Activity during recovery

Fenton · 03-05-2008, 02:39 PM

I have a couple of weeks off after my surgery, and I'm hoping to recover a bit from a killer year as well as my surgery. I'm not going to overexert myself, but I'm wondering, how quickly after surgery were people able to DO stuff? Like, go downstairs, walk for a block without trouble, put my clothes on without discomfort, and, most importantly - go to the movies.

Seriously. I want to be able to walk the three city blocks from my house, sit down and enjoy a two hour movie. Would I be able to do that a couple days after surgery, or more like a week?

I know we're all different, but it seems to me that the surgery isn't a big deal, just small incisions and a lot of air in the belly, and I have no real sense of how long it takes to get back to a normal life...

Thanks,

F.

**Jack** · 03-05-2008, 09:33 PM

You're right, for most of us it really isn't a big deal....I've hurt myself far worse in random sports activities.

I was helping carry firewood Day 3 postOp...ok, so it wasn't very much or very far....

By the end of Day 5 I was out & about the town; Day 10 I was making long drives taking most of the day, to various errands; I could have gone back to modified work by about Day 5 or 6, but was recovering from another type of surgery as well.

It doesn't take very long to get mobile again. Figuring out what to do with all the spare time now we aren't EATING all the time is different challenge....

Jachut · 03-05-2008, 11:28 PM

I could have done that the next day. I went for a 4km walk less than 24 hours after surgery. I did get very tired at odd times, like suddenly I'd just collapse, for about a week, but the actual surgical recovery is rather minor.

Loprofyl · 03-05-2008, 11:44 PM

Fenton,

Good Luck with your surgery tomorrow!

bigunc · 03-06-2008, 06:51 AM

Fenton, I had to stay overnight as a precaution due to the amount of bleeding I experienced during surgery. Day two on the way home from the hospital the Wife and I stopped at the grocery for some last minute shopping. It was sore but only bothered me if I tried to rotate at my waist or bend over.

You will know if your up to a good walk. I went back to work on day 4. I personally had more trouble sitting upright in my desk chair at work than anything else.

Good luck on your big day.
Let us know how you make out with your surgery.

mediummike · 03-06-2008, 10:49 AM

Hey fenton - I was up and about the next day. Went to the gym and walked on the treadmill for 35 minutes then went to the mall and walked around there with my wife for around an hour or so. My doctor encourages his patients to walk at least 30 minutes per day the day starting after surgery (of course, please check with your doctor as it seems they all have different guidelines). Besides a little sore (very minor actually), I was pretty much up and about. I didn't drive until around 3 days after surgery just as a precaution.

Good luck today !

mediummike · 03-06-2008, 10:54 AM

I'm attaching the web link to my doctor's post-op instructions, in case you're interested. May be interesting to see how they differ from what your doc says..

mediummike · 03-06-2008, 10:56 AM

ooops - here it is

Center for Obesity Surgery, Post-Operative Care: LAP-BAND Surgery Discharge Instructions

Fenton · 03-08-2008, 10:01 PM

Hey, guys. Thanks for all the input.

I now have my own experiences to go by - I'm now a full-on, certified Grade A bandster. I had a bit of a bumpy ride; because I'm a heft fellow, I insisted that they keep me overnight in a monitored room, with constant nursing supervision. BIG mistake! I was up all night, got one hour of sleep, and left the hospital weak and exhausted, feeling like crap. Last night, I got a pretty solid 12 hours, but woke up with all sorts of muscle aches.

I've been pretty mobile - largely because of the examples you guys have provided; I thank you for that, because I've found that when I feel crappy, moving makes me feel better.

But I still have a grumbling queasiness, a sense that all my innards have been rearranged. Which they kinda have.

Anyway, I'm up, drinking, peeing, belching and farting like a windtunnel; I can tolerate a bit of queasiness.

Thanks for the support, lads.

F.

mediummike · 03-08-2008, 11:15 PM

Hey Fenton - welcome back. Sorry to hear about the rough first night - but trust me (and others on the post) it gets better every day. Keeping mobile is definitely key...

gometros · 03-10-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenton

Anyway, I'm up, drinking, peeing, belching and farting like a windtunnel; I can tolerate a bit of queasiness.

Thanks for the support, lads.

F.

So, you're just being a man, then

Welcome back. Glad everything went well.

Loprofyl · 03-10-2008, 10:59 PM

Glad everything went well for you!

Fenton · 03-10-2008, 11:04 PM

It looks like things are going pretty well for you there, too, Loprofyl!

bigrick · 03-12-2008, 01:32 PM

Fenton;
Glad to hear you are doing well, looking forward to when I can talk about post surgery. Hang in there-

Fenton · 03-12-2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks, lads.

It's getting better - a week out and I still don't feel 100%, but I don't feel bad either. There has been minimal pain, but I'm still not used to my strangled stomach. I know it'll happen.

Rick, when are you up for the chop?