don’t work a little bit (like a few hours a day broken up through the day). I’m going to load up my ipod with music/podcasts and plan on doing lots of walking. Speaking of walking – how many hours of the day did y’all walk? I can imagine it’s hard to walk a lot without getting exhausted because of just how little you’re able to take down, right?

[No game 14,437]

Walking in the first week so? Good rule of thumb 10 to 15 minutes every hour

[jrsygrl0520 19]

I come home a week was at my aunts in rutherford we have long blocks i was tired at the first one

[popsicle_20721 27]

Humm first week... was actually better than week 2 and beyond for me. Everyone will have a different story, and so is mine. The day following my procedure I was up walking around, able to shower and dress myself so they discharged me from hospital. I wasn't able to eat/drink anything, hot liquids where easiest - everything else I vomited; not that I tried anything else - wasn't hungry at first. Thanks to the meds I had for pain, I pretty much slept for the first couple of days. Didn't work, even though I could have worked from home, but didn't want to deal with the stress. Everyone encourages you to walk so I tried to at least 10 minutes a day. Then things went horribly work in week 2. Couldn't keep anything down, no Water, juice, Protein Drinks (still can't stomach these too much) NOTHING. I guess I had what is known as stricture and ended up having an endoscopy procedure to address the blockage. Since then it's been a rollercoaster ride physically and emotionally. I'm not at the stage where most are who just "love their sleeve" but, I'm doing better than I was... I think. Everyday gets better - at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. PS. Make sure you do the walking, sometimes I didn't; but I really think it does help.

[TheCurvyJones 721]

I was not in any pain, just a little sore. My surgeon numbs from the inside and gave me some pain meds so I was feeling NIIIICE. Keep in mind I had surgery in Mexico so I flew from San Antonio (after a 2 hr drive from MX) to Houston to Atlanta. I slept that night, really well... and then Monday woke up bright and early at 7am. I had TONS of energy and was in no pain. I was not supposed to drive but did... I went to the grocery store, had the guy pack my bags light. Picked up my parents in town-they flew in to visit-- drove them to my house and had them unload for me. The rest of the week, I didn't even THINK about work. I chilled, relaxed with my parents, read, watched movies and TV. My mom wanted to shop so I took that opportunity to walk around the malls. Sat when I got tired. Was NOT hungry. Drank Water.

Around Day 8 or 9 post surgery when that numbness started to wear off, I was really feeling my incisions-- just tender and sore. I was glad I hadn't gone to work. I had about 12 days off and when I did go back to work, I felt great until about 3 or 4 and then I felt a nap coming on! I made it home and laid down for a bit.

Looking back I was pretty tired, but getting my energy back now that I can eat more!

Easy peasy for me!

[darbypc 5]

I had a few complications and stayed in the hospital 4 days. I had the barium swallow the day after my sleeve and the barium just stuck there due to swelling. Repeated x-ray twice the next day and the barium was still not moving. By day 3 they let me start having liquids and I only got down 12 ounces in 24 hours but luckily was released the next day.

I am two weeks post-op now and still battling to get down Water. It is definitely a different feeling to even have it be difficult to drink Water. But I am down 15 pounds since I started the pre-op diet on 1/4!

I was allowed to start pureed food today and am a bit nervous since getting water down is difficult. Just remember everyone's journey is different. You are taking a wonderful, bold step in the right direction!

Good luck!