THIS is how the first 4 weeks go...

[paj92434 27]

Hi HMB, thanks for posting that. I am 10 days out and wondering when I will feel myself. I really like to c that in four weeks you felt great. I cant wait to eat real food.

[Harley59 67]

Hello all -

I know several of us are hitting our 1 month mark this week. Mine is today.

The body is an incredible thing, truly. It's a healing machine quite frankly.

At one and two weeks out:

-you wonder what you have done to yourself and you are pretty sure you will never feel quite normal again

-you can't imagine yourself ever sleeping anywhere but the living room recliner

-the thought of driving or going back to work seems like an unrealistic commitment you made Way Back Before Surgery

-you can get in so little Water and Protein that it dawns on you that THESE are the weeks that will cause hair loss several months from now

-you learn what "sliming" is (ewwww)

-MyFitnessPal tells you repeatedly: "You are getting too few calories. If every day were like today, you would be DEAD in 5 weeks."

At three weeks out:

-you feel better but not really there yet

-you need extra naps on the weekend

-getting in your Water and Protein can be done with the effort of a full time job

-you have a strange painful stitch in your side that you've resigned yourself to bravely live with the rest of your life

-you accidentally sleep all night with the heating pad on your largest incision site on its highest setting

-you walk 20 minutes on the treadmill and then come onto this site and disbelievingly post, "WHEN did they say I should start exercising????"

-your body decides you must be on a grueling episode of Survivor and goes into starvation mode yielding the world's most devastating weight loss stall prompting you to decide that you are a failure and did this all for NOTHING

At four weeks out:

-you sleep in your own bed in whatever position you want

-the fire-hazardous heating pad gets put away

-you walk 2+ miles at lunch and think maybe you could have done more

-you have enough energy to really start cleaning the house again and get totally aggravated at hubby and kids for how little they managed to do for the past month

-you randomly feel happy, mad, silly, sad as hormones and emotions take their toll

-you have to pack up the first set of clothes which are now too big

-you feel healthy....dare I say...normal?

Yep, the first month is kind of amazing.

Thank you for the post. I like knowing what could be ahead of me and will probably read this over and over. I have had multiple surgeries, including 2 total knee replacements and that was hell. I am thinking positive and hope that I will have a great recovery but at least with your post, I know what could also be normal. We are all different. We heal different and eat different. We got to this point in our lives for different reasons. It's nice to know what could be ahead. My surgery is Tuesday morning. Can you or anyone tell me what to really buy at the store for the week I am back home? I hate to buy things or quantities that I won't need. I am all set on the Protein shake end.

[CrazyJaney 775]

Hello all -

I know several of us are hitting our 1 month mark this week. Mine is today.

The body is an incredible thing, truly. It's a healing machine quite frankly.

At one and two weeks out:

-you wonder what you have done to yourself and you are pretty sure you will never feel quite normal again

-you can't imagine yourself ever sleeping anywhere but the living room recliner

-the thought of driving or going back to work seems like an unrealistic commitment you made Way Back Before Surgery

-you can get in so little Water and Protein that it dawns on you that THESE are the weeks that will cause hair loss several months from now

-you learn what "sliming" is (ewwww)

-MyFitnessPal tells you repeatedly: "You are getting too few calories. If every day were like today, you would be DEAD in 5 weeks."

At three weeks out:

-you feel better but not really there yet

-you need extra naps on the weekend

-getting in your Water and Protein can be done with the effort of a full time job

-you have a strange painful stitch in your side that you've resigned yourself to bravely live with the rest of your life

-you accidentally sleep all night with the heating pad on your largest incision site on its highest setting

-you walk 20 minutes on the treadmill and then come onto this site and disbelievingly post, "WHEN did they say I should start exercising????"

-your body decides you must be on a grueling episode of Survivor and goes into starvation mode yielding the world's most devastating weight loss stall prompting you to decide that you are a failure and did this all for NOTHING

At four weeks out:

-you sleep in your own bed in whatever position you want

-the fire-hazardous heating pad gets put away

-you walk 2+ miles at lunch and think maybe you could have done more

-you have enough energy to really start cleaning the house again and get totally aggravated at hubby and kids for how little they managed to do for the past month

-you randomly feel happy, mad, silly, sad as hormones and emotions take their toll

-you have to pack up the first set of clothes which are now too big

-you feel healthy....dare I say...normal?

