Was anyone else...

I've always been one to push through anything.  I'm so weak that I can't get up and down by my self.  I'm not in pain, a few "Tylenol" aches, and of course tightness and pulling, that's normal.  My surgeon says that I've used up my calorie reserves and that is part of the weakness.   I've neve felt !this way and certainly didn't expect to.  I can't even go to the bathroom by myself.!  Did anyone else experience such debilitating weakness???

Judy,

You just had major surgery, so your body is adjusting.  It's okay to lay back and take it easy for awhile.  In fact, you NEED to do that in order to heal and regain your strength.  I took a nap every day for the first two months after my surgery--and I am not a nap person.  Face it, chica, we're older now.  Takes longer to bounce back.

Are you drinking your water and staying hydrated?  And even though you can't "eat" much yet, try to make every calorie count by only taking in good quality stuff--protein, protein, protein.  And as you are able, try to walk for just a few minutes at a time, several times a day.  Even if it's just around the sofa in the living room at first.  I started by walking to the end of my driveway and back.  Felt like I had run a marathon. 

It will begin to improve soon.  Just accept that you're going to take awhile to get back to "normal"--but I'll bet you'll find that your NEW normal is so much better than your OLD normal.  You're going to be amazed at how well you will feel soon.

Prayers for quick healing for you!

Vickie is right.  Weight loss surgery is major surgery, and you must let your body recuperate on its own terms.  My mantra for the first six weeks was "Sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk, rest, rest, rest."  I drank an Isopure Grape Frost proten drink, with 40 grams of protein everyday.  I also made a protein shake with Dannon Lite and Fit yogurt, 1 cup of milk, berries and 1 scoop of AnyWhey protein everday.  It took a while to complete each of those, but it helped me make my protein goal, and my liquid goal.

At first, I could only walk to the parking lot of my complex, and my apartment was the closest to the lot.  I did that a couple times a day.  I also rested, with my feet elevated, usually napping, at least once a day.  I had open RNY, and took at least eight weeks before I began to feel somewhat normal.  What I can say is that each day I was able to add some distance to my walks, not much, just a few more yards.  My mother walked with me, because I was unsteady for weeks.  She came and stayed with me for weeks, because I had two cats, and needed her help caring for them, since I couldn't bend over for a long time.  

Be sure to do some walking multiple times a day.  Not far, just move.  Helps prevent clots from forming.  If you need to, keep a log of your walks.  In eight weeks, you will see how you have progressed.  Just remember, for now it's Baby Steps.

Hugs,
Trish

You are having buyer's remorse:  That's stage one.  In this stage you feel the effects of not getting a lot of carbs and fat.  YOur body is adjusting to the surgery and to the lack of calories.   Plus, you are just damned tired.  This will pass.  Just drink fluids, if you are allowed protein shakes, drink them, if you are on full liquids, get some good meat soups that are mushed up.   My favorite food was yogurt, cream of wheat, and chicken broth. 

The next stage is the honey moon stage.  In this stage you will see rapid weightloss and you will find that you are feeling better and you might start testing the pouch.  By that I mean you might try candy or cookies.  Many of the people will say, I tried to eat cake today and I got sick or I didn't get sick.  YOu will find in the honey moon phase that not only will you start getting really cool clothes options, but that you will start doing things that you haven't done in a while like sitting in a booth, if you were over 300 pounds; or you might find that you can walk farther.   Also, in the honey moon phase you will find that you can eat regular foods, minuse sweets, in a small amount.  Some people, in this phase realize there are ways to trick the pouch or that glidder foods are easy to eat a lot of…resist the temptation.

The third phase is the Grattitude for surgery stage.  In this stage, you will wear wonderful clothes, do great things, and enjoy being a normal size.  In this stage, we find that men are checking us out and that the body in the mirror couldn't possible be us; likewise, we start hateing on our hanging skin and learn how to hide the bat wing arms and sagging skin of our legs and abdomen.  Here is where we begin planning plastic surgery.

The final stage is one not many of us go through but some do and it is the If Only I Had…stage. In this stage, some gain back a lot of weight, some a little weight.  Many will say, if only I hadn't tried the cookies or the jam.  Or if only I had stuck to the exercise program.  My goal is to never hit this stage.  

 When the buyer's remorse ends, run with the honey moon phase and drop as much weight as quickly as you can because after about a year, the rapid weightloss stops and your body will start evolving into a more efficient digestive system and will take more calories from your food.   Those who lose all their weight in the first year are the ones who are the most successful, according to my doctor. 

Good luck and welcome. 

Judy...I think everyone else has pretty much said it all.

You will be okay....I do remember those days. It will get better just give it time. We are here so post all you want. We will try our best to get you through this time!!

Prayers, love, and hugs....connie d

I'm going to ditto everything everyone else said. You are recovering from major surgery. I had fatigue for about a couple weeks. I took three weeks off from work to recover ... I was tired and had some migraines that even when I returned from work, I had to take a day or two off to rest. I would say it was nearly three months before I felt re-energized ... and then I had a big boost of energy where I was the energizer bunny. Wish I had that again ... I was up and moving and had so much energy I thought I could do anything ... Ha! well, that left me, unfortunately (that is not everyone's experience).

It is important in this early stage to get in your protein and water and to walk or exercise as you can. If you are constipated, get in some fiber (Benefiber was good in my early stages because you could mix it in with anything). And feel free to rest and nap. Take your pain meds. This is major surgery.