Update on my status at 18 days post-op

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

At 18 days post-op I am doing a bit better. Imodium has controlled

my diarrhea, and helped me rehydrate. I have lost 28 lbs so far! I

have reduced my pain medications to 4 doses per day at the minimum

amount (Vicodin). I must confess that perhaps I had a very minor

addiction before. I felt a warm rush when I took the meds and all

the pain was gone. Recently I reduced the dosage and I felt terrible

yesterday but am better today. I am currently taking about 10ml

every 6 hours compared with recommended dose of 15-30ml every 4

hours. I expect to run out in a couple of days, but I think I am

ready.

I still can't eat much. I have to eat 4-6 meals per day and they are

tiny. I am still weak. I am looking forward to getting my J-tube

and retention stitches out next Monday. My incision is healing well,

though it itches a bit. To all those worried about open vs. lap,

don't sweat having it done open. The incisional pain is really

nothing compared with the internal pain of the actual surgery.

Hull

[Guest guest]

Dear

Glad to hear that you are doing much better. Since you stated that

you felt that there was no difference in the pain with an open

surgery vs. lap, I felt that I had to comment. I was off all pain

meds the second day I was home (5 days post-op) and I only needed

them those first 2 days home during bedtime. I had no incisional

pain and no " internal " pains other than some gas that was moving

around. I had two c-sections and the pain was much worse with them

than with my Lap BPD/DS. After my DS, I had a little discomfort on

my right side under my ribs as I was slightly bruised from the lap

surgery. I was driving (light shopping and doing some errands)

before a week post-op and I went back to work full-time 11 days post-

op. I know I am not that unusual because I have a good friend that

started out at over 341 lbs. and had Lap BPP/DS on 8/30/01 and she

went back to work in a Beauty Salon at 12 days post-op. She too only

took pain meds the first day or two home and then stopped because she

really didn't need to take anything as she no longer had any pain.

We both did not go home with any drains, tubes or stitches. Maybe

this weakens you too? As always YMMV but I have met enough Lap

BPD/DS patients that went back to work within 2 weeks to lead me to

believe that you do heal faster with a Lap BPD/DS than an Open

surgery. Hope you are fully recovered soon, your research and

contributions to this group are invaluable.

Jane J. 38 yrs. old

230/152 (-78 lbs) 5' 3.5 "

Lap BPD/DS

4/26/01

>> At 18 days post-op I am doing a bit better. I am currently taking

about 10ml every 6 hours. I am still weak. To all those worried about

open vs. lap, don't sweat having it done open. The incisional pain

is really nothing compared with the internal pain of the actual

surgery.>>