What can I expect the first few days after surgery?

[Papaclough 1]

My RNY is scheduled for April 29, 2015. I am a 62 year old man and have been overweight all my life. I have type 2 diabetes and take medicine for high blood pressure and an antidepressant. My work is not physically taxing and I have the luxury of staying home most of the time. My highest weight was 332 in December 2014 and I am about 320 now.

My wife is concerned that she has to be away overnight for business starting a week after my surgery and I will be home alone. I am trying to convince her that I will be fine on my own and lots of people have to just take care of themselves after they get home from the hospital. We have been married 36 years and she feels that she needs to take care of me. I love her for that but I do not want her to worry about me being okay when she is gone overnight from time to time the first few weeks after my surgery.

Please help me to know about what I can expect my recovery to be like the first few weeks after surgery if all goes well with the surgery. How active can I be? What about getting up from bed and out of chairs? What kinds of activities will I be able to do? What kinds of precautions do I need to take? What limitations?

I plan on discussing this with my surgeon when I see him next week, but I wanted to hear these things from people who have actually been through this.

Thanks

[dhrguru 1,238]

Hi! While I can't answer your specific question as I haven't had surgery yet, I just wanted to say hi and offer virtual support, I'm having surgery on 4/28.

My hubby is taking off surgery day and the following day, but will go back to work after that. Sounds like your wife will be home for that; and I think that's the most important.

[Papaclough 1]

Hi! While I can't answer your specific question as I haven't had surgery yet, I just wanted to say hi and offer virtual support, I'm having surgery on 4/28.

My hubby is taking off surgery day and the following day, but will go back to work after that. Sounds like your wife will be home for that; and I think that's the most important.

Thank you. I hope all goes well with you.

[MBM1Forever 107]

It is hard to answer because each person is really different. I needed very little. I had zero pain and no issues. if you have any complications, and yes, you could. it would be hard to know how this will affect you ahead of time. I wish you the best of luck. It was the best decision I have made for myself.

[blashlee 509]

I had surgery Monday morning. I was discharged from the hospital yesterday. I've had no complications and very little pain. Mostly gas and general discomfort associated with major surgery. I feel like I'm kind of a unicorn, because my doctor seems surprised by how well I'm doing and according to most people I've talked to either here or in my local support group etc, most people had difficulties in the first few days after surgery into the first couple of weeks after. I haven't had any so far (knocks on wood).

I wouldn't recommend being alone, but that's just me. My doctor and the bariatric nurse at my hospital have called me twice to find out who's helping me out at home. The pain medicine they give is considered a narcotic, so I can't drive or anything until I'm no longer taking it. I also can't lift more than 10 lbs or bend over to get things off the floor. So...I'm not left alone too much right now.

[Kimberly Bouche-Perez 48]

Hi, I understand your wifes concern. I could not have done this without my hubby and youngest son.

Everyone is diffrent, though. My surgery was 22 months ago and I remember wakking up and the pain I was in like it was yesterday.

I felt like I got hit by a truck. AGAIN, this was me.

You will need help the few weeks after surgery.

Maybe a friend or neighbor can check in on you.

Even with the pain and complications I had, I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN A HEART BEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You will do great and a year from now you will be shocked at the diffrence.

Good luck!