Unwell post op Could use some guidance please

[NoneYa 380]

First, a bit about me and my surgery.

Surgery for me was July 16. My weight on surgery day was 229. Two days ago it was 216. A little loss but not much. Oh well, thats not my concern right now. I had a known hiatal hernia repaired at the same time. I think my immediate after surgery time was normal. I had pain of course but the meds I had worked OK. I had trouble swallowing for several days. After a sip I felt a ball of air in my stomach and had to work to get out. That has passed for the most part. I can drink fluids as well as if I had not had surgery. I can have soft foods now. When I do I suddenly feel stuffed after eating very little. That is the point I guess so that isn't my complaint. Weight loss has been slow compared to most of the others that post here. I am not even stressing about that anymore. It will come off when it wants to. It would no doubt be better with more exercise. I was one of those with an unbearably painful left side stitch. Mine held on for longer than most. It was actually torn loose during a major fecal impaction incident at 3 weeks (sorry TMI) . So, I wasn't joyous but happy enough for the first 3 weeks. Up until then I thought I was healing well enough and on and uphill trend. I thought what was done was done and believed every day was a bit better. I was walking on my treadmill daily and was building an exercise plan for the future. I bought a bike and some weights. I was looking forward. Now, not so much.

My biggest problem is that I just really don't feel well. I am weak and shaky, almost the time. I alternate between cold and clammy to overheated. I am not getting the exercise I need because I can't manage to stand that long. When I need to shop I have been reduced to using the electronic shopping carts for the physically impaired. Each time I try to do it without one I find I cannot continue standing. I have 3 young children and everything I do for them is a chore. Standing at the stove or washer-dryer is a few minutes at a time thing then back to the chair.

I am hopeful that the cause of this is the never-ending bathroom issues. BMs do not occur without lots of help. I have had only 3 since July 16 and all came only after several tries at various OTC treatments. I am getting 60+ Protein and at least that much Water. A few days ago I started putting 2 tsp Metamucil into my water bottles 3-4 X day. I also started taking 1 Pearl probiotic daily. I hope that helps. I hope that this is behind how I feel and that pills or foods can and will change it.

In the first 3 weeks I didn't feel hunger. Now I feel hunger all the time. 30 minutes after a Protein shake or small meal its back. Its rather like a combination of extreme hunger and nausea. I have an RX for omeprazole from before surgery. I stopped taking it because I read I cannot have relayed or time release meds. Last night I opened one and poured it into my dinner. I did that again today. Does anyone else do this?

As I type this I feel such a shaky sort of weakness in my arms that its a struggle. When standing my legs are the same. This is making me spend most of my time lying down or propped on my sofa. I was much more active before. No wonder my weight just stays on me! My surgeon's office is a 3 hr drive and I honestly can't imagine driving that far to see him, especially when it will likely be his indifferent PA instead. Then the drive back. I don't feel I would make it and I have no one in this state to ask for help. I will try to get in to see my pcp in the next few days and ask for labs to be run.

I'm rambling and I don't know for sure why I'm typing this. Maybe I'm just hoping that someone else has been here and knows why I feel this way and how to get out of it. This is not what I want for my life.

[Richard Foor 655]

You definitely need to see a Dr asap, if you are getting as much Protein and Water as you say you shouldn't be feeling that week. Do you have a fever, if so go to the ER to be evaluated, but by all means if you can't get to your surgeons call you PCP and get in to see them. You could try increasing your protein and water anyhow to see if it helps if you use the formula of your weight in kilograms x 0.8 to 1.0 it should be 78 to 98 grams of protein a day, by the point you are at I was trying to get 96 oz of water. But as I said contact your dr and get checked. Good Luck.

[NoneYa 380]

I haven't been running a fever but I have felt like I was. Many times having that fever breaking suddenly sort of feeling. I put a call in to my GI Dr to ask about PPI and I'm waiting for a call back from my pcp. The dietician told me 60g Protein and 64 oz Water on the day after surgery. I have worked hard to get there and stay. You mean it isn't enough? I don't know anything about the kg formula.

[SuNMooNStaRS816 423]

I haven't been running a fever but I have felt like I was. Many times having that fever breaking suddenly sort of feeling. I put a call in to my GI Dr to ask about PPI and I'm waiting for a call back from my pcp. The dietician told me 60g Protein and 64 oz Water on the day after surgery. I have worked hard to get there and stay. You mean it isn't enough? I don't know anything about the kg formula.

Are you having any other symptoms? Shortness of breath, pain, racing heart rate?

