10 days out - how am I doing?
Observations/ponderings/questions about some things I'm noticing. I'm wondering if the veterans can confirm...
1. Pain: I think I'm in more pain now than I was immediately after getting home. It feels like there are little "pinchy points" in my belly, not associated with my incisions, but not far from them. Based on my reading, I am assuming this is due to internal tissues healing. The inflammation is probably going down, as well, which is why I imagine I am feeling them more. I wear my binder if I'm going to be up and down. Pain level is manageable without meds or the binder, but I find I walk around subconsciously holding my belly, trying to keep it still.
2. Energy and food: I'm BEAT! I am getting 30-50 grams of protein in from shakes each day, plus whatever I manage to get from soups. At this point, my doc is expecting 32+ grams. I suspect that when I up my protein, I will start to feel better. My gosh, is this HARD. Appetite is generally less than zero, although I do have more of an interest in food when my family is eating. I am managing to find tasty soups that work for me.
3. Water is going down fine. Lukewarm/body temperature water is easier than cold, but sometimes the cold refreshes too. Not much appetite for anything other than water, strangely. I did mix 1/2 packet of crystal light with a bottle of Dasani the other day and that was sort of tasty, but I think I'm just really over the sweet stuff from the shakes.
4. Doc expects me to get 30 minutes of exercise (walking) in per day. Because of my flagging energy, I find it easer to get multiple shorter periods in than one long one.
The lack of energy is really sort of bothering me, but based on what I have read, I keep telling myself to be patient with my body, this is just temporary. Please, please tell me this is true. How long does it last?
1. Pain: I think I'm in more pain now than I was immediately after getting home. It feels like there are little "pinchy points" in my belly, not associated with my incisions, but not far from them. Based on my reading, I am assuming this is due to internal tissues healing. The inflammation is probably going down, as well, which is why I imagine I am feeling them more. I wear my binder if I'm going to be up and down. Pain level is manageable without meds or the binder, but I find I walk around subconsciously holding my belly, trying to keep it still.
2. Energy and food: I'm BEAT! I am getting 30-50 grams of protein in from shakes each day, plus whatever I manage to get from soups. At this point, my doc is expecting 32+ grams. I suspect that when I up my protein, I will start to feel better. My gosh, is this HARD. Appetite is generally less than zero, although I do have more of an interest in food when my family is eating. I am managing to find tasty soups that work for me.
3. Water is going down fine. Lukewarm/body temperature water is easier than cold, but sometimes the cold refreshes too. Not much appetite for anything other than water, strangely. I did mix 1/2 packet of crystal light with a bottle of Dasani the other day and that was sort of tasty, but I think I'm just really over the sweet stuff from the shakes.
4. Doc expects me to get 30 minutes of exercise (walking) in per day. Because of my flagging energy, I find it easer to get multiple shorter periods in than one long one.
The lack of energy is really sort of bothering me, but based on what I have read, I keep telling myself to be patient with my body, this is just temporary. Please, please tell me this is true. How long does it last?
Sleeved 6/12/13 - 100 pounds lost to get to goal!
The lack of energy is pretty common from what I've read here. It'll get better, but you may not feel persistent energy returning for a few weeks more. Hang in there!
You're doing well to experiment with different fluid temperatures and flavors. Perhaps some chicken or beef broth to give you a break from the sweet stuff overload? :)
5'8" HRW 357 on 7/09/12 SW 339 >196 8/26/13 (surgeon's goal) TWL 193 CW 164
*:•-:¦:-•:*1st pers. goal 178 on 10/16/13; ultimate goal 164 on 12/13/13*:•-:¦:-•:*
You can Google it, it is a wonderful alternative to the sweet, cold shakes you have to drink for several weeks post op. What I did was made a huge crockpot of home made chicken soup, with carrots, Bay Leaves, etc. Then strained it for just the broth. Added more water (mountain spring water), and drank the warm broth with a scoop of Unjury chicken protein powder. It was warm and so comfoting. It was a lifesaver, and I got all my protein in that way (drinking it twice a day, plus cold shakes). Good luck!
- Geneen Roth
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