Still hangin' in there...but have another question

[Darryl's heart]

Well, tonight at this time next week, I should have my surgery completed and beginning my road to recovery. I do have a question for anyone. Do you lose your appetite after the surgery and do you lose any weight? Or is it the complete opposite?

I know I probably sound like a broken record, but I just can't thank everyone enough for all of the words of kindness and wisdom to my previous posts and questions that I've had. You are all just too much! Thanks again from the bottom of my broken heart.

The waiting for the surgery is just absolutely crazy. You know, I'm going to be finally relieved once it gets here. I'm to the point now where I just want to get it over with and start my recovery.

 

[geebee]

Darryl,

I lost weight after surgery once I started increasing my activity. I was unable to do a lot of exercise before surgery so I benefited after because of being able to walk a lot, play racquetball, etc.

I did not lose weight tho until I started aerobic excercising. Just the "act" of having surgery did not cause a weight loss.

Don't worry about worrying. The calm will set in soon. Just try to focus on family and lots of hugs. The rest will take care of itself.

 

[Phyllis]

Dick lost about 12 pounds from the date of surgery until about two weeks into his recovery. At that point, he regained his appetite and gained it all back over the next 6-8 months.

 

[Ross]

You will lose weight. You won't want to eat because your taste sensation is going to be messed up for a week or two, but you'll still have an appetite. Finding what tastes good is the hard part.

 

[tobagotwo]

Some time ago, there was a spate of responses about this issue, and I believe that most people said they lost their taste for food for a while after surgery, but gained it (and their weight) back after a few months.

I also recall that the average net weight change was +5 lbs over a year. I have contributed to that overage this winter, but will try to take it back this spring...

Best wishes,

 

[hensylee]

I believe you will find that most posters will say they lost weight. It is usually part of the picture. But it will come back.

As to anxiety, if it's too baD your dr can relieve it w/a pill. but don't take it for long. Just to get you through.

We will be thinking of you through aLL this as you approach that ominous mountain. Watch out for the truck and don't sneeze once you get to the other side.

Is someone going to let us know how you get through? We always want to hear how our member is.

GODSPEED!

 

[Barry]

The surgery didn't affect my appetite one way or the other.

 

[hayden]

The surgery didn't affect my appetite one way or the other.

I lost 20 lbs following surgery, and did not really care whether I ate or not, until I started rehab, now I have gained 10 lbs back of the 20 I lost and eat like a horse..(which was what I did pre-surgery. I never met a meal I didn't like....

 

[rmn]

Once I came to after my morning surgery a month ago I couldn't wait to eat and drink something. I ordered a plate of chicken fingers and fries with a chocolate milkshake about 3:30 and ate every bit. Didn't miss a meal while I was in the hospital and haven't since I've been home recovering. My appetite varied, but I always felt like eating something.

As far as weight loss/gain, I gained about 18 pounds the first couple days purely from water retention. I understand that's fairly common. They gave me lasix and then I was in the bathroom every hour for the next couple days. Got down close to my "admission weight" just before discharge. When I got home, I really tried to watch what I ate due to my limited physical activity, but as my activity has increased, so has the amount I eat.

I am taking warfarin, but I have made no changes to my diet and have not had any problem getting within the range desired by my physician.

Hope this helps and good luck with your surgery!

 

[catwoman]

I had appetite problems -- lost about 24 lbs. in just a few weeks. I did notice a whitish coating on my tongue about 2 days' post-op.
Only things that tasted good were fresh fruit and sweetened drinks, mostly iced tea.

I gained back 8 of the 24 pounds. Last June I decided to lose more weight and am down 47 pounds from my weigh-in at the hospital one day pre-op.
I still have some problems with taste at times -- could be from warfarin, which can cause appetite "perversion," per side effects listed by Bristol Squibb Myers. Guess "perversion" helps keep my weight in line now!