Almost 4 weeks post-op - :help:

Ok, time I updated everybody. Surgery had some unexpected complications such as extremely low blood pressure and then kidney dysfunction. I was hospitalized for 5 days instead of the usual 2.2 days. I came home very weak---but weaned myself off of the pain killers in 4 days. I sleep when I'm tired and try to move as often as possible when awake. I have taken short car trips to the store and doctor's office as needed. I pureed foods for the first 10 days and then couldn't stomach it anymore---so I just chew my tiny bites of food until it's mushy and then swallow. I have only vomiting once, and it was after eating a 1/4 of macaroni/cheese which I probably will forgo for a long period of time, as I didn't like I how felt---very bloated, gaseous etc. for three hours! Very uncomfortable. Now I eat about every two to three hours and attempt to keep liquids (water) down. I probably am not drinking enough fluids as of yet, but I am fininding it hard to drink and eat anything at this time. Has anyone else experienced not being interested in eating or drinking? I'm averaging about 600 calories a day, and I am forcing myself to eat that amount---does this eventually clear up? I am scheduled to return to work in one week, but right now do not have the energy to do so---I may ask for an extension while my energy returns in spurts. I have lost a total of 23 pounds since the day of surgery (this does not include the extra 12 pounds of fluid I gained while on the IV's---was very disappointed to come home weighing more than when I went into surgery---so if I count the added fluid weight, I guess I have lost 35 pounds---Is this a normal progression? What can I expect on a weekly basis one month post op? Please share! How soon can I expect to feel "normal" again with the eating/drinking process? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi Stacia, I'm not sure how we're supposed to feel at 4 week's out~I'm only three week's out. The complications may be adding to the way you feel. I do know that we are not supposed to eat pasta, rice or real potatoes. They are starches and turn to sugar in our systems. That's probabaly why you didn't feel well after eating the Mac-n -cheese. I'm supposed to be getting in between 700 and 900 calories a day. The most I've managed has been 500 (yesterday). I was only able to do that by drinking 3 protein shakes made with skim milk. Everytime I eat solid foods I feel sick, and bloated for several hours after. Sometimes it's so bad I can't even drink water. Some people do come home with a weight gain. It is usually caused by the fluids from the I.V. Sound's like you've already lost it though. You will feel better eventually. Give your body time to heal. It's normal to feel tired one day, and energized the next. I'm not sure how long before it all evens out. Wishing you continued success as you continue on your journey. God bless you, Annette

Stacia, Your losses sound great!! I agree with the other person, your setbacks are most likely the reason you don't feel as recovered as you thought you should feel. Try eating cream soups ( Target and Walmart have cream of salsa verde, and cream of ranchero tomato, cream of shrimp, cream of broc & cheese, asparagus etc...very yummy)and sugar free fudge popscicles or the health smart creamsicles, they taste great and will give you some more calories and liquids. I ate this stuff all the time and all day long. Are you taking vitamins? Those help alot with energy. Honestly I hated eating and drinking, still do sometimes. But, the more food or liquids I get in the more normal I have felt and I started vitamins on my 2nd day home. I hope this helps Trina

Hi Stacia I am so glad you asked this. I came on this board today to ask these very questions. Tomorrow I will be 1 month out and am having alot of trouble eating. I had no complications after surgery. I have my one month post op Thurs. so I can't answer that question. But thought for sure that because of the problems I had a strickture. But after hearing others are having the same problems I am a bit releived (sorry). I have gotten alot of things stuck, the worse being last night, threw up 7 times before I got it out. I really don't understand since I am now cleared to eat whatever I "want or can" seems I can't eat anything but soup. Is this normal? I started back at work after 2 weeks and I still have no energy. I think I get about 500 calories a day, but am taking all my vits. I have only lost 13 lbs. Maybe we will have some answers soon.

My doctor has kept me on liquids for 3 weeks and then I go to pureed for 3 weeks before I can eat real food. I do know that when you throw up or get things stuck, you are supposed to go back to liquids until you feel better. Try waiting a little while longer before you eat more. I went back to week 2 weeks after and I feel great and have energy. Are you taking a B12 vitamin? Try taking it in the morning after breakfast. Carla

Hey there, I don't think we are ever going to be "normal" again .If normal means able to take down food without any symptoms . I am six weeks out and have been through many changes. My natural instinct wants to eat and drink in comfort but that ain't happening. Eating has become like taking medicine. you do it cause you have to. I feel good between meals, then I take my couple spoons of food and wait for my stomach to stop felling funny. I see others eat and want so badly to just do that like they do. I feel thirst aand can't get my fill of water even,so I eat ice all day. I am about 30 pounds down and that is good. I guess we just have to look at this as a different kind of journey and take it one step at a time.

There are some really good posts here. I hope that all of this advice has given you some peace. I can really relate to what Angel said: I feel good between meals, then I eat and have to wait for my stomach to quit feeling funny. But I do notice that after everything settles down again, I feel better and stronger for having ate. I can imagine that after decades of abuse, my stomach is probably wondering what the heck is going on...I figure this may take a while to get used to. Maybe years. I stuffed my gut horribly for years, so I guess it is only fair that it takes a while to get used to these changes...

Hey guys, I am 5 weeks post-op- I feel great! down 40 pounds I never had any pain, so far so good. I am eating solid foods. I really need to work on the fluids. I went to Applebee's for the first time since surgery and ate the middle of 1 chicken nugget, that was all. I have not found a protien drink that I can handle. It is so hard to drink the required amount of fluid, I drink cyrstal light and water with lemon juice. My doctor told me that the weight gain would pick up when I started to drink more. I take 2 chewable flintstones vitiams a day. I didn't think that I would ever have energy...Guess What? It is awesome how quickly you can feel like a new person. I was told not to drink 30 min before eating and 90 after eating. when I do eat a bit, it is protien foods. My snacks consist of sugar free pudding, sugar free or no sugar added fudge ice cream bars, sugar free jello. This sugery was the best thing I have done for myself, Even though I know I have lost the weight, I still don't see it when I look in the mirror.