Diminished mental capacity?

[Losebig 508]

I'm a bit over 4 weeks out and I have noticed that at times I'm forgetful or otherwise feel like I'm working with less than full brain capacity. Symptoms are mildly concussion like (sort of feels like you're trying to think about something complex after a lot of drinks), and I'm sure are related to low calorie intake. I have felt the same on very low calorie diets before. The morning is the worst and it gets a bit better throughout the day as I eat. Definitely frustrating as I use my brain to make a living!

Anyone else notice this? Anyone had this early on then see improvement as calorie intake went up and weight went down?

[Creekimp13 5,841]

I had horrific mental fog during the preop diet and the first two weeks when I was eating few carbs and few calories.

By week three I was getting 1000 calories a day, more complex carbs, and felt a LOT more like myself.

Keep in mind...glucose is the only fuel the human brain uses. If your blood sugar is low, it makes sense that your brain will struggle a little.

Also...your brain uses a tremendous amount of energy...about 20% of your resting metabolic calories...go to power your brain.

Edited January 12, 2018 by Creekimp13

[James Marusek 5,244]

Confusion can be caused by a variety of problems. This website lists 80 causes. https://www.healthline.com/symptom/confusion

The ones I would focus on are numbers: 1, 7, 27, 28 and 62.

#1 Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Many people develop a type of hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery called reactive hypoglycemia. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass

This can also occur if you were diabetic prior to surgery and did not reduce your prescription medicine after surgery.

#7 Low blood pressure. If you had high blood pressure prior to surgery and were taking prescription medicine for that condition. This may be an indicator that you may need to come off some of that medicine.

# 27 Hypokalemia (low potassium levels). Make sure you are taking vitamin/mineral supplements for potassium.

# 28 Hyponatremia (low blood sodium). Make sure you are getting enough electrolytes.

# 62 Beriberi (B1 deficiency). I would also lump B12 deficiency into this one. After Gastric Sleeve surgery, my surgeon recommended 100 mg. Thiamine (vitamin B1) weekly and 500 to 1000 micrograms sublingual B12 weekly. While you were in the hospital, you were probably given a shot of B12 which is good for one month. Since you are 4 weeks post-op that is probably wearing off and you need to begin taking B12 weekly.

I am not a doctor, so take everything I say with a grain of salt. But those are the areas I would explore.

[Losebig 508]

Thanks helpful stuff. I didn't have any medical issues pre-surgery, so no meds to get off of or change the dosage. Definitely have lower blood pressure right now (notice if I stand fast and at the Dr's it's on the low end of normal now). I think its just the nutrients, I'm taking supplements for everything and get a blood test for nutrients next week I think. I suspect the almost total lack of carbs has a lot to do with it. Hopefully I will adjust!

[LittleLizzieLilliput 919]

I had that feeling for a little while, you are only 4 weeks out, I think I felt similarly around that time. It does go away, your body will find it's new homeostasis. You are just in a transition period right now.

Are you on a Vitamin regimen? Keep up on your Protein Shakes and make sure you are getting all your Water. Those things really help. Even if you are moving to solids. I kept up my Protein supplement drinks for a few weeks as I needed help hitting my protein numbers.

Finally, Sugars. Are you diabetic? If not, consider throwing in about 15 extra grams of carbs if you can in the AM, carbs help the brain function better as well.

Good Luck!! I hope something helps!!!

[Losebig 508]

4 minutes ago, LittleLizzieLilliput said:

I had that feeling for a little while, you are only 4 weeks out, I think I felt similarly around that time. It does go away, your body will find it's new homeostasis. You are just in a transition period right now.

Are you on a Vitamin regimen? Keep up on your Protein Shakes and make sure you are getting all your Water. Those things really help. Even if you are moving to solids. I kept up my Protein supplement drinks for a few weeks as I needed help hitting my Protein numbers.

Finally, Sugars. Are you diabetic? If not, consider throwing in about 15 extra grams of carbs if you can in the AM, carbs help the brain function better as well.

Good Luck!! I hope something helps!!!

Thanks. Taking 2 Multi Vitamins a day, Calcium supplements, B12 and D3 as well. Hitting Water and protein goals. Good idea on the carbs, not diabetic, so maybe a few carbs at Breakfast would help, I'm almost carb free, but the few I have could be switched to the AM to see if that helps.

[Creekimp13 5,841]

Try oatmeal for breakfast. You can get 100 calorie packets of sugar free instant oatmeal. Nice low glycemic index carb will last a while and won't cause an insulin spike or hunger.

And Oats are great for heart health.

Edited January 12, 2018 by Creekimp13

[LittleLizzieLilliput 919]

yes, I'm diabetic but my Endo INSISTS I get a certain number of carbs three times a day and she says, specifically!, for brain function. lol! I am severely diabetic and try to go for 0 carbs. It's no bueno to the brain as the brain requires sugar to function. It helps the brain's synapses communicate with each other. Which I wish wasn't true as I'd rather eat zero carbs than be on insulin 4 times a day. lol!