Question:
To recent Post-ops? How's your energy? Do you get headaches?
Surgery is soon, and I must admit these are the things I am most worried about. I still don't get how we can function on so few calories a day...Does anyone suffer from low energy and listlessness? Do you get hunger headaches? The shakes? You know, all those horrible things you can suffer from when dieting? All insight is appreciated. — rebeccamayhew (posted on March 16, 2002)
March 16, 2002
I am one month post-op. I did suffer from headaches and low energy for a
while. I discovered I was dehydrated and went to the emergency room where I
was given IV fluids and an anti vomitting medicine (the dehydration gave me
horrible dry heaves). Please drink all your fluids, I have never
expirienced a more horrible feeling. Now that I am hydrated I really feel
good. Good Luck!
— M. S.
March 16, 2002
Hi Rebecca,
I'm not a recent post-op..I'm almost a year out. The first few months
after my surgery I felt drained...no energy at all. As far as headaches..I
was fine. I will admit I regretted having the surgery for at least 4 or 5
months after...but once I started really losing and my vitamins kicked in I
was feeling absolutely WONDERFUL! I would do it all over again. I lost
110 lbs in 8 months. Started out at 253..and I'm down to 143. I have
another 10 lbs I wanna lose. I feel like a new person. I have so much
energy I don't know what to do with myself. As far as eating..it does get
a little better. I can eat a little more now then I could the first
several months post-op. I've never been sick a day since surgery. It's
really unbelievable how this tool really works. I always thought I would
be the one person that would fail. I look at myself now and can't believe
I'm the same person that was miserable a year ago. The surgery is well
worth everything you go through. Things are rough at first but in time
things get MUCH MUCH better! You will love the new you! Take care and
good luck! *HUGS*
— Sherry B.
March 16, 2002
Rebecca, I am 9 weeks post op and I feel great. For the first six weeks I
was tired and didn't have alot of energy.I have always suffered from
migrain headaches and I know I can't use nutra sweet because that will
trigger them so I use splenda and it taste good. I haven't had hardly any
headaches since my surgery so that is a plus for me. I am so glad I had
this sugery it's the best thing I have ever done. I have lost 40lbs in 2
months and I feel so much better and happier. Good Luck with your surgery!!
— Bonnie S.
March 16, 2002
<p>I am 10 days post-op and while I do admit taking at least 2 naps
per day I feel really good. The body heals better if you
rest.</p><p>I eat 3 meals and have 3 protein shakes each day. I
take at least 2 walks a day and haven't had any headaches or
shakes...</p>
— lilmskitty
March 16, 2002
Energy? I was the walking dead for the first 6 months. What I needed was
twice a month B-12 Shots and did ok after that. As far as the headaches,
God yes! I suffered headaches for the first 3 or 4 months. And I hardly
ever got headaches before the bypass. They will go away after awhile.
— Danmark
March 16, 2002
My energy is about as low as it was pre-op. I'm 2 weeks post op now. The
only headache I've had was the day after surgery. That coupled with
quitting caffeine was the culprit there. NO headaches since and I used to
get them alot before. Lotta stress in those pre-op days....
— Mary C.
March 16, 2002
I'm 3 wks post op and have not experienced any headaches whatsoever. I'm
on real food again, and haven't had any bouts of nausea or vomiting. My
energy level's fine... the anesthesia is finally leaving my system. I have
lost 28# so far, and feel good. Best of luck to you!
— Michelle B.
March 16, 2002
I have to admit that is what I worried about too. I would have to make an
emergency drive thru Mac D's whenever I was out and about before surgery.
It was odd that I NEVER had one episode of low blood sugar, headache,
hunger after surgery. I think it's because we get all the "junk"
out of our body when we are eating so little. I was on liquids for 3 weeks.
I have never had those symptoms in the 2 years (next month) I also was
worried about leg cramps, and never got those either. Life is good!
— ZZ S.
March 16, 2002
I'm on my 6th week post op and have had lots of energy since about the
second week. It improves daily too. I never felt unenergetic and in fact it
was immediately better when I got home compared to prior to surgery. For
few weeks I found that I wanted a little nap in the afternoon but I was
waking at 6 am and going till 11pm. As far as food and hunger... I feel
generally much better when I start my day off with a protein shake and then
fill in the rest with whatever my taste buds want- protein first. I was
told to have something either food or drink that was caloric every 2-3
hours and that keeps me pretty balanced feeling. Sometimes, since food is
not really my focus anymore, I forget to eat every 2 hours or I get busy
and then I really feel HUNGRY. No crabbiness or shakes...just hunger and I
eat something quick like sliced chicken or turkey while I make something to
eat. No hunger headaches here and I really don't feel like I suffer in any
way. I love what this surgery has done to my head regarding food.
— valiciah
March 16, 2002
I am 5 weeks post and have had no headaches whatsoever. My energy level is
slowly increasing. On day 11 I intentionally quit my afternoon nap because
I was not sleeping at night. I work 13 hour shifts at work and when I went
back at 4 weeks I worked 13 hours the first day and only 10 hour shifts the
next two. It was too much for me...really wore me out. I am religiously
getting 60 grams of protein takeing Proteinex everyday and have NEVER
experienced a feeling of hunger. Many days it gets to be 2pm and I realize
I have not eating lunch. I am not irritable like I was on diets pre-op nor
have I had any shakes on mental dullness. It has been quite amazing to me
— Joelle B.
March 16, 2002
I see your a concerned pre op like I was. PRE OP I got lo bood sugar and
other nasties when dieting. Glad to report NONE of this was a problem for
me post op. I have felt GREAT since week one was over. My profile has a
detailed activity diary that well worth reading. Surgery was a GREAT
experience for me and having lost 125 pounds I am THRILLED!
— bob-haller
March 16, 2002
I had the same concerns pre-op. I am now 5 weeks out, and I am happy to
report that I have NO headaches, listlessness, shakes, anxiety, or
weakness. Now, my full energy isn't quite back yet. I'm ready for bed at
9 pm every night. But, during the day, I feel terrific. I also feel much
more stable emotionally (no sugar or caffeine now), and I feel better
physically. Down 24 pounds so far, and thrilled with my loss. The only
nausea I ever had was for the first 4 days when I was on all liquids. And
I had headaches the first few days post-op from caffeine withdrawal and
also from a reaction to Tylenol with codeine. Having said all that, I was
weak until week 5 when my energy returned. I also never felt quite right
post-op until I got onto regular food (though puree at first), which my
doctor allowed almost immediately after I got home.
— Kathy J.
March 18, 2002
Rebecca,
I'm just over 2 months post-op (open rny, 1-17-02) and I really have not
experienced
anymore than I normally do,in the way of headaches. (sinus & migrains)
As for energy, I really didn't notice an "up" in that regard
until I was able to do regular foods.
My husband and I had the surgeries together. So, our food was as follows:
Week 1- clear liquids,
Week 2&3 full liquids. Week 4&5 pureed. Week 6 and on regular
foods! I really didn't notice my energy difference
until then.
I have heard from other folks who have come along the same path that the
energy thing that my husband & I experienced
was very normal and would pass quickly....especially if you look at it in
the calendar of life. It's been well worth it
and I have NO REGRETS at all. As of last Friday a.m. I'm down 33# and my
husband, Ron, 46# and we've only just started!
Good Luck, Rebecca,
— laurie W.
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