Question:
I just had surgery & am so tired ...
Hi, my name is Missy. I just had surgery on the 9th. I got home yesterday from the hospital. I am still really soar and exhausted. I sleep a lot and when I am awake try to walk around the house. Is this normal? I am on clear liquids currently and i can't seem to get into anything except for water. Is this ok? What should I be doing at this stage, when should i start my protein? I apologize, but I am very nervous right now wondering if i am making the right decisions. Please help! — missyheffelfinger (posted on March 13, 2007)
March 13, 2007
Missy,
Please remember that you just had MAJOR surgery. It is not something to be
taken lightly. Your body takes time to recover it's strength. I would
suggest that you rest as much as you are able, and get your clear liquids
as required by your diet. As for starting protien, call your surgeon and
ask. Nobody is perfect at this, and everyone is different. Get your rest,
and do the best you can.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery,
Chris
— CChappell
March 13, 2007
Hello Missy and am glad your surgery was a success. I'm 3 weeks out and
you should be getting in some protein; however, the first week after
surgery is about staying hydrated. Water, sugar free jello; sugar free
popsicles (which are pretty good).
Yes, you will be tired -- I was tired today and haven't done anything at
all. For my first week it was 3 ounces of some type of fluid every 30
mintues -- Celestial seasoning teas are caffeine and sugar free -- you
should be able to drink chicken broth -- beef is lousy. Check your local
vitamin store or GNC store to see if they have a protein drink called
Isopure No Carb -- don't purchase the orange (nasty) the grape; apple melon
and alpine punch are good. I add a hole bottle to half a bottle of water
and drink that so at least you are getting some protein. I haven't tried
drinking the stuff straight yet but I love it mixed with water and I've
poured it in tea as well. You also should be taking a multivitamin --
Centrum has a chewable multivitamin and also going into your second week
you should start taking Calcium Citrate -- chewable wafers --these things
are huge. My surgeon prescribed previcid for the first 30 days and I take
it each money on an empty stomach followed by the multivitamin and I wait a
couple of hours and then take the Calcium with something to eat. My
surgeon stressed that the Calcium should be Calcium Citrate and not that
other stuff. So far, I've located every thing I need at the Vitamin Shoppe
--they also have online store as well.
Don't be nervous -- all is well. Just walk as much as you can. Get some
liquid Tylenol for the pain and that will help. We were told to purchase
that even though they prescribed a liquid pain med to take home with me.
Good luck and let me know how this works out for you.
— the7thdean
March 13, 2007
Missy,
First of all, congratulations and welcome to the losing side! I'm 9 months
out as of today, and have lost 110 lbs since surgery. You are just starting
what will be an incredible journey. Know that the next month will be a hard
one, not only as you are recovering from major surgery but you will also be
relearning how to eat. At this point in your recovery, you should be very
tired. You just had a general anesthesia surgery and it will take quite a
few weeks for that anesthesia to work it's way out of your system. Sleep is
important and you need lots of it. Also, the first two weeks are all about
staying hydrated. Start sipping your water. Carry it with you all the time
and sip, sip, sip. At first, I couldn't take more than 2-3 sips at a time
without feeling nauseous. Eventually that will change. Take it easy and
slow. Focus on your goal and if you don't get it in every day, then try
harder the next. For me, it was close to 2 months later before I was able
to maintain 64 oz of liquid on a daily basis.
At this point, your doctor will probably tell you that the protein isn't
the top priority, hydration is. You might want to talk to him/her to make
sure you are clear on what you are to be taking in at this point.
The first month is the hardest. I had times where the smallest thing made
me ill. I cannot tollerate artificial sweeteners and found out after
surgery how sick they made me. I often questioned myself. Many times I
thought, "What did I do to myself?" This surgery is different
because you made a conscious decision to have this done, unlike a
lifethreatening surgery that has to be done at the spur of the moment. You
WILL question yourself. Don't let doubt take control. You've done the right
thing and you've gotten this far, so pat yourself on the back and realise
that you are on your way to being healthier and living life to it's
fullest.
