Eating....ugh!

Will eating ever be normal again?  My stomach feel so swollen.  Nothing tastes good or goes down easy, even water feels like too much.  In tears a lot today. 4 days post op, my mind tells me this is normal, but my emotions are going crazy.  Will it hurt when they take out all these staples?  I look like Frankenstein!   What have I done to myself?

Don't panic. I did and it doesn't help. I'm now almost 2 months out and things are getting brighter every day.

Staples don't hurt at all. Who cares what you look like, you're going to be healthier. I couldn't sleep or take pain meds for the first week. Then I got to be able to sleep - which helped a lot. I started walking about 1/2 mile a day and then was up to about 1 1/2 a day by week two. Get out and blow the stink off of ya', you'll be happy you did.

In my vast 7 weeks of experience (lol), I would say that nothing tastes good yet for me. Just follow the doc's orders and be a good soldier - you'll be happy in the end.

It's going to be alright. The first week is the hardest. Just sip your fluids, rest and walk. It does get better in time. You are going to be a healthier and happier person before you know it! Sherry

I had these same feelings in the beginning. It does get better, but the first few weeks can be tough. You should be able to drink more, with each passing week. Nothing tasted good to me those first weeks. SF popsicles helped me to get fluid in. I can remember everything hurting, as it went down. It will pass.

I promise, it WILL get better! Just take it easy and rest! Before you know it a year will pass and you will be super skinny!

It really does get better, I cried so bad for the first few days and wondered what the heck I had done to myself. I am 5 months out now and food really does taste better, It tasted pretty good as soon as I hit the pureed stage. hang in there.

Exactly what others are saying! At first, I was like "OMW, what did I do?"

After a couple of weeks, I started feeling good again. You will be tired for a while, but the eating/drinking will get easier. The vitamins will become routine. You will get used to your new eating lifestyle.

The first week is just tough -- that's all there is to it. Hang in there! It gets better!

It takes a while for the anesthesia to get out of your system.  You will feel tired and maybe a little emotional.  Just rest, sip and take a few walks around the house, or outside if it's nice by you.  You just went through major surgery.    Listen to your body and rest as needed.  It is hard to get the fluids in.  I used a shot glass and tried to sip (1 oz) every 15 minutes.

You will be so glad you had the surgery, just take it easy for now. ((HUGS)).

Lin

Yes, eating will be normal again. I'm almost 3 years out. I can eat at any resteraunt, but sometimes I have to make different choices than I did before. Last night I ordered the Ceviche instead of the super combo Mexican plate. I drank water before the meal instead of cokes or margaritas with it, and I put half my plate into a to go box before I started eating. But I had a great time and was not deprived. Earlier in the week I ate sushi, although it did take a long time after surgery to be able to do that. Your stomach may be swollen for a year, but it will get less swollen every day. It will feel normal very soon. DOn't pu**** Even if you feel like you can eat something not on your doctor's list, don't. Your stomach needs time to heal even after it feels ok.  Also sometimes what we consider normal eating is really not normal. Think of this as a time to readjust your idea of what normal eating is and what is important and fun other than eating. I'm glad I had the time to let my head catch up with my surgery. There are a few things I miss, but not nearly as much as I don't miss my size 28. I didn't have staples, so I don't have any first hand advice there.  I've known people with staples, and they didn't have a problem when they came out.