post op ?'s

I'm home post-op. 3 days in the hospital, my surgery was Tuesday and now it is Saturday, I am in so much pain and bruised, See I had mine open RYN with 53 staples long. I can hardly get out of bed, but when I do it's usually to the bathroom to pee and take a warm shower. I have not had a bowel movement since Monday and I pee very little is this normal? God what did I do to myself any comforting words will be great.

don't feel like that try your hardest to motivate yourself this is a new start and I know that the pain is alot because I a only a week post op also and I had trouble going to the bathroom also. but after increasing the water I drank and a edema I was fine. It is important to force yourself out of bed because that is the only way the pain will get better. I wish you the best and just be strong.

Hello Mary Welcome home, I can relate to what you are saying my first week home was very tough, i couldn't find anywhere to sit, i was afraid if i got into my bed i wasn't going to be able to get up if i had to go to the bathroom. It was a mess. I have been home from the hospital for one hole week now and things are slowly getting eaiser and better. Just take your time, remember your body just went through major surgery and you need to heal. I had to really push myself to get out of bed, but i found once i walked around a little, even if it was just a few extra laps around the house a few times a day it helped the gas pains to go away, it helped me to be able to breathe better and i felt better.

Mary, I feel your pain honey! I am openRNY of 3/30. Know we are all different in our bodies and how our post op phase will be. It sounds like you might be getting dehydrated, or already are. Are you nauseated? If not, could you just keep even water at your bed and sip,sip,sip? My biggest complaint is that I can't get comfortable anywhere. I definitely can't sleep in my bed, so I fixed up a chair and footrest in my living room with tables nearby for reading and drinking material. The pain med doesn't seem to help a whole lot.(not only does my incision hurt, but my back is killing me! It's worse than the incision..doc says because of the position and time on that cold metal surgery table). So I just keep thinking AHEAD ...this time next week we will be better!!! I do try to sleep a hour or so and then get up for an hour or more, plodding around the house. That does seem to help. I know it hurts, but it's important to move as much as you can tolerate. Even if it is just to the bathroom. You are going to be ok, it is normal to wonder WHY you ever did this. (i've thought the same thing). But eventually we WILL BE SO GLAD WE DID. Please try to drink and call your dr if your intake and peeing doesn't increase. I'm praying for you.

Mary, you are doing great. this is the hardest part with having to get in and out of bed. I got a wedge to put under my head so it would make it easier to get up and down. Plus, I rented an electric chair to lift me up and down. it was very inexpensive. I went into the hospital on a monday for surgery and got home on Wed. the 24th. I did not have a BM for a week and 2 days. Even now, I only go about once every two days or so. Sometimes I feel constipated. I keep GasX and Colace (stool softner) on hand. Just keep your spirits up. In a month or so you will be up and feeling great. Remember this is a major trauma your body went through and it needs time to recuperate. Take your time and don't let ANYBODY push you into feeling that you should be moving faster or whatever. You know what your body needs. Good Luck. You will do great!!!!! Feel free to email me if you need to chat privately or are feeling down. Like I said, this is the hardest part of the process but it doesn't last forver! Sam

mary-welcome home! everybody else said it pretty well--and i don't wanna get flamed cuz i haven't had too much pain ( am 8 days out)...biggest thing is to keep fluids going in--i know someone said it but keep fluids going in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as for bm's--you may not have anything in there- i didn't til day 5 and then it was more water --whenever i feel the need to fart now i rush, tho cuz usually it's the other--but small amounts.....don't worry, unless you are feeling constipated?????? rest and movement are BOTH important--even if the movement is only around the house-from room to room- sorry- starting to sound repetitive... give yourself a break,hon,you just rearranged your whole insides!