plan to stay there for a while . She says it's impossible . I wonder if any one here can shed some lite on what to expect on after care once home . I know every one is different and it depends on the dr . I'll ask all that of my surgeon and at the workshop when the time comes but for now I just want as much help or info as possible .She also said I'd need a recliner to sleep in ? Which I don't have and really am not set to go out and by one . I wonder if it's as bad as she says or if she's being the drama queen she usually is and if her situation was different as she had the gastric along with two very very large hernia repairs done at the same time . in the process of getting approved for gastric bypass . My best friend had hers a year ago and she's filled me in on what to expect . But what she's told me about the after care has sent my head spinning . She told me on thing I won't be able to do is go up and down my stairs . I live in a two story town house with the only bathroom upstairs . If I can come home and get up stairs IOk I'm
I slept upstairs in my bed. I had to take the stairs slow and only did them once a day for the first week, but they were doable. I can't sleep sitting up so the recliner was not an option for me. The first week at least is liquids only so if you don't have someone to help you just put a mini fridge and a microwave upstairs before hand. I would suggest having someone; it just makes things easier to have the support. Take your pain meds around the clock and try to sleep through the first few days/week. It was hard for me to get in and out of bed by myself. I don't know what I would have done without my husband.
Everyone is different. I was in the hospital for 6 days after my surgery and slept sitting up in the bed, I couldn't lay down too much. I couldn't drink anything for the first 5 days (hence everyone is different). I did not take any pain meds after the first day. The first night at home I slept in my one chair (not a recliner) but after that I was fine in bed. I didn't have to walk up more than 5 stairs, so I can't comment on that one. My dad was with me while I was in the hospital and my mom came and stayed with me for a few days after I got home. They were a great help, but I'm sure I could have done it on my own. Good luck!
I had open RNY. So I had a 13 inch incision in my abdomen closed with staples. My surgery a was done at a hospital that was 4 hrs from my home. I was kept in the hospital four days. It would have only been three but the day I was to be discharged my BP kept dropping real low so they kept me overnight since I did have a long trip home. I had my surgery at 9am. That evening at 5 I made myself get up and walk. I walked two laps of the floor. I also only had my pain meds the day after surgery. After that I refused them. I knew the sooner I was up and moving the better I was. I did have a RX for pain medication at home but I didn't use it. Honestly, the pain wasn't that bad once I was home. Once home I did not sleep in a recliner. What I did do though was have a body pillow that I could hug as I got up and down. That way my staples didn't feel like they were pulling. I also had a stomach binder to help with that as well. Before I left for surgery I went ahead and made jello and pudding so when I got home it wouldn't take much prep work. I also had cans of low sodium broth waiting for me. All I can say is if you can get yourself moving do it. It's the best way to get you healing and prevent clots. My surgeon made me promise before surgery that I would get up and walk that night. I promised her I would and I did.
Thank you ladies for all that you have shared with me . It has calmed me down just a little . I know every one is different . My DH will be here to help as well as my MIL so I know I'll have plenty of help to take care of things down stairs and the kids . I intend to make it up my stairs and sleep in my bed which by the way is high enough that I don't have to climb or sink into it and high enough that I can kind of slide / stand up when I get out . It sure came in handy when I had my last surgery . I am especially greatful for the tip of pre-making some things to eat before I go off to surgery and the binder . I still have one from my gall bladder surgery . Thanks again ladies for the support . This a giant leap for me but one I'm sure not to ever regret and your support and stories posted in the group are such a help .
Regret
- ummrami
on Jan. 20, 2012 at 5:21 PM