Question:
How long after surgery should I start to feel like my old self again?

Ever since surgery I have had this feeling of being helpless. I am now 4 weeks post-op and have no deisre to even get out of bed let alone eat. I maybe eat about 250 cals a day and feel sick. I gag alot and dry heave. The Dr. ays this could be normal but it does not feel normal. I just want my old life back and be with my husband like anormal married couple. But, I feel that I am losing this uphill battle and feel that this surgery was a mistake. Is this something that all people go through?    — Carolina B. (posted on October 23, 2001)

October 23, 2001
Carolina--I think I went through something similar, although not to the same degree. I am now 4 mos. post op and finally beginning to feel a little more normal. I can eat things now that I never could before....but still just very little. I still have days when I don't have the slightest desire to eat...and just thinking about it makes me feel full. You just have to work your way through that. And you have to tell yourself that it won't be this way forever. Sometimes it's hard to see the big picture that way. I know I'm just starting to. And as for when you feel normal again, I know there is no "magic" number, but the sentiment in my support group appears to be that at 6 months most people feel back to their old selves (except for the amount eaten of course). Good luck.
   — Tracy L.

October 23, 2001
You took the words right out of my mouth!! I am exactly 6 weeks down today. I felt pretty good the first 3 weeks, then my stoma started closing, got scoped, dialated, and supposedly fixed. Still I just can't eat, or drink. I am feeling tired, and like I would die to just be able to drink my big gulp full of water, that tasted like it used too. I have lost 47lbs, but that is not gonna be worth much if I don't start feeling better soon. I think it is normal. I wish I would have read more about it before surgery, I just thought it wouldn't happen to me. Poor hubby and kids, I feel so grumpy, and just sort of lost. LIke where the heck do I go from here. I think it is because I used to use food as a buffer from problems, now that I can't use it, it is hard to deal with the emotional stuff. I am glad you asked this question.. Although I wanted an answer I didn't have the right words to ask.. Thanks, hope we both feel better soon.. Hugs!!
   — Chandra M.

October 23, 2001
I know exactly how you are feeling...I too felt horribly depressed, tired and "what the hell did I do?" all at the same time..This lasted for 3 months. I also had my stoma closed and had 7 (yes 7) dilatations. It is now almsot 4 months and this is the first time I can honestly say I would do it again. I finally have energy (getting better everyday) and have lost 75 lbs. I am now starting to eat more foods altho meats still bother me, but I am sure this too shall pass. It does get better, hang in there..*S* Hugs to you. MJ
   — mjvallee

October 23, 2001
You just described me. I'm 5 weeks post op and I have only recently felt like dragging myself out of bed in the morning. I totally regretted the surgery and just wanted my regular life back. I was constantly dry heaving, throwing up, hell I was throwing up air! But, after I repaired my stricture I feel so much better. I take in probably about 400 (max) calories but now I can eat more, I can drink more and more frequently and it's amazing what 6 days can do. KNOCK ON WOOD! Good Luck 2 U!
   — Kristin R.

October 23, 2001
At 4 weeks, this is just how I felt. For me, I seemed to really "turn a corner" somewhere in late 6th week or early 7th week. It will happen. I'm 10 weeks now, and feel fabulous!
   — Nancy G.

October 24, 2001
As they say "this too shall pass". I had a similar post-op course. I had no appetite and had to force myself to eat. I filled up so quickly that I had a difficult time keeping water down. It seemed' my life revolved around sipping water and making myself eat soft foods. I was drained and exhausted and felt numb. I didn't want to see or talk to anyone. I felt like a totally different person...one I didn't particularly like. I remember crying to my surgeon "when will I be myself again?" My doctor also said that what I was feeling was normal and quite temporary. I had to return to work 8 weeks after my surgery. Thank heavens I have a private office and work independently because for 4 weeks, I did absolutely nothing. I didn't have the strength or even the desire to work. I think I improved gradually. As time went on I felt stronger and spirit returned. But it took a long, long time. I think I was in that "dark place" for 4 or 5 months.
   — [Anonymous]