New and need support...
I'm new here, and am really feeling quite low. I'm three weeks out from a RNY. After the surgery, I developed an abcess that was infected. Now I have a wound that needs to be packed everyday (it's beyond gross). I'm so tired. I can't get my vitamin down, let alone all the protein. I'm so scared of messing something up. I really am very, very weak. I'm looking forward to next MOnday when I'll be able to eat something real again. I'm hoping it will help with my energy level. Right now, though, I feel like a failure. Can anyone relate? Sorry to be such a downer....I just don't know where else to go.
Jenn
Don't feel bad about feeling bad. This surgery is major and it affects different people different ways. Some sail through and some don't. Your body has been through something major and that is rough both physically and emotionally. Please know that all this will pass and will be a distant memory oneday and you will heal and will get your energy levels back and have weight loss to boot. Remember you are not messing up right now if you are following the orders. Don't fret of you aren't able to get it all in.That is one thing every newbie struggles with. All of us struggled to get proper protein and fluid levels just like you. It comes with time and healing! This will all pass...just takes time. You will eventually learn your new pouch and this new way of life. Feel free to vent or ask questions anytime. We have all been there! It is something we have to learn....a new RNY life. Hang in there Jenn!
P.S. You are not a failure.... you're a winner for taking control of your health!
Lisa
Your body has been through a Major ordeal, and it's natural to feel week! Your body is not getting all the nourishment that it's used to and it's a little angry about it! But it will get used to it. The infection sucks. But it sounds like it's being treated appropriately. My hospital roommate had the same problem and now she has surpassed her goal and feels great. That will be you in time too.
I was down for the count as far as energy goes for a full 4 weeks. I know this is a hard time. I think a lot of us had points where we wondered, what the heck was I thinking? What did I do this to myself? But hang on...because you'll get your answer very soon...it WILL get better.
Try your best to get your vitamins down because your body needs those nutrients. If the current one doesn't work for you, try another kind. Even Flintstones are better than nothing! And make sure you sip, sip, sip, because you don't want to get dehydrated too!
Hang in there...it will get better and it will be worth it!
Your are NOT a failure. You are a WINNER! You took a very hard step in taking control of your health, now give your body time to heal. Treat yourself as you would have treated your very best friend if she/he was in the situation you are in now. We tend to be so hard on ourselves.
Remember to sip, sip, sip. Move as much as you can (short walks) and rest. Take care of YOU.
You are worth every bit of love you can show yourself.
Sending lots of hugs your way.............................Carrie
First of all, you are absolutely in the right place, coming here for support. That's what we are here for. It's what we all need and in order to get it we have to keep giving it.
Second, you are NOT a failure!!! You are a winner! We have lived our entire lives telling ourselves what a failure we are that it is very difficult to change those self-messages. You must learn to say something nice about yourself at least once a day. Eventually you will learn to add to the list.
Try the Gummi Bears children's chewables. A couple of those a day is better than nothing. And they taste great!
Keep a protein shake with you at all times and sip on it throughout the day. That will help with your energy levels. Just force yourself to do it as long as you are not vomiting it back up.
Probably the biggest cause of weakness and fatigue at the beginning is lack of hydration. PLEASE be sure to sip at least 2 oz of fluids every half hour even if you have to set a timer! That will ensure that you are keeping properly hydrated.
And if you can manage it, take a 10 min walk every hour even if it's just inside your house! This will help build your strength, avoid complications, and increase your energy levels as well.
We are all here to help you. And there is a bonus: I have made some WONDERFUL friends here on this forum and I am sure you will too!
Hope this helps!
(((Jenn,)))
I'm so sorry that you are having such a hard time. If you look at my profile during June, I think you'll probably see that I had a meltdown when I was about 2 or 3 weeks out and I didn't have the infection issue that you are dealing with. What I can tell you is that you have really hit the worst of it and it will be getting better. It's a process and it takes time. I remember thinking "OMG! What have I done!!" But, I also want to assure you that I'm so very glad I did it for so many reasons. Keep coming here, when you are able go to the support group meetings at Duke and I host a monthly support group meeting in Raleigh the 3rd Sat of each month. I have found that the support groups really helped me a great deal.
You are not messing things up. If you haven't done so already, call Patrick and call the nurse. Let them know that you are having trouble getting in your protien and vitamins. I know that when I was having a hard time they told me that hydration was number one, protien was number two and vitamins and supplements were number three. That doesn't mean to just ditch protien and supplements, but getting enough hydration is really important. You need as much protien as you can get because your body needs it to repair itself. Of course, as RNY patients, we will always needs supplementation because significant portions of our gastric system that absorb nutrients have been removed or rerouted, so do the best that you can ... but don't beat yourself up and do realize that it's a process.
You are not a failure. You will make it and life will be okay again. It just will take some time.
Wishing you every success on this journey of a lifetime.
Warmly,
Barb
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
Jenn
Jenn,
The fatique is very normal. Some people have a rougher time with it than others, so be gentle with yourself. I know that you have your 3 wk follow up soon, but if you are struggling, please call Patrick or the RN ... they are there to help and will respond. They may have some suggestions and/or words of comfort about how you are doing with the protien and vitamins. As you've said, concentrate on the hydration and do the best you can with the other things. It will get better with time; you will be able to get more and more protien in and more and more supplements. You will also find that your endurance will improve, but remember that while you may not have huge scars, you did just have MAJOR surgery and it really does take about 6 to 8 weeks to recover from that. Be gentle with you ... I know it's hard, but pretend it was your best friend that was going through this ... I'll bet you'd tell her she was doing a great job and to go take a nap ;-) ...
Hugs,
Barb
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