[AmyInOrlando 348]

I can sympathize with you on many levels. I had my surgery on Aug. 1st. I have a rectocele and have suffered with chronic Constipation for many years. Because of this, instead of doing a 1 week full liquid diet as instructed. I did 11 days of full liquids and 3 days of Clear Liquids prior to surgery. I also did a bowel prep (not requested by my Dr.) because I wanted to be "cleaned out: before surgery. It's been 2 weeks since I did the bowel prep. and have not had a bowel movement since that day. I started taking Colace a few days ago, then added one senokot tablet, and the next day 2. I also tried a glycerin suppository the other night.... NOTHING. Today I started Miralax. I don't feel like I have to go, I have no abdominal cramps, and have had no solid food in three and a half weeks. I'm afraid of straining. I also had a "surprise" hiatal hernia repair along with my VSG. That's left me weak and easily winded. I had all the symptoms you described above. Most of that is better except for the weakness and becoming easily short of breath. This afternoon I ran my Swifter over my wood floors. It's light weight and doesn't require much effort, yet I was short of breath when I finished. I had my surgery on August 1st. I thought I'd be able to do some light exercise by now (walking). Even walking my dog around the block leaves he short of breath. I'm not having anymore pain, and my pulse rate is normal. My Doc says it just takes time and patience. I'm due to return to work next Monday. I sure hope I'm better by then.

[SuNMooNStaRS816 423]

Increase fluids and take miralax daily.

[NoneYa 380]

I do get heart racing but I did before surgery too. Sometimes it feels like 100 mph. If I start to feel a bit better and move around a bit it doesn't last long. I can't understand getting less strength and energy instead of more over time.

[SuNMooNStaRS816 423]

I do get heart racing but I did before surgery too. Sometimes it feels like 100 mph. If I start to feel a bit better and move around a bit it doesn't last long. I can't understand getting less strength and energy instead of more over time.

The best advice I can give is to go to your Dr. Have some labs drawn. Just to make sure all is ok. A CBC, chem panel and full Iron panel. You definitely should not be feeling worse. But severe Constipation can cause a multitude of symptoms. Don't make yourself suffer. The doc's are there to help you.

[Richard Foor 655]

On the Protein and Water levels what they tell you is a generic number. The formula is a recognized system used by athletes. This is what is best because it helps you to heal.

[NoneYa 380]

On the Protein and Water levels what they tell you is a generic number. The formula is a recognized system used by athletes. This is what is best because it helps you to heal.

I believe you. I have been trying hard all day to get more of both in. I am doing everything I can to hit the numbers you gave. I did get an appt for Wed with my pcp (I will ask for labs to be done) and the 20th with my GI Dr. I honestly didn't try my surgeon. He's too far away from me and besides, my dentist phoned him a week ago to inquire about meds I can use after an uncoming dental surgery and he has yet to return the call. I never thought he would call back personally but surely his office could have by now.

[Damaris67 76]

2 x 4: you will be FINE. I had everything you had. Cold and clammy? Your blood pressure to low. Go get a cuff, check your BP.

You feel like hell that first month. You described symptoms we all had.

Then one day...the pain is GONE. You will eat solids. You will have more energy.

I can walk half to 1 hour, slow pace. No strendous excersise at all.

Who cares? I'm walking.

I've lost 45 lbs. My hair didn't fall much.

IT WILL GET BETTER! ON MY WORD!

[NoneYa 380]

Damaris67, i hadn't tought of that. I had high BP before surgery and took 2 meds. My BP was too low in the hospital during surgery and wasn't back up afterward. They took away my meds for it because it was like 100/60 since sometime during surgery. Maybe its still dropping. I'm going to se my pcp today so maybe he'll know something.

[SuNMooNStaRS816 423]

Damaris67' date=' i hadn't tought of that. I had high BP before surgery and took 2 meds. My BP was too low in the hospital during surgery and wasn't back up afterward. They took away my meds for it because it was like 100/60 since sometime during surgery. Maybe its still dropping. I'm going to se my pcp today so maybe he'll know something.[/quote']

More fluids will help with low bp if that's it. You will be surprised how much better that will make you feel. Low bp cam make you feel terrible.

[NoneYa 380]

I already get in 4. 20oz Water bottles a day.I couldn't possible get in more. I make the first bottle when I wake up and drink until I go to bed at night.

[SuNMooNStaRS816 423]

I already get in 4. 20oz Water bottles a day.I couldn't possible get in more. I make the first bottle when I wake up and drink until I go to bed at night.

Yeah you get to the point where you feel like your floating. I would check your bp. And of course follow up with your doctor. If you find it's low you may wanna add a Little salt to you diet and I mean a little because a little goes a long way. The increased sodium will keep the Fluid in in the vascular space and increase your bp. But again follow up with the dr and run all this by them. Hope your feeling better soon.