What to expect the first week?

[lalalisa 23]

I have been reading many posts and am starting to worry about the first few days and weeks post op. What was your experience with pain; did it require pain medication? What types of daily limitations did you experience? I know that every person is different but I would rather be prepared then be surprised.

[JoiaRox 430]

I'm officially one week out today and, to be honest, I've had a speedy, textbook recovery. After staying overnight in the hospital, I was discharged and came home to sleep. I stayed on pain and anti-nausea meds regularly until Day 3 post-op simply to make my recovery easy (I chose to stop taking them then; there are still plenty of pills left). Over the past week I've been pretty self-reliant - I've been drinking fluids, Protein shakes, etc. and just sleeping and taking it easy. I haven't really been in much pain (I was shocked!) and have had no problem getting in and out of my recliner and bed. I walk around my 2-story house fairly easily, albeit slowly, and was well enough for a Target shopping trip for necessities on Day 4.

My only limitation, really, has been lifting - I'm not to lift over 10 pounds (doc's orders). As such, I haven't been doing that because I don't want to harm anything in my stomach/abdomen. I'm eager to return to work on Monday, although I'm still sleepy! Taking it easy and drinking water/protein has been my job this week and, in all honesty, has been the best thing I could have done for myself. As a note, I have no kids and my 2 kitty cats have been very loving this week .

My other trips this week have been to the doctor's for a post-op visit on Day 6 followed by a quick grocery shopping trip, and a trip to the vet with my kitties today (while I had time off!) - my boyfriend carried my kitties for me in their carriers. I'll be heading to a friend's retirement party tomorrow night and looking at houses on Sunday (we're moving later this summer). I know I'll be tired, but hydration and Protein are the key! As for work next week, I anticipate early bedtimes .

[MindfulWeightLoss 19]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I go into the hospital Monday and was wondering the same thing. Good luck to you on your journey.

[Molly3 495]

I'm with JoiaRox! I really haven't experienced any pain & my surgery was on 6-7. Dr said, I was textbook!

The only thing was being exhausted days 2-4. Overall, this has been much better than expected!

You'll do great!

[Indigo1991 1,612]

My first week was a roller coaster ride.Unexpectly, had a bad reaction to the anaesthetic first day, which kept me in bed, but once that passed, things got better. Didnt need too much pain meds or nausea meds.

Once I got home, had to sleep pretty much upright for the first week, was a bit slow on my feet and I was tired. My speciality was falling asleep at any time, which I didn't do before or since.

Day 3 I cried (your hormones can be as shocked as your body after most of your stomach is removed), wondered what the hell i had done to myself. Day 4 I was delighted that I had had the surgery....

Day 4, managed to get a good percentage of my liquids in.

Day 5, put my face on and felt a lot more like me.

For me, week 1 was the hardest because it was a shock. No matter how much research you do and how much you hear from others, I am not sure that you can fully comprehend how different life will be. I. Week 1 made me realise just how little I needed to be satisfied in terms of food - and that's when I fully understood the extent of the change to my life.

Would I go through week 1 again - would hate to, but I would if it got me to where I am now, 7 weeks out and healthier and happier than I have been in years. Best of luck to you if/when you have the surgery. Remember, no matter what week 1 feels like, this too will pass...

[JillP 9]

Having my surgery next month so this was great for me to read!! Thanks ladies!! Best of luck to you on your surgery Monday! Let me know how you are doing!!!

[Guest]

My first week was hell. I was a raging b***h & feeling like wtf have I done.

Pain wasn't awful but the lack of food bothered me. I'm 10 days po and feel much better. But don't get me wrong- those first few days aren't for the faint of heart ....

[PGee 318]

Question for those post ops.......assuming surgery goes w/o any complications......how much time off would you have liked for recovery? One week, two? Thanks for sharing your experiences! My last appointment is fast approaching before submitting, and I'm hoping surgery is just around the corner.....I have 3 weeks of vacation left, and was planning on using 2 weeks of vacation since I haven't shared this with co workers. Thanks again!

[JoiaRox 430]

I had my surgery on a Friday and took the following week off. I return to work tomorrow for a total of 6 days off (plus 2 weekends). While I can't report yet on how it goes, I'm sure I'll be fine to work but tired at the end of the day. I went to a retirement party last night that was 80 miles from my house - handled the drive there and back fine, but was weak/tired after 3 hours of chatting with people I hadn't seen in awhile and being on my feet. Despite the party being at a wine bar, I happily sipped my Water all night . Work tomorrow won't be as draining (I won't be on my feet nor talking to people constantly), so I'm confident I'm ready to go back!

At 9 days post-op, I'm pain free for the most part and able to get all my liquids and Protein in each day. My only residual symptom is weakness...but, heck, I'm taking in very few calories - that's to be expected while my body continues to adjust! Factor in what type of work you have to do - if you have a desk job, a week should be plenty of recovery time. If you want to take more, do it!

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Factor in age too. I admire those who head back to work after a week or so, but at 51 I couldn't have done that. So I took all the holidays I could - four weeks - and felt really well by the end of that. By that stage I was eating soft food too, so felt I was into a routine with my eating that I was comfortable with.

[efeezell 17]

I had short term disability so I took 4 weeks. I definitely wouldn't have been able to go back after 1 week. Really I think it depends on what kind of job you do. Take as long as you can so you can adjust to your new lifestyle. I didn't experience alot of pain post op either.

[lalalisa 23]

Thank your for sharing; so helpful to hear the different experiences. It's interesting the different ways the body responds to the hormone change from the stomach; kind of like losing your hormones after pregnancy;). TY Indigo; I will try to remember that it will pass:) I plan to take off 4 weeks to allow for the psychological and beginning behavioral adjustments; can't imagine being at work and being that exhausted. I start my pre-op diet on Tuesday and am set for surgery on July 2nd; starting to get really excited!

[PGee 318]

Thank you all! (And thanks for the info on age.....will be 50 this year.....will take that into consideration as well, thanks!)

[blessthisnest 4]

I just got home from the Hospital this evening. I had the surgery on Friday morning. I am feeling a lot better today than I did on Friday and even Saturday. The thing I had the most trouble with is the gas. When I woke up out of surgery I had this really deep chest pain and I felt like I couldn't take in a full breath. The pain also extended in between my shoulder blades so laying on my back was uncomfortable for a while. They pumped me up with lots of pain killers but no meds kill the pain of the gas. The only way to truly get things better is to get out of bed and start walking and trying to pass the gass as much as possible. I was only mildly aware of the gas problems but a friend I talked to before surgery really stressed to me how painful/uncomfortable it was so I was able to get through it. Had she not told me I would have woken up from surgery convinced that I was having a heart attack. It was bad. I'm not going to lie, I remember thinking to myself at first "why on earth did I choose to go through with this? I would never do this again if given the chance!" That's not to say I won't be thrilled with the results once I am completely healed. I know a lot of people say "oh the first 3 weeks are "uncomfortable" but in my brain that translate to not that bad, I thought Friday was bad. I'm not trying to scare you, but I am so thankful my friend explained her experience honestly because without that I would have really been stressing out while trying to heal. If you have any other questions, don't hesiste to ask!

Erin

[JProx 161]

I have gone through dental experience that has been more painful than the sleeve your first two to three days are the worst you get better every day in leaps and bounds your first week but it's very easy you'll be surprised