Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hello all.

I have had my first visit to a gastric sleeve surgeon and he told me something that may change my mind about going through with the surgery.

I am self employed (I work on business computers and networks, etc) and spend a lot of time in the field at different clients offices. Many of those days I am moving from office to office fixing technical issues and often moving a lot of equipment. I keep moving and try and fix my clients computer issues as quickly as possible so that I can hold down there costs and make myself a good value.

The surgeon I visited with told me that I would be weak for about a year. I don't think I can afford to be weak for a year (remember I'm self employed and I have a lot of competition).

Last year, I was diagnosed with early stage cancer in my left kidney and had to have it removed. No chemo, no radiation, the entire thing was encased inside the kidney - I am now cancer free (I get checked every 3 months but the chance of me getting it again is a mere 3%, after my next examination, I will be checked every 6 months, then yearly) and I feel great, no side effects whatsoever.

When I had the kidney surgery, I was in the hospital for 3 days then home on bedrest for another 4 days. Then I went back to work.

Within a month I pretty much felt fine and was servicing my clients once again, although I didn't do any heavy lifting for another month.

So my question is this - how long where you weak after surgery? Months? 3, 6, 9? A year? More?

After a year are you still weaker than before you had the surgery?

Did (does) walking or jogging help you recover faster? Do you have any tips about recovering quickly?

I know that's a lot of questions, but I need to know this before I can commit to having this surgery because I surely can't afford to be unemployed!

Thank you in advance,

Mike

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Consult with another surgeon. I was pretty weak for maybe the first month, but then felt better every day. At two months post op, I was walking all over Paris and Barcelona having the time of my life! We all recover at different speeds.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was back at work after 3 weeks but was a little tired. After about 2.5 months I was full of energy. Your situation may be different due to the kidney stuff. Maybe he is taking that into consideration. If he is not a year seems like a long time. I was at the gym and lifting weights and doing cardio work out and I was fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It really depends on each individual, i had my gallbladder removed in 2000, lapband in 2005 revision to sleeve in 2014....having my gallbladder was the worst as far as pain and feeling normal again...i had a fast recovery from revision I felt normal after day 3...i went back to work after 3 weeks because thats what my dr suggested...i REALLY could have went back after a week!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am three weeks post-op and feel pretty much back to normal. I do get tired around 3pm and do not have a physically demanding job. I believe the days that I am really tired around 3 are the days I have been low on Protein because of a skipped Protein Drink.

I would think that fatigue can be mostly combatted by keeping you Protein and hydration levels high. However there is some very real healing taking place the first month or so. I think the body will normally run out of steam a bit in the beginning. Healing is so very unique to each person.

Bear in mind that being overweight makes being active and flexible more challenging. The short term fatigue will probably be worth the long-term improvements you experience after loosing your excess weight.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×