Question:
Is it normal to want to sleep all day?

I'm 6 days post op from LAP RNY. I still have this gross drain, and I'm still having trouble sleeping, I'm still uncomfortable. The pain isnt unbearable, but OMG I just feel like a zoombie!I'm normally perky and raring to go, and all I do now is cry because i cant do what I feel like I'd WANT to be doing. Like I've lost ME! It's hard to get comfortable sitting, laying down, walking does help but then I dont have the energy to walk all day long. My tummy feels kind of swollen, and hurts to take a deep breath. Even eating and drinking hurts, and all i do is burp like a man afterwards.Also when I DO go potty, its constant diarrhea.(Maybe because of the full liquid diet?) UGH!I just feel soooo GROSS! Will this EVER get better, or have I made the biggest mistake of my life? I AM drinking fluids , 65 oz+, and a full liquid diet(some cream/blended soups,yogurt, jello, protein drinks. crystal light, water and SF pudding), taking all my vitamins and walking some. I guess I thought that because I had a LAP and am trying to do all the right things, I would be feeling fairly normal right now. At least that is how it seemed to go with others :( I do realize it's still major surgery but with LAP isnt the healing time net to nothing most of the time?Why do *I* feel so awful? Heck, I even look terrrible! Dark circles under my eyes already :( Any suggestions? I'm pretty lost    — Goodgirl (posted on May 24, 2003)

May 24, 2003
Did they use anesthesia? Well, I rest my case on the feeling run over by a truck. As to the big D, try going without any milk or creamed products for 24-36 hours & see if the D abates. I could not live with the food plan you've laid out there. What is the "right thing" by the book may not be ok with YOUR body. I mean, after all, didn't they tell us sensible eating would make us thin?
   — vitalady

May 24, 2003
Honey, please don't beat yourself up! The things you're going through ARE normal with abdominal surgery. I had lap appendectomy in 1996, and I was feeling about the same way you are now. Your tummy is still probably swollen from the air that they put in when they inflate the abdomen for surgery so that they can see everything. You should start feeling a little better during the next couple of weeks. I think that those people who are up practically running marathons the day after surgery are the EXCEPTION to the rule. In a couple of weeks, you will be feeling better, and within a couple of months you should feel much better! Even though this is a lap surgery, the healing time is still a couple of weeks, not days. Don't forget that the incisions aren't just flesh wounds...They have to cut through muscle and other tissue to get to the stomach. I know that this won't help your body feel better just yet, but I hope it puts your MIND at ease a little bit. THIS WILL GET BETTER!! In the meantime, I'll keep you in my prayers. Good Luck and God Bless, Moiasa
   — Moysa B.

May 24, 2003
I had lap RNY and felt like **** until I started eating pureed food. Then I perked right up. Speak to your surgeon about how soon you can add puree. I ate refried beans and they were heavenly that first day!
   — Kathy J.