Post op Day 3 Questions

Hi All, I had surgery 9/8, came home yesterday (9/10). Am in considerable amount of pain, am bloated like I am pregnant! Cannot get out of bed myself. Sleeping in the recliner in Lvg room instead. Am having a HELL of a time getting the liquids in. Supposed to be protein, 1 oz every 15 minutes. Lucky if I get 2 oz an hour, it makes me feel too full and uncomfortable. Having the runs, but no fever to speak of (*100.5 highest). Is this all normal? Some people sound like they are just "sore" like too many sit ups, that ain't me! I know the older I get the more of a baby I am, just need some reassurance from some of the others who just went through this.

Hi Denise, welcome to the losers side. I too have pain and discomfort, I spent my first few days out of the hospital at my boyfriend's house because he had a nice cozy recliner. I'm weak often, and still having pain in my abdomen, and yes, I had difficulty getting in the liquids at first too. But I'm now doing a lot better, feeling mostly great but still in pain, probably around the level that everyone else was after surgery. There is one thing to remember above everything else... YOU are the ONLY Denise, and this is perfectly normal for your recovery process. Just like I'm the only Rachel and my response is perfect for me. Keep that in mind sweetie, You are doing great, rest up, feel stronger and better in no time, oh, keep walking, it's vital, even if you feel like garbage. HUGS Rachel PS Another normal but not discussed thing is that it's difficult when you first have a bowel movement post op. And passing the gas they fill you with is tricky for a while too... write anytime!

speaking of your ps. Boy that is one thing they don't tell you! Never trust a fa*t. There may be more there than gas. Sorry if I am being gross just a fact of surgery nobody told me about! Rob 330/???/200

I wish someone would have warned me about the gas thing...it is miserable. I only WISH that I could FART...I might feel better. Switched back to clear liquids until this phase passes (pun intended). Denise

Hey Denise, believe it or not for me the gas passed a lot easier once there were solids in me. okay, mushes in me. LOL... but before they were the gas was unbearable... think eating actually made that one better... one of my mainstays right now is pintos and cheese and they are gas makers and i don't feel the same gas pain as post-op... WALK even when it hurts, it really helps with the gas, when i needed to burp i'd walk and out it would come (avg of 5 steps here LOL) HUGS Rachel Gotta laugh, this is just a silly topic!

Yeah, I know the deadly farts... have you managed to notice that they smell worse now too... another warning they didn't give us! LOL HUGS We'll make it through this! Rachel

Rachel, you always have such great advice. I've been following your responses the last week or so and am always impressed by your openness & great responses. My surgery is coming up and I was wondering what the pain would be like. Thanks for posting a response to this.

Anything for you J Bee! I'm an open book (can't ya tell?) If you want to know something about me, just ask, you'll find the answer! LOL... HUGS to you, you'll do great! Rachel

HI DENISE, JUST GOT HOME ON THE 10TH. HAD TERRIBLE PAINS ALSO AND COULD NOT GO THE BATHROOM EITHER. IN MY DICHARGE SHEET IT MENTIONED I COULD TAKE A STOOL SOFTNER ON MILD LAXATIVE. I TOOK DOCUSATE SODIUM100MG. 12 HOURS APPART STILL NO GO HAD LOTS OF PAIN I DID START TO PASS GASS WHICH HELPED SOME BUT I TOOK A SUPPOSITORY AND IN ABOUT 1 HOUR SUCCESS MAYBE CHECK WITH YOUR M.D. THEY ALSO PUT A G-TUBE IN DURING THE SURGURY SAID IT WAS JUST IN CASE A PROBLEM CAME UP. I HAVE CARDIAC PROBLEMS AND HAVE BEEN A DIABETIC FOR A LONG TIME. DID NOT LIKE IT AT FIRST BUT AM USING IT TO GET ALL MY MEDS IN AN EXTRA WATER TOO. AND I TOTALLY AGREE DON'T TRUST THE GRUMBLES IT MIGHT BE MORE!!!LOL GOOD LUCK ALL JOYCE P.

Hi, Denise! This is my first time on this msg brd. I think you are doing great just by being able to sit up and type your long msg the 2nd day after coming home! I had surgery on 9-6-05 and home 9-8-05. I am now 1 wk postop. I feel great although I do still have some pain. It will definitely get better. Every day I feel stronger. As far as the gas goes, I go sit on the toilet to relieve it instead of straining to pu**** out (which can be risky anyway!) Note to Rachel -- I love your comments, too. I have a question -- how do you get off these nasty tape marks from the IV, bandages, etc.??!!! I have picked at them until I am sore! Pls help! Hang in there, Denise.