2 weeks post-op - EXHAUSTED!

Hi all, I am 2 weeks post-op today. I have lost 30 pounds, which is great, but I am utterly, completely exhausted. Pre-op, I had boundless energy, work full-time, 2 kids, errand, groceries, shopping, park, I did it all on 4 hours of sleep a night and never needed an alarm clock. Now I find myself dozing off at 10 p.m., not waking until almost 7 and napping again in the afternoon. This is crazy! I took my son to the park Friday, a little over a mile from home, which we always do 3 or 4 times a week with no problem. Well, I had to call for a ride home I was so wiped out. I went grocery shopping last Tuesday morning and then I was done for the day. I send my son to day care most days because I am too tired to deal with him (he has PDD and is full of it all the time and really hard to deal with). I know I am not expecting any mother of the year nominations, but I justify it by telling yself that since I have to pay the day care whether he is there or not, I might as well send him. I had to go to the laundromat Saturday and do 9 loads of laundry (which was only half of the laundry that needs to be done) and I was so tired and crampy I was crying when I was done. I did nothing for the rest of the day or Sunday except cook for the kids and do dishes, the bare minimum. All of my incisions are healed, and I am pretty sure I am physically tired, so why the exhaustion? I have my 2 week follow-up on Thursday and I am so worried the surgeon is going to tell me I need to go back to work. Truly, I don't think I am ready. When will I get my energy back? Not depressed, still very glad I did this. Carrie

Carrie, If there is one thing that most patients are not really prepared for after this surgery is how tired you are! I took 6 weeks off work, but, was still dragging my first 2 weeks back. Then miraculously at week 8, I started feeling like my old self. Today puts me at week 12. I feel better than I have in years! I think you need to get past week 7...sorry to say it, but, it is real. Oh and be real careful with lifting. Your incisions may appear healed, but, the muscle underneath certainly isn't and you are at a bigger risk for hernias. In my WLS support group meeting I go to, so many patients have had to go back for hernia operations (even the ones that had it laproscopically done.) You really shouldn't lift for 3 months. Good luck and get some rest and heal, baby, heal! Lori 384/319/170

((((((((((((((((CARRIE)))))))))))))))))))), First of all...CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss I am pre-op so I dont know from personal experience, but everything I have read on here about people being tired is NORMAL. They say you have been through MAJOR surgery and your body is adjusting.(I hope you dont mind my second-hand advice). They all seem to say that it will take 4-6 weeks to start feeling somewhat normal again. Tiredness is one of the MAIN complaints that I have read about. And not to act like a mother.but you tell your surgeon that you will let him/her know when you are ready. Take it easy on yourself ,Carrie...........you have started a BIG metamorphisis.......and that takes a LOT of energy. (((HUGS))) bridget

Hi Carrie, Congratulations on the 30 lb loss. Your energy level will eventually increase a time goes by, but don't push yourself too hard or you will become exhausted and unable to do anything. Pace yourself and do what you can and when you feel tired take a break and rest. Your incisions may be healed on the outside but your little pouchie has more healing to do. Your hormones are changing, your body's metabolism is in survival mode trying to hold on to fat it is used to ... as it adjust to your new way of eating. When your body wants sleep give it what it wants. Rest is very important in aiding in the healing process as well as protein, water and vitamins. I can tell you are a wonderful mommy and you love your son very much but, I think you made a wise choice in taking your son to daycare so that you can do the thing you need to get done and rest when you need it. Soon you will be feeling better than you were before and think of all the wonderful fun you and your son are going to have. Take care of yourself. Georgeann

Hang in there... the exhaustion is the result of your body's increased protein needs to repair from surgery... completely normal and it will improve soon. As for your job, when you see the surgeon, tell him you don't feel ready yet. Depending on the type of work you do, you might be allowed a bit more time... Don't feel bad about needing to take a break from parenting to heal... again, it's normal... your body is still "sick" and you need to heal. {hugs}