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

Construction worker with concerns



Recommended Posts

Hey guys newbie here. My main question would be how can I expect to feel after healing from surgery doing physical work? I’m a construction worker for a natural gas company in NY. Since most machines do the heavy lifting Id like to say 30% to 40% of my job is manual labor, mostly the end of most jobs. (Sweeping, tamping, raking, shoveling dirt or black top etc). With that being said it’s been a major reason why I haven’t moved forward with my decision to have surgery. Since I’m not a fixed operator I’m on my feet most of my day and always on the move. My concern is the lack of nutrients mixed with the physically demanding work.

Edited by KlasickDad

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You wouldn't be able to lift more than 10 pounds for six weeks post-op. Sometimes you might get lightheaded but with increased salt intake you'll fix that. You could to back to work within two weeks but you'll be tired.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You should not be lacking nutrients at any point in time after about 2 weeks post op. As long as you follow your surgeons plan laid out for you and keep up with Water, Protein and required supplements you should not have a problem at all. Your surgeon will follow up with you every 6 months at first then once a year. They will do blood work to look at your Vitamin and nutrient levels. Keep up with what you are supposed to be doing and you will be fine. Not to mention that you will feel so much better once the weight starts dropping.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would say you would need 4 weeks to feel your best. Jmo

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am almost at two weeks, and my doc says max I can lift is 15 pounds. I try to walk at least 3 miles a day, but in general, I am just more tired than average. I fell asleep at 830pm last night. I think at least 3-5 weeks post op - everyone is different.

A physical job has way different demands than a desk job. I have a job where I am on my feet all day and have managed to secure 2.5 weeks off - that's also why I keep trying to push myself each day (number of hours on my feet).

Plus, you will have to consume fluids every 15 minutes, I'm not sure how I am going to swing that, but I am sure I will - just like everyone else late next week.

Best of luck to you. I hope you heal up super quick.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You will be restricted in the amount of weight that you can lift. I was speaking to a friend the other day who hd WLS two weeks ago. He lifted a bag of groceries and immediately regretted it. He said that he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. You will in all probability be on only liquids for the first two weeks. If so you have to monitor your Fluid intake and get the proper amount of fluids.

If you need to go to work you should plan for the time you will be at work and have your liquids/foods at hand. Most of all you should have a strategy to get through the day physically so that you don't cause harm to yourself. If at all possible, take the time off from work to heal properly.

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

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • 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

    ×