THIS is how the first 4 weeks go...

[ForkAndMindy 67]

GREAT post!!! I still can't stop laughing about the myfitnesspal thing!!! I'm still preop but I've got to save this post somewhere for reference when I need some encouragement post op.

[HumanMerelyBeing 287]

@Splatt83: The stitch can range from mild to a little more severe depending on what you've been up to. I would describe it like the pain that you would have after running a couple miles and getting that crampy painful feeling in your side or like you just did 1000 sit-ups and now every time you move a certain way, you feel it.

Good news - it goes away!!!! Do try not to lift anything over 10 lbs in your first few weeks though or do something that will really risk the area. There's a lot of healing going on in there!

[Skittles00 12]

<p>Hello all -</p> <p> </p> <p>I know several of us are hitting our 1 month mark this week. Mine is today. </p> <p> </p> <p>The body is an incredible thing, truly. It's a healing machine quite frankly. </p> <p> </p> <p>At one and two weeks out: </p> <p>-you wonder what you have done to yourself and you are pretty sure you will never feel quite normal again</p> <p>-you can't imagine yourself ever sleeping anywhere but the living room recliner</p> <p>-the thought of driving or going back to work seems like an unrealistic commitment you made Way Back Before Surgery</p> <p>-you can get in so little Water and Protein that it dawns on you that THESE are the weeks that will cause Hair loss several months from now</p> <p>-you learn what "sliming" is (ewwww)</p> <p>-MyFitnessPal tells you repeatedly: "You are getting too few calories. If every day were like today, you would be DEAD in 5 weeks." </p> <p> </p> <p>At three weeks out: </p> <p>-you feel better but not really there yet</p> <p>-you need extra naps on the weekend</p> <p>-getting in your water and protein can be done with the effort of a full time job</p> <p>-you have a strange painful stitch in your side that you've resigned yourself to bravely live with the rest of your life</p> <p>-you accidentally sleep all night with the heating pad on your largest incision site on its highest setting</p> <p>-you walk 20 minutes on the treadmill and then come onto this site and disbelievingly post, "WHEN did they say I should start exercising????"</p> <p>-your body decides you must be on a grueling episode of Survivor and goes into starvation mode yielding the world's most devastating weight loss stall prompting you to decide that you are a failure and did this all for NOTHING</p> <p> </p> <p>At four weeks out: </p> <p>-you sleep in your own bed in whatever position you want</p> <p>-the fire-hazardous heating pad gets put away</p> <p>-you walk 2+ miles at lunch and think maybe you could have done more</p> <p>-you have enough energy to really start cleaning the house again and get totally aggravated at hubby and kids for how little they managed to do for the past month</p> <p>-you randomly feel happy, mad, silly, sad as hormones and emotions take their toll</p> <p>-you have to pack up the first set of clothes which are now too big</p> <p>-you feel healthy....dare I say...normal?</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Yep, the first month is kind of amazing. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

Omg this just made me cry. I am 10 days out and needed to hear this. Thank you!

[wynblade 14]

This is a wonderful post! And it really holds true for how I've been feeling as well thank you so much for sharing.

[Daria 5]

What a great post! Realistic and helpful. Getting sleeved on the 26. Can't wait to be a loser!

[CrazyJaney 775]

So I thought this was as good of thread to ask this since I didn't want to start another.

When does the fatigue get better?

I'm 11 days post and feeling good other than pervasive fatigue. Shaving legs, shower, hair and dressed but OMG I AM SO FREAKING EXHAUSTED! Go back to work tomorrow. Desk job, so I'll be fine. But, wow. 300-600 calories a day. Just barely reaching goals but reaching them finally. Thoughts?

I only ask here because this is probably my most favorite thread of all.

[starna01 8]

CrazyJaney I am 12 days post op and feeling the same way..EXHAUSTED!! I told my dr and he said get used to it, it will take 3 months to get your energy back! I am also going back to work tomorrow and I know it's going to a long hard day! I will be in bed by 6 lol good luck!

[CrazyJaney 775]

CrazyJaney I am 12 days post op and feeling the same way..EXHAUSTED!! I told my dr and he said get used to it, it will take 3 months to get your energy back! I am also going back to work tomorrow and I know it's going to a long hard day! I will be in bed by 6 lol good luck!

