Post Surgery - How much could you take in?

It took me all day to get in a YOP yesterday.  Plus 4tbsp of ice cream and half of a popsicle.  This was my best day ever.  I so thirsty, but I just can't jam anymore into myself.

Today it's been half a cup of water, 4tbsp of icecream and I'm going to try some apple juice.

Everything seems to make me burp and fill with gas (owch!) and if I have to take my codeine liquid for pain the tsp of that liquid feels like a meal.

I'm a bit frustrated.  I had a cry last night.  I'm just not sure what to expect.

I'm flat out exhausted.  

Surgery was on Tuesday, I think weds or thursday I had a really rough day so they released me on Friday.  I can't remember much of the last two days except resting and trying to 'eat' and showering. 

Please tell me what your immediate recovery was like as far as consumption and what you felt like 'doing'.  I'm not sure if I'm a wimp, if something is wrong, or if I'm recovering 'normally'.

Dreena

Don't worry that's very normal.  In my days post-op I made it from the bed to the couch and walked to the kitchen and back to the couch.  I attempted water with a half a packet of crystal light.  I think I got in maybe 2 tbsps of yogurt through out the day.  My main concern was trying to get in my liquids, it didn't happen until maybe 3-4 weeks out.  The sugar free popsicles really did help me get fluids in.   Apple juice and apple sauce gave me extreme heartburn so I avoided them.

Because I wasn't eating anything and on pain meds, I was extremely tired and had no endurance.  I would get out of breath just walking to the kitchen, it's to be expected because of what you've just gone through.  It took me 2-3 months to feel normal again.  You will get better, just give it time!

Just remember to sip, sip, sip.  Little sips will help you get your fluids in.  Your stomach is very swollen (my nurse told me it could stay swollen until 2-3 months).  Everything I drank or ate made my tummy sound like an alien with all the gurgling and bubbles.  It even woke the dogs up and set them barking lol.  The burping is completely normal and it still continues for me today.

Do your best with the liquids and try to rest as much as you can.  Don't push yourself to do too much because you'll just wear yourself out and end up dehydrated.  Whenever you're awake, try to remember to sip your fluids and walk for a little bit.

Jill

You are normal Dreena. Listen to Jill...and your body. You need to sip,sip,sip. I know you'l get sick of that advice but it is the best one. Keep a water bottle beside you and sip every few minutes. Honestly though, I am 6 1/2 months out and I just start to gulp now...meaning I can take more than three swallows at a time.

It will get better *hug*

This was me as well.  I am still having issues with nausea especially after drinking or eating.  At the begginning I did the constant sipping as well.  Also I would drink ensure because then you got both nutrients and your fluid in.  Also I found water was the worse and still is.  Be careful as it is easy to become low on energy because you are not taking enough in.  The amount you can take in will increase as the swelling goes down.  At the beginning I could make a package of oatmeal last three to to four meals. 
Take care get lots of rest and each day should get better.

I had a great day today as far as intake, and it's amazing how much clearer and positive I feel getting a little nourishment in.

I was able to drink:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup of boost high protein.
1/4 cup of juice
1/2 cup milk

I ate:
1 yogurt cup
4 tbsp of cottage cheese!! (YES YES YES!)

The cottage cheese is so cool and it's nice to be able to chew something. It was just the right texture to be satisfying.

Thanks for everyone's encouragement.  I seem to be in a holding pattern of two good days, one bad, two better days, one bad.  As long as it keeps moving forward, It's all good!

This recovery period has made a huge movement on the scale already, probably partly because they couldn't get an IV in me for long without my veins stopping.  I actually ended up having to have a itty bitty pediatric IV put in, after about 10 futile tries.  My arms look like I suffer from some HUGE former junkie issues.  LOL.  Bruising, tracks, poke marks.  SO BAD.  I'd rather show people my tummy than my arms right now!

I also was able to shower, dress, and put on a bra today.  Cleaned a 1/3 of the counter top and do some research on the net today.  Instead of just laying like 'blah'.

Hugs,

Dreena

good to hear

Hey Dreena,

Sounds like you are right one track to where most of us were this early out. The main thing right now is to stay hydrated trust me you don't want to have to go back to Emergency for dehydration, it sucks.
At this point in the game I was sleeping most of the time and when I wasn't sleeping I was sipping and walking the halls but feeling like I was getting where. It was a chore to get one fit in front of the other, but it gets better. Now at 4 months out I'm back working 2 jobs and 14 hour days on my feet and if someone told me in the first 2 weeks I'd be able to do it I would have cryed cause I had no energy. A simple 5 minutes of standing doing dishes would tire me out.
Good Luck on your journey and enjoy it cause it goes by fast. I'm still wondering where the last 4 months went. I'm thinking the anesthetic has made me forget...lol...

Kee.

Yup, I was the same.  My Dad found it extremely funny that my husband kept reminding me to eat & drink.  It was such an odd thing to have someone telling me to eat.

Emotionally I really struggled.  I cried out of exhaustion & frustration several times. 

It sounds like you are doing just fine & recovering normally!

Hugs,

Katrina

THanks Keelan and Kat!  Everyone!

Yes, it is strange not feeling very hungry.  I think yesterday I felt fatigued and stressed and didn't get much in as the day before.

Today I'm trying to be a little more on target.  I think my swelling has gone down some because I'm able to get alot more fluid in without discomfort...as long as I pace it and pour out several med cups.  This is good!

I'll try something soft foodish for lunch (probably cottage cheese).   I tried some scrambled egg yesterday, it didn't go down as easy as the cottage cheese, but it was ok.
WEIRD how one scrambled egg looks like a spoonful and before I'd be wanting 3 eggs worth...now that small portion is just a little bit too much.   Unbelievable!

THanks for the feedback, I feel better knowing that I'm on track with the experiences of my peers!

D