Question:
Help! 2 weeks post op and miserable - does it get better?
I'm two weeks out of open RNY, down 30 pounds. I researched carefully, did my homework for over a year, and knew this was not a picnic. I have a couple of problems - when does this awful hyper-sensitivity to taste go away? I can barely drink water!! My voice is different, I'm assuming from being intubated - when will it be back to normal? Did everyone else have a horrible time trying to get water and protein in? On a good day I get 24 ounces of water and 30 grams of protein - my doc wants me to get 79 grams in daily! I know that protein is a major contributer to this, but I am tired all of the time! If I let myself, I could sleep 16 hours a day! I guess I just need reassurance from those that have been there, done that, and can now look back and laugh...because right now, I regret having done this to myself... — vittycat (posted on April 4, 2003)
April 4, 2003
I am 9 weeks post op and yes to answer you, it gets way better. At first I
was terribly sorry for what I had done to myself and wished if the doc
could put it all back the way it was, I wanted that done! I barely got 20
ounces of water in me a day and I was lucky if I got 15 grams of protein.
Then to have to take all the vitamins, I thought it was just too much to
try and do in one day. All I wanted to do was sleep and take naps and lie
around. I had my surgery lap, not open, but I was not in for the pain I was
experiencing because I had never known any major pain, with the exception
of child birth. For the past month I have felt better than my old pre-op
self, food tastes good again, and getting water, protein, and vitamins in
is a snap. One day you'll wake up and it's easy. During the time when it
wasn't it seemed it would never end but know that it sure does. Nowadays, I
am soo happy to have made this decision. But if you would have asked me
that a few weeks out of surgery, I would have had a totally different
answer for you! It's going to get soo much better for you one day and you
will look back and see just how far you've come.
— Dee ,.
April 4, 2003
You are experiencing "buyers remorse" and it is SO NORMAL! Your
body has been through so much, but taste and smell will get better as time
goes on (give it a few months). Also, there is NO WAY you can get all your
protein in this early on. Just keep doing the best you can and as the days
go by you will handle a little more, then a little more. This is
definately a progression, you can't do it all at once. Keep sipping on the
water, and very soon you will be able to get it all in. Just keep pluggin
away, you will get there! You are doing great! Renee D
— Renee D.
April 4, 2003
hello! i am 6 week post op and yes it does get better. the taste thing
slowly comes back to a normal range. you will be able to drink more water
but at 6 weeks i still feel some discomfort when i drink. i drink a
protein shake that has 50g so i don't really worry about the protein coming
mostly from food. just hang in there and everything will be alright. keep
focused on why you had the surgery in the first place. i don't think
anyone can prepare for the change that wls brings. i'm still not
completely happy and won't be until i regain my energy. i hope anyway.
— Priscilla A.
April 4, 2003
I am also 2 weeks post-op today. Just the last couple of days I have
started to eat more and drink more. I think you are doing fine if I can
get 40 grams of protein down a day I think I am doing well, it get better
everyday. I saw the doctor he thought I was doing fine I am down 29 lbs. As
for taste, what taste lol I just try and get it down and am happy if I do.
Hang in there and drop me an email if you like as we are at the same place.
Diana
— Diana B.
April 4, 2003
I too am 2 weeks postop and having a difficult time getting everything in.
I do see it getting better everyday and a little bit easier as each week is
passing to get in more fluids. I thought I would die of dehydration the
first week because it was so hard to get water in. Keep up the good work
that you are already doing. Feel free to email me if you need additional
support. Just remember, it does get better.
— Judy S.
April 4, 2003
— Jazzy
April 4, 2003
Hi Krista- I wrote the same kind of post when I was 2 weeks post-op.
Everything you are feeling is normal!! I didn't even try to start getting
in decent amounts of proteins and vitamins until almost 3 weeks post
because I just couldn't do it. But that changes quickly. I had lap RNY so
my recovery was (I feel) easier than someone who had it open. Give yourself
time to heal. You can't expect to bounce back after a major surgery like
this. Let your body adjust--- it will, believe me. Yes, your voice could be
different from being intubated or because you aren't getting the usual
amount of water in, so you may be slightly dehydrated. That goes away.
