Recuperation

Recuperation (Full Version)

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popeye1250 -> Recuperation (7/19/2009 12:49:53 PM)
Well, I've been out of the hospital for three weeks yesterday. The handout that the surgeon's office gave me said I'd be able to do normal activities within 3-6 weeks. I saw him last wed. and he said it would be "six weeks to three months" to recover. I still have pain abdominally, from the incision and from scar tissue. My g.i. tract slowed down markedly for the first few weeks and he gave me a script for stool softeners and I was talking to a friend who's a N.P. and she said the same thing. One thing that's a problem is that I tire easily. I'll go to the market, come home, put the groceries away and find myself exhausted! I'll hit the couch and nod out for an hour or two. I just feel "drained." It's a real chore trying to get any info from surgeons! The clock starts ticking the minute they open the door and you have about two minutes to extract whatever info from them you can get. They're backing up towards the door as they're reading your chart! I had a bunch of questions to ask but all I got was "stool softeners" and "you're going to get better." I'm used to healing fast! My cat will put a deep scratch on my arm and it's gone in 2-3 days. A nurse friend told me that my immune system is "incredable." She said it took her a week to heel a scratch. I just never figured I'd be so tired from all this but this same nurse told me it's a big assault on the body to have major surgery. I'm just used to bouncing back fast from injuries/ sickness so all this is differant to be sure. I probably made lite of it but a colecetomy (removal of 18 inches of large intestine) really is a major operation. Anyone else in here have any stories of recuperating from major surgery, how you felt, how long it took etc?

TurboJugend -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 12:55:26 PM)
Welcoem back..hope you do recover fast. I had an op beginning of this year..and they said when you had full narcoses..you can stay tired for 6 months. And guess what...I did...lol. I really needed lots of sleep..and got tired easily.

TheHeretic -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 12:56:19 PM)
Hang in, Popeye. Feel better. [;)]

MistressWolfen -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 1:04:32 PM)
Welcome back Popeye, yes surgery is exhausting. The systemic shock of the procedure and the residual affect of the anesthesia will leave you feeling tired and `not quit right`. Take care of yourself and pace yourself. All the best and get well soon, I know my hubbie will be glad to see you back posting on the boards.

tazzygirl -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 1:08:28 PM)
"Normal" means able to drive, get out, go to the store, move around. basically, activities of daily living. BUT, listen to your body. It needs much more time to heal than just a few weeks after a major operation. I had stomach surgery last august. was not till november that i could do everything i did before without any pain. It takes alot of energy to heal, and time. Stay hydrated, eat well, get plenty of rest, stop when your drained or in pain, and relax. Its onlly been three weeks.

windchymes -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 3:48:55 PM)
Actually, Popeye, even though it feels like crap, everything you described for 3 weeks post-major surgery sounds very normal. Give yourself some time, your body has a big job to do to repair all of the internal wounds and then just rejuvenate itself.....it might be 6 months to a year before you feel completely back to normal. Plus, and no offense....the older you get the longer it takes....[:D] I've written about it in here before....I had back surgery 3-1/2 years ago. Looking back, it was at least two months before I stopped feeling exhausted after a simple trip to the store or into work to sign more disability papers. Just rest and take it easy.....there's no hurry [;)]

Level -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 4:02:33 PM)
I've had two back surgeries, but that was a number of years ago, and it didn't take too long to be up and going. Popeye, what'd you have surgery for? Hope you get to feeling better, as well.

sirsholly -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 4:09:38 PM)
quote: I've had two back surgeries, but that was a number of years ago, and it didn't take too long to be up and going. course not...you lived in a Hurricane zone ferpetessake! Lay around too long and you'd end up in Oz. Popeye...your body is talking to you and you really need to listen. The fatigue is normal and really will lessen soon.

Level -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 4:12:36 PM)
Ugh, I hate those flying monkeys!!

GreedyTop -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 5:28:04 PM)
HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whatcha got against flying monkeys!! grumbles I thought you LIKED me!! Popeye.. it was an INVASIVE surgery.. you're not going to be 100% for a while.. hugs

popeye1250 -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 6:15:38 PM)
Yeah, you guys are right, I'm just surprised at the level of fatigue that I'm feeling. I guess it's kind of caught me off guard. I walk out to the mailbox and back, about 100 yards and I get tired! You know, you get "tired" of taking naps all the time too!

Level -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 6:22:39 PM)
*Greedy, I meant those other* flying monkeys, not you [;)]**

windchymes -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 6:24:25 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Level I've had two back surgeries, but that was a number of years ago, and it didn't take too long to be up and going. Popeye, what'd you have surgery for? Hope you get to feeling better, as well. You just have to one-up me, don'cha??? [:'(]

winterlight -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 6:25:36 PM)
I wish you a speedy recovery. Do take care of yourself and take it slow. Major surgery requires a long recovery time depending on your body, what shape you are in, your age etc. I know it will seem like a long time to recuperate but it the long run this will be a blip on the radar. It will go fast and times goes by quickly..

Level -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 6:33:19 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: windchymes quote: ORIGINAL: Level I've had two back surgeries, but that was a number of years ago, and it didn't take too long to be up and going. Popeye, what'd you have surgery for? Hope you get to feeling better, as well. You just have to one-up me, don'cha??? [:'(] [:-] I was awake during one of mine, too!

GreedyTop -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 6:38:13 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Level *Greedy, I meant those other* flying monkeys, not you [;)]** smoooch

LinnaeaBorealis -> RE: Recuperation (7/19/2009 7:07:34 PM)
My uncle had the same surgery, but only about half as much colon removed. I took care of him & did his wound care for about 3 weeks after the surgery. He would nap nearly constantly. he expressed the same concerns that you have expressed. His surgery was in February & he's been back to normal-ish for a couple of months now.

sula -> RE: Recuperation (8/5/2009 8:03:34 PM)
Hey windchymes! [image]http://www.collarchat.com/micons/m25.gif[/image] i just read some of your earlier posts about your back surgery... i'm going in Monday morning for some extensive back surgery. i am absolutely dreading it, but your comments were really encouraging. Any tips about recovery - what to expect, how to prepare? i've had "structural repairs" on knees and shoulders (thanks to many years with horses), but this back this has me on edge. i'm not usually such a baby, but i'm looking for reassurance!!!! And Popeye - best wishes on your continued recovery... sula

popeye1250 -> RE: Recuperation (8/5/2009 11:13:35 PM)
Well it's been six weeks on sat that I got out of the hospital.Seven weeks monday since surgery and I'm doing much better. My sister who's in the medical profession up in N.H. told me that it takes 6-8 weeks just to heal from major surgery. I'm not as tired as before and have more energy. The first few weeks were awful, metal staples in my lower stomach, stitches that are still comming to the surface, doing the simpelist things draining me of energy, post surgical pain, not being able to eat much and not being able to go to the head. I did lose 26 pounds though! Plus I live alone so anything that gets done I have to do. Fuckin' cat is useless! Everyone was right, it just takes "time" so you need to get used to being lazy and napping alot. The first month after major surgery you'll be drained and want to sleep a lot. And there's always pain that needs to be managed, I think that the pain alone helps make you tired so make sure you get meds for that. Sula, all the best on your back surgery monday and keep us informed on your progress. How long will you be in hospital? I was in for a week but don't remember the first few days. They had me wacked out on pain meds.

GreedyTop -> RE: Recuperation (8/5/2009 11:16:07 PM)
quote: They had me wacked out on pain meds. meds? thats what you're calling it? ducks n runs (glad to hear you're feeling better....)

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