I'm exhausted and in pain!

 I guess I went into this DS thinking that there wouldn't be much pain. Since coming home on Friday, I've had to take the pain meds continuously. I have no energy and sleep a lot and force myself to get up and walk around the house 3-4 times a day. Is this how you felt? When does it feel better? It's so depressing.

Big hugs to you.  I remember the days fondly...

It takes a bit to turn the corner.  I was on my pain meds for about 2 weeks, and I was exhausted.  Plus my senses were on over-drive.  Everything tasted/smelled like too much sugar or other flavorings. 

I had to have help taking a shower, and that was like climbing Mount Shasta - I was done for the day.  I was exhausted.  I didn't get up to walk unless I had to go to the bathroom or get something to drink.  I took several naps during the day.  My sister said it was the most boring time she has ever spent with someone.

I do remember getting depressed, but reminding myself I was tired and not eating.  That's going to affect your moods and outlook.  It doesn't last long.  Pretty soon you will be whining about wanting some solid foods and dreaming about steak.

After a couple weeks, your strength will start to come back.  Then every week you will notice you feel better and have more energy.

 

I didn't have much pain, but I sure was exhausted. Since I was an active person pre-op, that really caught me off guard. But this WILL get better, and then once you've lost some weight, you will have more energy than you've had in ages. Bariatric surgery is a lot to go through, but well worth the effort.

Larra

Your going to sleep alot, I had to take my pain meds twice a day but found tylenol worked better. It will get better just rest as much as you can you have to give it a few weeks and you will be better. Trust me :)

I haven't had much pain but I do sleep a lot. Just taking a shower and getting ready will put me to sleep for an hour. It will get better. Give your body a chance to heal.

I cannot tell you how much Hell I felt like I was in. I honestly remember laying on the couch and thinking death would be preferable to this madness. I hurt and had nausea all the time. As a nurse, I had used the words "intractable nausea" many times to describe my patients, I did not have a CLUE what that meant.

I sure do now. There was nothing I could eat or drink that didn't make me want to vomit, and 9 times out of 10 I did vomit. Of course it felt like my guts were being ripped out every time I did....

I started feeling like a normal person again around 10 weeks out, believe me, it felt like a year. When you are in so much misery every day is an eternity. All I can say is focus on fluids. Food can wait. I wound up in the hospital three times with banana bags and was severely dehydrated each time and of course dehydration makes nausea worse! It came down to using my J-tube for water infusions every night to make sure I didn't get dehydrated.

IT WILL GET BETTER. I promise. And yes.....I would do it all over again.....1000 xs over again.

I am 10 weeks post-op. I did have pain. I have never taken prescription medication and hate taking pain meds but I promised myself I would stay on top of the pain as much as possible so I did- I took it religiously and that helped tremendously. I could only sleep on my back propped up for weeks- I hated it but it hurt way too much to do anything different. I was nauseated, my bowels worked overtime and I barely had enough umph to take a shower but I made myself do it because it felt so wonderful standing in that shower. I have a lot of energy now, sleep on my stomach(bad me) and only have my food come up once in awhile.I still take a morning nap but then I am good for the rest of the day. I promise it gets better- it just takes time. I still don't have the bowel thing down 100% but its getting better too.
Be patient with yourself and this major major surgery!
Sharon

Thank you so much for your insight and advice. When you're stuck in a chair and feeling strange new.pains, everything starts to look bleak. It's helpful to hear from others who have lived through it. Just need to get through one day at a time for now.

In the spirit of keeping it real... the first few days suck. Always remember it is temporary. Day by day you do get better and keep in mind your body just went through major surgery. ((Hugs))... you can do this. Three weeks ago I was miserable I feel 100% better, however I still have challenges. The first three weeks are rough... but you can do it.... take it day by day.

I was extremely listless for a good 4-5 weeks, myself, but I totally expected it.  What you went through is major, so yeah what you're feeling is totally normal.