I have some questions that I wanted to ask someone who has been through surgery but I know no one personally who has done it...

1) Has anyone had any hair loss? I read one article that says EVERYONE experiences this, usually several months after surgery, but my dietician says if you get all your Protein it's not an issue.

2) If you work outside your home, what do you take to work for your meals and is it difficult to eat as needed in a public service environment? I work in a bank and am sometimes so very busy I don't even drink my coffee (which I have given up already at nutritionists request).

3) How bad is the pain? I had rotator cuff surgery and that was pretty bad for at least a week and moderately bad for weeks afterward (with a looooong recovery time). Does the pain pass quickly?

4) If we can't take nsaids, what do you take for pain? (headaches, joint pain, etc) I have arthritis in my back and I'm told that losing the weight will improve that. But in the time between the surgery and any substantial weight loss, I know my back will be hurting (this is also a question I'll be asking my surgeon at my next appt with him).

5) In the summer, is it difficult to stay hydrated during outdoor activities (walking, traveling, cutting grass, yard work, biking, etc)? Any warm-weather hydration tips? Cutting grass is my big thing, I love it! It was the only time my kids gave me some peace when they were growing up and it's great exercise. :-) But my yard is pretty big and it takes about two hours to cut the grass.

6) How soon has everyone returned to work? As a bank teller my job is not strenuous. My surgeon says normally about two weeks for a non-strenuous job and four weeks for a strenuous one. At my first visit with him he said some people even go back after only one week. I'm planning for two but hoping for one. What have some of you done?

Thank you in advance for any replies to my questions.

I can only answer a few of your questions, as I am only 21 days post op.

Personally the surgery was a piece of cake for me .. Very little pain. Especially when you have a more painful surgery to compare it to.

You can take Tylenol for pain.

I know people who have had hair loss but they were not good about taking their Vitamins or getting enough Protein.

I stayed out of work 2 1/2 weeks. I get tired mid day. But that's normal for me after surgery

I set my phone to remind me to eat and drink. Very helpful ( and for your vitamins and other meds)

Walking and stretching is good for the pain and gives me more energy!

Good luck on your journey... The first month is the hardest I hear.. ❤

Thank you babs. Some sort of eletronic reminder is a great idea. I'm going to have to get some sort of device to help remind me of things I guess. I have a basic phone that is only a phone, and I'm not ready to go to a smart phone just yet. I'll research other options.

What do you take to work to eat (or drink, during the liqiud stage)?

I think I can help you with some of your questions. I am 8 months post op and have Rhumatoid Arthritis.

1. I did not lose any hair during this process. I was not good with my Protein intake for the first 6 months. I was low everyday. I could not drink the Protein shakes until 6 months in. My doc said it takes your hair 3-4 months to respond to lack of protein.

2. I am an animal control officer and drive around all day long. My meals consist of the following:

6:00am Protein shake

7:30am energy/supplement drink - i mix this up at home

9:00am Peanut Butter crackers

11:00am lunch - i usually stop somewhere and choose the best options for me. At 8 months out I can eat just about anything in small quanities. Wendys chili is usually good for me, or a good piece of fish.

2:00pm peanut butter crackers

5:00pm dinner

8:00 - protein shake (if I have not made my protein intake for the day)

on the days I strentgh train I drink another post op protein shake in the morning

3. The pain is easier than the rotator cuff surgery. I have had bone spurs in both shoulders and had them operated on. This is a walk in the park compared to those. There is post op pain, but it is really just soreness. Gas pain is the worest and as long as you get up and walk around you will be fine. Bones are not involved and I think that has something to do with it.

4. as for the NSAIDS. I have never been able to tolerate them as they make me throw up. MY RA doc gives me a topical NSAIDS called Volteren gel. THey make it in a patch and a gel. YOu rub it on the area and it goes through the skin and not your stomach.

5.staying hydrated was a little tricky the first few months. Now I dont seem to have an issue with it. I play soccer 5 nights a week and i am able to stay hydrated during my games. Now the first few months you will feel like you will never be able to drink enough, but your body is just adjusting and it will pass. But if you love drinking Water like I did it will be a painful process.

6. I started my new job a week after my surgery. WE were in training class for several weeks, and I was sitting most of the time. I only had pain where my incisions were as they rubbed against my clothes.

If you have any other questions let me know.

I have some questions that I wanted to ask someone who has been through surgery but I know no one personally who has done it...

