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What is the Lap Band (Weight-loss surgery) Post-op recovery time?
I have been cleared for surgery and am only waiting for the Doctor's scheduler to call me. This is expected to occur in a week or so. Recently I have come to find out that the post-op recovery time is between 2-4 weeks! I am an accountant and have a pretty sedentary job (obviously) Do I really need to be off that long? I am not getting bypass so I thought that the time comittment would be far far less. I was expecting to be out perhaps 2 days after surgery. Can anyone please forward to me their experience?
Public Comments
- No, you don't need to stay home that long in normal circumstances. Do remember that every surgery might have complications though. Mine went rather well, I had no adverse reactions to anaesthetic and I had surgery when I was 21. Therefore I'm telling you about results in good conditions, r your own body might react otherwise. You should avoid all physical strain for about two weeks. You really need to do that. Lifting stuff etc. might tear open your sutures. And you'll ache. Do count on feeling rather bad for about 7 to 10 days. If I were you, I would take time off for at least a week. Minimum/ If you have a sedentary job that should be fine, assuming your surgery goes well and you react ok to the anaesthetic .Ask your surgeon if it's a LAPROSCOPIC surgery. If it is, it will reduce your recovery time. If not, ask him if it can be. To me, the feeling felt like being "kicked in the gut repeatedly". I had trouble walking up stairs for a while. I was in hospital for 3 days (should have been 4, but got realeased early.). I could stand up right after surgery, to go to the loo etc. However, you won't be able to walk for a long time the first few days. You'll feel like lying down a lot for 3-4 days, but this will pass. Eating, however, might make you sick for considerable time. You should be on fluid meals as long as the doctor tells you to. Once you start solid food, count on having at least some swelling from the surgery. This might cause you to vomit quite violently for the first few months you try to eat solid food. Therefore I suggest NOT eating at work or in front of your coworkers for the first 2-3 months after surgery (take a shake, milk drink, yoghurt, etc) You will definately need more than 2 days though, even if your treshold of pain is high and you're stubborn like me. Ps:Remember you might not be able to swallow (literally) the pain medication. Ask you pharmacist about pills you can just suck on (in advance of surgery)
