2 Weeks Post Op Today And I Feel Horrible

[bethnc1970 53]

Today makes 2 weeks since my surgery... I woke up feeling horrible..nauseated and just blah!!! Im wordering why I did this!!!! I haven't been to the gym, I have no motivation and I'm just to tired to go!!!! I know we are suppose to walk, but its been 100 degrees+ here everyday almost and if not its raining....

Ugh......

I need something to get me over this hump....

[Wheetsin 714]

Time will get you over the hump. Honestly, I felt great the first few days to week. I thought it was all good. And then *boom* lethargy, apathy, doubt, etc. all at once. The exhaustion was the worst. It lasted a good three weeks, gradually tapering off into my 4th week.

Don't worry about being at the gym this soon after surgery. In fact, many surgeons will advise against workouts for the first 4 - 6 weeks. Your body needs your energy to heal, not to exercise. And exercise at this point can do a lot more harm than good. Just focus on staying hydrated (#1), getting whatever Protein you can (#2) and keeping up with your vitamins/meds (#3).

Everything else will come with time.

[Mz_Elle 23]

You have to exercise to get energy, even if it's just ten minutes at a time and a walk around your house. Hang in there and don't get discouraged.

Make it your "me time" and just grind out ten minutes here and there to get your energy up otherwise you're going to get depressed and spiral into old habits.

Praying for you!

[Wheetsin 714]

You have to intake calories or burn reserves, etc. to get energy (metabolize). You do not have to exercise to get energy. Exercise at 2 weeks is a "bonus" not a requirement. Not exercising 2 weeks post-op is not linked to depression, that I've ever seen, or a behavioral reversion (at 2 weeks out, very few behaviors are actually changed anyway - it's still learning curve & adaptation time).

I don't mean to "argue" your advice. I'd just hate to have basic things like "where energy comes from" be misunderstood, or for statements like "if you don't exercise you will get depressed" be assumed as truth.

HTH

[SunnyCox 245]

I'm two weeks post op as of yesterday, and I just started feeling lethargic as well. I started tracking my food/water to make sure that I am getting as much Fluid & Protein as I need. I also ordered more Vitamins.

I also live in an area where temps regularly go over 100. I do walk most nights of the week around 9pm. I try to keep it at a moderate pace - nothing too strenuous. To beat the heat, try hospitals, malls, and universities. Most have walking routes through the hallways to keep you in the AC. You can even do laps around Walmart.< /p>

[*susan* 1,709]

Are you making sure that you are getting enough Water? It is so vitally important that you stay properly hydrated. I had a horrible time getting in enough Water. I just couldn't force myself to drink it. I ended up lethargic, nauseous and in the hospital three times on IV fluids as a result, oh, and I also got horrible UTI's as well.

As far as exercise goes, other than walking, my doctor didn't even approve me to begin exercising until I was six weeks out.

[bethnc1970 53]

I am currently drinking 3-4 bottles of Water a day.... It is hard for me to get all the water in I need... I really detest drinking water......

[Wheetsin 714]

Hydration doesn't need to be plain Water. There are some purist "only Water is water" philosophies, but most plans count Protein drinks, flavored waters (vitamin waters, Crystal Light, etc.), juices, popsicles, ice chips, SF snowcones, Gatorade, tea, etc. as "water" - especially right now, when basic core hydration is challenging.

When I was 2 weeks out (and more) I was having to make choices like, "How do I feel today... am I hydrated? Because I can either take this Vitamin, or drink a few sips of water." Truly, water vs. Protein (I hadn't yet found a Protein Drink that was thin enough to be friends with my sleeve) vs. food vs. Vitamin was a constant choice because no way I could do all. (It took me several weeks, probably at least 6 - 8, to get the bare minimum protein counts). Hydration had to be a conscious choice & a conscious priority.

With what your body is doing right now, being hydrated is the single most important thing - and 10 oz is still better than 0 oz.

I am currently drinking 3-4 bottles of water a day.... It is hard for me to get all the water in I need... I really detest drinking water......

[keldolbeth 262]

I'm frustrated with fatigue too! I have had no energy at all and I am ~18 days post-op. The first 3 days I slept and slept and slept. I was on Clear liquids and having a horrible time with the clear Proteins.

I'm not napping anymore but I'm still very tired. I was allowed to start working out on Monday and I've been to the gym twice. I want to get some exercise but I don't want to push it.

I feel like I'm doing pretty well with hydration as far as Water, crystal lite, Powerade 0 but Protein has been a challenge. I just got the shipment I ordered from Vitalady with some Protein powder samples so I'm going to start experimenting soon.

[chitowngirl 886]

When I had surgery it was rainy and cold for the first 2 weeks. So I just go up and cleaned a bit nothing drastic. And if I had a little bit more energy left I would dance. It's hard but I tried to get up every few hours to move around even if it was just in the house.

[bethnc1970 53]

i just need something else besides Water to drink.... before i drank diet Pepsi... sweet tea...and Hawaiian punch.... im a creature of habit and i don't really like other stuff....

[ppatterson 24]

Please be patient with yourself. You just had major surgery. Everyone heals differently. I am 14 days post op and would HIGHLY recommend the products from Bariatric Choice. I use the BariWise Fruit Drinks and ProtiDiet fruit drinks they have 15 grams of Protein per serving. They aren't thick they have the consistency of crystal light. If it wasn't for these I would be in trouble getting protein in. I live in Texas so it is either blazing hot or raining. I just try to walk around the house to get a little exercise. My doctor doesn't release you for the gym until 6 weeks out. I hope this helps and you get to feeling better.

[Trista1975 12]

Hi Beth, I don't know where you are located, but at Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, maybe even Wal-Mart, they have the sugar-free Water mix in's by Hawaiian Punch in lot's of different flavors. I love them! Hope that helps!

[Wheetsin 714]

The fatigue is monkey butts. I would go upstairs to take a shower and have to stop as soon as I got to my room (before actually showering). Just going up the staairs wore me out. Then I'd get into the shower, and about halfway through have to sit down, especially if I'd bent down to wash toes, shave legs, whatever. As soon as I got out, time to sit down again. Get dressed, had to rest. To actually be ready to leave the house was probably 7 breaks. I remember once we were at the grocery store waiting at the deli counter, and just standing in line was wearing me out so I went and sat in one of the little scooter things (even when I've been on crutches, I don't use those).

It came on pretty much overnight. It got better gradually. I felt a lot better fairly quickly, but it sort of lingered a while.

The good news (other than it does get better) - it's pretty much universal. Almost everyone who has WLS goes through it. The biggest exception is probably the band, but RNY, DS, SP - you hear it everywhere. There's not much you can do to avoid it... you can do "everything right" and still get hit hard.

(My surgeon too discourages "workouts" until 6 weeks, and heavier stuff like circuit training ot weightlifting for 8+ weeks).

[bethnc1970 53]

I've tried the mio Water things and they aren't good to me... they are too strong or something.... and i haven't found a crystal lite flavor i like yet.... any other suggestions?