I mentioned I was 9 months out. I have absolutely zero regrets. This is the
best decision I have ever made in my life and I wish I had done it sooner.
It's been a rocky road at times, and food can be frustrating. You have to
learn why you ate and relearn everything. Don't let yourself fall back into
bad habits, as it's easy to do the farther out you get. I'm up to about 4-5
oz a meal and always focus protein first. I also let myself have a bite of
something here and there to keep me sane or I know I'll fall off and binge.
I was a binge and depression eater. I've learned what triggers that and
learned to deal with it. You will do fine and there is no need to be
nervous right now unless you start to have problems with your recovery.
You can do this! This community can help you when you feel down and out.
Just reach out and someone will be there for you.
Good luck and may you reach your goals!
— oceanrayne
March 13, 2007
Congrats on the surgery. Each day you will feel better. Didn't the doctor
give you instructions as to what you should be doing each day till you see
him again? The week before surgery my nutritionist gave me an instruction
sheet and right before I left the hospital she came in and went over all of
it with me. I felt that I really knew what I was doing. Although we can
all give advice, every doctor requires different programs based on your
weight and medical conditions and I think you need to check with them today
and see what your next steps are. Some people are on clears for a few
days, some a few weeks. Please call your doctor today and ask lots of
questions.
— Sheri A.
March 13, 2007
Missy,
I agree with Sherry. Please call your Dr. immediately and ask for
directions. Each surgeon has his own formula for a wonderful outcome. Like
her I am surprised you do not have a written set of orders to follow for
the next days and weeks until your next appointment. As for the tiredness
it is to be expected and as the days pass and you are able to get in more
than just clear liquids you will pick up some energy. You are on your road
to better health. The pain will subside in a few days. I just had my
surgery on Jan.9th. It was two weeks before I really felt like I could move
around good. The key is to walk and walk more. It does not have to be a
marathon at a time. Just keep at it and you will see the benefits. As
everyone else has stressed we realy need to keep the fluids going. If you
aren not keeping a food log start one now. It will help you to see just how
much you are really taking in on a daily basis and take it with you when
you go for your next appontment. It may be beneficial to your Dr. or
nutritionist. Well sweet woman I hope I have been of help. They don't call
this the "wild ride" for nothing. Good Luck and God Bless, Norma
— njkbutton
March 14, 2007
Missy, you are 5 days out. On a scale of 1 to 10 as far as how serious
this surgery is..it is about a 7 or 8. 10 being brain surgery or ran over
by a truck and all internal organs are damaged. Take your time. It took
you this long to get where you are, give your body a chance to heal and
recover. Sleep is the best thing. Our body heals when it sleeps. Walk
when you wake up and get some blood flowing but don't overdo it. Don't
forget clear liquids also means broth and things like diet V-8 splash. At
5 days out I would have my husband pick up egg drop soup or wonton soup and
I would strain it so it would be just the liquid but really tasty. Not to
mention someone else cooked it. You will also get a little protien that
way. Clear is anything you can see through. Water, tea, broth, sugar free
jellow, etc. I had these little 2 ounce cups that I would fill with
different stuff and just sip one here and another there and a bite of jello
in between. I am over 3 years out and have lost 142 lbs but I remember
those first few days. I thought oh my gosh, what have I gotten myself
into. But one day leads to another and that leads to a week which leads to
two weeks and then a month. Take you pain meds and enjoy the rest. Soon
you will be feeling so awesome that you won't get much rest. :-)
Hope this helps.
