Frustrated!!!

Ok - so I keep thinking everyday is going to be better than the last, but I am afraid that just isn't so for me.  In fact, I would say each day is getting harder.  I am feeling weaker and I have less energy to do the things I was doing just days after the surgery.  Today is makes three weeks since I had the surgery and I am just wondering - is this normal?  Is this what it is supposed to be like? I read so many stories where people say - I didn't even feel like I had the surgery.  I was walking 3 miles at week 2.  Why do I not fit into this category!?! Please, if you struggled to get back to your new "normal" share your story with me because right now I am feeling all alone.  Like I am abnormal!!!

Hi, I don't think you are abnormal at all.  You just had major surgery.  I am not a doctor but I would venture a guess that when you have a high BMI  we had taken in alot more food (energy) to maintain that high number.  As of three weeks ago you stopped putting in all that fuel.  Yes you read about people having so much energy and doing all these things and I believe that this will happen for you also.   Express your concern to your surgeon and let him/her explain.  I felt very much like you but I fully intended on taking 8 weeks to relearn how to eat .  If at 2 in the afternoon I needed a nap I took one.  I had open surgery so I knew that I wasn't going to be running any races real soon.  I had a panni in January and I am still not fully up to speed.  It takes time to recover from surgery and each of us are different and recover in a different way. I do hope you start to feel better and I am sure that you will  Keep up your protein, water and vitamins.   Just push yourself a tiny bit every day.   Good luck and I really hope you feel better soon. Jeanne. 

I had a really hard time recovering from my second surgery, 2 weeks after the first.  It took months to feel energized and I still sometimes have bad days.  It took months before all I wanted to do was sleep.  You are not abnomal.  There is something called hibernation syndrome, read up on it. 

I don't have the answers as to why this is happening, just wanted to let you know I hope this changes for you very soon. HUGS...Hang in there!   Jeanine

OK, my 2 cents worth again. I seem to have allot of that lately. You are just fine hunn but if you are on any blood pressure pills GO NOW to your Dr. They need to either be reduced or removed. I had lost so much weight my bp pills were over dosing me (2 weeks ago) and I spent 3 days in the hospital on IV's and allot of meds in them to re stabilize me. It took me maby a little over 4 weeks post op before I FINALLY started having energy. The meds were a big part of the lack of it for me I think. Also you might want to ask your Dr for a Vitamin B12 shot. It lasts for a month and is like energy on steroids for people loosing weight. My Surgeon gives them to all his bypass patents every month for 12 months post op. It is either that or B12 vitamins but they do not work as good as the shot (my opinion) I feel for you feeling all alone as well. In my profile I have  blog of everything i went through including emotions and the not having energy issues as well.. You are more than welcome to read it. Hopefully you will not feel so alone. It is kind long. after my surg date (4-21-08) might be easier read for what you are going through right now.   Just a thought that might help. Kathleen

I would say energy wise, I was not good until about 6-8 weeks out as far as energy was concerned.  I didn't feel like I had surgery and had no pain issues, but the energy was just not there for me.  But I plugged through it and started at the gym @ 3 weeks out.  I think once I could eat more normal food at 6 weeks, it really helped me a lot. Sending you BIIIIGGGGG  {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

I wanted to post the exact same thing at 3 weeks out.  I just came out of hiding yesterday.  I have been lurking around what seems like forever.  I, too felt like I was the only one going thru this.  I had no energy at all and I took naps everyday for about 3 weeks. i couldn't understand how people were up and around like nothing. I went to Wal-mart to get some excercise and once we started putting items in the shopping cart, I didn't have the strenght to pu****  My husband had to pull it while I was holding on.  At that time Walmart felt like it was the size of an amusement park.  I will be 8 weeks out on friday and I no longer feel tired.  As a matter of fact, I was at Sea World this past Saturday from open to close.  I walked and climbed all the stairs all day and I felt good. I felt like running to the car in the parking lot since it was half empty and didn't feel tired, but I am still way too big for that. I was glad that I had enjoyed myself and exercised without feeling the burn. It does pass. Things do get better even though it seems like forever.  Hang in there.

It really isn't talked about much now days, but earlier on in the WLS scheme of things, there was a phase some people went through shortly after surgery called "hibernation syndrome".  Hibernation Syndrome is due to the dramatic chemical, biological and physical changes that your body has and is going through.  You have less to eat, so you have less energy right now, your body is recovering, and has lost some blood, and is still inflammed from surgery, the rapid break down of the red blood cells trying to cope with things has a chemical effect on your system, etc.  This causes you to feel weaker, have less stamina and energy.  Try upping your protein a bit by getting in another supplemental shake, and drink as much water as you can to help flush your body, rest when needed and just know that you might be one of those needing a bit more time to recover. Hugs,

The prior posters have given you some good information about what's probably going on, but I just wanted to offer some gentle words of encouragement and tell you that it really all will be okay in the long run.  You're body has been through a lot, and it just needs time to heal and adjust your energy cycles.  For some of us that takes longer than others.  Me, I was pretty tired for about 8 weeks, and then it took another 8-12 weeks before I really felt like my old self again. 

You are right where you are supposed to be - just keep doing the right things and give your body time to adjust and heal.

{{{{{Hugs}}}}}

Kellie

I've only been out 5 weeks and I feel just like you.  Tired every day.  I am working from home and like you a trip to wal-mart or the grocery store may as well have been a marithon......but it does seem to get a little bit better every day.   I just try a little more each day - and every day gets a little better.  people also tell me that anesthesia can make you tired for a long time after surgery.... so chin-up it has to get better - keep your eye on the prize!