Recovery 1 month post Robotic Repair

[jjtwhip]

Hello!
I have read your forum for several months, but this is my first time to post! I have a question. My dad (64) had robotic repair one month ago today. His surgery was a success as stated by the doctor. He still has a fib and is on coumadin. That is regulated. Here is the question.. My dad did great! Two weeks post surgery he was back at his office job. However, this past week has been terrible. He has felt very weak and not been hungry at all. He is very tired. It just seems like such a huge step back! Is this normal? He will not talk to his doctor about this.. very stubborn!! He seems to think it is because of all the pain meds and it is a digestive issue rather than a heart issue. He got off his pain meds a week ago because of this. I dont know if this could also be the cause of feeling so weak.. no more pain meds in him. I would love any response! Thank you so much and God Bless!

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to the VR forum. Glad you found us. Ditto what Oaktree said....I'm not very familiar with the robotic procedure but back to work 2 weeks post op, even with an office job, seems a bit quick. He is probably overdoing it. Very easy to do, especially if your stubborn......trust me I know from experience .

Has there been any unusual weight gain. If so, that could mean fluid build up. You should get him to talk to his doctor.

 

[Freddie]

Yep, your dad has probably over done himself......too soon. And his body is telling him so. Dad needs time to recover.

Time to play hardball son, call the doctor yourself. Explain everything to the doctor and try to ask your dad if he feels if he has gained any weight.

Tough Love usually works,
Good Luck and lets us know how things are going.

 

[jjtwhip]

no weight gain

no weight gain

My dad has had no weight gain. In fact, he has lost about 13 lbs. since surgery! I just hope he gets better soon.. I feel like this is how someone should be right after surgery, not one month out. I would feel better about it had he been like this the whole time, it is just that he was doing so great before!

 

[WayneGM]

My dad has had no weight gain. In fact, he has lost about 13 lbs. since surgery! I just hope he gets better soon.. I feel like this is how someone should be right after surgery, not one month out. I would feel better about it had he been like this the whole time, it is just that he was doing so great before!

If it's any consolation that he is not alone, I felt better the first week post op, while all the drugs were masking how I really felt, than I did a month later after I was weaned completely off any drugs. During the course of my recovery I learned it was not a linear progression of getting progressively better week after week like I had expected....it was a series of ups and downs like a roller coaster ride. One day/week I'd feel really great and the next day/week not so great. It was a full year before I can honestly say my recovery stablized and the rolling hills smoothed out. Like me, I suspect you and your dad will have to find the patience to cope with this hilly ride.

One last piece of advice....if in doubt about how he is feeling during the course of his recovery, seek a doctor's opinion. I didn't and ended up back in the hospital for a week, just because I was too stubborn to ask because I didn't want to bother anyone. My Cardiac Surgeon gave me heck for not calling sooner and told me "if in doubt call no matter what". I pass that advice along whenever I can.

Best wishes and good luck. It does get better, but it takes time.

 

[ctyguy]

Maybe stepdown meds are the answer ?

Maybe stepdown meds are the answer ?

The pain medication can give you a false sense of security because they mask the healing process. I tried to get off my pain medication two weeks after my procedure because of the same reason as your dad did, digestive issues. Blood in my stool, etc. I thought that I could tough it out with Tylenol only and within 3 or 4 days of the switch I felt like crap, much worse than when I was on the Percocets, digestive issues and all. I went back to my doctor and he gave me a different pain medication (Ultracet) that was a few steps down from the Percocets and which would supposably be easier on my digestive system. Its only been two days now but I do feel alot better. I have energy again, a bit of an appetite, and certainly a more positive outlook again. Now Im waiting to see how my digestive system responds. My doc told me it would be a few days before I would know for sure.

 

[Adrienne]

The A-Fib could also be causing him to be very tired.

 

[ruth]

Everyone is different in their reactions to surgery. IMHO your dad is doing way too much way too soon. Again, imho, he shouldn't even be back to work for 6 weeks minimum and at 4 weeks should be doing some very serious relaxing, walking, eating right, etc.

Having robotic doesn't mean you don't need to recover. I think a 3-12 month recovery period is perfectly normal and should be expected. Being stubborn doesn't help, there can be serious (but rare) complications and trotting off to work at 2 weeks like life should be back to normal sounds a bit like denial to me.

I hope he'll go to the Dr. and listen and rest and be patient.

Peace,
Ruth

 

[Curtsmum]

Really hope you can get your dad to see a doctor, sending hugs and best wishes your way. Wishing you a good out come, please let us know how you get on. Take care.

 

[cp172]

I am 5 1/2 weeks post surgery. They used the robot on me for 50% of the surgery. I was back at work in 3 weeks and as has already been said you do not get better each day.The last couple of days I have had new pains and restless nights.By the afternoon I am real tired and the soreness in my chect has built up to the point I am very moody (even the dog avoids me).I think your dad needs to slow down and spend time recovering. Best of luck.