I just had my surgery on the 27th of may, and since then I am only able to have some apple juice 3 times a day with the antibiotics i'm on (because I know I have to take them) even that's hard for me to take.. I just feel sick at the thought of anything, is this normal? I don't think i'm recovering well either, it still hurts to move and walk.. this could be because i'm 420 pounds, as i'm guessing, but I have heard people are up and back to work in 2 days. I can barely shower myself without needing to sit down right away. Am I over exaggerating?

Stacey, take it easy! It's only been three days and everyone heals at a different rate. PLEASE rest and let your body take care of itself. If you're really having trouble getting liquids in you might want to call your doctor, but post-op swelling can indeed cause that sort of trouble for some people.

It's not at all surprising if you're not interested in taking in anything--you've just had abdominal surgery! You can expect to be sore for several days or even a couple of weeks, but it will get better every day if you rest up and don't try to overdo it. As long as you can drink fluids don't worry about calories or anything--we all have plenty of reserves to get through a few days without extra. Once you're on full liquids and can do the Protein supplements you'll start to feel even better still.

Good luck and take care! You're on your way!!

Stacey, "some" people are back at work in two days, but I personally laugh at that statement because I felt like hell for two whole weeks. Give yourself plenty of time. You shouldn't be taking whole pills right now because that could be horribly painful. Ask your pharmacist if they can be crushed or broken into tiny pieces. A whole pill would have killed me during the recovery period. There were times that I couldn't get enough liquid in, so I would lay down with a sports-bottle and I held it at my lips and let the liquid drip drip drip like an IV into my mouth. Sometimes it took a long time to finish, but it beats going to Urgent Care and having an IV of liquids poked in my arm.

I hope you're feeling better soon.

Hang in there stacey it does get better. Try a warm heating pad where you are sore and this will help alot. Did you get any liquid pain medication? Take it because it surely helps. It took me at least 1 week until I was feeling a little better. All that gas makes you feel horrible so please try to walk a little. I got up every 30 minutes and walked to my back yard and back to the couch. Sip,Sip,Sip on liquids to keep yourself hydrated. Warm chicken stock is great. I totally agree that you should not be swallowing whole pills- at this time your esophogus and stomach are so swollen it would make anyone miserable to have to get that through. I would call your doctor and see about liquid medication (or the pharmacy) any antibiotics will make someone feel nausea, like I said try some chicken stock it helps. Hang in there girl-it does get better. I am 11/2 weeks post op-Dr Spivak.

Sherri

thanks everyone! you all helped me a lot.

I'm not taking pills, i'm taking liquid clindamycin (sp?) since I'm allergic to penicillin. It leaves the nasiest taste in my mouth, and I brush my teeth and use scope at least 5 times a day and it's still there. Ah well, 5 more days of it, and then I'm free. I'm just taking it day by day.

I did buy a heating pad, and I'm going to use it today.

My doctor didn't prescribe me any pain medication because he said I was going well in recovery (but then again, I was on pain medication). The pain isn't that bad, I can tolerate it, just uncomfortable and sometimes I feel like if I move too suddenly, i'm stretching something and my wounds are going to open, but i'm just thinking crazy. haha.

I'm just taking it one day at a time, and hopefully by the end of the week things will slowly be shifting back into normal.

Hey Stacey,

I was just banded last Tuesday, and know exactly how you feel. Day 3 for me was by far the worst day for me. I'm a couple of days ahead of you, and can tell you that it does get better.

Someone else suggested alternating ice with the heat...which will help with the swelling, and hopefully open up your ability to drink a little better.

Hang in there....it gets better!!

Denise

Stacey you sound like a typical postop recovering bandster to me. It is very hard the first few days and then you start seeing improvements each day. the best advice is to sip, sip, sip, on small amounts of water and other clear liquids all day. My dr. said try for at least 3 oz an hour to keep hydrated more if you feel you can. Deffinatly use the heating pad. I slept in the recliner for 1 week with the heating pad so it could take a few more days before your feeling a little better.Remember every step of the way is a learning experience and you will hit obsticals but be patient and keep reaching for your goal and you will get closer every day to getting your health back.

3 days post op, all that you are feeling is normal ...

Stracey, Just like everyone said it is very normal what you are going thourgh. I was in pain for almost 2 weeks out and lots of times that I moved or try to bend down, I thought my guts were going to spill out. Im actually really starting to feel better with no pain days and im only a little over a month out. So hang in there girl. You are going to do GREAT! Just take care and get pampered! Thats the fun part!!! Take Care!