Yep, the first month is kind of amazing.

Thank you for the post. I like knowing what could be ahead of me and will probably read this over and over. I have had multiple surgeries, including 2 total knee replacements and that was hell. I am thinking positive and hope that I will have a great recovery but at least with your post, I know what could also be normal. We are all different. We heal different and eat different. We got to this point in our lives for different reasons. It's nice to know what could be ahead. My surgery is Tuesday morning. Can you or anyone tell me what to really buy at the store for the week I am back home? I hate to buy things or quantities that I won't need. I am all set on the protein shake end.

sugar free Popsicles were a lifesaver. I bought a ton of Soups and didn't use half them but I was glad to have those cans that I used. I quickly got sick of the fake sugar taste of EVERYTHING and craved savory, salty stuff. You eat such small portions. I puréed French onion Soup and broc/cheese Soup from my favorite rest and that was delish. Oh - and tea! I detoxed from coffe the week before surgery (it was hell). I like tea so I went and dropped some cash at a nice tea shop and bought two Decaf teas that I drank a ton of the first week. Really hot stuff is hard but warm liquid is good. I won't lie to you, the first 5 days, it's major surgery and you feel it. But each day gets quickly easier (al least for me, not all). Hope this helps. No regrets here. It's a game changer to say the least, but I'm down 46 total, 18 of those since surg 3 weeks ago. Be prepared for your energy level to be pummeled but it gets better. Good luck! This site has been a godsend. Keep reading and asking questions. It's been a big help to me.

[eat4life 31]

I too feel like this is going to be an Amazing process. I started out last monday on the pre-op diet and went through caffeine withdrawl so bad I began to question what I was doing. Than the lack of actual food. But I have kept my eye on the prize and in 1 week my blood sugar went from 186 to 86 with no MEDS...Yeah and I am down 12.6 LBS since Monday. There is so many emotions going on but I am learning to look at food ina different light! I just wish my energy would come back so I felt more like exercising....

Hello all -

I know several of us are hitting our 1 month mark this week. Mine is today.

The body is an incredible thing, truly. It's a healing machine quite frankly.

At one and two weeks out:

-you wonder what you have done to yourself and you are pretty sure you will never feel quite normal again

-you can't imagine yourself ever sleeping anywhere but the living room recliner

-the thought of driving or going back to work seems like an unrealistic commitment you made Way Back Before Surgery

-you can get in so little Water and Protein that it dawns on you that THESE are the weeks that will cause hair loss several months from now

-you learn what "sliming" is (ewwww)

-MyFitnessPal tells you repeatedly: "You are getting too few calories. If every day were like today, you would be DEAD in 5 weeks."

At three weeks out:

-you feel better but not really there yet

-you need extra naps on the weekend

-getting in your Water and Protein can be done with the effort of a full time job

-you have a strange painful stitch in your side that you've resigned yourself to bravely live with the rest of your life

-you accidentally sleep all night with the heating pad on your largest incision site on its highest setting

-you walk 20 minutes on the treadmill and then come onto this site and disbelievingly post, "WHEN did they say I should start exercising????"

-your body decides you must be on a grueling episode of Survivor and goes into starvation mode yielding the world's most devastating weight loss stall prompting you to decide that you are a failure and did this all for NOTHING

At four weeks out:

-you sleep in your own bed in whatever position you want

-the fire-hazardous heating pad gets put away

-you walk 2+ miles at lunch and think maybe you could have done more

-you have enough energy to really start cleaning the house again and get totally aggravated at hubby and kids for how little they managed to do for the past month

-you randomly feel happy, mad, silly, sad as hormones and emotions take their toll

-you have to pack up the first set of clothes which are now too big

-you feel healthy....dare I say...normal?

Yep, the first month is kind of amazing.

[Guest jskittles3]

Great Post! I am at almost two weeks since my surgery and can relate! Looking forward to the weeks to come & continuing to progress on my journey.

