Feeling like such a wimp. . .

This is major surgery. Some people heal quicker than others, but it sure doesn't mean you're a wimp or should be healing faster!

Take your time - do what you need to do and REST. That will seriously help you.

Thanks Rebecca,

You made me feel much better!

I am totally with Roz...this is your experience and there is no normal except YOUR normal. I
had VERY little stamina post surgery....after 6 days, I went to the grocery store with my mom
and I had to sit down part way through. I just couldnt do a lot for awhile. I also had a drain
and had some pain from that. It got better...I did return to work after 2 days off altho I took
one extra day again due to lack of energy. This can also be caused by anathesia. One other thing, make sure you monitor constipation...this became a BIG issue for me at 2 weeks out
and I ended up in Urgent Care. Miralax saved my life...it was horrible. Hang in there...it will
get better.

~~Jennifer

Thanks Jennifer,

I'm so glad I came on here and asked you guys about this; you have all made me feel so much better! 

I guess I just had some unrealistic expectations about how I would feel and when I would be "up and around" and "doing things" again.  

Roz had a good point too about the food intake, that I think I'm getting in more than I am.  That makes sense why I don't have that much stamina right now.  

I have that same fear about going to the store and just not being able to make it all of the way around the store.  I know I couldn't manage it at this point, or even the walk across the parking lot, but darn it, I reeeeeally wanted to go shopping just to get out of the house, lol.

Sorry to hear about the constipation issue and thank you for the heads up.  I will mention stool softeners and/or laxatives to my doc at my appointment this week.  It's not an issue right now thankfully, but I will definitely pay attention! 

Not so much after my RNY, but after knee surgeries and reconstruction, DH would take me on "field trips."  We'd go to the store, I 'd walk into the store, then ride in the electric cart, then walk back to the car.  It got me out, got me up, but allowed me assistance to finish the task.

 
Great idea!  Like you said, at least that got you out and about and moving around some! 

Just remember that some of us who healed much faster didn't spend any time in the ICU.  You're doing great!
Take it easy on yourself and you'll heal faster.
 

 
Thank you, you have a very good point there!  

I will be 3 weeks out this Tuesday, and I am still "feeling it" in the two areas where he went through the muscle.  I'm able to do a lot more now, so I'm not feeling quite so "wimpy" lol. 

OH yea... I remember feeling like a sledgehammer hammered at my innards for well over 2 weeks.  The gas pains - oh wow - don't EVEN go there!

You just had major surgery - yes, MAJOR even though it was lap (I'm assuming).  I had my gallbladder out in 1992 an it was a breeze and thought this would be too - OH *SLAP* - reality hit me - and hard!

I took 6 weeks off from work and needed every day of it.  I really couldn't have even considered being "normal" again until after 3 weeks.  I remember trying to go to Walmart a few days after and felt like a bulldozer plowed me over.

Take it easy - rest - sip and you DO need to walk.

let us know how you are doing!

 
O-M-G, I had gas pains in my back and shoulder that literally took my breath away, oweeeee!  That was a first, I'm soooooo glad they are gone!

I will be 3 weeks out on Tuesday, and am doing much better!  Not so much of the getting hit by a freight train feeling anymore