Weight Loss Surgery - Had my first appointment.

Which only consisted of getting a referral to see the surgeon, and set up appointments for my psych eval, and the dietician. It was all of five minutes long. I had a lot of questions but the doctor didn't have many answers for me because she was a GP, and just said that the surgeon can answer all that. But at least the ball is rolling.

So, if you don't mind, I would like to ask you a few more questions. What do they do for pain control? I'm going to have mine done laproscopically, but I'm expecting that there will be conciderable pain. How long do you have to be on a liquid diet? Not a problem for me, but just wondering? I'm sort of asking this question, because I'm assuming that you won't be able to take pain meds in the form of pills afterward(am I wrong about that?). Then later on, if you were to get a headache or something, how do things like motrin(are you even able to take it at all?) absorb? Are they as effective after the surgery as they are before. And one more stupid question. Do you go through a period of time where you feel hungry after the surgery? I know that the stomach is still there, but bypassed. Does your stomach grumble a lot? Does your stomach go through a period of adjustment? Sorry for bombarding you once again with questions. TIA

we LOVE questions!!!!

What do they do for pain control?

immediately post op, most docs give you a morphine pump. you just hit the button and you get drugs. it's a nice thing. and they take it away before you go home. and give you PILLS. generally small ones. you can take them. go ahead!!!

Then later on, if you were to get a headache or something, how do things like motrin(are you even able to take it at all?) absorb? Are they as effective after the surgery as they are before.

most surgeons won't let you take motrin, advil, celebrex, vioxx, aspirin and other NSAIDs for three months after surgery. they increase the risk of bleeding in ANYONE'S stomach, but especially in stomachs that have just had surgery. don't worry. you can take tylenol. and they do indeed work.

of course, the larger the pill, the more likely that it'll get stuck. uncomfortable, to say the least.

Do you go through a period of time where you feel hungry after the surgery? I know that the stomach is still there, but bypassed. Does your stomach grumble a lot? Does your stomach go through a period of adjustment?


things happen after this surgery and no one knows why. most people don't feel hunger at all for several months, and they have to put themselves on an eating schedule - by the clock - to make sure that they get in their protein and don't pass out. my stomach never grumbled. not sure about anyone else's though!!!!! And there is indeed an adjustment period. the new tummy has ISSUES. and they are different for everyone. mine were no scrambled eggs for nearly 2 years. and chicken breast is hard for me. raw white onions were deadly.

but they pass. not immediately, but it does all pass..

keep asking questions!!!! you're doing the right thing.

when is the appt with the surgeon? what does your PCP think of this? is she going along willingly or reluctantly?

With the laperscopic surgery, you have the morphine pump, which I felt was not needed. The pain was not that bad. I used the pump only because the nurses encouraged me too. I was home 36 hours after surgery, with pain pills, which I used a few of. Don't fear the pain, it's not that bad

Thanks for all the answers to my questions. You guys are great.

Jiff, my PCP was very understanding and willing. I just told her what I wanted to do and she put in all the consults for me. I'm not sure when my appt. is with the surgeon. He is out of town at a conference right now. I was told that if the office doesn't call me in a week to set up an appt., I should call them. Tricare is a little weird with appointments. I will be able to call for my psych eval appointment tomorrow morning, and the surgeon has to put in the consult with the dietician. My husband was in Iraq with the surgeon who will be doing it, so he can call him personally and get things going if I hit any snags.

Ditzy, thanks for the info on pain. It really eased my mind. I'm such a cry baby when it comes to pain, it's nice to know that I won't be too awfully uncomfortable.