What was your first week post op like?

[lynnedilligaf 38]

Hi folks! I'm having a gastric sleeve performed on 26/09/16, in Tijuana. Just wondering what your first week post op was like. Did you have a drain, and if so for how long? I'm going to San Francisco for a few days before the flight back to Australia. I don't expect to have a huge amount of energy but from your own experience should I expect to be stuck in my hotel for the whole time or would you have been able to walk around and do some gentle sightseeing 3 or 4 days post op? Any advice, hints and tips are much appreciated!

[Farcaster 80]

I'd definitely not expect to be able to walk around and do sightseeing anytime in the first few weeks post-op, to be honest. I think I went walking in my first week, and walking 1 mile wiped me completely out so that I ended up needing to take a 3 hour nap. You're going to be recovering from a major abdominal surgery, and you're likely going to be putting in a lot of effort just to get your hydration goals met. Other than some short jaunts in the neighborhood for short walks, I didn't leave the house for two solid weeks.

[lynnedilligaf 38]

OK thanks for that. I didn't want to be on a long haul flight so soon after surgery so I thought I'd go somewhere for a few days. I fully expect to be exhausted, I was just hoping by some miracle I'll be able to make use of my time lol. Did you have a drain?

[suzzzzz 1,005]

Wow. What a long way to come for surgery! I had a good recovery that included a lot of energy and a little tiredness every afternoon. I even had a kithen remodel start on day 4 that lasted 2 weeks. Lots of noise, dust, and workers in my condo, but was worth it in the end.

You should be up and walking and incorporate that in with some sightseeing if you aren't having pain and nausea. San Francisco has so much to experience, just don't over do it.

[emme.vee 142]

Depending on how you feel afterwards, maybe you can rent a wheel chair? Idk just a thought. It would be worth looking into. But who knows what your body will feel like after surgery. I know some people don't experience much pain while others do. I guess it depends on how you feel but I couldn't imagine being able to go for even light sight seeing walk. San Fran has a lot of hills and up hill/down hill walking. Also keep in mind your doctor may have better advice .

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[lynnedilligaf 38]

Thank you! Yeah I looked at Thailand which is closer but more expensive and not nearly as many reliable reviews. I hope it will all be worth it in the end! I'll not over do it. I just don't want to be stuck in a room for days haha. I understand I won't know until I've had the surgery.

[Farcaster 80]

No drain here.

[suzzzzz 1,005]

Thank you! Yeah I looked at Thailand which is closer but more expensive and not nearly as many reliable reviews. I hope it will all be worth it in the end! I'll not over do it. I just don't want to be stuck in a room for days haha. I understand I won't know until I've had the surgery.

San Francisco probably has some sightseeing tours where you can stay on the bus the whole time or if you feel like it get off at stops you are interested in. I hope to get to Australia one day. Will probably have to go for a month to see it all! Good luck with surgery and recovery.

[emme.vee 142]

Also when I travel I look into groupons for yours and such. I generally end up paying less and it's fun.

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[roguegambit 34]

I would say that your experience is yet to be determined. Keep up the positive thoughts, complication rates are minor which is great.

For example, I had my op in the morning, sleep a lot, and was up taking meds and walking in the afternoon. The woman next to me had her op after mine, and wasn't up and walking until day 3. I used half of my IV and they unplugged it because I was able to get in fluids. Meanwhile she still was using IV's till day 3, and extended her hospital stay. From one extreme to the other...

You don't know how your body will respond and how swollen your stomach will be. I had very little swelling I think (and no hernia's to do, or past stomach operations etc), which is the reason I was able to slip a lot of Water from day one. I went home on day 3, and apart from the soreness getting into and out of bed, I was fine. I've been able to drink Protein shakes (stopping when I feel a sort of fullness), and can walk easily. Reading the threads, a lot of people have this experience. And a lot of people have a bit of swelling and need to focus on sipping.

I'm on day 6, If I was in San Fran right now, I would be fine to go sight seeing. Of course I would take it easy. Day 3 post op, I was a bit wired from the drugs I think. They woke me to keep up my meds, and I was awake from very early in the day, so I snoozed a bit. Day 4 I was off a lot of the meds, and definitely feeling OK (minus a bit of soreness).

However if I was the lady in the other room, I imagine that I would still be very bloated from all the IVs, and possibly not able to get liquids down as easily, which would make you feel more fatigued.

All the best with your experience! Hopefully you are sipping and (slowly) walking the hospital halls in no time Enjoy the sight seeing and let us know how you go

Edited July 24, 2016 by roguegambit

[rebecca wills 190]

One week out I felt up to going shopping, and went to the beach with my kids. I kept plenty of liquids with me. And made sure to have Protein shakes portable. The drain came out the day of discharge. 3rd day!

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[ShelterDog64 2,364]

I was discharged on post-op day 2, no drain but I was on liquid narcotics for a few days. By day 5, I was walking over a mile (flat ground, not San Fran hills!) with no issues at all. But everyone is different...3 of us had the sleeve surgery on the same day at my hospital, another woman and I were up walking within an hour of arriving from PACU, the other patient didn't walk at all for 2 days, he just didn't have the energy or desire.

Someone mentioned a hop on/hop off bus tour option, that could be a great option...if you find yourself feeling great, hop off, if not, stay on Best of luck and I wish I was flying to Australia too!!

[SilentBotts 138]

First week I just made a little nest on the couch with my video game controls, e-book, Water, and pain pills. I was sleeping a lot and took several naps. Getting in and out of bed was interesting, my abs were still super tender so I had to sit, lay on my side and then roll onto my back.

[gettingsleeved1 79]

I am on day 6, and still in pain. I've been taking lots of naps and trying to heal up before my husband goes back to work and I go back to being 24/7 mommy to my 1 & 2 year old. It will be interesting because I can't lift them at all.

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[Clarevoyant 347]

I was sleeved last Monday. It was pretty rough through Wednesday and finally feel like I turned the corner Thursday and Friday. Had a very hard time drinking and was very worried about dehydration so would be careful not to exert yourself or be out in the heat. No drain for me.