Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Post op day 1 - I have had the easiest recovery and here is why....



Recommended Posts

First of all I am an ICU nurse of 30 years. I took care of patients coming right out of open heart surgery. This is where my idea came from.

My surgery was yesterday. When I woke up in the recovery room I had a lot of pain so they gave me Dilaudid which is a strong narcotic. The Dilaudid eased the pain but it still hurt. It just made me sleepy. I asked the doctor if he would order Toradol IV. We give it to open heart patients who are in a lot of pain because it doesn't make you sleepy and you are able to get up and starting moving right away.

(If you like the narcotic buzz, you will not like Toradol)!

Anyway, I got the Toradol. It was a miracle. I have had the smoothest recovery. I forget that I just had surgery!!

I wasn't going to post this because I don't want to give medical advice. But I also don't want to hold back on something that could help all of you that are about to have surgery. Just know that I am only giving you my experience.

The best part is that it completely took my pain away...I mean completely!!!

So I was up walking and taking deep breaths. I ate Jello the first night ( last night) with no problem.

I hope I didn't just jinx myself !!!!

Anyway post op day one here! So far....So good! And I am loving that green jello! Why is it always green????

Kim

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi! I am very interested in this! I hate narcotic medication, it often makes me really lethargic and wicked weird. So you mentioned Toradol doesn't have that affect?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Toradol is an NSAID. It can cause all sorts of unpleasant GI side effects including vomiting, bloating, stomach pain. NSAIDS...even injectables...are associated with marginal ulcers in bypass and sleeve. They used to be used, but are very rarely used anymore because of emerging data about this problem.

It's a wonderful drug for pain. Works great. But the pain from gastric sleeve is minimal and the risks do not outweigh the benefits. I would not take Toradol,

I had a perfect recovery, too. Walked over two miles in the ward the day of my surgery and couldn't stop smiling. Felt terrific. I took as few pain meds as they would allow. Had no problem drinking and progressing. Was released about 24 hours after my surgery. Regular over the counter liquid Tylenol worked great for me at home.

Edited by Creekimp13

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

PS...congrats on your surgery! Wishing you a rapid recovery and a successful weightloss journey:)

At my hospital, they sold the damned green Jello as "a lovely citrus jello"....I was thinking orange... Nope...green!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi! I am very interested in this! I hate narcotic medication, it often makes me really lethargic and wicked weird. So you mentioned Toradol doesn't have that affect?


Correct. And it takes the pain away. Some are hesitant to prescribe it because they worry about bleeding but you only need a couple of doses. One dose will last you for 8 hours. I would definitely discuss with your surgeon.

Are you from New England? I haven't heard that term "wicked" since I left New England. Ha!


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It thins the lining of your stomach systemically and can cause ulcers on the surgical incision that is trying to heal. Even when used IV or IM, it's a bad choice when other choices are available.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doc would rather me take a bullet than have an NSAID. That was preached to me all through the 6 months. They did give me IV Tylenol which worked wonders. Then I was taking Tramadol and Gabapentin. Worked just great. Was drinking walking eating easy time! I had RNY. Kept asking if she was sure she did something inside or did she just put some holes in me and say hocus pocus, be healed!

So glad your surgery went well!!! Congrats.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Creekimp13 said:

It thins the lining of your stomach systemically and can cause ulcers on the surgical incision that is trying to heal. Even when used IV or IM, it's a bad choice when other choices are available.

LOL. Deleted comment for lack of reading comprehension. Creekimp already said it! ROFLMAO. Just call me "Master" as in Master of the Obvious. Or Captain Obvious if you prefer! :D

Edited by FluffyChix

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

PS...congrats on your surgery! Wishing you a rapid recovery and a successful weightloss journey:)
At my hospital, they sold the damned green Jello as "a lovely citrus jello"....I was thinking orange... Nope...green!

Orange would be a nice option.

We use Toradol in fresh out of the OR open hearts. There is a risk of bleeding so that definitely needs to be looked at. I did see on YiuTube that one of the Bariatric centers had it in their regimen. But not everyone should have it. It's worth a discussion with the Surgeon though. So, I disagree with you on this one, having used it for many years. And now from a patient perspective I am even more of an advocate IF you are a candidate. Three doses of IV Toradol will not cause the Gastric effects that Motrin / Ibuprofen cause. That is when you use it at a higher frequency.

Glad your recovery went well too! I had heard so many horror stories!


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, karmanodrama said:

Are you from New England? I haven't heard that term "wicked" since I left New England. Ha!

LOL Yes! I live in MA and grew up in the Boston area. I keep saying I'm going to move because screw winter, but this is home.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have no idea what was in the IV at the hospital that first 24 hours, but it must have worked well because I had minimal pain too.

When I had the weird incision pain from Day 10 through Day 16, my surgeon's office authorized Advil only if Tylenol didn't work. I skipped them both and tried to stay still as much as I could, 'cause then it didn't hurt. Soooooo glad that stabbing pain passed!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites


I almost didn't post anything about it because I knew that it would bring up this discussion. But I love it that you bring up the opposing view. It's a good discussion and worth having it with your surgeon. The only reason I brought it up is because it was a miracle for me. Going into that wicked narcotic haze was going to slow my recovery so I am sooo grateful that my surgeon was onboard with it.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites


I just spoke with my nurse who was giving me the Toradol. He came from a large Bariatric Center. He said they used it all the time. Ok asked if there were any complications from it. He said that they had to stop it on one patient who had a bump in the BUN ( kidney function) but that was it.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×