Share your post op surgery, pros and cons. So far I understand getting up and walking will help a great deal, sitting up and sipping on water are good to start with. Any other suggestions or experiences?

REST. It’s something that I don’t see mentioned much when it comes to this type of surgery. My dad is a surgeon (kidney) and he has really stressed to me the importance of resting. My nutritionist told me not to nap during the day because it would take away time from drinking (!). My dad said that was the craziest thing he’s ever heard. He recognizes the importance of staying hydrated, but points out that even though this procedure was laparoscopic, it’s still major surgery. The body heals itself when it is resting, and this type of surgery requires major healing. I honestly find myself taking a nap every two hours, and I felt guilty about that at first. He said that napping is totally normal and not to fight it because my body knows how much rest I need to heal and will make sure that I get it. So while you should walk around for gas pain and drink a LOT, you should also rest a lot- it’s literally necessary for your body to heal properly. Follow your body cues. If you are tired, rest. Even if you don’t feel tired, still get extra rest and allow your body to go through the healing process.

Edited August 31, 20206 yr by niclovesjustice

I can only speak for myself and my experience. Recovery was not bad. I was extremely tired for about 4 months so I agree with the previous post that rest is essential. I remember binge watching Call the Midwife and a lot of shows I had on my list because I had NO energy. Just plan to have a lot of down time and take it easy. I read so much information that scared the crap out of me and none of it came true.

1. I never dumped or had food get stuck. Never puked (to this day)

2. I never got dehydrated. Water was not that hard to drink when I added limes or water additives. Hint water also went down very smoothly and I ordered several cases

3. I did go through a period of depression and most people do. You wonder what you did, how long will life be strange etc. Im about 1.5 years out and life seems really normal to me now. The only time I feel "altered" is when I eat at a BBQ or family event and I cant just have a hamburger and some sides. Its just the patty, cant really finish it and I cant have a bunch of beans and potato salad but other than that eating is pretty much the new normal

4. My hair did fall out more than usual but I never had major hair loss and it slowed down a little more than a year out

To sum up...dont be scared!! They tell you all the terrible things that could happen because they kinda have to but dont expect those things to happen. Keep a positive outlook and you'll do fine

I am 1 week postop Gastric Bypass & Gallbladder removal. I was in the hospital 2 nights, The first 24 hrs were extremely painful for me. I had to basically beg for enough pain meds and drinking wasn't really a factor til day 2. I pushed myself to walk as often and as dmfar as possible to get the gas moving. Once the gas began moving the pain became much less. I'm drinking fine at home, My Dr. Says Clear fluids for the whole first week. Followup is Tomorrow when I can begin supplements and protien shakes. Ive had a cesarean with my son & a lot of other surgeries but never had pain like I did with this surgery. Because I had my gallbladder out too I had 9 incisions and one for the drain. Highest weight was 313, I was 293 lbs on Surgery day 8/24 & this morning day 6 postop I weigh 282 so an 11 lb weightloss for week 1 which does make me happy. I feel ok but feel I have to be very careful not to eat or drink more than 1.5 oz in a 15 min period.

Had gastric bypass on 28th of August. 3 hrs surgery, dr found haital hernia and repaired it as well. Stayed over night, next day x ray showed no leaks and tolerated liquids well. Discharge home. Gas in abdomen was an ordeal, after releasing gas felt better each time. Abdomen felt discomfort with no pain. Named my new tummy Greenie, cause she loves the liquid green smoothies. Frozen berries and banana, kale, spinach, moringa, hemp seed with protein shake blended well to liquid form., Greenie loves it when I sip in small amount each time. Discomfort in abdomen feeling better each day. At age 66 I feel I made a excellent choice to healthier living journey. Look forward to no use of cpap and health issues that run in the family like CA, stroke, high bld pressure, diabetes, etc. I believe with this surgery I avoided family history of health issues.

My bypass & gallbladder out were on Aug. 24th & I see my Dr for follow up today 8 days postop to start phase 2. My Dr. Is really conservative about what goes in the stomach in the first week so I havn't had anything other than water for first 2 days then at home Gatorade zero, no sodium beef broth, protienO2 waters & a lil sugar free jello. Today I will start adding 2-3 protien shakes each day for 1 week. Then after that some mushy watery soups & sugar free pudding etc. Dr. Gandsas goes pretty slowly with reintroduction of foods. I don't mind tho, its honestly helping me face down some of my food demons within my food addiction. I have been scanning the internet for yummy interesting gastric recipies to focus on and look forward to instead of just thinking about how many months it will take to train my body not to dump if I eat my favorite ice cream lol. I spoke with my counselor about it and she agrees this approach is better for me to go super slowly and see some rewards from this surgery before I begin eating solids again too. So in 8 days I've lost 13 lbs and THAT makes me very happy ? I hope you're also doing well postop! Heres to Geenie & my new Tummy who's name remains to be decided lol

I had Loop DS on July 23rd. The first couple days were rough, I was very nauseated and vomited several times and had back pain on the left side. I passed a kidney stone 11 days later, and my surgeon thinks that was why I had a rough time in the hospital. I stayed 3 nights, but was much better on the 4th day when I went home. I never had any pain in my incisions except where the drain was and that was mild soreness. I had my gallbladder out in January and that was more painful to me. The gas pain with that was much, much worse. I had pretty mild gas pain with this. I also walked a lot, even though I felt bad in the hospital, I got up and walked as much as I could.
I think after that little glitch in the beginning I have had a very smooth recovery and I'm feeling amazing!