— S. Carroll
March 14, 2007
Missy you are doing just fine. Take a breath and relax. Surgery this big
takes a very long time to recover from, and if you don't recover well, you
will be VERY SORRY! You need rest and fluids. You doctor should be giving
you the advice on protreins and fluids, but just sip water, ice chips, or
diet popsicles to help with fluids. You will be exhaused. The affects of
anesthesia can be up to 6 months for some, so just take your time in
recovery and find out how your body is responding to the surgery. My
doctor told me that if I didn't feel a little better every day that I
needed to get in touch with them. I looked at that every day, and just
took one day at a time. I started walking at 2 weeks out, and that helped
me get going. It was hard, I will admit, but the fresh air and the walk
challenged me to move forward. My husband grounded me to the bed for the
first two weeks, and I am glad he did, just light walking around the house
and rest and fluids. People expect too much too soon after a big surgery
like this. Get a book and read about this surgery and what to expect, and
take it easy girl, you need the rest! Take care, Patricia P
— Patricia P
March 14, 2007
Hi Missy!!
Congratulations! I am also post-op- 8 mos. out of Lap RNY and down 95
pounds. Of all of the little bumps during my recovery, I under estimated my
fatigue the most. I had no idea that I would be that tired. I remember
being a week out and trying to go to the store and not making it because I
was so tired- I had to go home. Remember if you are on pain killers for the
incisions that will make you tired as well. Your body went through major
surgery. Rest when you need to, by all means! You should not be eating much
if anything now. I think that we are all on liquids (either full or clear)
for at least the first few weeks. Follow your MD's advice and you'll be
fine!!
Soon you'll have more energy than you know what to do with!
--Amy
— amysocko
March 14, 2007
HEY MA' YOUR DOIN GOOD THAT IS OK ONLY IF YOUR BODY SAY SO. SLEEP IS WHAT I
DID MOST OF THE TIME. THE ONLY BAD THING ABOUT THAT IS THAT YOU WILL NOT
HEAL THAT FAST SO JUST DO WHAT YOU CAN AND LISTIN TO YOUR BODY. THE BROOTH
IS LIKE WATER JUST STICK TO ONE KIND A WEEK. THAT HELPED ME OR PUT THEM IN
ICE TRAYS AND SUCK ON THEM EACH ICE CUBE IS ONE ONUCE
— flubbyjohnson
March 14, 2007
Of course you are tired - you just had major surgery! You should already
be taking liquid protein as part of your liquid diet.
— Novashannon
March 14, 2007
— yanynna
March 16, 2007
Missy, I remember feeling the same exact way... I was questioning myself...
what HAVE I done??? And I cried a lot those first few days. Around the 4th
day I started sipping Isopur protein drinks in the glass bottle and felt
better. Every day was better and better... but I am almost 11 weeks post-op
(down 96 lbs since November) and I still get tired... but I can tell you
that it's all worth it!! So just rest, take it easy, and allow your body
the time it needs to heal-- I did too much too early and pulled some
internal stitches and, let me tell you, it was like the day after surgery
all over again for a week! Just take it one day at a time and every day
will get better... it also helps to think of "the big picture" a
lot... I still have to remind myself all the time. Congratulations and best
wishes!! Write me if you want to talk! Aaryn :)
— airbear762000
March 17, 2007
Missy, Don't get discouraged. I had WLS 3 years ago and I remember feeling
like I would never feel like myself again. I also had my doughts that I
had done the right thing. It takes time but eventually you will feel
better. It's hard to be happy about your decision to do this when you feel
so crappy but this will pass. Drink plenty of water and fluids because
that can add to this tired feeling. Sugerless ice-pops & jello were
lifesavers! Try to eat mashed up foods like cooked potatos veggies and
meat but make sure the pieces are soft and tiny and you chew very well.
Once you start to eat something you'll feel a lot stronger. Be careful of
protein drinks as they may have alot of calories and could make you
"dump" Try eating.. The food still tastes good! After 3 years
and 130lbs. lost, I think that the decision to do this was the right one
for me. Give yourself some time to "HEAL". God Bless!
Pat B.
— PATTYGIRL
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