How did you feel post-op?

I got home from the hospital yesterday.  I slept on and off all day, in 1-2 hour stretches (including going to sleep at 9pm, and waking up a few minutes ago).

I guess my first question is whether that's normal.  How can I be tired enough to sleep on and off all day, yet not sleep through the night?

Then: I do have some pain/soreness in my stomach, which I expected.  I'm taking liquid percoset every 4 hours or so.  What I did NOT expect was that I have the worst sore throat I've ever had, and I feel like I have a lump in my throat.  I'm not coughing up mucous, nor am I able to swallow it.  It feels like my throat is almost completely blocked.

I also haven't tried "eating" anything since I've been home.  I know I need to start my protein shakes tomorrow, and I can also have broth, decaf tea, and sf jello.  I can't even handle thinking about it!  I've been drinking my water, and I *think* I got the required 64 oz today (as long as I finish the bottle I have next to me before midnight).  Swallowing is hard with the lump in my throat, and even the water is tough to get down.  I did really well in the hospital yesterday; drinking the broth they brought me, eating 2 of the 3 cups of jello I got, and drinking water constantly.   Today was so much harder, but they did let me go home - I'm not dehydrated or anything.  

I guess what I'm wondering is what others felt like immediately after surgery.  How much fluid and protein did you get in that first week?  How did you know when you were "full" and needed to stop drinking?  (I haven't felt full yet, but  also haven't felt hungry.  I'm not nauseous, which it seems might be expected).  When I was having broth in the hospital on Tuesday, I was able to finish the full approx. 8 oz all at once.  By yesterday morning, when they brought me breakfast, I could only handle about a third of it.  

I'm also very itchy.  I know that sounds weird, and maybe it has nothing to do with the surgery.  My skin is definitely dry, and I've found myself scratching my arms legs, sides.  I have some lotion, but it doesn't seem to be helping.

I'm really looking forward to feeling like a normal human being again soon!

Lisa, first of all welcome to the loser's bench!!!  Now to try to answer some of your questions.  Being tired and napping on and off all day is to be expected.  It's probably a side effect of the anesthsia.  I never had a problem sleeping through the night so I'm not sure about that one.  The first few days home I slept more than I was awake.  the percoset is probably making you tired too.  Your sore throat is most likely a side effect of the anesthsia too.  You have to remember when you were out, there was a tube down your throat and that's probably why your throat is sore.  Mine is always sore after any surgery.  If you got the entire 64 oz of water in today that is fabulous.  I would have to say the first week or so I had trouble getting my water in just because I couldn't drink much at a time and then of course there was all my sleeping which didn't help.  The first couple of weeks after surgery, I was tired, sore and confused.  To be honest I can't remember exactly how much I was able to take in (it was 5 years ago after all) but I know it wasn't great amounts.  Not sure about your itchyness but hopefully lotion starts working soon. 

Thanks, Deanna!  I did assume that the sore throat was from the tube, and I'm starting to wonder if the "lump in my throat" isn't actually mucous, but could be a bit of swelling?  That would explain why I can't get it up or down.  

I definitely am sleeping more than I'm awake,  It;s basically 2-3 hrs asleep, 1 hr awake.  I'm hoping that goes back to normal soon too; even if I need a nap or two during the day, I'd like to be ale to sleep from 10pm - 6am straight through.

Speaking of sleep... back to bed for me.  

First let me say Congrats..and Welcome Back!..

amazing you was able to drink all your broth in hospital.. if you would like.. you can read my blog on my page.. I blogged of my experience in hospital.. I may not have talked about foods.. not sure.. will check and be sure..lol.. but in hospital.. was hard to get fluids.. they was having me do medicine cups.. and 8 an hour before left.. but I was only at 6.. but was ok.. I was still trying.. I could only getr in 4 oz of broth in hour.. my throat was so dry when I woke from surgery.. I had a cup of ice chips and a sponge on long stick.. I le****er melt and used the stick sponge to clean my mouth and gurgle.. anyways.. I was itching ALOT from the pain meds.. I was allergic to them.. and I was dry from the meds and changes in body.. I used alot of lotion- hubby put on for me( this will need multiple times a day than average).. avoiding incisions is important. Once home.. I took my liquid pain reliever.. only to have heart and BP drop to dangerous level.. it made me feel extremely weird and light headed and weak as ever.. I took no more.. thank God my husband is a trained Firefighter and emt.. and my training as well to know the dangers.. SO I refused any meds and the liquid med I was given went to cupboard.. I didnt even take crushed tylenol..nothing I mean nothing went into my mouth but broth, water, jello etc.. I was on clear liquids for 2 weeks.. no protein during this time either.. I also had hernia repair... that is was hurt the most..and I pulled muscles in belly trying to get to bathroom etc.. I was not given a pull bar in the hospital as I seen many have had the luxery of having.. NOT ME.. I struggled to get in an out of bed and my husband was there to aid in my needs.. I couldnt even wipe my butt! .. SO anyways back to the home front.. my throat was sore and irritated.. but like Dee said.. the tubing an all you went through will do that.. I drank warm tea it helped alot... and as for my other pains.. I only moved if needed..and I tried to not "need" to move for anything..lol..I only felt nauseas in hospital.. was there from tues - Fri.. had 7 incisions.. once home.. I was good.. and to know when I was full.. your body will tell you.. I felt full.. like a tightness and just full .. but take time sipping..dont sip too fast or too much at once..I also started my sipping at 5-6 am.. got in 48 oz the first week.. worked way to 64 by 2nd week... which you will feel so much more at ease by week 2.. oh yeah.. before I forget.. your sleeping more during day is from meds.. as your not taking them at nite as much.. maybe cut your dose in half if you can handle it.. you will find you wont need the pain meds as much you did when first came home.. but dont do it because I said too, only if you need too.. and pay close attention to your body.. the slightest worry dont hesitate to ask questions or call the dr.. I wish you tons of luck... and speedy recovery!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience!  With the day almost over, I have had 28 oz of water, 8 oz of IsoPure (total 16g protein), 4oz chicken broth, and one sf popsicle (in the hopes that it would help my sore throat).  I think what I'm feeling now must be what full feels like... I'm slowing down, but still trying to sip on my water a bit.  I guess I'm not going to worry about it, just journal my intake honestly, and hope I can do a little better each day.  I have 12oz water left in my bottle, and I'm going to finish that before I go to bed.  That will be 52oz fluid and 16g protein for the day.  If I can get a little more isopure in, so much the better.

