To Anyone Who Can Help Answer This Concern

[Guest guest]

I had my surgery on Dec. 4th. From my experience, the pain was very minimal. Getting in and out of bed was no big deal. The naso-gastric tube is not fun, but really wasn't that big a deal. I didn't have trouble breathing. I had mine removed 24 hours after surgery. I went into surgery with a good frame of mind and I think that helped me tremendously in my recovery.

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the egroup. I am scheduled for a DS on Jan. 5, 2001. I

have met another lady who just had the same procedure done just

yesterday. She lives in the same area that I do. Her daughter sent

out an email on her behalf to update us and keep us posted on her

progress. She said 45 minutes after coming out of the surgery, she

had a lot of trouble breathing, and the tube really bothered her too.

She is also experiencing a great deal of pain. He daughter asked her

if it was worth it, and she said no, not with having this much pain.

This really scares me!

Is it normal or common for people to experience this type of pain and

trouble with the nasogastric tube and breathing? What do I have to

look forward to just after the surgery? What have other people

experienced? I really want to have the procedure done, but I am

getting nervous and a little apprehensive because of what she is

going through. My thoughts and prayers are with her.

I decided to have the surgery done (self pay) because I am around

80-85 pounds over weight on a 5'5 " frame with co-morbidies of high

blood pressure, joint pain and asthma. I haven't been anywhere a goal

weight since high school.

Will someone who has been through this already, relate their

experiences to me? Help ease my mind!

Thanks,

ann

BMI 35-36

[Guest guest]

Hi ann,

First of all, not everyone has a nasogastric (NG) tube after surgery. It

depends on the protocols of the individual surgeon. It has nothing to do

with breathing problems.

Pain is an option. You need to discuss pain control with your surgeon. It

is not necessary to suffer. Because MO people are at a higher risk for post

op respiratory problems, it seems that many surgeons under medicate them for

pain. Pain medication decreases the respiratory effort and can contribute

to post op pneumonia.

What to do?

Find out if your surgeon uses an NG tube (most people don't find it as

painful as a nuisance)

Discuss pain control options

Improve your respiratory status

blow up balloons

exercise

breathe deeply

dont smoke

practice deep breathing and coughing

follow your surgeon's advice

The best prevention for most post op complications is activity-- getting up

and walking. But some bariatric surgeons have found that when patients have

pain control they also stay in bed and won't get up. OTOH, poor pain

control keeps people from moving around. There's a balance there. And pain

tolerance is very much an individual issue. What you might be able to stand

could be torture for someone else.

And finally, the post op pain can be bad. How many women amid labor swore

they'd never do it again-- and did. Pain is transient. It won't kill you.

Morbid obesity will. Your discomfort for a few days will be replaced by

years and years of improved health. You decide what to choose.

in Seattle

----- Original Message -----

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I am new to the egroup. I am scheduled for a DS on Jan. 5, 2001. I

> have met another lady who just had the same procedure done just

> yesterday. She lives in the same area that I do. Her daughter sent

> out an email on her behalf to update us and keep us posted on her

> progress. She said 45 minutes after coming out of the surgery, she

> had a lot of trouble breathing, and the tube really bothered her too.

> She is also experiencing a great deal of pain. He daughter asked her

> if it was worth it, and she said no, not with having this much pain.

> This really scares me!

>

> Is it normal or common for people to experience this type of pain and

> trouble with the nasogastric tube and breathing? What do I have to

> look forward to just after the surgery? What have other people

> experienced? I really want to have the procedure done, but I am

> getting nervous and a little apprehensive because of what she is

> going through. My thoughts and prayers are with her.

>

> I decided to have the surgery done (self pay) because I am around

> 80-85 pounds over weight on a 5'5 " frame with co-morbidies of high

> blood pressure, joint pain and asthma. I haven't been anywhere a goal

> weight since high school.

>

> Will someone who has been through this already, relate their

> experiences to me? Help ease my mind!

>

> Thanks,

> ann

> BMI 35-36

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

anne,

Surgery sucks. I don't think it's possible to not at least once

think *WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!!*

but.......2 weeks later and 20 lbs lighter, IT " S WORTH IT!

It ain't a recreational activity, and pain management is a dicy

business at best, but it DOES pass, and the rewards are sweet

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I am new to the egroup. I am scheduled for a DS on Jan. 5, 2001. I

> have met another lady who just had the same procedure done just

> yesterday. She lives in the same area that I do. Her daughter sent

> out an email on her behalf to update us and keep us posted on her

> progress. She said 45 minutes after coming out of the surgery, she

> had a lot of trouble breathing, and the tube really bothered her

too.

> She is also experiencing a great deal of pain. He daughter asked

her

> if it was worth it, and she said no, not with having this much pain.

> This really scares me!

>

> Is it normal or common for people to experience this type of pain

and

> trouble with the nasogastric tube and breathing? What do I have to

> look forward to just after the surgery? What have other people

> experienced? I really want to have the procedure done, but I am

> getting nervous and a little apprehensive because of what she is

> going through. My thoughts and prayers are with her.

