Question:
4 days post-op Open RNY - horrible headache, fever blister on lips, UTI, nauseated

Having hard time getting in 64 oz of fluid. What should I be concentrating on? Clear liquids or water? Hard to do both. Head hurts so bad, neck muscles in left side of neck horribly tense. Have tried icy hot, massage, and pain meds. Pain meds make more more nauseated. Walking, passing gas, urinating fine (despite UTI - on meds for that, too). Help, I feel so rotten!    — Debra L. H. (posted on December 9, 2002)

December 9, 2002
I'd say WATER. Water may relieve your headache (you are most likely dehydrated). Then call Doc for alternative pain meds. Then realize you may get VERY DEPRESSED over the next few weeks (surgery does that to me) and hang in there! I am in the opinion that your body can survive a few days w/o food, but water never! So drink what you can.. get in what you can- the clear liquids (I assume you mean broth?) should apply towards your water as well(I do believe) so alternate if you get bored.
   — Karen R.

December 9, 2002
Oh, My!! YOU POOR THING!! You obviously do not "do" surgery well!! It sounds like your body is going through a major stress reaction. It will get better, I promise. You need to get lots of rest. Get your fluids in, water and clear liquids, does not matter which. Try and get some broth in though, that salt will make you feel better. Are you withdrawing from caffeine?? That can make you feel just as rotten on top of the surgery you just had. Keep your chin up, get rest, drink lots of fluids, and you will strat to feel better soon.
   — Vicki L.

December 9, 2002
I had a headache for 5 days post-op, a bad one, probably withdrawal from food and caffine, it will pass soon though. Sip water constantly all day, alternate with broth at mealtimes and SF popsicles for variety. I hope you are feeling better soon. Possibly try 1/2 dose of pain meds and see if that helps at all.
   — Margaret H.

December 9, 2002
Pain meds can also be the cause of the headaches. so keep that in mind if they don't start to resolve and you are still take pain meds. I suffered from severe atypical migraines for about 3 years. During that time I also had quite a few surgeries. Pain meds were my absolute nightmare. I avoid them like the plague. I try and get by with tylenol, and very basic level pain meds and only for a few days.
   — zoedogcbr

December 9, 2002
Debra: Hi-I too am an RN. Listen don't let all this get you down. Remeber, as nurses, we are probably the worst for caffeine intake just to keep ourselves going. Here is what I did. First, if the pain meds make you sick, just take something like ESTylenol or Aleve. As for the water, yes you need the water. Dehydration will cause headaches. I realize that it seems like you are always putting something into your mouth right now but that is a must. What I did was keep bottled water at my side all the time. I found that I was constantly sipping on it. Remember, you are on liquids right now so it doesn't stay in your pouch for long. Make sure that you consume at least one cup of water every hour. When you are consuming the clear liquids, that counts as your water. So if you consume 4 cups of clear liquids then you can count that as 32 ounces of your water. This is what my dietician told me to do. When you start taking in pureed foods just remember, one cup of water every hour. The water passes through the pouch rapidly so don't worry about it stretching from that. When you start solids, just keep a 32 ounce mug at your desk and consume it withing half of your day. You will be surprized at how much the water does for your body as a whole after surgery. As for the fever blister, well that is just stress from the surgery. Part of your own system. You and I are much alike. I am 5'8" and started out at 298.5. Trust me it will get better. As for the neck, remember the intubation process. My neck hurt too but what I used was and ice pack instead of the heat. It will all get better. Just keep up the walking and your intake. Email me if you have any other question @ [email protected]. Good luck. Darlene
   — scrappenmom

June 23, 2009
I kept repeating my mom's mantra: "This, too, shall pass." And it does, sooner or later, right? I'd love to know how you are NOW, seven years later! If you happen to see this, please let us know that you are fine now, okay? Cattykit
   — Cattykit