I'm going to try to cut my pain med dose in half tomorrow (the bottle says 1-2 tsp; I've been taking 2, but will try 1).  I'm trying to move as much as possible; switching from the couch to the bed, getting up to open the door rather than making my daughter use her key.  I went to the grocery store today (across the street) to buy sf popsicles, and walked up and down a few aisles just because that was easier than walking outside.  I know I'm supposed to take at least 5 short walks per day, and I really was good about that in the hospital, but not today. 

Oh, well, tomorrow is another day.  Looking forward to feeling more normal, and also to starting to see some results!

Good for you to stay positive.. I walked walmart..lol.. oh and be careful trying to get in bed , I was not able to sleep in my bed for a month or so.. was the recliner, then graduated to couch, then bed..lol.. SO dont get frustrated if you find the bed so inviting but painful.. oh and remember to count your shakes as part of your liquids for the day too.. seems like your doing everything as you should :) and your welcome , Np to share my experiences.. Keep up the good work :)

YAY! We got to go home the same day.  I feel ya.  I am so exhausted.  Taking 2-3, 2 hour long naps and then sleeping for 4 hours a night  but only after taking liquid morphine.  The pain seems to get worse on my left side afer getting up and down to go pee so much.  Plus this gas is horrible, but mine isnt just gas.. so gotta run to the bathrrom just in case (TMI).

Throat feels ok, just a bit dry today.  WTG on getting the fluids in. I think that I  only got in about 40 on thursday.  The only thing I can do is to shoot for a little more each day.  Gonna try some protein for breakfast today.  I can only drink about an oz at a time or I get a pain in my chest, sorta like when you gulp too fast before surgery.  Not sure if that was me feeling my pouch or if it was really this gas... lol

Dry and itchy here too.  I think that once we start getting in more fluids, that it will get better.  Lotion is a temporary fix and it sure does feel good having someone rub my legs and feet.
 we will feel like human beings again soon

Sounds like you are doing great! So glad to hear it. You sound like you are doing about how I did after my rny. We all handle it and recover so differently.
Yeppers, you will both be bouncing back before you know it! Meanwhile, listen to your body and rest, sip ,  walk...

Sore throat is definately from being intubated during surgery. Sugar free popsicles are THE BEST for this! I lived off of them for most of my fluids the first 2 weeks due to intolorance for plain water.

As for the constant napping, yet not sleeping through the night, your body needs lots of naps as it has been traumatized with surgery, so rest is very important and I am glad you are listening to it. BUT at the same time, your body can't sleep all night too well, with all those naps during the day. So as a few more days pass and you recover and heal more, you will have more energy during the day, require less naps, and sleep better at night. For now go with the flow, and rest when your body needs it.

I am amazed you drank all of the broth at once, and got in all the jello. All i could handle was 1/2 to 1 oz at a time, even with the liquids. Be sure not to push yourself too fast on intake. Don't want to stress your new pouch. Right now you may not have full sensation in the pouch due to the incisions, so you may not notice the full feeling as easily as you will as you heal more.. this can vary alot with everyone. Good rule of thumb is to drink slowly and not eat more than 1 oz per sitting at this time.

The itch, almost sounds like a drug sensativity to me. Not an allergy, but definately a sensativity. Could be an antibiotic they gave you, or the pain meds. If it continues, maybe try to use tylenol instead of the liquid pain med. Also you may want to have someone get you some benedryl gel you can rub on your itchy spots.

Get well soon. Take lots of tiny walks and sip sip sip and rest!