>

> I decided to have the surgery done (self pay) because I am around

> 80-85 pounds over weight on a 5'5 " frame with co-morbidies of high

> blood pressure, joint pain and asthma. I haven't been anywhere a

goal

> weight since high school.

>

> Will someone who has been through this already, relate their

> experiences to me? Help ease my mind!

>

> Thanks,

> ann

> BMI 35-36

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

I guess we all get a little ansy when it comes to having surgery. I

have a very positive state of mind, and I am looking forward to the

" after life " . Congrats on your success so far!

ann

BMI 35

Dr. Sifers/ee Mission, KS

Self Pay

> > Hi Everyone,

> >

> > I am new to the egroup. I am scheduled for a DS on Jan. 5, 2001.

I

> > have met another lady who just had the same procedure done just

> > yesterday. She lives in the same area that I do. Her daughter

sent

> > out an email on her behalf to update us and keep us posted on her

> > progress. She said 45 minutes after coming out of the surgery,

she

> > had a lot of trouble breathing, and the tube really bothered her

> too.

> > She is also experiencing a great deal of pain. He daughter asked

> her

> > if it was worth it, and she said no, not with having this much

pain.

> > This really scares me!

> >

> > Is it normal or common for people to experience this type of pain

> and

> > trouble with the nasogastric tube and breathing? What do I have to

> > look forward to just after the surgery? What have other people

> > experienced? I really want to have the procedure done, but I am

> > getting nervous and a little apprehensive because of what she is

> > going through. My thoughts and prayers are with her.

> >

> > I decided to have the surgery done (self pay) because I am around

> > 80-85 pounds over weight on a 5'5 " frame with co-morbidies of high

> > blood pressure, joint pain and asthma. I haven't been anywhere a

> goal

> > weight since high school.

> >

> > Will someone who has been through this already, relate their

> > experiences to me? Help ease my mind!

> >

> > Thanks,

> > ann

> > BMI 35-36

[Guest guest]

The epidural is simply a means of delivering the narcotic medication. the

medication given that way may be the same as what is given via other IV

routes. Same medication, same sedation.

No pain medication keeps people in bed. Sedation is what does it, whether

the narcotic comes via IV, IM injection, or epidural. It is precisely that

reason and respiratory depression are the 2 reasons that many surgeons

intentionally under medicate for pain.

Re: Re: To Anyone Who Can Help Answer This

Concern

>

> In a message dated 12/16/00 6:06:29 PM, duodenalswitchegroups writes:

>

> << The best prevention for most post op complications is activity--

getting up

> and walking. But some bariatric surgeons have found that when patients

have

> pain control they also stay in bed and won't get up. OTOH, poor pain

> control keeps people from moving around. There's a balance there. And

pain

> tolerance is very much an individual issue. What you might be able to

stand

> could be torture for someone else.

> >>

>

> : While this may be true for narcotics (either by injection

> or IV/Pump), I don't think the epidural keeps one in bed. A person

> can ambulate with the epidural given with BPD/DS surgery. And, often,

> since the pain is well controlled (given the epidural is inserted properly

> and doesn't have any kinks/problems), patients are free to get up

> and move around more readily.

>

> Also, the epidural generally does not cause the same amount of

> drowsiness as the other narcotic options. Just some more food for

> thought.

>

> I definately agree that discussing post-op pain control is VITAL. i want

> to find out more about the 'macraine drip'? I've heard that some CA

> doctors administer this. From my understanding, it's a numbing medication

> that's applied directly to the wound. I wonder why this isn't an option

at

> Mt Sinai. I have to ask Dr. Gagner about this.

>

> all the best,

>

> laparoscopic BPD/DS with gallbladder removal

> Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai, NYC

> January 25, 2001

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Surgery sucks. I don't think it's possible to not at least once think *WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!!*

but.......2 weeks later and 20 lbs lighter, IT"S WORTH IT!

I don't think any surgery is FUN, however, when pain management is handled well, it is definitely 'tolerable.' I have had a hysterectomy for cancer (open, 14" vertical cut), a VBG and 2 breast surgeries, an awaiting my vbg to ds revision on 1/8. I can't tell you how many times I've read post-ops say (right after the surgery) "WHAT WAS I THINKING?" I don't hear too many of them say that one month later! Look, it's not going to be a walk in the park, but the end result will be worth it. I will accept whatever I have to endure immediately post-op in order to have a better quality of life for years to come (hopefully). just my 2 cents. Sandy K.

[Guest guest]

Surgery sucks. I don't think it's possible to not at least once think *WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!!*

but.......2 weeks later and 20 lbs lighter, IT"S WORTH IT!

I don't think any surgery is FUN, however, when pain management is handled well, it is definitely 'tolerable.' I have had a hysterectomy for cancer (open, 14" vertical cut), a VBG and 2 breast surgeries, an awaiting my vbg to ds revision on 1/8. I can't tell you how many times I've read post-ops say (right after the surgery) "WHAT WAS I THINKING?" I don't hear too many of them say that one month later! Look, it's not going to be a walk in the park, but the end result will be worth it. I will accept whatever I have to endure immediately post-op in order to have a better quality of life for years to come (hopefully). just my 2 cents. Sandy K.