Summer 2018 Surgery Buddies: POST-OP Discussion

[PTARMT 13]

Hi! This is Sandi L from Washington state. I had my surgery 7/18. Does anyone else have poor energy? I’m walking a quarter of a mile per day and am spent. How much are you exercising?

[J San 1,071]

I walk and don't have issues with energy. There have been three occasions that I was completely wiped, no energy. Two times were days I had walked earlier for a half hour. Later that afternoon after a few hours I was outside doing some yard work. Doing my thing then all of a sudden it was like hitting a wall. Completely drained no energy at all. Yesterday I was out in the back doing yard work for about 3 hours. A bit low on energy but still felt ok. Went inside took a shower and at the very end of my shower it hit me again. Completely drained, was a struggle to lift my arms to wash off the soap. Really hard time drying myself. I have no idea why it hits me like that but I'm almost positive it's from the lack of calorie intake. Other than those times though I havn't had any issues. I tend to have more energy now most of the day than pre op.

Welcome by the way.

[johnsr12 3]

4 days post op today!

[PTARMT 13]

Thanks J San,

May I ask how far out you are from surgery? I havent been able to walk for 1/2 hour straight post surgery. So far 15 minutes and the regular household ambulation. I’m 2 weeks out and beginning to think that I need to call the Dr. I’ve been following my nutritionist sample menu and get around 300 calories a day. I haven’t been hungry.

Thanks,

Sandi L

[J San 1,071]

I just hit 3 weeks out yesterday. I did minimal walking until about 5 days out. Beginning I might have walked 15 minutes with a few breaks. I have a bad back so after about 100yards or so I have to stop due to the pain. I had no issues other than that and being out of shape. My belly seemed fine. As my times out have multiplied I've been able to walk longer and without taking a break as often. As far as calories I have been slowly building those up from 250ish the 1st few days to the highest I've gotten, 571 and 574 which was the last two days. In week two I hit 400 once, the rest of the days were in the 300's. It seems I'm consuming less now but I'm just trying new things that carry more calories ( ie: a 1/4 of banana in my Protein Shake and egg salad with yogart and Protein powder). Hunger is hardly ever the reason I eat, it's more like I eat/drink when not full. If I feel hunger, a few sips of Water kills that.

There's no need to rush or feel like your not advancing enough. Listen to your body, you have to let it heal on it's own terms. If you have concerns don't hesitate to call your Surgical team to ask questions. It's what they are there for now. Be safe and GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[Cat B 30]

I am 12 days post op and probably getting about 300 calories in. I walked to the pharmacy to pick up my meds. 30 mins there and back. My energy level has been pretty low. I barely had the strength to make it back home. It was definitely a struggle. I guess I am not ready for that type of walking just yet. I have 1 more week on full liquids. Once I start the soft foods diet, I hope to have more energy.

[J San 1,071]

I've been relying on liquids to get my Protein. Any solids I eat fill me up after about 4 bites and those are tiny bites. The craziest thing is I tried refried Beans earlier this week and after 3-4 bites (each about an eighth of a small spoon, like the very tip of it) I feel like I ate a full meal.

[PurplePassages 5]

It will be a full two weeks soon and I still feel very nauseous, is that normal? I can’t bring myself to drink too much Soup all I can do is put ice with juice and drink that. Idk what’s happening anymore.

[BadWolf523 196]

This gas pain is killing me. And the pain killers the gave me made me vomit. The last thing on my mind is food. I just want to heal.

[skylw6 153]

13 hours ago, PTARMT said:

Thanks J San,

May I ask how far out you are from surgery? I havent been able to walk for 1/2 hour straight post surgery. So far 15 minutes and the regular household ambulation. I’m 2 weeks out and beginning to think that I need to call the Dr. I’ve been following my nutritionist sample menu and get around 300 calories a day. I haven’t been hungry.

Thanks,

Sandi L

HI Sandi,

I am 8 days post op and finding energy comes back little by little. I would say be careful not to over do it. Like an idiot I had appointments I couldn't cancel on day 6 post op and walked almost 7000 steps mostly outside in the heat. Needless to say I felt wiped and dehydrated the next day. Its taken my three days to recover from that.

I asked the surgeon about they energy at the post-op and this what they explained to me. My cuts are laprascopic so they said I have little cuts on the outside but big ones on the inside. 50% of our energy is going to healing from our major abdominal surgery. The other 50% is keeping us alive and doing our body functions. When we go for walks that 50% of energy keeping us alive and running our bodies is cut even further. Then you add the lower caloric intake to the equation. Thats why they say short walks because you will burn your energy quicker and run out sooner.

I was worried too but this made perfect sense to me once explained. I hope this helps!

[skylw6 153]

33 minutes ago, BadWolf523 said:

This gas pain is killing me. And the pain killers the gave me made me vomit. The last thing on my mind is food. I just want to heal.

Hi BadWolf523,

How many days post op are you? Walking around helps with some of it but for me most of mine was in the stomach so it sat in what felt like my chest area. It gets better! Hang in there. I am with you on the food thing though. Right now trying to eat my 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese!

Congratulations and good luck on your fluids and pain!

S

[BadWolf523 196]

1 hour ago, skylw6 said:

Hi BadWolf523,

How many days post op are you? Walking around helps with some of it but for me most of mine was in the stomach so it sat in what felt like my chest area. It gets better! Hang in there. I am with you on the food thing though. Right now trying to eat my 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese!

Congratulations and good luck on your fluids and pain!

S

This is day two for me. I’ve been doing a lot of walking looking forward to my first bm

[skylw6 153]

Good luck it will get better! It took me five days post op for my first which didn’t concern me since only fluids were going in.

[PTARMT 13]

Thanks for your response to my energy question. The info provided from your surgeon helps a lot!

[shrinkinganesthetist 3]

I was sleeved on 7/30, started full liquids yesterday, and am still needing naps in the afternoon. Interested in the discussion of return of energy. Hi everyone!