3 weeks out and still feeling yucky...

I'm going to say it's normal, because my third week was the worst one I experienced post-op, I felt awful, yucky, tired, weak, nauseated, exhausted. I'm an instructional assistant, but I went back on the 4th week feeling much better. What I found to be the problem was my protein shake from then, it was chocolate and every time I drank it I felt sooo bad, I realized it and switched back to vanilla and that did wonders. Since then I switched to ready shakes and as of now I think I'm leaving them since I can pretty much get all my protein in most of the days. 

I think I need to try and get more protein just from food instead of protein drinks.  The protein shakes make me feel thirsty and they leave such an awful after taste, I hate them.  Hopefully soon I'll be feeling better.  Today was a really difficult day at school, so I'm hoping to get lots of protein in before bed and hopefully some early in the morning and maybe I'll feel better.  Thank you!

I was the same way. I'll be 8 weeks tomorrow, and up until recently, I couldn't even stand up long enough to blow dry my hair. I would have to sit on a chair. Otherwise, I would get nauseous and have dry heaves.

I think I finally started feeling better around 6-7 weeks.

Give it time, you just had MAJOR surgery, and you need to give your body time to heal. It takes up to 3 months until you're fully healed.

Your calories, protein & water are about what I was at 3 weeks out, and my dietician was happy with my numbers.

Couldn't agree more - MAJOR surgery requires time to heal and get your energy back. The anesthesia alone takes 4-6 weeks to get over, whatever surgery you have; healing inside takes as long. Give it time and take care of yourself! 

Are your taking anything for the nausea? I take PPis daily and know this help me with acid and nausea. I know that for me nausea is the worst thing EVER maybe if you can take care of the nausea you can  add more calories to your diet.   It seems like your liquids  and proteins are right on target . 

Wow your post hit home and I'm glad to know I'm not alone.  Had surgery July 21st.  I too have been feeling exhausted.  I am back to work but dragging through my days.  I am hopeful this too shall pass...I really want to exercise....but just haven't got the energy!  Reading here for help, and it sounds  like things get better ....and it's early in the process....I am hopeful but just had to tell you I am in your same boat!!

week 4 i still feel like this,its normal, i was told it will get better. just keep drinking lots of water and not worrry so much about protein.I am back to work also and its a struggle just to make it through.Hope you get to feeling better.

The only horrible decision you made was returning to work so early.  It took me a good 6 weeks to start feeling like myself again.  Some people are incredibly resiliant, while others, like us, are cheap dates to the anesthesia, and it takes time to get out of that fog.

Also, you're still not drinking enough.  You need 64oz of fluids a day as a MINIMUM. This is a full-time job, more than the protein right now.  Dehydration leads to fatigue and nausea - feel familiar?

I had surgery and was back to work within 24 hours of leaving the hospital and back to full time 50-70 hours physical labor running a busy kitchen within a week. 

I was was and still am tired. I needed nausea meds. I concentrated on fluids only for the first month. I have to drink around 1.5-2 gallons a day to stay hydrated as my work environment is well in excess of 100degrees and my job is mostly physical. 

Nausea was a lot better after 3-4 weeks. I had multiple meds for it. I definitely saw improvement when I started drinking a couple quarts of powerade zero a day. 

I will say this. 

Being dehydrated is bad and definitely makes nausea much worse. At severe enough levels it will definitely cause low blood pressure. 

If you needed surgery I'm sure you don't a have a lack of calories due to stored energy. 

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm trying to get more water and more protein. I've actually started throwing up now, unfortunately.  Hopefully it will get better soon. It is nice to know I'm not alone.