On a post op downer....

Not sure what's wrong today, but I just don't feel well.  I've rested when I was tired, I've walked 'til I'm tired, I'm sipping and drinking, but I just feel played out and weak.  My mouth, despite brushing and Listerine-ing every hour or so, feels like the German army marched through it.  I didn't have a good night's sleep.. had some kind of hot flash that I've never had before.  It was brutal... I wondered if it was related to crushing some of my medication or whether I just had my own personal summer.  I know it's going to get better; I think I'm just having a down day.  

Any words of cheer?

I just wanted to send you some cyber hugs. Hang in there it does get better AND what you are feeling is normal. I see you had open RNY and recovery is harder when it's not done laproscopically. I think the hot flash might have to do with you pain killers they gave you. I know I was always clammy and hot when I was on them almost like I had a fever. Keep repeating the mantra "I did this to get healthy AND to look HOT" LOL

What meds are you crushing?

Expect to be on a rollercoaster of emotions for the next couple of months.  And the fatigue can be BRUTAL.  It DOES get better!

Words of cheer - we have ALL gotten through it and you are one of us!!!

Hugs!

I agree with the other lovely ladies. It is normal and it will get better!

A word of cheer - get on the scale maybe wedneday, I bet it has a nice surprise for you!

I promise, it will get better.  Hang in there and think of how fabulous you will look and feel in the near future.  

Hugs

arlene 

You're all so nice... thank you for the words of comfort.  Tomorrow will be a much better day... and soon, all this will be a distant memory.

I'll keep bloggin' and *****in'!  

kelly,

There are a couple of things going on - so don't let yourself get too down with it all.  You're only 5 DAYS out from major surgery.  Not only is your body reacting big-time to the stress of the surgery, it's also trying to purge the medications and anesthesia and excess fluids you were given.  Give yourself plenty of rest and time to heal, while continuing to do "the right thing" and walking and sipping.  Be patient with yourself!

The bad taste in your mouth could actually be a couple of different things.  First, it's normal to have "off" tastes as a side effect of some medicines, and possibly just as a lingering after-effect of anesthesia.  Ketosis (which is what you're going into where your body is burning up fat AND protein at a high rate) will produce bad breath and a bad taste in your mouth, which will last a couple fo weeks until your metabolism adjusts.  BUT... there's also a pretty common fungal infection called "thrush" that can show up in your mouth.  If you notice a whitish/yellowish coating on your tongue, call your doctor - there's a quick medical cure for it, if that's it.  

As to the medicines, make sure you check with your PHARMACIST as to which meds can safely be crushed or split - not everything can be!  If you're crushing one that you shouldn't that could be what's going on.  And if that's the case, your pharmacist may be able to formulate it in a liquid form or order a different physical type of pill so that you don't have a problem with it.

Hang in there - it WILL get better, quickly!  And it will keep on getting so MUCH better that in a couple of months you won't even remember feeling this way!

Karen

i had some hot flashes too...and had my wife rub ice cubes on me and sat with a fan blowing my way.  that went away, but i don't know what it was.  i am wondering if it was a slight reaction to the anethesia (morphine).  still, good night sleeps are a little tough because we're still sore...but that's to be expected, right? 

i also started my period the day i came home from the hospital or the day after -- so i wondered if my hormones were still adjusting, too....

good luck to you!

To echo all that has been said, I had Open RNY, and it took me a while before I had much energy.  Don't walk till you are tired, just walk for a set amount of minutes and then rest, and sip.  Set the timer for a few hours and walk again, for a set amount of minutes.  5 days out is not a long time, so don't expect to run a marathon yet.  

Hang in there.  It does get better.

Hugs,
Trish

Good morning - hope you're feeling a little better today. You and your body have been through a lot, so it's going to take some time and adjusting to things. But this is major surgery, especially when you had to have it done open, so you are going to be tired and sore. Take it easy - walk as much as you can but don't overdo it. Your hormones are going to go into overdrive soon and that hot flash may just be a sign of things to come, but it all does get better - you will feel better and start to get your energy back - your moods will level out - and hey, the weight is going to start dropping off, so that should cheer you up if nothing else does!!

Hang in there - and hey, when you're having a down day just sit back and let it happen - shut the world out and nap or rest - it will pass,

Kathy