Good luck to you too! I have a very flexible schedule so that will help. But I'm having near black out spells when I stand up. I'm sure I need more fluids. Anyway, good luck to both of us! I don't know how people exercise this early out. I walked around the soccer fields and shopped yesterday. Waaaaay too much. It'll all be worth it, right????

[starna01 8]

Hahah worth it?? So they say...I can't wait to be off this stupid full liquid diet, I need to eat! My job is not so flexible, so it's going to be rough, but I will get through it!! I may have to go sleep in my car on my lunch hour!! LOL!

[Skittles00 12]

I am still on the puréed foods. I am 14 days out. I get so full so fast on puréed it has me scared to eat soft foods on the 30th. The fatigue is still with me too and I am started to feel discouraged. I am non stop thirsty.

[HumanMerelyBeing 287]

@@CrazyJaney - for me fatigue really did improve around the 4 week mark. Prior to that, it was tougher for me during my work day and I definitely napped more on the weekend and generally took it easy. But right around 4 weeks, I started to feel more energetic, not so exhausted. That's when I started being able to up the exercise too and probably was the point where I started taking in more like 500-600 calories per day so that gives you a boost too!

[SuperFab 689]

Not to discourage others, as I'm honestly truly happy for those that have a fast recovery, but I'm 5 weeks out and am still very fatigued. Very. It doesn't matter that I reach Protein and liquid goals. I feel like crap most days after 4 pm because I'm still so tired.

I also bent and ripped scar tissue about 1.5 weeks after I was home. So even if you FEEL great, take it easy the first 6 weeks as far as bending and lifting. I fight nausea each and every day.

This is my 5th surgery and hardest recovery I've ever had. It isn't all roses and butterflies for everyone. Roses have thorns and butterflies were once caterpillars. No matter how long it takes just keep pushing on. I firmly believe in this surgery and wouldn't change it for the world, but each individual is on a separate journey. I think it's a bit wrong to compare recoveries and weightloss against other patients.

April

[AuntieLala83 81]

Not to discourage others, as I'm honestly truly happy for those that have a fast recovery, but I'm 5 weeks out and am still very fatigued. Very. It doesn't matter that I reach Protein and liquid goals. I feel like crap most days after 4 pm because I'm still so tired. I also bent and ripped scar tissue about 1.5 weeks after I was home. So even if you FEEL great, take it easy the first 6 weeks as far as bending and lifting. I fight nausea each and every day. This is my 5th surgery and hardest recovery I've ever had. It isn't all roses and butterflies for everyone. Roses have thorns and butterflies were once caterpillars. No matter how long it takes just keep pushing on. I firmly believe in this surgery and wouldn't change it for the world, but each individual is on a separate journey. I think it's a bit wrong to compare recoveries and weightloss against other patients. April

Well said. I was 4 weeks yesterday and I'm just starting to feel a little normal but still tired

[Sherry S 103]

Hey April, I have the fatigue also. I'm glad someone posted that her Dr said it can last for 3 mo's or so. There is very little about how long the fatigue can last. I never had fatigue after surgery last this long. This is a MAJOR trauma out bodies have been through and it will take time for it to heal. Also loosing weight puts more stress on our bodies. Taking it one day at a time, taking our Vitamins and following the Dr's orders will work in the long run.

Your right everyone is different and we all heal differently. I got Planters fasciitis 2nd day after surgery. I noticed when I started to walk a pain in my heel. I'm grateful I have an indoor pool to walk in because regular walking can be painful after a short time.

[SuperFab 689]

Hey April, I have the fatigue also. I'm glad someone posted that her Dr said it can last for 3 mo's or so. There is very little about how long the fatigue can last. I never had fatigue after surgery last this long. This is a MAJOR trauma out bodies have been through and it will take time for it to heal. Also loosing weight puts more stress on our bodies. Taking it one day at a time, taking our Vitamins and following the Dr's orders will work in the long run. Your right everyone is different and we all heal differently. I got Planters fasciitis 2nd day after surgery. I noticed when I started to walk a pain in my heel. I'm grateful I have an indoor pool to walk in because regular walking can be painful after a short time.

Omg, my sister had that and it was agonizing to walk so I'm familiar with that pain. They made special insoles for her that ended up being just as painful and no help. As she lost it did get better though, so keep it in mind. (((Hugs)))