TAH Exhausted

I had a TAH 1/13/2015. The Dr. was able to save one ovary. I just can't believe how exhausted I am. I try to read and I start falling asleep on the first page. Pain is manageable. First two nights at home I slept in a recliner because it hurt too much to lay down in bed. How long until my energy starts to return? This post is kind of scattered because I am exhausted. I've only been awake for an hour and I am ready for a nap.

You're only out five days from a TAH - be kind to yourself! :-)

I took naps regularly the first week after my TAH. I slept whenever and wherever I felt like sleeping. It's also important to go for short, frequent walks, so try and fit these in between naps.

My second week I still needed occasional naps, but not as often as the first week. My third week I wasn't napping anymore, but I was still turning in earlier than usual in the evenings. All in all, it took about eight weeks before my life was completely back to normal, but there was gradual progress all along the way.

Five days is NOTHING when it comes to a surgery like this. Five days out, my energy was coming and going also. I was able to walk decent distances the first week afterwards, but I also spent a LOT of time in a recliner listening to music and knitting, and there was one day when I got up, got cleaned up and showered, went into the living room, climbed in the recliner around 11am ... and the next thing I knew, the sun was going down.

Your energy will come back. The fatigue is stubborn after this sort of surgery -- it'll pass in its own sweet time. Just be sure to get up and MOVE when you do have the energy. Walking really helps with recovery, especially the whole "when am I gonna poop?" business.

The first week or so I napped often. By 2 weeks I wasn't napping at all. Up and about between 5 and 7 am in bed between 930 and 11. Slept through the night. No problems. Walk, sit up, move about as much as you can, it really does help.

I slept a LOT in the beginning. At 6 weeks out I still need a nap every couple of days if I do too much. I was shocked at how tired I was, but it is getting better. 5 days out is VERY short. Give your body time to recover from the shock and trauma of surgery. It takes a while to get all of the anesthesia out of your system too. Rest, rest, rest!! Be easy with you.

Thank you, ladies. I've just never been so tired before. It's quite shocking. I did sleep most of the day. I'm slowly regaining my appetite. I actually ate a whole tuna sandwich. I do try to get up and move around as much as I can and drink water. As soon as my husband returns from picking up our children, I am going to have him help me shower. Thank you all, again.

Just started my 6th week post op. Finally feeling energy and more like myself. Give it time. Rest. You need it now.