[singermom]

thank you all for the warm welcome!

my RNY will be open rather than lap and I'm wondering about recovery - I'm a pretty tough strong girl, but I want to also be realistic and plan well. How long should I plan for help until I can be at home alone with my 5 year old twins? My husband can take some time off work if he has to, but we would like to minimize it if at all possible. How long until I can drive? Feel good enough to talk on the phone and answer e-mails? There is a lot of my job that I can do from home if I'm feeling up to it......I'm the type of person that will feel best if I can be doing as much as I can as soon as I can - but I don't want to overestimate my ability to do these things. What is realistic?

TIA!

[BreeChick]

I had open 5.5 yrs ago so things are not so clearly remembered at this point!!

open I was in the hospital 5-6 days if I remember right..it was longer than most and the hardest issue for me was sleeping. Ihad to sleep in a recliner as I couldn't get comfortable at all for nearly a month.

lifting is a huge thing..start NOW with the twins telling them to get into your lap when you sit down OR sit next to you to cuddle instead of expecting you to pick them up...you do NOT want to reopen stitches or get a hernia early on!!

don't carry a heavy purse...a lot of us gals do and don't think about it..if you are not supposed to pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk?..you know what I'm saying?

Take a firm small pillow with you, holding it firm against the incision helps a lot with the pain, especially on the trip home. Walk the hallways as soon as they allow you to get up and start walking.

TAKE YOUR PAIN MEDS early on to get past the pain and don't try to DO much besides walk, drink, rest! You gotta allow for that healing.

Open is a longer healing time I would plan on 2-3 weeks of needing help if you can swing that ...it will be helpful to allow you to HEAL.

Remember it's major surgery whether it's lap or open. Time is needed for recovery. the R&R = rest & recovery it is better in the long run for you!

[ilovemykids]

I have Open RNY on November 9th. I have a set of twins that are two. Recovery wasn't nearly as bad as my recovery from my c-section.
DH wasn't able to take off work the first week I was home so I was by myself more than I wanted to be. I think as long as you tell your kids that you have a big owie and show it to them so it is real to them, you will be ok. That went a long way with my kids. They wanted to kiss it to make it all better.
I didn't cook for the first two weeks because friends brought meals for the family. But, I was on my email the day I got out of the hospital and talking to whoever called. Also, the day I was released, I went to Target and walked around. My doctor encouraged walking stores since I was from out of town. He didn't want me to just sit in my hotel.
I drove for the first time a week after surgery because I had to, but I wouldn't recommend it. I really started driving two weeks out.
I quit taking my pain meds when I came home. I don't have a high pain tolerance, but I just wasn't hurting. I think as long as you take it easy as use the way you feel to judge that you can and can't do, you will be fine.
It is important to remember to take care of yourself well in the beginning so that you can take care of your family later. You don't want to prolong your recovery by doing something you shouldn't.
I have been picking up my kids the past two weeks and I carried all of my groceries in at the same time yesterday. I feel great and you will too. It makes such a difference in your life.
Make sure to make time for naps when you are healing. Sleep is important. Good luck. This whole experience will fly by. I hope I answered all your questions.
Shannon

[thumper1]

I had open RNY 6 months ago. Was in hosp. 3 days. DH took off only the first week and that included the 3 hosp. days. The first day home I was outside picking weeds off my plants,felt that good.It was a no-no ,too much reaching and such,but I felt really pretty good.Like she said earlier that she had her most issue with sleeping,I did too.Spent a couple of weeks on the couch propped up. pillows are a big plus,carry one with u to cough or laugh. I did not take my pain pills either,but when my visiting nurse came she said to take them as to not have any discomfort they want us to feel as super as possible. Driving I think I was cleared in about 2-3 weeks. I am excited for you, you will be just fine,always do what your surg. recommends for you..... Kathy