Hello all,
I am post-op day #5 from a laparascopic donation. While I am VERY appreciative of all the advice on this forum (I arrived at the hospital armed with my prunes!) I don't think I was fully prepared for the trauma to the GI system. Despite frequent walking, good hydration, and minimal narcotic use it has taken this long for me to feel a bit more comfortable, still not "normal" in the way everything moves throughout. Much more painful than any surgical pain itself!
I don't say it to complain - my body is starting to settle itself out again - but for the many people, like me, who turn to this board for pre-op anecdotes.
Also, when they say bring sweatpants, bring BIG sweatpants. My surgeon didn't tell me until one-day pre-op that he expects his patients to gain 10 kg (22 lbs) with all the fluid/swelling. I indeed gained somewhere between 10-15 lbs and while it is almost gone, I didn't fit in any of the sweats I had brought with me.