Question:
IS IT TRUE THAT IT WILL GET BETTER, I CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE?
I JUST CAME HOME FROM HOSPITAL, IM 6 WKS POST OP. I WAS DEHYDRATED AND HAD SEVERE LEG PAINS. I WAS TOLD THAT MY ELECTOLITES AND VITIAMINS WERE BORDERLINE AND NOT SEVERE. MY BLOOD VOLUME WAS LOW. IM EXHAUSTED, I HAVE BEEN SINCE DAY ONE IVE HAD A FEW GOOD DAYS. I SEEM TO LIVE IN KITCHEN TO GET ENOUGH FOOD AND WATER IN. IVE LOST 30LBS AND PLATEAUED, WHICH IS NORMAL, BUT I WANT TO GIVE UP. ITS SO HARD TO BELIEVE IT WILL GET BETTER, IS IT TRUE. I GET ALL MY REQUIERED VITS, AND PROTIEN AND ABOUT EVERY TWO DAYS I DONT GET MY FLUID IN PROBABLY 48 OZS BUT I DONT FEEL THAT IM STRONG ENOUGH TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. PLEASE HELP AND TELL ME THAT ITS NORMAL TO BE SO TIRED AND BLAH AT 6 WEEKS, THANKS AHEAD OF TIME ANGIE — ANGIE M. (posted on June 29, 2002)
June 29, 2002
Yes it is very normal to feel depressed and tired,I am 4 months post op now
and feel great , keep the faith, this was major surgery, it takes time to
heal, from the inside and outside...valita
— bikerchic
June 29, 2002
Hey Angie -- I am only 6 days post-op and you definitely have more
experience in this realm, but the one thing that has helped me maintain any
type of energy level has been walking. No, I'm not quite power-walking, I
am more or less shuffling along. I have had one "why did I do this
day" and I didn't walk much, since then, my husband has been
encouraging me to shuffle along for 10 minutes at a time and by the end, I
actually feel pretty good. Good luck!
— Julianne S.
June 29, 2002
Hi Angie...I'm 8 weeks post-op and have been in hell since week 4. I'm
pretty sure I have a stricture but I can't get my upper GI done until July
9th. I've had stuff backing up my esophagus since week 4, thought it would
get better, so didn't see my surgeon until about 10 days ago. I will
continue to suffer until July 9th. And my upper GI won't fix my
problem...that'll just tell them IF I have a problem. Then I'll have to
wait for an EGD to fix it...maybe by August? I get like 24 ozs. of water a
day, if that. I'm dehydrated and weak and can't exercise. I can't take my
proper vitamins or calcium because they get stuck. So I hear you, girl.
July 9th can't come soon enough for me. I've called my surgeon's office 3
times in the past week trying to get a sooner appt., but he won't call me
back. If I had it to do over again, I WOULD NOT do this surgery. I feel
like hell and can't believe this is how it's going to be. Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
June 29, 2002
Hi, at almost 9months out, I can tell you that I have had my good days and
my bad, But I have NEVER regretted this gift. I am so fortunate. Things
will get better. You may want to check into some Vitamin B-12 shots. They
help me so much. I take one a month. I never had any complications except
I do slip some on the protein and the fluids. ( I think alot of people do
at times :) ) I could be wrong but who knows. Any ways chin up, and
think about what you will look and feel like this time next year. I am
down over 100 lbs, and I wear a size 11/12 now. Life is alot greener on
this side. OPEN RNY -103lbs and counting. BTC of OH. Dr
Kaczmarski!!!!!!! You are the best doc in the world.
— TONYA B.
June 29, 2002
Hi...You hang in there. I went through a similar thing though no
hospitalization but the turning point for me as about 6-8 wks and now at 3
months I feel super. Suggestions that worked for me is really pushing
anything liquid: broth, jello, sf popsicles, soups. Another thing that
really helped me was drinking hot peppermint tea (Celestial Seasonings has
a good one) w/ a little splenda. I kept a mug of it in like a dunkin
donuts travel mug with a straw and nursed it constantly. I also did a mug
of sf hot chocolate a day too with a little milk in it. After a few weeks,
I found drinking water was easier and now tea is only occasionally. Now I'm
up to about 120 oz of water a day. I'm at almost 3 months and down 48# and
feeling really great. Getting vitamins in now is easier too. I've set up
a routine: my meds in pm without vitamins; vitamins: Womans multi-vitamin
with minerals, Magnesium, iron every other day, calcium chew 2x a day and a
sublingual B12 1 or 2 x a day... I'm really feeling good. So hang in there,
stay with the program, push the program and the fluids...you'll do great.
At 12 wks I just now have great energy ....at 6 it was zip! I'm rooting
for you!
— AJC750
June 29, 2002
Yes, it will get better. I am 14 months out, so here is some advice. At the
point you are at, I could barely eat and thought I never would. But, soon
enough I could eat small amounts and food began to have some flavor. Now, I
can eat a small meal. Ever hear the old adage-No pain,on gain. Well, it is
true. All the pain I went through including having a drain in my stomach
for four months was worth it and I would do it over again.Your life will be
so much better and you will enjoy it . Is there a support group in your
area? Can you imagine in a year how good you will feel when you look in a
mirror or when people compliment you on good you now look. It is worth it.
Peace, Brian
— Brian G.
June 29, 2002
Angie,
I am only 3 weeks post-op, but I know what you're going through. I
would love nothing more than to sit and gulp a huge gallon of ice water b/c
I am SO THIRSTY. I can't seem to get enough water in, and I also have very
little energy. I still eat ice-chips and sugar-free ice pops...I find it
helps. I agree with the other post stating that walking actually gives me
some energy. It's gotta get better than this!! Hang in there!
— Kelly C.
June 29, 2002
Angie, hang in there, okay? Sounds like you have had more than your share
of complications. But at 8 months post op, as I am, you will be so glad you
had this surgery. You are still at the beginning of the game; there's alot
to take in. But think of it like this. The hardest part is behind you.
Soon your energy level will soar. Try walking just a little bit more every
day. That will help. It WILL get better.
— Annie H.
June 30, 2002
Angie & Joy, {{{Big Hugs}}} to you both. My one year anniversary was
on Saturday; my surgeon says that taking into account fluid retention, I'm
down 165 lbs. For the first few weeks, I felt like a truck hit me and then
continued to back over me. I was used (pre-op) to drinking 4-5 liters of
water a day...so I felt extremely thirsty all the time even with sipping
water literally all day long and even having a bottle on my nightstand, so
that when I woke up during the night, I'd sip some more. I couldn't find a
protein drink that I liked, despite trying some 15 different brands (not
flavors, brands) and have only recently found protein drinks that I like.
I broke down and cried at least twice a day to my husband that I felt like
I'd made a huge mistake. Bit by bit, it got better and continues to do so.
I'm very glad now that I took advantage of this blessing, but my first few
weeks were miserable. Please email me if I can offer any further support.
— CaseyinLA
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