Excess fluid

I am only 3days out and I know that it is normal to still have some retained fluids and swelling from the surgery. It's just so much so that I ALWAYS feel bloated and I'm really uncomfortable. I'm used to walking a few miles everyday but I feel pregnant, winded and dizzy after just a little walking. I normally sleep like a rock but I've been waking up several times a night just not able to get comfortable. Does anyone have any advice as to how I can reduce the swelling and bloating?!

I'm sorry you're feeling like this. I haven't felt bloated at all. Did they send you home with pain meds? I have dilaudid but haven't had to take any yet, thank God. Maybe if you took a pill at bedtime you could sleep through the discomfort? I've found that I can sleep on my sides if I hold onto a pillow (stuffed animal, really) to keep my guts in place.

On another note, I keep thinking, "Holy crap, I'm a postop!" Does it still surprise you?

They sent me home with liquid loratab but I only had to take it once. I'm not in pain it's just like that feeling when you may have over ate and I feel like I want to vomit. I can sleep on my side but I have a degenerated disk in my lower back so it gets stiff and where as before, I could roll and change positions without waking up, now if I roll to my other side, I wake up feeling like I'm gunna hurl.

I am still surprised though about being post op. It feels weird because I guess I had this idea in my head that I would automatically feel different but I don't. At the same time, ill drive past a steak house and think it smells sooooo good but then when I think about actually eating the food I am completely not interested what so ever.

Walking! The gas needs to come out and the best way to get it out is walking.  The dizzy can be from not enough "food" so make sure before you walk you have some protein shake and water.  I have started to walk later in the day so I can get stuff in beforehand.  I do have a problem with drymouth when I walk so I take a bottle of water just to swish around in my mouth to help it be more comfortable.  Sleeping can be really difficult but a pregnancy curve pillow and sleeping sitting up can really help.

Hope this helps and good luck.

I don't have anymore gas. That's not the issue any believe me, I walk...alot. Thankfully last night a lot of the swelling seemed to go down so I'm not so uncomfortable anymore. I doubt the dizzy spells are from lack of food because I only get them right after I "eat". I haven't been able to work up to the protein shakes yet. Maybe if I'm feeling brave at some point today