Really not feeling well

[lolmommy 0]

Hi All -- I was banded on Friday 6/13 and overall have been doing really well. No problems with incisions other than the usual soreness post-op. The gas pain is mostly managed by walking it off. Shoulder pain from gas flares up once in awhile and I haven't really figured that out yet.

I returned to work on Wed 6/18 (yesterday) to my sedentary job. When I woke up yesterday morning and again today, I felt really weak, dizzy, maybe hungry (?). Had Protein shake for bfast with milk. By the time I got to work (45 minutes away) I didn't feel "with it". Just really disoriented. Coworked commented I looked pale. I have had trouble both days with focus and concentration. While my work is a desk job it really requires a lot of thought and focus. I just can't figure out what to do. I'm on full liquids so I have a SF pudding mid AM, creamy Soup at lunch and then SF popsicle in the afternoon. At home at dinner I'd eating creamy Soup again. I'm sipping Water all day long.

I was so freaked out about it today that I spoke with my surgeon about it. She really didn't seem too worried since it's not a major emergency. I can understand that, but this is really worrisome to me. She mentioned that I've gone from a huge amount of calories just a few weeks ago to about 600-800 calories a day and that I may still be feeling effects of anesthesia. She mentioned a blood sugar drop could be causing some of this. But ALL DAY LONG? SHe recommended I sip some OJ and maybe keep some hard candies at my desk. SHe also suggested I may have gone back to work too soon.

An RN friend indicated that some people just really can't function well at the 600-800 calories per day level and I should add in some Carnation Instant Breakfast a few times a day and eat more frequently. My instinct is telling me that I'm just not eating enough or maybe frequently enough. Even my dr reminded me today that weight loss is not even something they're concerned with until we get to the 6 week post-op mark (probably when fills will start). Should I bump up my calorie intake but just still stay within my prescribed full fluids diet? What else will help me with energy, alertness, focus. I am sleeping well at night.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ALL ADVICE. :biggrin:

[mendypoo 0]

Try to bump up your Protein. Add an extra scoop until you get to around 30 grams per shake per meal. Hope you feel better. Congrats on surgery.

[HeatherO 7]

I felt the same at that stage. It only took a couple more days for me to feel normal again.

You have had surgery and your body is trying to recover and you went back to work really quick. Maybe bumping up a few calories will work, but I can tell you in my case I just needed a little time and a little extra sleep. Definitely relax and take it easy when you are done working. Get as much extra sleep as you can as well.

[lolmommy 0]

My Protein is already 22 per scoop. Is 2 too much? (44). And with the same amount of Fluid or double the fluid too?

[COPPERL 0]

Hi I had surgery on June 12th and sounds like I am at the same stage. I don't know if this will help but my doctor said to maybe take it easy on dairy for awhile. Sounds like you are eating a lot of creamy Soups. Maybe try Water based soups. Sorry you feel bad hope that helps

[notateechanow 7]

Do you feel better after having a Protein Shake? That would be my determinant. If I felt less spacey after having more, then I'd simply have more Protein Shakes throughout the day. Remember that you've had MAJOR surgery. We all react to anesthesia differently, and even if you've had it before, you may react differently every time. You could just need to sleep more!! Listen to your body and react accordingly. If having more Protein makes you feel better, do it. (Even if you exceed the calorie suggestion from your dr.) You're far better off exceeding the dietary suggestion than eating solid foods. As long as you're sticking to liquids you should be ok physically with regard to the post-surgery recovery. Do what you feel is right. I'm confident your doctor did not intend to ignore your concerns, but assuming your incisions are healing and you aren't vomiting, you should be ok! If you weren't on a pre-operative diet, then your body is most likely reacting to a dramatic change in caloric consumption. It will get better! :biggrin: Good luck!

[mendypoo 0]

My Protein is already 22 per scoop. Is 2 too much? (44). And with the same amount of Fluid or double the Fluid too?

From what I understand our bodies can't absorb more than 30-35 grms of Protein at a time. Maybe 1 and 1/2 scoops that would be 33? Also, make sure your Proteins have all of the right nutrients. My Dr gave me a list of all the essential Vitamins that needed to be in my protein. I found it my using Atkins shake and adding a scoop of powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury. Find something that works best for you. You might want to try using the same amout of fluid, until you want to fill your stomach more as the swelling goes down. If you can drink that much(double liquid). I tried to keep the liquid to around 8oz. Anything more than that I would just waste because I couldn't finish it:tongue2:

[alegna242 1]

Sounds like you may be getting a little hypoglycemic. Sugar IS something we need it's what are brain runs off of. Don't have any advise besides that. good luck and i hope you feel better soon :biggrin:

[CPSimonton 0]

I was banded on 6/12 and today is the first day i can eat mushies. I cheated and ate brunswick stew (30 grams of Protein in 1 cup) last nite. That is the best I have felt since i had the surgery. I came to work yesterday for the 1st time and had to go home at 2:00 because I was so sick and went to bed for 3 hours. When I woke up i went to the BBQ restuarant and bought the stew. After eating it, i no longer felt dizzy, light headed or like i had a bad hangover. I don't think i was getting enough calories and sugar. I was drinking Protein Shakes, eating creamy Soups, popsicles, etc., but I felt like I was in a fog. Today I went to Chili's and order edtheir firecracker tilapia with mashed potatoes and veggies. I was able to eat 1/4 of the meal and I have been full ever since but I have managed to stay at work all day and I have been able to focus. I also had a scrambled egg with a 1/2 piece of american cheese and a V8 on the way to work. Although I am not eating very much, just getting real food in my system has made me feel better. So try a scrambled egg and see if you can tolerate that.

[lilnora2 0]

Hello I was banded 06-11-08 and I have to be on full liquids

[skierhj 1]

Sounds pretty normal for the healing process. Even though the lap band is minimally invasive your body wants to heal itself. Unfortunately, that healing process sometimes isn't wonderful. You body's survival tools trigger fatigue after trauma (surgery) and returning to work will make that even worse.

Now, after that, I felt really rough my first few days back at work but now, almost a full month out I feel better than I've felt in years!!

[lilnora2 0]

Hello, I was banded 06-11-08 and I have to be on full liquids for 3weeks and I am starving and you say your eating did you start eating on your own or did the dr say it was ok?please give me some answers I need to eat something the Soups are not do anything for me.

[Carrie D. 0]

The exact same thing happened to me. I work as a secretary in the hospital. I felt sooooo bad the first 2 days back at work and even got a little hypoglycemic around lunch time the 2nd day. I upped my Protein and calories on the 3rd day with one of those protein bullets and then had tuna salad for lunch. I felt normal...it was amazing.

[jen2learn 0]

what band and where did you buy the Protein at 22g per scoop?

[rcoleband 0]

Jen2learn

you can try Bariatric Diet | Bariatric Diet Foods, Bariatric Protein supplements & Vitamins | Bariatric Weight Loss Products for the protien products.