Stick to the diet your MD recommended. The taste hyper-sensitivity will go
away, too. You can do this-- hey, you're already down 30 pounds! That's
awesome! Beth (Lap RNY 2-10-03, 311/257/???)
— lizinPA
April 4, 2003
Your taste changes. Things I loved before I hate now. Food I never liked
tastes good now. I haven't had water since my Operation in Dec. and don't
miss it. I drink Soda and Iced Tea exclusively. I Used to love Diet Coke, I
can't stand the taste of it now, I can't stand any Diet Foods. My Favorite
food before the operation was Pig Stomach and It still is. I Don't drink
more than 2 pints a day, Don't drink to much, your stomach is small. I
doubt if I get my amount of protein since I don't like vegetables and eat
approx 2 oz of meat 3 times a day. Don't regret what you did. In the long
run it will get better. The sensitivity to taste never bothered me, If I
like something I eat it. If I don't like it I don't eat it. For me, I would
do it all again.
— Barry B.
April 4, 2003
Well Iam 3 weeks PO and struggling as well. I have such an awful taste in
my mouth that drinking anything is nasty and I mainly stick to crystal
light. Iam able to eat ok but have no energy, Iam getting through this by
looking at the bigger picture. I know that my life will be healthier and
happier, it just takes time and thats how I am getting through it.
— Tamala T.
April 4, 2003
I am also 2 weeks post-op and am struggling. Several people have told me
that two weeks post-op is the worst. I don't regret the surgery because
physically I feel pretty good but I'm not happy I did this either. If I
could get my old life back I would be happier right now. I am having
trouble with eating. It doesn't hurt I just don't want it. I feel like if
I can't have the food I want, I just don't want to eat. It is getting
better though. Everyday I feel a little better than the day before. I've
also decided to scrapbook my journey with pictures and momento's on one
side and journaling on the other. I've never been one to journal but I
have found that it really has helped me through this whole process. Good
luck to you and feel free to e-mail me if you like.
Denise
— denisel
April 4, 2003
I am also 2 weeks post-op and am struggling. Several people have told me
that two weeks post-op is the worst. I don't regret the surgery because
physically I feel pretty good but I'm not happy I did this either. If I
could get my old life back I would be happier right now. I am having
trouble with eating. It doesn't hurt I just don't want it. I feel like if
I can't have the food I want, I just don't want to eat. It is getting
better though. Everyday I feel a little better than the day before. I've
also decided to scrapbook my journey with pictures and momento's on one
side and journaling on the other. I've never been one to journal but I
have found that it really has helped me through this whole process. Good
luck to you and feel free to e-mail me if you like.
Denise
— denisel
April 4, 2003
Hi Krista, I am just over 4 weeks out and only this week started feeling
better. I still have problems getting in enough water, and I realized I
was only getting about 150 calories a day because I was having trouble
eating. I feel soooo much better this week! My energy has improved so
much! I think it is because I walked a LOT last weekend, and I have been
more active. Good luck to you!
— Kendra S.
April 6, 2003
Everyone kept telling me... Month 1 sucks, month 2 is less sucky and month
3 is a whole different world. And it's true. I am now on month 4. I have my
energy levels back and can eat just about anything. As for protien...no one
expects you to be able to eat or drink enough to get 80g of protien in. It
will come as you progress. If you are really stressing over protien, try
protienex. It is a liquid, tastes like cough syrup (I still make faces when
taking it) but it gives you 15g per tablespoon. I still take 60 g a day.
You can get it off this site. The protien will give you a boost in energy
levels. As far as water goes, it gets better with time too. I use to be
lucky to get 32 oz and now I get 96 oz of water. Mary 4 months and much
happier.
— packwrap
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