home from hospital

Had surgery on Tuesday and came home on Friday evening.  Boy has this ever knocked the wind from my sails.  Not to much pain, more a feeling of tenderness and swelling.  Can't seem to stay awake for more that a few hours at a time.  I believe that I also started having my very first hot flashes 2 days after surgery.  Mother nature sure has a sense of humor!  I just try to manage all the medication and what to eat and when.  I know everything will get better each day.  I sure could use just a little more energy!  Thanks for all of you pre surgery support.  Any hints on handling these early days would be appriciated. Anne

Anne, congratulations on your surgery and being home just after 1 night. Wow. First of all, you take it easy and indulge yourself as your body needs. You just had major surgery!! Just take it slow. Make sure you walk and sip walk and sip walk and sip. Walking is so important and getting your fluids in is absolutely key. We dont want you getting dehydrated. The fluids will help you not feel so tired. It takes a bit of time for the anesthesia and pain meds to get out of your system. I had surgery on 8/14 and I can tell you at almost 3 weeks out I am starting to get my energy back. It just takes a while. You take it easy. Hugs. Jo

Congrats on your sugery. Take care of yourself and rest up. Blessings, annie W

Congratulations!  Having just had two surgeries in 2 weeks, I can sympathize with the no wind in your sails!  Take it easy and let your body tell you what it can manage.  Drink as much as you can, walk often, and take it easy - don't be afraid to ask for help.  Best of luck on your recovery! Jenn

Hi, Anne and welcome to the loser's bench!  The first few weeks are a challenge, but just listen to your body's signals and you'll be fine.  Get all the sleep your body can take; that restful time helps your body heal.   In terms of managing medication, what to eat, when to eat, etc., I used a small notebook to keep track of everything.  I was a wimp, so took quite a bit of pain medication.  It left me a little loopy, so keeping track of everything in a notebook helped me stay on track.  I also used a small kitchen timer to help keep track of when I could drink and when I could eat; that was really helpful.  It's funny to look back over my notebook now; the handwriting is awful, but I managed to keep track of it all... Good luck on your continuing journey - let us know what you need, and we'll help however we can!!! Kellie

Thanks to everyone for all your tips and encouragement.  It has been a really loooooong week.  I think that someone has added some extra hours to each one of my days!  It would really help if I could stop taking the pain meds- really make me scrambled.  Can't wait to see the surgeon next week.  Maybe by then I can think straight so that I can appriciate my weight loss.  Well- another nap is calling my name---zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Anne