Had my surgery Monday April 1, released from the hospital yesterday. Everything is so sore! Especially my back and it hurts so bad when I swallow or burp. I am hoping this is normal just can't wait for this part to be over. What did you guys attempt to drink your first week out? I did walk a mile today... I was so tired of laying in the bed!

It gets better.. Best advise I can give is to walk as much as you can.. even laps around your home.. That's what I did.. walk til I burped or farted.. lol

Then on day 3 or 4 my mother came over and took me out to a park and we did about a 1-2 mile trail walk. I felt pretty crappy when I got home, but the next day I felt 10000 times better.

I took my wife back 2 days later and we walked a little bit (not nearly as much as with my mom) and try to keep that up every few days.. even if it's around the block, or a store.

Week 2 gets much easier, and it keeps improving every day. If you do have pain that persists for a long time and it seems abnormal give your doctor a call just to be safe.

Oh, and first week I was drinking a little more each day.. First day home was about 2 oz of broth, 2oz of carnation instant breakfast (I had to water it down because it didn't work well for me at first) and a bottle of water, second was the same with 4oz of each and double the water.

Then I held at that until my 8th day. Week 2 I was able to get a little more "food" in and 3-4 bottles of water is pretty steady from then til now at just over 2 weeks out..

I moved to puree yesterday.. I had about 4oz of ricotta bake, a cup of juice, and some water melon. Also weight watchers fudge pops snack size are good for getting a little extra in, and sugar free ice pops work to give you a little bit of variety.

Today I tried my first cream of wheat and it's pretty easy. I had about 4 small spoon fulls then stopped. I'll probably have another few in an hour or so. Then have a bit of something later in the evening.

It's hard to learn to change your whole lifestyle over a day after surgery.. Even with the prep courses you still need to learn what you can eat and how to know when enough is enough.

Thanks ShrinkingBiker for your wealth of information. I thought maybe the pain meds I received would take all the pain away, I guess that was silly on my part. What concerns me now is the amount of liquids I am getting in! Omgoodness you were able to drink a full bottle of water in addition to everything else! That was great! I may do 8 ounces total per day! I will try to increase it to prevent dehydration! I am hoping I feel atleast 1000 times better tomorrow after my first mile today. I truly appreciate all your advice!

Not a problem.. Water goes down easy for me, and it's always by my side. I try to take a couple sips every 10 minutes or so..

I was also begging for water in the hospital though.. maybe I'm just a water needing kinda guy.. lol I must have went through about 6 cups of ice chips in the little time I was there.

I know it's gross.. but your urine will tell you a lot about dehydration.. you should strive for clear.. the darker it is the more water you need. I think at our stage in this, water is key.

Try sipping an ounce every 15 minutes for 45 minutes. Then do an ounce of protein. Hold off 15 minutes and start over.

Wow Shrinking Biker..I just looked at my urine and it is pretty gross very dark... I will definitely start drinking more water.. yuk

Heyher Thanks for the advice I so! My nurse gave me a stack if the little medical cups to use soI will follow your instructions and see how I do!

Thanks again for responding guys... What a new life to live! I sm ready for the ride..