what to expect the first week of post op

[bblazer1991 0]

i just got home from my lapband surgery on Tuesday May 26, i was kept for a extra day, and oh my god does my stomach hurt, i can bearly keep liquids down. Any suggestions on what to expect on my first week, or what kinds of things i should avoid? thanks for you help.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Wow I don't think my experience will help you; I had a great fast recovery. If you are nauseated, can the doc give you something for that? You need first and foremost to make sure you stay hydrated (as I'm sure you know). After that, walk walk walk to help the gas...(no marathon, but don't just sleep or sit all day either. Move some every hour when you aren't sleeping) Use your incentive spirometer if they gave you one (for breathing) and take your pain meds. (are you sure it isn't what is nauseating you? Lortab/hydrocodone makes me vomit) follow your doc's post op instructions to the letter and you'll feel better soon.

AND use a pillow to splint or brace your incisions when you are standing up or even just sitting; it helps a lot.

Good luck!

[AngelWhisper 0]

My recovery was pretty crappy too. I had surgeries and general anesthesia before but never abdominal surgery, it was god awful. I know it's REALLY hard to keep liquids down especially with post op swelling. I had what my surgeon called "excessive" swelling and I ended up readmitted for dehydration. They suggested that I try to use a medicine cup or a dixie cup and drink those every 15 minutes to half hour or so to try to get at least some Fluid in.

AND use a pillow to splint or brace your incisions when you are standing up or even just sitting; it helps a lot.

Good luck!

:crying: I think I'm stupid or something. I do NOT understand at all how this works. My best friend is an RN and tried to explain it to me, the nurses in the hospital tried to explain it to me and it didn't work at all. Can you explain how this is supposed to work?! I'm like the only person who just doesn't get it.

[jessicastatzer 0]

My husband purchased a large back brace for me which I am wearing turned around back wards and really loosely attached. The support helps with the muscle soreness...especially when getting up and down.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

You hold the pillow over your abdomen with a hand or arm and the pressure of the pillow makes your incision sites feel more stable...less dropping, pulling, etc. The counter pressure of the pillow helps sitting and standing not hurt. THere's nothing to "understand"...either it helps you or it doesn't!

[AngelWhisper 0]

You hold the pillow over your abdomen with a hand or arm and the pressure of the pillow makes your incision sites feel more stable...less dropping, pulling, etc. The counter pressure of the pillow helps sitting and standing not hurt. THere's nothing to "understand"...either it helps you or it doesn't!

I feel better now. All the nurses in the hospital were like you must be doing it wrong! and looked at me like I was absolutely insane.