HELP!!!!

i had surg 4-5 and have been home since friday 4-8. I have NO energy to do anything and NO urge to eat anything. I still get some in but it just upsets my stomach. I have lost 15 lbs since my surg. I feel light headed all the time and afraid to go out of the house. i hear some others have been doing great and going out and doing things, has anyone been through what i am going through? if so how did you deal with it. i consider myself a strong will'ed person and a great healer, but i am getting a bit scared about this. If you can help please post!!! thank you, take care, dede

Dede, So sorry to hear things are not going well. I am pre-op, but went to a nutrition class on Friday. The dietician told us that the most important thing the first week or two is to prevent dehydration. She suggests constant sipping. Another thing she said is that if you can't ge****er in, do sugar free popscicles. Sometimes they are a bit easier than liquids. The other thing that is important is not to compare yourself.Everybody is different. If you are light headed I bet you are dehydrated. If you don't feel better tomorrow I would call the doctor. Hope you feel better and keep us posted. HUGS, Krista

I agree it could be the dehydration causing the dizziness. I am thinking you may be experiencing some depression, too, however. My girlfriend went through this right after surgery and your symptoms sound just like hers. I have also heard that people have to force themselves to eat after surgery. Let's face it, our bodies have just faced a big change and our emotional friend "food" has been taken away as a coping device. You absolutely need to get your protein in to aid in your healing and to avoid losing muscle due to your body going into starvation mode. Fifteen pounds is good for barely a week out of surgery, but if your body does go into starvation mode, you will slow or stop losing weight. It's your body's way of protecting itself. Get hold of your doctor, see if you are a candidate for antidepressants, and ask what you can do to help you get your protein and water in. It's SO IMPORTANT, please don't wait. Just want the best for you, Pam

You just had MAJOR surgery. We all react differently. I didn't feel hungry or the urge to eat for 4 weeks post-op. I had my first hunger rumble about 5 days ago. You need to ge****er in, somehow, someway. If you are not able to do this, CALL YOUR SURGEON!! Do not suffer at home alone. Let him know what is going on. You shouldn't drive for 4 weeks after surgery. So don't drive. Have someone else drive you. Feeling light-headed....that could be dehydration or side-effects of pain meds. Either way, I'd call your surgeon. I called my surgeon 3 times since I've been home about one thing or another. All post-op appointments the first 3-6 months are FREE (well...covered under your surgery cost) so use it! Call him and see if you need to come in or something different to help you.

Ive been told the no energy will hit, it just hits some of us sooner. I had surjury 4/4 too. I also had a hard time the first day home getting in anything. I still do not have an appetite. My surgeon told me to think protein first so I started just drinking carb conscious carnation instant breakfast(4gm protein) with carb countdown milk (12g protein). I made it according to the package and I was at first just doing 3 oz every 2 hours and sipping water in between but I was feeling dizzy and afraid to leave the house so I started just making the drink and sitting with it, sipping it until I finished it (sometimes it would take over an hour to get down), then waited 3 hours and tried another one. I added a half a scoop of any whey protein powder to this to bring it up to 23 gm protein, a full scoop just made it too thick to drink. It wasnt easy, I wasnt hungry and didnt want anything at all (still dont) but I did notice if I could get this in at least 3 times a day, the dizziness went away so now Im just going for protein drinks, and getting in water when I walk. I was able to drink 20 oz of water today, it seemed the more I walked the dryer my mouth became so I sipped on water and by the time I had gotton home I had nearly finished off the water. It is all trial and error and you just have to figure out what works best for you. I also try to drink a cup of the carb countdown choclate milk before bed (12g protein) and I warm it in the microwave so it feels like hot chocolate, and seems to soothe my pouch. Im finding it is getting better day by day. I hope you can at least get in the protein so the dizziness will stop. I had dizziness in the hospital too and to have extra IV fluids. It worked while in the hospital, and the protein is working now, thank goodness. Sip, sip sip if you have too to get it in, it is better than getting dehydrated and you dont want to do that. Hugs, Sandy

Dede, do you have help at home. I helps to have someone remind you to eat. I have been eating soups w/ alittle protein mixed in..unflavored whey protein. and some instant cream of wheat made with non fat milk and a little protein. Try without the protein if it is too much..cream of potatoe soup is good, cream of chicken..etc.. email as often as you need to..I felt terrible too. I think I feel better taking the pain med more often. But we do feel horrible for a week or more. Let me know what your md recommends!

Dear Dede, I went through the same thing you are experiencing. You have to drink your clear liquids and take your vitamins. Most of all you have to MOVE AROUND!. Tell your body to get up!. I know its hard Lord knows I do but as long as you stay in the bed your body will become more weaker. If you have a friend or a family member that can walk with you outside go walk!. Even if it is just down the block to the supermarket. Take care you are in my prayers.