General post op questions / Can I sit up after surgery?

[wiredlain777 5]

Hey, so this is my 1st time posting to a WLS forum. I am currently working through the process for gastric bypass surgery, and have my 2nd meeting with my surgeon this Friday. I do not have a surgery date, but we should be setting it, or narrowing down the window when I see him. My best guess would be that I'm 30-45 out depending on how long my insurance takes for approval.

I am currently trying to get everything ready for the post op weeks now so I'm ahead of the game. I've got some questions for those of you who have gone through it

My plan was to recover sitting/laying on my couch since I figured my bed would be hard to get out of, but after talking with PCP about my WLS plan, I'm concerned that sitting for the 1st week or 2 might be too painful. Is it?

How much time should I plan to take off from work? I was thinking 2 weeks....

Will I need others to help with anything? Like bathing, prepping food, etc. I tend to be pretty independent. Our household is myself, my teenage son, 3 cats and a dog. My son has school, work, driver's ed, etc and there is no way I am getting his help with showers, getting dressed or anything bathroom related. He can however help with the pets and I have a few animal loving coworkers that can stop by to scoop the litter box and take the dog for a walk. You think it would be okay to take a taxi home from the hospital?

Lastly, what kind of clothing is good to wear for those 1st couple of weeks? I have some pull over your head night gowns, yoga pants and loose shirts.

Thanks to everyone for your help on this!

Edited April 17, 2017 by wiredlain777

[dominto 9]

I just had surgery on Friday and I came home yesterday. The day of surgery was the worst. It varies for everyone but I had a lot of pain the first day. Mainly in my shoulder from gas and my stomach and chest were sore. I still got out of bed with help from the nurse and walked around the hospital because I was told that would help with the gas pains and I would do anything to make that go away. By the next day I still was sore and had some gas pain but I felt much better. I was able to get out of bed with little to no help.and continued with walks around the hospital floor. I would say 2 weeks off work would be perfect. I am home now and moving around, able to take a shower by myself and take care of everything on my own but I am still really sore and tire easily. Each day is better and I have more energy. I haven't needed a lot.of food prep. I just split a Protein Drink in half or grab some sugar free Jello or.popsicles. My husband and is here for anything else like our litter box and some house cleaning etc. But as far as taking care of myself with bathing, getting out of bed or the recliner, going to the bathroom etc., I was good from the second or.third day. It hurt a little.but it was tolerable. Hope that helps and good luck with your journey

Sent from my SM-N910V using BariatricPal mobile app

[Sweet as peaches 759]

56 minutes ago, dominto said:

I just had surgery on Friday and I came home yesterday. The day of surgery was the worst. It varies for everyone but I had a lot of pain the first day. Mainly in my shoulder from gas and my stomach and chest were sore. I still got out of bed with help from the nurse and walked around the hospital because I was told that would help with the gas pains and I would do anything to make that go away. By the next day I still was sore and had some gas pain but I felt much better. I was able to get out of bed with little to no help.and continued with walks around the hospital floor. I would say 2 weeks off work would be perfect. I am home now and moving around, able to take a shower by myself and take care of everything on my own but I am still really sore and tire easily. Each day is better and I have more energy. I haven't needed a lot.of food prep. I just split a Protein Drink in half or grab some sugar free Jello or.popsicles. My husband and is here for anything else like our litter box and some house cleaning etc. But as far as taking care of myself with bathing, getting out of bed or the recliner, going to the bathroom etc., I was good from the second or.third day. It hurt a little.but it was tolerable. Hope that helps and good luck with your journey

Sent from my SM-N910V using BariatricPal mobile app

I thank you for your insight cause lots of people on here have trouble with gas and knowing this helps a lot.

[Sweet as peaches 759]

1 hour ago, wiredlain777 said:

Hey, so this is my 1st time posting to a WLS forum. I am currently working through the process for gastric bypass surgery, and have my 2nd meeting with my surgeon this Friday. I do not have a surgery date, but we should be setting it, or narrowing down the window when I see him. My best guess would be that I'm 30-45 out depending on how long my insurance takes for approval.

I am currently trying to get everything ready for the post op weeks now so I'm ahead of the game. I've got some questions for those of you who have gone through it

My plan was to recover sitting/laying on my couch since I figured my bed would be hard to get out of, but after talking with PCP about my WLS plan, I'm concerned that sitting for the 1st week or 2 might be too painful. Is it?

How much time should I plan to take off from work? I was thinking 2 weeks....

Will I need others to help with anything? Like bathing, prepping food, etc. I tend to be pretty independent. Our household is myself, my teenage son, 3 cats and a dog. My son has school, work, driver's ed, etc and there is no way I am getting his help with showers, getting dressed or anything bathroom related. He can however help with the pets and I have a few animal loving coworkers that can stop by to scoop the litter box and take the dog for a walk. You think it would be okay to take a taxi home from the hospital?

Lastly, what kind of clothing is good to wear for those 1st couple of weeks? I have some pull over your head night gowns, yoga pants and loose shirts.

Thanks to everyone for your help on this!

I am glad you asked these questions cause it can help me on what to expect also. My date is May 15.