Almost 4 weeks post-surgery, really struggling with fatigue

Hi,

I had my RNY surgery on July 7.  Everything went well, no complications.  Losing about 3 pounds a week.  I'm following eating instructions and tracking my diet, getting about 80 g of protein a day, sleeping pretty well, taking all my vitamins.  My range of motion is improving all the time.  Nevertheless, I'm getting a little frustrated with my lack of stamina.  I can't believe how easily I tire and it doesn't seem to be getting any better.  

Am I expecting too much too soon?  How did others feel at this point?  Any advice?

You just had major surgery. Listen to your body!  Rest when needed. It will improve. 

DD

I went back to work at three weeks and was not eating so well at that point, for me it took about six weeks before I could walk the whole grocery store.  My first week back to work I was in bed by 9 and I worked some half days as well because I needed to sleep.  I found that getting enough water in helped me more so than the protein. And take it easy your body has been through a lot, nap if you need to it does get better.

Don't forget, it hasn't been that long since you had major surgery.  It takes time to heal from it.  Your body is taking up energy for the healing process.  Plus it's getting used to the lower amount of food you are giving it.  It'll just tke time.  Rest when you need to.  You don't mention abou****er, make sure that you are getting enough in.  When it's warm out, you need more water than normal.

Cathy

Your body knows what it needs, it is getting use to the new you. And I think your metabolism is waking up, all the changes are taking more energy.

You are not alone.  I've been feeling a little bit like a failure since I envisioned myself going on nice long walks and dashing about with boundless energy at this point.  Truth is, I'm tired all the time and a trip to the grocery store is enough to send me for a nap afterwards.

What I do notice is, that even though I dont have a ton of energy, I am moving easier, the aches and pains are decidedly less and the bursts of energy are coming a little more often.

Hang in there and listen to what your body tells you.  Never argue with an internal nap request. ;)

TES

I had surgery in February and it took me a good six weeks or so to feel that my strength and stamina had returned. While I went back to work at four weeks, I was exhausted in the evenings and too tired to start any serious exercise regimen. Only at my six-week mark and after clearance did I really feel up to it and more like myself again.

I echo the others: you just had surgery. MAJOR surgery. They liken it to a heart bypass; it's quite significant. Give it another couple of weeks and see how you feel then. But until that time, rest when you need to. Your body is sending you signals already and it's important to read them all.

Thanks for all the replies!  I promise I'll nap when my body tells me to and I'll redouble my efforts to get enough water (something I'm struggling with right now).  To TES, my surgery twin, hang in there!

It took a good 6 weeks before I started to feel anything like myself again, so give it a little more time and make sure you're getting enough fluids.  As I was told - you're probably a cheap date for anesthesia.

I had RNY on July 1 and this week I'm finally getting my energy back.  Last week I thought I was going to die and just wanted to sleep (which I did Thursday afternoon and Friday), but this week I seem to have made the turn.  You are about 6 days post op behind me.  Hang in there, your energy will return.