So Sore!

[LifeBackNye7 44]

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!

[ShrinkingBiker 121]

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.

[ShrinkingBiker 121]

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.

[LifeBackNye7 44]

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!

[ShrinkingBiker 121]

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.

[Heyher 581]

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

[LifeBackNye7 44]

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..