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Increased appetite after surgery

Sugarsnap3
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I had a laporotomy yesterday to remove a 10cm dermoid cyst and I was ravenous last night and today. Is that normal? Is that the body's way of healing itself? I assumed that I would have no appetite at all but I just felt so drained of energy after the operation that I needed food to energise myself again. My mouth was really dry so I've been gulping down water all day long. I think my appetite will probably subside- I had food there and was like 'no, I've had enough' but I just felt fatigued earlier. I was told that protein and fibre and walking about are all really important after surgery.

Can anyone relate?

Oh I'll be getting my biopsy results in 6 weeks time to check if it's benign or not.. nerve wracking but I'm glad the cyst is removed!

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    Hello Sugarsnap3, 

    I hope you are recovering well from your laparatomy. It's certainly not a bad thing that you have such a good appetite following surgery and it's good that it's been helping you feel energised again. It's great also that you are drinking so much water to keep you hydrated. So it seems like you are doing the right things and that you are on the road to a good and full recovery. 

    If there was anything you wanted to ask our nurses about your recovery process, don't hesitate to give them a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope that you will hear from other members who have had this type of surgery before and that they will come and share their recovery stories with you. 

    I am keeping everything tightly crossed for you for your biopsy results, that it all turns out to be nothing of concern. As you said, it's good that the cyst has been removed.

    Best wishes for a full and swift recovery, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

     

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Thanks for your well wishes- really kind of you.

    My appetite is back to normal now- still feel bloated and swollen around my stomach but otherwise, everything's okay. I can't lift anything heavy of course so I'm getting meals prepared for me. I'm making sure I eat lots of food with protein and fibre.

    The medical team were really happy with my recovery- I was able to walk around the ward, chat to medical team etc so that's good. The fact that I'm a healthy weight, a non smoker and don't drink meant that the surgery was lower risk...my anaesthetist was happy when he heard that I was pretty clean living.

    I did some Headspace meditations in the few days before the operation and I was able to do some of the breathing while I was waiting to be taken down to the operating theatre. I'm going to continue with Headspace because I've only needed panadol and nurofen for pain relief. I feel like the walking and healthy eating I did pre-surgery has paid off with a quick recovery time. 

    My consultant said that the cyst looks like a dermoid one so hopefully, it's benign. It's in the back of my mind of course but I'm trying to be positive. 

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