1) Has anyone had any hair loss? I read one article that says EVERYONE experiences this' date=' usually several months after surgery, but my dietician says if you get all your Protein it's not an issue.

2) If you work outside your home, what do you take to work for your meals and is it difficult to eat as needed in a public service environment? I work in a bank and am sometimes so very busy I don't even drink my coffee (which I have given up already at nutritionists request).

3) How bad is the pain? I had rotator cuff surgery and that was pretty bad for at least a week and moderately bad for weeks afterward (with a looooong recovery time). Does the pain pass quickly?

4) If we can't take nsaids, what do you take for pain? (headaches, joint pain, etc) I have arthritis in my back and I'm told that losing the weight will improve that. But in the time between the surgery and any substantial weight loss, I know my back will be hurting (this is also a question I'll be asking my surgeon at my next appt with him).

5) In the summer, is it difficult to stay hydrated during outdoor activities (walking, traveling, cutting grass, yard work, biking, etc)? Any warm-weather hydration tips? Cutting grass is my big thing, I love it! It was the only time my kids gave me some peace when they were growing up and it's great exercise. :-) But my yard is pretty big and it takes about two hours to cut the grass.

6) How soon has everyone returned to work? As a bank teller my job is not strenuous. My surgeon says normally about two weeks for a non-strenuous job and four weeks for a strenuous one. At my first visit with him he said some people even go back after only one week. I'm planning for two but hoping for one. What have some of you done?

Thank you in advance for any replies to my questions.[/quote']

Hmmmm.... let's see. Hair loss. ..yes. dont think anyone has gone bald. ..but mine was significant and i did eat my protein.

Eating...can be tough. My desk at work has Snacks. I have Protein drinks in my car. I carry special foods with me when i travel. I am a cheap date.I go places and share food. Drinking is huge. Always keep Water at your desk. I am almost 11 months out and still struggle with hydration.

Pain... depends on the person. I was off for four weeks and needed every day. Pain wasn't real bad, it was very manageable, but it really depends on you and your pain tolerance.

And Tylenol products appear to be the only option for pain.

I had RNY surgery in December. I had many of the same concerns as you. You won't be hungry for a while after surgery. I can tell you that it isn't easy getting your Protein and Water intake in during the day. Remember that ALL liquids count towards your water intake, even broths/soups, Jello, protein shakes/drinks, flavored waters, and decaf tea/coffee, etc..... I concerned myself mostly with getting the protein since it helps with healing and since the liquid with the protein counted towards my water intake anyways. I still recommend drinking water, sips in the beginning and in-between sips of the Protein Drink. I have experienced hair loss (thinning) within the past month. They always tell you it is due to the protein but I have read that it is normal, will usually stop on it's own and your hair will grow back. Now this is all assuming that there aren't any other underlying problems or conditions.

Bringing food to work all depends on the food stage you are in at the time. I brought a variety and always more than I needed. You will have to make it a priority to get your fluids in just SIP, SIP, SIP!

I returned to work after two weeks. For pain relief you are limited to tylenol especially while healing but since you are on pain medication after surgery there is probably something stronger you can stay on for back pain, just ask your surgeon.

Summers and overheating can be an issue but again just learn to take water/liquids with you whereever you go. I have a small cooler I bring to keep water and ice in. Especially, when gone for a day of shopping, etc....better safe than sorry.

Best of luck to you, it will all fall into place. Many things I fretted about never became an issue.

Thank you for all your very helpful and informative replies. I am looking into a Nexus7 to help me track appointments and progress, and to remind me to take vitamins and eat. Your replies have eased my mind about some of my concerns. I was brainstorming about how to prevent dehydration when I do my yardwork this summer and thought maybe one of those camelpacks that cyclists use may work. I think they strap to your back like a backpack and have a tube that you sip from. I'm going to google them now.

Thank you for all your very helpful and informative replies. I am looking into a Nexus7 to help me track appointments and progress' date=' and to remind me to take Vitamins and eat. Your replies have eased my mind about some of my concerns. I was brainstorming about how to prevent dehydration when I do my yardwork this summer and thought maybe one of those camelpacks that cyclists use may work. I think they strap to your back like a backpack and have a tube that you sip from. I'm going to google them now.[/quote']

Terry I've bee told that after RNY it is strongly recommended that you don't drink from a straw. It can cause air pockets and can be painful.

HW 321 CW 321 GW 175

thanks for the tip!