6 days post-op and still lethargic

[girlie3rdwave]

Hi, all.

First wanted to say thank you so much for all the participation on the board. I have been a lurker on this site for awhile now and it has provided me with optimism, strength, and a sense of normality (whatever the hell normal is ). I salute and appreciate all the support.

I joined officially today, as I am six days post-op and still extremely lethargic; so much so that I cannot perform my daily activities. I have misssed work most of this week as I literally don't have the strength to get to work. I did speak with the Dr. today. I don't have any abnormal symptons (i.e. no fever, vomiting, diahrrea, etc.), I just have absolutley no energy. He suggested that maybe I wasn't getting enough electrolytes, so I will boost my gatorade; however, I am still extremely concerned. Most people seem to bounce right back after a few days.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone experienced this as well? Any advice is welcome.

Jessica

[brenda01]

I am 8 days post op and have been feeling all different things that I was not expecting. I have had a feeling of extreme bloated-ness...as if my stomache is going to burst. It is so uncomforatable, so I have not been getting enough liquids in, therefore feeling lightheaded, nauseated, and sick to my stomache. I have not been urinating very much and when I wake up in the morning it is hardly anything to speak of. I am assuming at some point I am dehydrated.

Today I forced myself to drink more and had to go the whole day feeling like I was going to burst. I am hoping this will go away soon and that it is nothing serious.

I emailed DR. Miranda and she said to gasx and hot water...I have done that and it does not help....

It's hard not to worry!

[mona-camille]

It sounds like you both need to get in a LOT more fluids! You both sound dehydrated which can happen very easily. Ttry to get a lot more in even though you feel bloated. The bloat is probably the gas from the surgery and not gas from eating and drinking. Try to walk a LOT! That helps get the gas out of your system and helps lower the bloat.

[skinnyagain]

Drink drink drink drink drink did I say drink....Or go to your er and get a line of NS....

Kim

[CanadianBandster]

I was like that for two weeks. We are all so different. Just try to drink lots of water and liquids. At about 3 weeks I was pretty normal - but still pretty wimpy. As of last week I can do everything I could before. I am still a little wimpy though lol - like lifting my suitcase was hard when I went to TJ this weekend and my arm hurt for two days after bowling cuz I have not been lifting things

[nursemom]

I agree with everyone else. You sound DEHYDRATED!!!! I let myself get dehydrated and about got into trouble (even though hubbie and myself are ICU nurses). Drink drink drink..... You just don't want to "go there"... good luck!

[lifestartsnow]

I'm learning from your post and all the great replies. thank you! I also appreciate as I'm getting close to my March 9th surgery date ! This is what is making me nervous - the first few weeks after surgery. What I don't understand, is if you are on only clear liquids the first week - how do you keep from feeling absolutely lethargic since you're not eating any protien? From what I'm gathering the 7 days post op, you can eat broth (which I would think if you're eating 1-2x perday) would really make you bloated due to all the sodium. I've read gatorade is allowed - but sheesh - it just seems like nothing but water, broth, and gatorade aren't going to give you what you need. I know I will learn when I get there, what is allowed as I've read about the packet of info you get and meeting with the nutritionist. But isn't only a week of clear liquids going to make out bodies start breaking down the protien in your own muscle? How did everyone handle this first week? Besides drinking water to keep hydrated - how did you do it? What do you think was the best thing you did during that time to keep your energy up? Thank you again for all the wisdom you all are sharing!

[SWAINTILLEY]

I'm learning from your post and all the great replies. thank you! I also appreciate as I'm getting close to my March 9th surgery date ! This is what is making me nervous - the first few weeks after surgery. What I don't understand, is if you are on only clear liquids the first week - how do you keep from feeling absolutely lethargic since you're not eating any protien? From what I'm gathering the 7 days post op, you can eat broth (which I would think if you're eating 1-2x perday) would really make you bloated due to all the sodium. I've read gatorade is allowed - but sheesh - it just seems like nothing but water, broth, and gatorade aren't going to give you what you need. I know I will learn when I get there, what is allowed as I've read about the packet of info you get and meeting with the nutritionist. But isn't only a week of clear liquids going to make out bodies start breaking down the protien in your own muscle? How did everyone handle this first week? Besides drinking water to keep hydrated - how did you do it? What do you think was the best thing you did during that time to keep your energy up? Thank you again for all the wisdom you all are sharing!

I am 6 day's post op. and I do feel a little down, but the protien drink ISOLATE is considered a clear fluid if made with water and it has 25grams of protien per 8 onz so i try to drink 4 glasses a day, you can buy this at a nutriution store. Also its very important to remember that when you become dehydrated its like a dried plant that has not been waterd for a long time -if you poor the water in to the plant fast, all the water will run out of the bottom, the same goes for us- you water yourself with little mouthfuls give your self time when drinking a glass if you gulp it will run out. I also drink a bottle of Pediatric-Electrolyte, I dont know if it does any good and it may be the same as Gatorade( just less surgar)...but i think it helps. best of luck, and make sure you have someone with you for the first 48 hours.

[jhawkchick75]

Like was said, everyone is different and takes different lengths of time to heal. I seem to have had a rougher time than others healing. For me, I went back to work after 1 week and it was a bit too soon. I was very tired and could have used a couple more days. Part of that was my fault though I did not get enough protein in. To be real honest that first week I really was not hungry at all and really didn't want to drink. But do make sure you are getting lots of broth, gatorade, juice, etc...in! Also, it sounds odd but when you are bloated that is when you need to drink even more. That is flushing all that out of you so even though you feel water logged, keep drinking!

[JazzyJude]

Like was said, everyone is different and takes different lengths of time to heal. I seem to have had a rougher time than others healing. For me, I went back to work after 1 week and it was a bit too soon. I was very tired and could have used a couple more days. Part of that was my fault though I did not get enough protein in. To be real honest that first week I really was not hungry at all and really didn't want to drink. But do make sure you are getting lots of broth, gatorade, juice, etc...in! Also, it sounds odd but when you are bloated that is when you need to drink even more. That is flushing all that out of you so even though you feel water logged, keep drinking!

DITTO and what everyone has said thus far. It't important to keep hydrated at ALL times. At this stage of the game, the first 21 days are the toughest, because you have to DRINK your proteins and such to keep ahead. Water is the best and when you start to feel headachy, weak, and such, try one of those whey liquid protein bullets you can get from GNC. I take 1/2 in the morning and the other half in the afternoon, to spread out protein intake. This helped me a lot during my clear liquid and creamy soup stage. Also, when you start on the creamy soup stage, get some unflavored protein powder and mix it in your soups....AWESOME picker upper for you!

Good luck and hang in there! You are doing just fine...just keep on focusing on the plan and remember, this is a progressive process and it's not a ruch. Take the time to relax and healing properly.