Extreme weakness post-op

[Georgia 2,911]

I am 12 days out post-op. Finally getting the food thing to settle down and learning how to eat slowly and what works for me right now. The only thing that is really bothering me physically is that I am extremely weak and don't have the strength when I get up in the mornings to hardly get dressed, etc. I usually have to "rest" every few minutes to accomplish this. Very light headed and get the "spots before your eyes" kind of feeling. I have taken BP medicine for several years and always took it at night before bedtime. Has anybody else experienced this and do you think it could be my blood pressure is bottoming out now? I have lost 22 lbs in 12 days - kinda fast - but I am eating as much as I can and trying to get as much Protein as possible but not making it to 60gr most days. Any thoughts?

[ouroborous 519]

Focus foremost on Water at this point. Two reasons: it's more immediately dangerous to be dehydrated than it is to be low Protein, and two, mild dehydration can cause lightheadedness, especially with folks on BP medicine.

And yes, I'd talk to the doc and get him/her to check your blood pressure regularly.

[melinekesh 0]

Hi There,

Have someone go to the Vitamin Shoppe and get you whey Protein. Unflavored, totally melts in luke warm or I think cold. Not in hot, it curdles. I put it in my buillon. I get 78g of Protein a day or I would be like you. I am weak, I am 6 days out, but not as much. Try it.

Melinekesh

I am 12 days out post-op. Finally getting the food thing to settle down and learning how to eat slowly and what works for me right now. The only thing that is really bothering me physically is that I am extremely weak and don't have the strength when I get up in the mornings to hardly get dressed, etc. I usually have to "rest" every few minutes to accomplish this. Very light headed and get the "spots before your eyes" kind of feeling. I have taken BP medicine for several years and always took it at night before bedtime. Has anybody else experienced this and do you think it could be my blood pressure is bottoming out now? I have lost 22 lbs in 12 days - kinda fast - but I am eating as much as I can and trying to get as much protein as possible but not making it to 60gr most days. Any thoughts?

[SParkle 4]

I'm with the Water theory, plus also remember we're not taking in our usual amount of calories, so you are going to feel weak.... but always best to get it checked out -when is your next appt with your Dr? OR can you give him a call.....but I don't think this is unusual.

Good luck

Kathy

[Lori21769 14]

I was very weak for the first 3 weeks until I was able to find a Protein Powder that I liked and get enough Protein. That made all the difference. I highly recommend BSN Lean Desserts. They come in wonderful flavors, and two scoops with Water gives you 42 gms of protein.

[tbarnes18 1]

More Protein! You should be able to get it all in! I get very full drinking my Protein and would not be able to get it all in, until I found a very dense Protein (that is thinner than the premade protein shakes). I mix it with skim milk (extra protein there) and sip 2 oz every 2-3 hours, sipping Water in between. Each 2 oz 'shot' gives me 10 grams of protein. Today, I will get in 48 oz of Water and 70 grams of protein, all that is required by my surgeon. I found mine at The Vitamin Shoppe and it is called Dymatize Elite whey Protein Isolate in a big, a** container. Each scoop has 24 grams of protein, 2 g carbs and 1.5 g fat. With the 6 oz skim milk, it becomes 30 grams of protein. So that means I only have to drink 12 oz of liquid to get 60 grams of protein. A premixed Protein shake only gave me 34 grams in 14 oz, and I thought that was studly before the surgery. After I take my 'shot' of protein, I fill up 8 oz of water in a measured glass with a lid and sip on that until time for my next protein 'shot.' My sleeve date was 6/10/10 and I am doing well. Haven't had any acid reducer, but plan to ask about it at the next visit.

Finally, I find I need to burp myself while sipping the liquids. I just pat on the front of my chest, above my breasts and it seems to help with the blocked feeling while sipping and relives the gas.

Hope this helps.

[SParkle 4]

I was very weak for the first 3 weeks until I was able to find a Protein powder that I liked and get enough Protein. That made all the difference. I highly recommend BSN Lean Desserts. They come in wonderful flavors, and two scoops with Water gives you 42 gms of protein.

I can second the Lean Desserts range - they are lush!! Not grainy at all. Even with Water they taste good.

Kathy

[Georgia 2,911]

Thought I would update you guys. It seems I "turned the corner" so to speak Tuesday! I DID switch taking my meds until after I had eaten in the morning and it made all the difference in the world. I have felt so much better since then it is unbelievable. I also am getting more Protein in and feel much stronger. thanks, guys! Where did you get the BSN Lean Desserts stuff?

[CraftyChristie 62]

It could be blood pressure. Pre-op my husband was 150/120 so they wanted to start him on blood pressure meds. But they were nervous for exactly this reason - you lose so fast at first that your BP goes way down and could be toooooo low if on the meds, so they told him to wait. The 150/120 was the day OF surgery even, and at his 1 week post op his BP was down to 120/85!!!! That is in just one week and he had lost 16 lbs. It is quite possible your BP is too low on the meds now. I would go have that checked right away and see if you can stop taking your meds.

We are all a little weak after surgery but not usually to the extent you are describing so I really think it is the BP thing.

[Georgia 2,911]

Thanks, Christie. I go back to the Dr on the 29th and I am going to have them check it and my meds. Feeling much better, though.