Energy????

Hi everyone. How are you all doing? I have a question for the posties on here. I am 17 days out and I still have a good deal of pain and I am finding that I haven't gotten my energy back yet. I realize I just had major surgery, but I am doing everything my surgeon told me to do so far and I find if I try to do much at all, I need a nap. My energy gets zapped very quickly. Today, for example, I had 3 naps after sleeping all night. When does it get better? I really have a lot I would like to do over vacation with my family and I am wondering if I will have the energy to do it. I realize we are all different and I am asking only to get a general idea of how you all fared. Also, when did the pain get better? I was given a few more pain meds at my appointment last Friday and I have been careful to use them only when I am feeling desperate to make them last, but I am almost out. Tylenol barely touches the pain. Can I expect this to go on for several more weeks or months? I am a very active person and this could really become discouraging to me. Thanks for letting me babble. If you have any insight, I would appreciate it. Hugs, ~~Jaimee -30#

30 pounds in 17 days!!!! girl--you should be tired!!!! that's a lot of strain on your body! congrats!!!! truly- you did say that you know we are all different- i think that at 3 weeks out i was exhausted....i would def plan on naps during vacation.... are you able to get any walking in?? or some form of light exercise? when you move you will actually have a bit more energy...just don't overdo it! what kind of pain? where? that makes a difference-also if you are being stingy with pain meds you are not controlling it - by not taking the meds; you allow your body to get pain again...maybe not saying this well but! enjoy the kids and vacation but don't plan too much in long stints--short things should be fine and -naps!

The pain is behind 2 of my incisions. One of the incisions has a huge knot behind it like scar tissue. I would be concerned about an infection, but it isn't red and I am not running a fever. My pants, doesn't matter what kind I wear, even loose lounge pants, push on it (the waistband) and it feels like someone is holding a hot match on the incision site. I am walking regularly and doing light housework, no vacuuming or anything. I only have 4 pain pills left. I am saving them for bedtime when I hurt the most so I can get to sleep in my bed. Otherwise I end up in the recliner. I am using Tylenol during the day, but I don't notice much of a difference. My doctor will not prescribe more pain meds. He says I should be able to manage from now on with just the Tylenol. Aaron plans to take several days off next week to help out and to spend time with the kids and I while they are home from school. We will be doing a few things. Not much will be required of me though. We will take them skating, but I will just sit and watch, take pictures of them, and read a magzine. Also, we go to the Movies on Christmas Eve. We have done this since we were married. We plan to go see Polar Express. The seats at the theater are pretty comfortable so I think that will be okay. I want to go to the mall and walk around one afternoon next week for the exercise. If my drain site is completely healed by the following week I will take the kids to the Y to go swimming. Other then that I plan to hang around home and just walk around the neighborhoood this next few weeks. What are your holiday plans? Have you moved into a house now? I have been out of the loop. I would love to hear how all is going in Margo's world. Hugs, Jaimee

Hey Jaimee!! First gentle hug (( )), second, that is very normal. I cried everyday for the first two weeks! I felt tired, sore, couldn't get the diet down and man I just felt like all I did was sleep! It will get better. Everybody is different, but don't rush yourself. Your body is undergoing a MAJOR change. It is using up a lot of energy to heal itself, and trying to sustain and do that on what little bit of calories you are getting in, so it's like trying to run a V8 engine on about 2 cylinders!!! And on cheap gas too!! LOL You need to stay on top of your pain. Don't "save" your pain pills, take them when you need them. It will help you to get around and sleep better. You won't get addicted, tell your doc you are still having considerable amount of pain, and need more. I am sure they won't mind giving you more pills to get you over the hump. I do not doubt that your pants are uncomfortable. If you had lap you were literally "stabbed" in your abdomen several times, then had the plumbing inside all rerouted!! So, hang in there sweetie! The energy does come back and you will begin to feel better day by day. One day you will wake up and realize you don't need a nap and the pain pills have been put away. This I can promise you! Take care! Val

Jaimee, I don't know much about the pain you are in....I havent had the surgery yet. But I just wanted to tell you that I hope you feel better soon! I read alot of your posts and enjoy them. One of my biggest fears of having this surgery is the pain afterwards and if I will be able to cope. I have a reallllllly low pain tolerance. anyways, get better soon, girl!

Hi Jaimee, I'm so sorry to hear you are still having so much pain and discomfort. On the other hand, I grinned when you mentioned you are going to a movie on Christmas Eve. After losing 30 lbs., I'm betting you will fit beautifully into the seats, what a treat that will be. I do hope your doctor will give you more pain meds. Was he at all worried that you are still in pain at this point in time? I'm glad your husband will be able to stay home and help out next week. Hang in there and keep posting, it's great to hear from you. I'll keep you in my prayers. Merry Christmas! Denise

Hi Jaimee, I didn't even "start" to get my energy back, even a little, until I was at about 6 weeks and I really didn't get it back, like normal, until I was a a good 12 weeks out. I started cutting back on my naps, because it didn't seem like I needed them as much, at about 5 weeks. Even though you're doing everything the doc says, this energy drain is very normal -- because you're recovering from the surgery and also because your food intake is so low right now that it's not really providing you with the nourishment that creates and sustains energy. I can tell from your posts that you're normally a very active and energetic person -- this time will probably be the most difficult for you (it was for me!) because you really do just have to give in to it for awhile longer than you'd probably like too. One day you'll just realize ..... hey, I've got my energy back! But in the meantime, please try to be patient with yourself and the process -- it will get better!

HEY GIRL!! Down thirty pounds already - You GO! I bet you are going to be a big loser! I'm sorry you are still having pain. If you can't get more pain meds, try taking advil instead of tylenol. I think they have more anti-inflammatory meds in them and it might help curb the pain better. Don't get discouraged about the lack of energy. It can take months after major surgery to be 100% back to normal, sometimes. I got some good news, finally! I have an appt. to see Dr. Price on Feb. 18th, so I guess I am moving towards a surgery date soon. It is a way off, but at least I'm on the road! Sorry I haven't called. My mom is still in the hospital, but is finally getting better and the prognosis is good. I'll be in touch when I can. Love, Nancy