How did you feel 1 week post-op?

[Rexcom]

Hi All,

A bit of a random question. I'm asking because I will be taking one week off of my high-stress office job....then working 1 week from home. I'll have surgery on a Monday and I'm hoping to feel well enough by the following Sunday to return to my office job (work from home). I'm more concerned about my energy level and ability to concentrate and make decisions. Do you recall how you felt physically and emotionally on Day 6-7 post-op?
If you were not feeling so good Day 6-7, in retrospect, is there anything you believe you could have done differently that would have made a difference?

Thanks!

[Dutchie]

Mentally I felt like a million bucks, but physically I was a mess.
I was just released from the hospital after a 5-day stay.
I had lost a lot of blood and I refused a transfusion.
So I was pretty weak for a long time.
That can happen... just saying...

[Tenloris]

Hi All,

A bit of a random question. I'm asking because I will be taking one week off of my high-stress office job....then working 1 week from home. I'll have surgery on a Monday and I'm hoping to feel well enough by the following Sunday to return to my office job (work from home). I'm more concerned about my energy level and ability to concentrate and make decisions. Do you recall how you felt physically and emotionally on Day 6-7 post-op?
If you were not feeling so good Day 6-7, in retrospect, is there anything you believe you could have done differently that would have made a difference?

Thanks!

That is pretty much what I did. I had surgery on Friday and the next week I took off, and the week after I worked from home. I was fine- yes a bit tired but I rested when I could and since I was already home I didn’t have to deal with transportation etc. I got plenty of rest and it worked out great. I didn’t feel diminished mentally- just not much physical energy and I was fine when I returned to work the week after.

[Pudsley]

I felt tired for about 6 weeks, after surgery but I physically felt great.

I took a week off after surgery but I went back earlier because I felt able to.

My advice to you is to be super efficient with your intake of fluids and be organized freezer stocked up on broth, so you can grab them quickly heat them up so you can recoup as much as possible. I went to bed early and napped a lot when ever I had the chance to.
All the Best. You will do great.

Be kind to yourself if you feel you need to put things off and have 40 winks, You will full of energy soon enough.

[AnnieG]

I also had transfusions and a couple of extra hospital days, but after the first 10 days post op my energy came back. Thinking was clear as long as I stay hydrated (still true). Just pace yourself and listen to what your body says. You might be more stressed NOT doing things than doing them. I know I am!

[jackalope81]

I found I could get a full day of office work every other day after the first week during weeks 2 and 3. It was a running out of steam thing for me just feeling tired. However, I was off pain killers and actually going into the office. I imagine working from home where you can take naps, etc. would be doable. I wouldn't try and pull an eight hour day with no big breaks scheduled. Maybe try a few hours on and a few hours off.

[Ann2]

Rex, I took two weeks off. And I've never napped so much in my whole life as I did those two weeks. I also wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer mentally during those two weeks. I didn't have any pain issues or complications of any kind. However, I could certainly tell I had just had *major surgery*.

And believe me when I say I'm a tough cookie.

The rate of mental and physical recovery seems to vary considerably. My advice would be to build as much flexibility into your post-surgical plan as possible. Try to include in that plan the possibility that you may need more rest time the second week than you are hoping / expecting / thinking you will. If you feel super, then go for it. But if not, prepare your coworkers and boss(es) for that possibility.

One final thought: You deserve to heal. And your employer should allow you to have enough time to heal after major surgery. You're not going on vacation!

[KiwiGal]

Hi Rex.
I also took 2 weeks off work. I had the time available and wanted to give myself the best chance for recovery. My surgeon suggested 2-3 weeks was advisable.
I spent the first week concentrating on getting my hydration and protein drinks under control, napping and walking for short sedate bursts.
The second week I continued with my plan and the walks increased in length. I wasn't as tired but certainly wasn't up to much - although I did go to a music concert on day 6. I didn't get up and dance and just sat in my seat for the whole concert but I didn't want to miss out as we had booked the tickets before my surgery was scheduled.
By the time I was back at work I was able to do full days but when I got home that was pretty much me done for the day.

You will know your own body. However please remember that you will be recovering from life changing surgery. You need time for your body to heal and for your mind to get to grips with your new stomach.

All the best and be kind to yourself.

[Stacey03]

I took 6 weeks off! I know, but I was tired! I did go and do some uni classes and kind of was only working casually at the time so it worked out fine. I was exhausted for 6 weeks. I just was but I also had some iron infusions as I was super anaemic so it might have had something to do with that. Anyway, in the end my energy came back after 6 weeks and I was very relieved! Everyone is so different.

[jerzeygirl]

I was 61 years old, walked a mile in 5 days and went back to work in 9 days! I was tired though and when I sat down, I almost immediately feel asleep; I never napped so much as I did the days before I went back to work, but my energy was much better than before surgery almost immediately!

Everyone is different and it depends on many factors. Good luck!

[sraebaer]

I took two weeks off which was perfect for me. I guess I could have done it at one, but would have been really tired. Good luck!

[Loveangel104]

Hello Rex,
For me, during the pre-op diet is when I had the most energy. I was getting up at 5 am and going about my day without a nap, finally going to bed at 11 pm.
After surgery, I still had a lot of energy, which I think was carry over from the two weeks Pre-op.
Starting the second week, my energy started to dwindle. When I went for a walk or did any kind of activity, I would get immediately tired after.
Even until now, I feel like that. But that brings me to what I would change. I would make sure to get enough fluids, as well as the vitamins the doctor and the team tells you to take, FOLLOW the schedule. I think I might have been less tired if I did that. (And it turns out I'm still Iron Deficient, so I need to get
Iron Infusions once a month. At least it explains why my energy has not come back yet...)
Just know that everyone is different, and you need to listen to your body.
Hope this helps,
~*~Christina~*~

[Christie13]

I took exactly a week off. My job is not physically demanding but does require a lot of mental aptitude as I am in a heavily regulated industry. I had no issues going back to work but I was definitely physically tired by early evening.