Question:
When is it going to get better????
Im 2 days shy of 3 weeks post-op Im miserable, I went to doctor last week and had staples out, he had to leave 2 stiches in because of some small leakeage. I feel tied down, Im tired and just have no motivation to do anything and when I do get up and go to store or anything Im wore out afterwards, I read about people walking and feeling great early post-op and Im worried because I just want to sleep or lie around. If I do go out and walk some I get really bad muscle spasms in my left side back near my kidneys. Im drinking lots of water and following my diet to a t. So why am I so miserable, good news is Ive lost 25lbs but Im starting to wonder if its worth it. Someone please help me see the light of this surgery. thanks ahead of time angie mathews — ANGIE M. (posted on June 3, 2002)
June 3, 2002
Angie, it seemed the day of 3 weeks post op I started feeling much better.
I too had the pain in my left side and thought I had kidney infection or
something. Everyone always talks about left side pain but always under the
rib. Mine like yours seemed in my kidney, it was just a healing process
and finally after 3 weeks I felt much better. Now I am 8 weeks and feel
great. Walk 3 miles, sit-ups plus whatever I can get in a day. I think
once you make it past this week you will probably start to feel much
better, however from your question you may have had open rny so I think
that does take awhile longer for healing and just feeling better so if this
is the case you should feel better by 6 weeks, if not sooner. Best of luck
to you. rk
— Robin B.
June 3, 2002
Angie- I felt the same way and at three weeks asked my surgeon what I was
doing wronge. If I walked I would keep thinking about going home and
taking a nap afterwards. My surgeon told me that once you start eating
real food and your not just on liquids it will get much better. I'm six
weeks out and feel much better. I went back to work at four weeks and felt
much better by then. It will pass just give yourself time!!
— Donna W.
June 3, 2002
Hi, don't worry the worse will soon be behind you. I know its hard to
believe that but its very true!! In another 5 weeks you will be feeling a
whole lot better!!! This is one heck of a surgery for us to go through and
some take longer to recover(like me). I had some real scary thoughts run
through my mind and I was kinda of regreting the surgery for awhile. I kept
telling myself that it will get better because everybody goes through it.
Now at almost 6 months out its like I never had the surgery!! I feel so
normal now. I love life sooo much now. The spring is back in my step and I
feel awesome!!! As I look back, the first 8 weeks were tough but OH the
reward you get later!!! Hang in there!!! I am down 90lbs and got 60 more to
go. Best of Luck to you on your journey!!!!
— Laura G.
June 3, 2002
Hi Angie ~ I absolutely understand and sympathize with your
question/comments. I kept reading about the ease other patients had gone
through and I was no-where on the same page as them at 3-weeks post op. I
am of the firm belief that since this is such a positive reinforcement
community for the surgery that people seem to only write about the positive
things in fear of being somewhat slammed by others. I believe it's a
major, major surgery - no doubt about it and you need to give your body
some time to start feeling better and please know there are others out here
who feel the exact same way.
I spoke with a dear friend of mine who had her surgery on the 31st of
October - she said it took her a good 6 to 8 weeks to get to feeling
better. Just give yourself time - I STILL find myself (at times) asking if
it was all worth it. For me, I had no choice in the surgery - it was a
'giving my life back' situation - there were a lot of health problems
involved (liver transplant possibility, etc)and I HAVE to get my weight
quickly to a place that I can be a good candidate for a transplant, if
needed so my answer to the question always comes back with a
"yes".
I look at the surgery and wonder how in the world people would put their
body through this if it wasn't absolutely the last resort and necessary.
For cosmetic reasons? I don't think so...not for me, anyway. I can
promise you this, it WILL ge better. Take things slowly and allow yourself
the time to heal that you need to. If you want someone to talk to - I'm an
email away.
— Lisa J.
June 3, 2002
Angie,
I know exactly how you feel. I am 5 weeks post op on 2 days, and I am tired
all the time. After I shower in the morning, I have to lay down and rest. I
went back to work last week and it was supposed to be for 1/2 days. I did
1/2 days for 2 days and then didn't go in at all the rest of the week. I am
supposed to be back full time today, but I work 9 hour shifts and I may
have to go home early.
My dietician says I'm not getting enough protien and also not eating
enough. I may have to start a protien supplement. As far as eating, I am
still on pureed foods, but I am only able to eat 3x a day. I am being told
I need to eat 6x-ya right!!!
I have lost 22 pounds and I do try to walk everyday, but it's hard when you
are so tired!!
I know this prpbably won't help, but at least you know that your not the
only one going through this. I am going to find a support group so that I
can face other people who are going through the same thing. Maybe you need
to find a support group in your area. Your DR. should be able to tell you
where one is.
Good luck and hang in there. It was worht it!!!
— Ammy T.
June 3, 2002
Is your diet all milk based? All that sugar can make you feel drowsy and
drug out. Are you getting protein supplement (not CIB or Boost)? What are
you doing for vites? Plenty of water? If I'm feeling like a wet rag, it's
usually water. When do you get labs done?
— vitalady
June 4, 2002
It was my experience, and I've read in many posts, that 6 weeks is a real
turning point. I felt reasonably well at 6 weeks and by about 2 months out
I felt great.
— Bobbie B.
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