Is this normal?

Hi everyone, as most of you know, I just had lap RNY on Wednesday, so I'm just 3 days post op. Today is my 2nd day home. I slept pretty well last night (in my own bed)!! Yeah!! I got up about every few hours and used the bathroom or took pain meds or got more water. Anyway, I feel better today than i thought I would, however I have a couple questions and want to know if this is "normal" at 3 days post op. First of all, I am EXTREMELY tired. I just really want to sleep. I've made myself get up and fold some laundry, but I really am EXHAUSTED!! Is that normal? Secondly (sorry if this is TMI), I feel like I have to pass gas, but I actually have diarhea (pure liquid) that is black (like soil/dirt). It's not painful or uncomfortable or anything like that. I just want to know if this is normal? I'm still following the rule they gave me in the hospital, to drink 1 oz. of fluid every 15 minutes. Since I got home yesterday I've had jus****er, but this afternoon I did have a SF popsicle. I'm afraid to try too much at once, so now I'm back to jus****er. Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Heather

Heather,

Congrats on your surgery. Everything sounds normal, I was very tired for the first week or so. I also had trouble thinking I was having gas and it was diarrhea, in a few weeks you might wish you were having diarrhea. A couple of people on the men's board had told me to never trust a fart. I think I had that problem for a good week then it started getting better. IT still happens once in a blue moon.

Good luck!

Jeff

Being tired after any surgery is perfectly normal. Only do as much as you can, but don't over do it.  Some of it is because your body is recovering and another part is because of the pain pills.  They naturally make you sleepy.  If your body tells you to sleep then that's what you need - sleep.  Enjoy it while you can.

Um.. not to be asking too many personal, er... ewwwy questions, but what is the consistency of the diarrhea?  Pure liquid might be okay but if it's the consistency of say, coffee grounds, you might wanna call your doctor.  Is it pure coffee black, or just dark brown?  Are all your post op poops the same or is this one different?  I guess, the black color makes me a touch nervous.  I probably would call the doctor.  Black poops that are like coffee grounds are a classic symptom of G.I. bleeding.  Dont let me upset you, just might be a good thing to call your doc and verify that this is okay/normal.

take care.
Ellen

Believe me, nothing's too personal or ewwwy at this point. It's kind of like when I had a baby... I thought I'd want to be all discreet and everything, but I got to a point where I didn't care who saw what as long as they got the baby out!! To answer your questions, the poops are pure liquid, no coffee grounds, they're a real dark dark brown, almost black, but not quite, they look the same each time. I've only had surgery one other time (had my gall bladder removed 2 years ago) and I do not remember having any kind of diarhea after that surgery. I'm not in any pain before, during, or after pooping.

I think that we all had diarrhea for at least 2 weeks post op.  After all, you're only taking in liquid, so liquid in, liquid out...  The color was what concerned me.  I think that it's probably not anything to worry about, but a call to the doctor wouldn't hurt.  This is coming from a definite "non-medical professional", and there are some on here, maybe they'll chime in too.

take care and let us know how it goes.
Ellen

Thanks Ellen,
I will definitely give the dr. a call just to make sure it's normal, but I do feel better knowing that it's normal to have diarhea and to be so sleepy. Thanks again for your advice. It is greatly appreciated!!!
Heather

Heather,  I will second the fact that being exhausted is par for the course right now.  I remember that just taking a quick shower would *wipe - me - out*!!!  I would collapse on my bed, wet and nekkid, for a good 10-15 minutes afterwards before I could even attempt drying, dressing, combing my hair and then I'd have to do most of that sitting down!  It took me a good while before my energy started to return.  I want to say at least a couple of weeks if not several.  Please be kind to yourself and take advantage of taking it easy for as long as you can.  After the weightloss and adjustments start setting in, your energy will return and you'll find yourself getting more and more...lots more than you had pre-op! 

Hi Heather,

Exhaustion is very normal. You may only have a few 'nicks' and bruises post op, but you did have major surgery and are still suffering the effects of that and the associated anesthesia. Be sure to listen to your body and get as much rest as it tells you that you need. Also be sure to get in as much hydrating fluid as possible. I understand that number one reason that people are readmitted to the hospital post op is due to dehydration, so getting enough fluids in is very important. Of course you'll want to also get in as much protien as you are able to help your body repair itself too. Beyond that, be sure to get up and walk a little bit every hour that you are awake. It helps you to recover, displace the gas, and diminish the risk of an embolism.

That all sounds normal to me.  Folding laundry?!?  I didn't lift a finger for at least a week.  Yes, you're gonna be tired for quite a while.  And the dark diarrhea, that's normal too.  I had all the same stuff.  Once you start solid foods you're liable to get constipated.