Changes After Surgery

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634
JustGigi1967
May 03, 2023 12:55 pm

Since my surgery, I have noticed some changes. Before my surgery, a typical night's sleep was four hours. Now, I sleep eight to ten hours, and I take a couple of naps each day.

My appetite... it's gone! I'm not sure where it went or if it'll come back.

Before surgery, I lived on caffeine --- like a pot or more of coffee daily. Since surgery, the smell makes me nauseous.

What changes did you notice? Were those changes temporary or lasting?

AlexT
May 03, 2023 2:18 pm

How long has it been since surgery? Pretty much all of mine came back, except I ate oatmeal almost every day during chemo and still can't look at the stuff a little over 2 years later. Not drinking that much coffee is probably a good thing. Depending on how long it has been since surgery, sleep/naps aren't a bad thing usually. Push yourself to get up and get moving, just a little more each day.

Maried

Great site..I have had an colostomy over 30 years..and have been thru skin rash around my stoma,hernias(2), leaks, odor control , needed clothing suggestions and this site has helped me with recommendations and many ideas worked!
I wish it was around 30 years ago. Thank you everyone!

Past Member
May 03, 2023 3:20 pm

Same question: how long has it been since surgery? I know it takes me about 3-4 months after before I can stomach a cup of coffee again. I got the nausea with the smell as well, also anything sweet for the first couple of months. Your appetite will come back, and just take it easy when it does. If your body is still healing, like it's been said, it's good for your body to rest.

TerryLT
May 03, 2023 9:04 pm

Hi and welcome to the group! I just read your bio and you are only ten days out of surgery?! If you weren't experiencing those things, it would be weird! It's good that you're sleeping a lot, as your body has been through a lot and it needs it. I went through the same thing as you, a visit to the ER, emergency surgery for a perforated colon, and went home with a colostomy. I remember it took me weeks to get back to normal. You need to take it really easy, don't overdo it, and definitely don't do any heavy lifting as you are now at risk of a hernia. Did they talk to you about that at the hospital? Do you have access to an ostomy nurse? Things will slowly get back to normal, but you now have a hole in your gut and you will need to be careful of straining your abdominal muscles. Once you have had a few weeks to recover, you can start doing gentle exercises to strengthen your abdominals, which will help to prevent a hernia. If you Google 'exercises for ostomy patients' you will find some. Anyway, don't be afraid to ask questions about anything. There are lots of people here who are willing to help with advice and support.

Terry

Maried
May 04, 2023 4:18 am

It takes a while to get back to normal after surgery. It takes a while to even feel like eating. I've had approximately four, and I lived on cold cereal for weeks afterward. Nothing tasted good; all food tasted like chemicals!

 

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Past Member
May 17, 2023 1:45 pm

Hello, post-surgery for me was great (February), but now I am more tired and sore all the time. I did a power walk in the ICU immediately after surgery for two miles; now I have to push myself to make a mile. Still trying to enjoy life, traveling, riding dirt toys, etc., but physically not anywhere near as good as pre-surgery. Is anyone else experiencing this? As far as food and coffee, since I can now eat anything for the first time in years, I do enjoy that part, but nothing tastes the same; some of my favorite meals are terrible.

JustGigi1967
Jun 02, 2023 2:09 pm

I appreciate that you drew your word picture using the activity of writing. As a ghostwriter, I have to set my own goals and milestones. In order to fulfill my commitments to my authors, my motivation must come from within. Gracias por tus sabias palabras.