HELP! 8days Post-Op!

I am having a hard time...I got my staples and tube out yesterday and I had all this energy and I think I over did it or something cause I feel aweful today. My body is so sore...my tummy mostly. I get so worried that I made the wrong choice because I hate being tired and helpless. I wont to drink til I am not thirsty and I can't! I am so afraid of hurting myself or doing something wrong...I mean everyone has told me how much to drink and eat per how ever many minutes and hours and I am like so confused...nobody really knows and I hate not know!!! I also worry because it seems like all of the post-ops (long term) at my group meetings are so tired all the time...I DONT WANT TO BE TIRED ALL THE TIME!! I know most are posting good things sorry to break the chain. I just thought somebody might have some uplifting news or views. THANKS and sorry again. Sabrina

Hi Sabrina, I know exactly how you feel. I am 16 days post op and went through the same feelings last week! I hated the fact that I had the surgery, was in miserable pain and so damn tired. I am still tired, but very little if any pain now. I am feeling better and have lost almost 30 lbs already. Also, I found info on another site about hibernation mode. That means that in about 2 weeks after surgery the body goes into starvation mode and slows metabolism down, this lasts about 2 weeks then you feel better still. There is no real advice here, just on post op to another telling you it does pass. One day I woke up feeling so much better. It'll happen, just keep your chin up. DAwn

Hi, Sabrina. I'm 16 days post-op, and the week I was feeling the same way. I thought I had really done a number on myself and that I'd never feel the same again. Well, I was right - I feel BETTER!! Believe me, you will NOT feel tired and lethargic forever, and you certainly won't be helpless, even though I know you feel that way now. Part of this whole post-op process is learning how to eat again. That means playing a little trial and error with what you eat and drink. Try not to be afraid of hurting yourself. You're not going to know how you tolerate certain things unless you try them first. You'll do a lot more harm than good by avoiding the precious little food that our pouches can hold than if you try to eat something. If you throw up a couple of times, so what? I think it's safe to say that we all do at some point. It's just part of learning what our "new bodies" can tolerate and what they can't. You CAN drin****il you satisfy your thirst - just take it slow. SIP, not gulp your fluids. Otherwise, drink as much as you want. My surgeon told me to drink constantly, as it helps keep the outlet to the pouch clear and keeps everything flowing the way it should. If you feel the urge to gulp your fluids, or if you feel like you just can't get enough no matter how much you drink, you may be dehydrated. If you're concerned, do NOT be afraid to call your doctor's office. That's what they're there for! As for foods - just follow your doctor's orders. Every surgeon is different in how and when they want their patients to eat. Just take it SLOW. Take small bites and chew them extremely well. I've found that it helps me to mentally count each chew. And by the time I count to thirty, anything in my mouth is pretty much near liquified by then. I hope this has been of some help. Just remember - IT WILL ALL GET BETTER! You've done a wonderful thing for yourself, even if it doesn't feel that way now. Believe me, with the passage of a little time, you'll see that the good far outweighs the bad. God Bless! Amy