Hello-I am 1-day post-op. Had a very difficult time with anesthesia and breathing after. I am having to use a breathing spirometer...anyone else have to do this?

I have not had any gas pains for which I am thankful but overall just feel terrible...tired, rundown, sore.

Any words of encouragement would greatly help!

Hi, it's Carol from Ohio. Congratuations!! A spirometer is used to prevent respiratory complications following abdominal surgery. I'm not a medical person I've just had to use one. Just follow dr's direction. Good luck.

Surgery April 8, Dr. Curry, Cincinnati, OH.

Wickman-

Using a spirometer is required by some physicians post-op to ensure that you are taking deep breaths to avoid pnuemonia. Sometimes after surgery when you're sore we tend to take shallow breathes which can cause fluid build up in the lungs.

Hang in there, take it easy, do ur breathing treatments and you'll be feeling better before you know it.:wink_smile:

My surgeon requires all of his patients to use the spirometer. We have to use it three times a day during our 10 day pre op diet and after surgery every few hours while in the hospital and then 6 times a day for two weeks after surgery. Even though I felt good after surgery, I was amazed at how much harder it was to reach my target on the spirometer than it was before surgery.

Heather,

Just do the breathing exercises and rest......one day post op it isn't even fair to try and gauge how you're going to feel. The most important thing is REST and OXYGEN!

It DOES get better, honest. I'm two weeks out and I feel so good I almost scare myself!

I agree with everybody, it's just been one day it will take sometime for you to get all of the meds out of your system and believe me in a couple of days you will feel much better, just do the breathing machine get up and walk and you feel much better very soon. hang in there. I was banded on the 19th.

Heather, I was banded yesterday and I feel very sleepy and tired too. I stayed overnight just for the rest and got home this moring. No gas pains either. Tolerating fluids fine. My port site is the most sore thing and it doesn't feel great getting up and down out of the recliner, but no real pain. I didn't have to use the spirometer, but had to do deep breathing when they checked my vital signs through the night. Let's all us April Fools keep each other going!

It's all normal. Your incisions might be small but you still had surgery inside. They pumped you with anesthesia and gas. In a few days, you'l be feeling better.

Congratulations on your band. Today will probably be your worst day, Tomorrow you will feel a little better and it will get better every day. In a couple of weeks you will feel like your old self.

My best advice is keep walking when you can, use the spirometer as required, drink plenty of small sips of fluids. REST! You body has had a major trauma and needs to recover. Hang in there. We've all been though it and it does get better.:wink_smile:

First off, congratulations!

I will just echo everybody else...I found the first day to be the worst. I had a spirometer also and my DH kept reminding me to use it several times a day. Just rest, walk as much as you can, sip your fluids, use your spirometer and you should be fine. It gets better. :wink_smile:

REST! REST! REST! I too used a spirometer (well they gave me one anyway) I just think it's common practice <shrug> Just get ya lots of rest for now! Good-Luck! :wink_smile:

i know exactly how you feel- i felt like CRAP up until just about 1 day ago. anesthisia and i dont mix well, and its taken me awhile to snap out of it.really until today i have been in lots of pain, exhausted, and TONS of gas pressure. it does get better. and keep in mind its only been one day...

I had to use the same thing, everyone does. You're stomach is hurting, right? How would you like to have pneumonia and be coughing all the time. It exercises the lungs and keeps fluids from settling. Perfectly standard.

As for encouragement: I'm a week out and I can do everything I could do before. I can twist, bend, jump, run and laugh. The nurse told me it was a "nothing operation" and she was right... I had my gall bladder out and that was ten million times more painful.

Oh, yeah, and I lost 20 pounds this week.

I had to use the same thing, everyone does. You're stomach is hurting, right? How would you like to have pneumonia and be coughing all the time. It exercises the lungs and keeps fluids from settling. Perfectly standard.

As for encouragement: I'm a week out and I can do everything I could do before. I can twist, bend, jump, run and laugh. The nurse told me it was a "nothing operation" and she was right... I had my gall bladder out and that was ten million times more painful.

Oh, yeah, and I lost 20 pounds this week.

20 pounds this week??????

Maybe she doesn't understand the meaning of the word "encouragement".

Heather, the breathing spirometer is actually pretty common to have to use following surgery. It can be uncomfortable, but does beat the alternative.

Feeling run down, tired and sore is absolutely to be expected, especially if you are only one day post-op. Everyone reacts differently to surgery and anesthesia. I know it took me a week to really feel like doing much of anything, and it was a good 2-3 weeks before I got to feeling 100% again. The main thing was the discomfort from the port. But, it will get better, and is very much worth it.

The important thing to remember is that now is the time for resting and healing. Exercise and losing weight will come in due time. It is important to follow your doctors orders regarding levels of activity, eating stages, etc.

Lastly, all, please remember to not compare your weight loss to others and get overly high expectations. It is important to remember that the band is desigend to work at its optimum when filled. It is also designed for us to lose a healthy 1-2 pounds per week. However, some may lose a little more, some may lose a little less. What is important is that you are on your way to a healthier you.