I have been feeling shaky when I try to do the simplest things especially in the mornings. I am 6 days post op and still on liquids, so I realize I am not getting much energy from nutrients, but please someone tell me this gets better! I am concerned, because I work as a nurse on a very busy unit, 12 hour shifts, and I cannot be feeling like this at work or I'll die. I need lots of stamina, and I know that getting small Protein rich Snacks throughout the day will help and I am going to have to MAKE myself do that. Nurses tend to neglect their own needs at the sake of doing, "just one more thing," and I cannot do that anymore.

I'd appreciate hearing anyone's experiences. Thank you!

It does get better when you start on mushies! I am 4 weeks post-op and just this week, feel like I am getting most of my energy back. Hang in there and good luck!!

I'm a nurse and luckily have only been in nursing orientation this week but I got the shaky feeling as well. How far apart are your shakes? Are you doing 3 a day or 4? I just had surgery last Wednesday and the first day of orientation was the first day I felt hungry since surgery. Lucky me!

I have been building up my stamina daily. I am up to working 6 hour and feeling OK although I crash when I get home. I am shakey all day and feel highs and lows. I can not imagine working a 12 hour shift right now. I would suggest trying to gradually work more and more each day to build up your stamina. It seems to be working for me. I still feel weak though.

Do you also have the protien Fruit drinks that taste like crystal light? I carry them around with me everywhere and drink from a bottle with the protien fruit drink all day long.

Have you called the doctor about the shaky feeling? I was not feeling well and they moved me to puree diet one week early. I was not getting enough protien on the liquid diet. You should get between 60 - 100 gms.

What I found helpful was to use the protein bullets/shooters... not the best tasting things in the world but the ones I used (ProSlam 45 fruit punch from GNC) packed a lot of protein in a little amount that was easy to quickly drink- great for those precious moments in between patients when you have only a second to take care of yourself! People have mentioned making them taste better with some crystal light type powders...

Joonbug,

I too am a nurse on a very busy unit and also work 12 hour shifts. How much time are you taking off? Are you going back to twelvers or cutting back initially? I'm afraid to go back to early. I won't be allowed to slack at all. Our manager is a bulldog.

How about the rest of you nurses. How much time off and did you go back full speed. I'm scared.

Thank you for your responses and good advice everyone! I have decided I am taking 6 weeks off in order to transition through each of the diet phases and build endurance. I am pretty sure my surgeon will be okay with that, if not we may have to have a come to Jesus moment. Lol. My managers are nice, but I know once I am back they will expect me to be back 100%. We are always short-staffed as it is!

Gracierose: "I'm scared." Those were my exact words to my husband yesterday about going back to work!

Wow Joonbug, lucky you for being able to take 6 weeks off. I'm only off for 2 weeks and then back in the full swing of things:mellow:. I am 9 days post op now and I got the shaky feeling at about day 4. By day 5, I couldn't eat another popsicle or jello. I called my doctor and they gladly advanced me to stage 2!! That was the highlight of my week....grits and cream soup never tasted sooo good. I'm still on stage 2 and just discovered some more foods to try. Otherwise, I was gonna call the doc again to see how soon I could go to stage 3. I'm glad I found some foods to hold me over bcuz I don't wanna rush it and cause problems.