Feeling like such a wimp. . .

 
. . . . .uggghhhhh. . . .I'm seeing other peeps with same or a few days after my surgery date, and they seem to be doing soooooooo much better than I am!  They are already out walking around, driving and shopping, et cetera.

I'm doing okay with the eating/drinking/vitamin-taking part of things, but man do I still hurt!  I'm up and walking around, but I have no stamina and can't stand up long  before I get sharp and burning pains in my upper and one spot on my lower abdomen, and last night developed a sharp pain in my left kidney area.  I've cut back on how often I take my prescription pain meds but I definitely still need it.  I see my surgeon Thursday for my first post-op appointment, and I am definitely losing weight but I feel like I can't do anything, and I can't go anywhere.  

I wanted to go to the store with my mom but I just don't have the energy yet to do any significant walking.  How long did it take you to get back on your feet after your surgery?  

I figured I'd be extra sore from the complications (adhesions, scar tissue, messed up omentum) that he fixed, but I didn't think it would last this long.  I'm 6 days out and thought I'd be feeling a lot better than I actually do.  

Do you think I am rushing things or that I am just maybe healing slower?  

I was only planning on taking 2 weeks off from work, but it looks like I am going to have to take more time than that.  My surgeon put me out for 6 weeks on my FMLA paperwork, but I have a desk job and I work from home, so I had high hopes of going back to work much sooner. 

Remember, you just had MAJOR surgery...and 6 weeks is conservative. Altho you might be able to manage a desk job within 3-4 weeks...But don't push yourself and don't compare yourself...each one of us is unique.

Liz

Thanks Liz!

It's hard not to compare how well I'm doing with other people who had surgery the same day, you made some very good points!

Be sure to mention the pain to your surgeon or if it gets worse call them just to be sure it isn't something else going on. 

With the complications you had, your recovery time will probably be longer than someone with no complications.  If you need the pain meds, don't be afraid to take them. 

Take care and hope you are feeling lots better soon!!

Linda

Thanks, Linda!

I will definitely mention the pain at my appointment this week.  I didn't think I'd need the pain meds past the first few days, but I definitely do, so I will keep using them and if I run out, I will talk to him about it at my appointment and see what he says. 

I had tons of adhesions, so many the surgeon brought out color pix to show DH, and 2 large hernias repaired.  I know I was still taking pain meds at times at 6 days and a little walking.  And I wasn't doing much more than sleeping and trying to do the eat/drink every 2 hrs thing.  I also work from home and didn't do much for a couple of weeks.  Most of the folks who had surgery my week took 4-6 weeks off work, even with desk jobs. 

You did have major surgery and it will take a while.  I started being able to stay up all day around 6 weeks but was still in bed at 8pm and slept all night.  It just takes a while.  Don't ru****  Walk when you can, rest, get in your protein and liquids and you will be better soon.

Thanks, Price!

I'm sorry you had such a difficult time with your surgery and recovery, but your experience makes me feel better about mine!  At least I know I'm not the only one who took a little longer and just didn't bounce right up and get going!

I guess I was being unrealistic about just taking 2 weeks off from work.  Since I work at home and have a desk job, I didn't think that would be an issue. 

I will just have to take things day by day and see how it goes!

I'm sorry you are hurting.  Some have an easier time that others.  I've heard of woman who never had a single day of discomfort but that is not usually the case. 

Now for your first WLS lecture....LOL.  (((HUGS)))

Rushing yourself is not a good idea!   First rule of  WLS....DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS!!!!!!  This is a trap that lots of us have fallen into and it can be very discouraging.  There is always going to be someone who heals faster, losses more, drops sizes faster, eats more, etc.

You just had MAJOR surgery and your body needs to rest and heal.  Plus you probably aren't getting in as much food as you think because your body doesn't work the way it used too.  It is natural to be weak for awhile.  I remember being weak for a few months because of the lack of absorbing everything that I ate.

I had my gall bladder out a year ago and it was the easiest operation I have ever had  but boy did I  regret going back to my desk job the following week.  I thought I was going to be sick and pass out I was so tired and shaky.  I could only handle 1/2 days the next week.

Thanks, Roz!
Okay, so I'm not even a week out yet, and I already failed WLS rule #1, lol. You are absolutely right, it's so easy to fall into that mindset and it IS discouraging! 

You made a good point about the food intake too, I guess 2 protein shakes, a bottle of water and two 2-oz meals a day really isn't THAT much food, though it feels like it is!

Wow, that's a scary feeling, being shaky like that and feeling like you're going to pass out; I'm glad you were able to switch to half days, and I can see why you would regret going back that soon!

Nope, you didn't fail.  Failing would be staying in that mindset, and you're not doing that.

You had a blip of old thinking.  Start the new thinking over again, and keep on going!