[karinbuck 42]

I copied and pasted this and sent it to some of my friends. I'm not very good with words or explaining my feeling. You hit the nail on the head. Your post was very helpful in explaining how I feel. Thank you.

[Sherry S 103]

Got the shot in my heel last Thurs and my heel is fine now. YEA. Weight loss still slow. 19 lbs now. See Dr for 2 mo visit and hope to get released to go to Curves. As long as the weight loss is slow but sure I'm happy.

Hey April, I have the fatigue also. I'm glad someone posted that her Dr said it can last for 3 mo's or so. There is very little about how long the fatigue can last. I never had fatigue after surgery last this long. This is a MAJOR trauma out bodies have been through and it will take time for it to heal. Also loosing weight puts more stress on our bodies. Taking it one day at a time, taking our Vitamins and following the Dr's orders will work in the long run. Your right everyone is different and we all heal differently. I got Planters fasciitis 2nd day after surgery. I noticed when I started to walk a pain in my heel. I'm grateful I have an indoor pool to walk in because regular walking can be painful after a short time.

Omg, my sister had that and it was agonizing to walk so I'm familiar with that pain. They made special insoles for her that ended up being just as painful and no help. As she lost it did get better though, so keep it in mind. (((Hugs)))

[SuperFab 689]

Got the shot in my heel last Thurs and my heel is fine now. YEA. Weight loss still slow. 19 lbs now. See Dr for 2 mo visit and hope to get released to go to Curves. As long as the weight loss is slow but sure I'm happy.

Thank goodness you're feeling better!! Slow or fast, we all get there as long as we follow the plan

[sdvorak88 10]

Hello all. I'm not post op but will have surgery mid june. My question is my husband & I planned a 10 day road trip antiquing trip & I'm wondering if at 5-6 weeks post op if I'll be ok for it. I know I will need to plan ahead but any thoughts would be great!

[CrazyJaney 775]

I'm 4 weeks (almost) and wishing I was at the beach right now. I believe I could travel pretty easily. Maybe low stamina but I could definitely travel. I had a good recovery though and it appears each one of us has a unique experience. Have you had an abdominal surgery before? That might help you gauge it better. Of course, you'll have to modify and prioritize food. You'll be sick of Liquid Protein by then. I've eaten out a few times (soup mostly) but it's easier to eat at home. That would be a big consideration.

[sdvorak88 10]

I had c sections w both my kids in 94 & 97 & healed quickly & fairly painlessly. I took really good care of my incision & was slow & steady walking a lot. I think if we stop every couple hours to walk a bit I will be fine. Thanks for the response I'm new to any type of forum or chat rooms etc but have found reading everything on here so very helpful & asking questions as I begin to start my journey! !

[CrazyJaney 775]

It's harder than a c- sec for the first couple days but by day 6-7, pain was minimal. In only took pain meds for four days. Eating and drinking are the hard part. But by week 2-3, you get into a rhythm. Just be sure to have good plans for eating types of food you can tolerate. I'm just moving to softs. I ordered salmon the other day. Could only eat a small, small amount. But, I'm a believer in getting out there. I wish I had more time off work so I could have gone somewhere this week. I'm definitly ready. Yes, this is a great place to learn. It's been a lifesaver.

[Anababy 16]

Please explain this stitch in the side lol. Tues will be 3 weeks and I overdid it. My side is in some massive pain today plus I have a cold/cough and that's not helping my side either

The side pain is your internal stitches pulling. It is normal and will go away. Being more active and walking helps.

[joyann45 29]

Thanks I needed to read these posts this morning.

[misslu58 7]

I am at just shy of three weeks out.. and I can relate to this, except sleeping in the recliner. I only did that the first night home, then I slept in my own bed with lots of pillows around me.

The lost feeling and feeling like, what did I do, is certainly there. The doc and nutritionist reminded me last week that it was a major surgery I had done (plus I had my gallbladder that was full of stones out at the same time, so a double whammy).... They have promised me it will get better and in no time I will have my energy back. I keep doubting them, then think and remember after that first horrible night when I got sick from the anesthia and my nurse kept telling me that would end, I start believing this too will end and I will feel back to myself (and even better) in no time!