What should I expect?

[Fierromd1 3]

I was sleeved and had great weight loss results but developed Gastroparesis. Now I’m scheduled for a complete bypass. What should I expect in terms of recovery? Will this resolve my issues? Will it hurt more? What will life look like after bypass?.

[catwoman7 10,929]

I had a "virgin" bypass, but I imagine pain is about the same for revisions and that is - it's all across the board. Some people have very little pain (or none at all), others have a lot - but it seems the majority are on the "no or little pain" end of the continuum. I didn't have any pain at all and at first wondered if they even did the surgery! I really didn't have much in the way of gas pain, either. The only discomfort I had was getting in and out of bed. I was fine if I was lying in bed - and fine once I got up - but the transition from one to the other was tricky - I felt like I'd done 1000 crunches. But...it only lasted a few days, as I recall.

even if you're one of the people who has pain with the surgery, they'll send you home with something for it. Just take it when you're supposed to to keep ahead of the pain. It'll probably only last three or four days.

as far as what life is like, pretty much the same as sleeve. My clinic had everyone on the same food and Vitamin regimen, regardless of surgery. The only difference is that if you slack off on your supplements, the consequences will be greater with bypass when they were with sleeve. Otherwise, from what i've heard from others who've had revisions, it's not that much different.

[kla7403 49]

You look great!

[Smanky 743]

I was definitely in the high pain camp after my bypass, but I also had a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time which likely made post-op pain worse. That said, even with the hernia pain, I've dealt with far worse (hi tibial plateau fracture! You were definitely a level 10!), and the post-op pain relief kept it all manageable. Took a good two weeks for the "hit by a truck" or "gut punched by a team of heavyweights" feeling to subside, but I was pretty zen about it because I knew it would eventually improve. I had some nausea post-op, but the drugs kept it in check. Everyone's experience is their own, however, so you'll never know until you're there how much or how little pain/nausea you'll have. Best thing to remember is it's temporary.

As Catwoman said, the bypass post-op food plan is pretty similar to the sleeve, with the exception of the supplements. I hope it sorts out your Gastroparesis!

Amazing transformation, BTW!

[learn2cook 501]

Great weight loss results! I had only the bypass but continue to talk with others at my practice who have had both. There are some with lots of pain, and a slightly longer recovery, and some with less. Like anything, adjust to your needs, it’s not a comparison. Remember the whole surgery and recovery is very very temporary. I wish you the best.