Brain fog - when does it lift?

My job is mostly mental (software engineering).  I'm 3 weeks post-op and still find myself not just low physical energy but frankly in a bit of a mental fog.  This is not good for my work, obviously.

Wondering if it's just part of the healing process after surgery, or if it's due to low calorie intake, or what.  I'm taking B12, Iron+C, and multivitamin chewables, all Celebrate.  (calcium will be added 2 weeks from now)

Hoping to find a way to get my mental state back to normal sooner rather than later.  I sure miss coffee, but that's off the menu til the 2 month mark and then only 1 cup a day.  

For those who have been through it, about how long til you felt normal again?

For me, that all sounds exactly right.  Mental fog and general fatigue at the three week mark has been brought up by plenty of post-ops so I think that's fairly common and normal.  Sucks, but it does get better.  You have just had major surgery and are recovering.  It just takes time.  I was "back to normal" at 6 weeks.  But everyday was better than the one before it so assuming you are getting in enough protein and water, you should improve daily.

Maybe take a quick nap on your lunch break?  

This too shall pass and in another few weeks you should be feeling strong and more you.  Hang in there!

It took me 6 months for the fog to lift. For most people it lifts much sooner. Hang in there!!

I will be 6 weeks postop tomorrow and not returning to wor****il Monday. Being at home ha really helped but I am worried about that too. I fully expect to return to a ton of work so I'm a little stressed about how I'm going to keep up- especially with my long commute. Good luck!

Drink coffee.  There is no medical reason to limit it... the ASMBS says it's fine...(unless you have medical sensitivities to it).

I've been over-caffeinated for nearly 6 years now, and sometimes it's the only thing that gets me through life :)

Audrey

I'm five weeks post op and within the past few days I am finally feeling as though my energy is returning.

At two weeks post op I returned to work full time and I was mentally/physically drained when I arrived home from work each day.  There were even a few nights when my wonderful DH cooked/fed me dinner and tucked me into bed at 6:00 p.m. because I could no longer keep my eyes open.

Getting lots of rest helped immensely!  My brain fog hasn't lifted yet, so at work, I have created a "taskings" list for myself each day and I spend the last 45 minutes of my work day reviewing what I've done to make sure I haven't screwed anything up!  I've never had this issue before but feel as though I've suddenly contracted a horrendous case of the "dumbs".  Hopefully, this phase will be history soon.

Best wishes!

I went back to work at 3 weeks and I work with large amounts of data all day long.  I struggled for a bit with it, for a couple of weeks, I think.  But things did get better eventually.  I was so tired all of the time and I think that my body was just using all of it's resources to heal itself after surgery.

Hang in there, it will get better.  Get as much sleep as you can.

I am 5+ months post-op and still have days where I am tired.  I try to at least lay down for a half hour when I can.  I also make sure I get enough protein and water.  And iron... I started using an iron patch about six weeks ago and I think it is helping me.  My iron level was very low before.  Blood work next week and then I will know for sure if it is more iron that is helping...

Tired will last for a while. 6 months maybe. Brain fog shouldbe gone pretty soon. Part of that is leftover from the anesthesia. Whatever you do, don't use it to rationalize eating more. It happens a lot, and it's a trap.

I'm glad you asked this question.  I will be starting a new job three weeks after my surgery, it's a management position (new for me) but office work so not physically challenging. I'm already anxious about learning names and all the orientation information! At the same time I'm sure that the first week or two would be a blur either way...