Surgery yesterday

[Yeledov]

Hi all!

I had gastric bypass surgery yesterday. I’m doing pretty well. Checked all the boxes to get discharged tomorrow morning.

I have a question for anyone. What do you wish you had known or wish you had the first couple weeks post op?

 

[3momchaos]

Congratulations on making it to the other side! I wish I would have known to not worry about not pooping. It is important, but when you’re not taking in much, there isn’t much to go out. Focus on liquids, small sips to start, don’t worry about the scale in the beginning because there can be a lot of fluctuations, and rest as much as you can.

 

[missyinacage]

Congrats on your surgery! Glad to hear you're feeling and doing well. The thing I was most grateful for in my first weeks was my abdominal binder. It really made it not only easier to move but I felt like it helped with overall pain and gas pain, since it kept everything compressed. I was also grateful for the Izopure zero carb clear protein. You can get it in bottles or powder and it's 40g of protein for 20oz of liquid. I know many people just don't hit their protein goals those first few weeks or even worry about it. Which is fine, but I was determined to meet all my goals and never could have made it without the higher protein supplement. Get some rest and don't stress about the scale.

 

[JudyNY]

Yay! Glad to hear it all went well and wish you a speedy recovery!

 

[KarenWV]

My

TAKE
FIBER
LAXATIVE!!!!!

i can't stress this enough. Take it before going in and once or twice a day post-op.

The first BM after all you did over the last several days, with no veggies to contribute to bowel operations, can be a KILLER. I wrote a long descriptive post two years ago about the nightmare of mine. You can search for it in the archives.

Sugeons should stress this in your pre-op papers. Maybe they do, now, but not back then.

It's the single most important advice I could give a newbie.

FIBER LAXATIVE!

In my pre-op class they said I'll get colace in the hospital & some to bring home. I asked if I could take Benefiber before & after, & they told me no. So I hope the colace works. I don't want to follow you in your epic post-surgery journey to "pass a pineapple" as the new commercial says!

 

[Bill sperry]

Drink a lot of water you don’t want to get dehydrated. I ended up back in the hospital once for that .

 

[KarenWV]

So glad you had a successful surgery & hope your recovery goes smoothly & painlessly.

 

[Yeledov]

Thank you everyone! Hmmm, lots poop stuff. It all makes perfect sense though. If you’re bowels aren’t happy it is pretty difficult to do just about anything.
I had some constipation during my pre op diet and found Miralax works well for me. I’ll definitely stick with it.

 

[Kathi_S]

Great question! I am making note of the answers! Congratulations and good luck!

 

[Tokash]

For the first week I slept in either a reclining chair or a zero gravity chair. Binder at night but off most of the day.

 

[wickerbuni]

Where does one get a binder for after surgery? Is it the same type you can get for after hysterectomy?

 

[3momchaos]

Where does one get a binder for after surgery? Is it the same type you can get for after hysterectomy?

The hospital gave me 2 but I’ve seen them on Amazon.

 

[wickerbuni]

The hospital gave me 2 but I’ve seen them on Amazon.

Thank you.

 

[Bill sperry]

I got mine at the hospital

 

[wickerbuni]

Is it something that they recommend we wear after the surgery or just an option if we want to. I imagine it is more comfortable with a binder on.
I'm sorry if I'm asking so many questions. Is there a place I should be looking for things already answered?

 

[3momchaos]

Is it something that they recommend we wear after the surgery or just an option if we want to. I imagine it is more comfortable with a binder on.
I'm sorry if I'm asking so many questions. Is there a place I should be looking for things already answered?

Seriously, ask ALL the questions LOL thats why we’re here! To share our different experience. I did like my binder while I slept because it just made me feel more secure.

 

[wickerbuni]

Seriously, ask ALL the questions LOL thats why we’re here! To share our different experience. I did like my binder while I slept because it just made me feel more secure.

Thank you so much. I know that sometimes when a new person joins some groups they ask a lot of questions but the regular members get upset.
I'm so happy that you are all so nice and helpful here. I appreciate all of the answers and advice. I'm reading as much on here as I can.

 

[3momchaos]

If you want to search for specific words or phrases you can, but it’s ok to ask questions. Sometimes it’s just easier too because then you might get a new answer that isn’t on the old threads.