Question:
Is it normal or common to not be able to concentrate after surgery?
I am 2 weeks post op from an RNY and I am having a difficult time forming thoughts, sentences etc... I will be talking to someone, have a word in my mind then it will go blank. Or I will be trying to work on something for a class I am taking and my sentences just seem not like they used to. I find it difficult to concentrate or to even think! Am I losing brain cells instead of fat cells? lol or is this a normal reaction to surgery? If so when does it get back to normal? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. — [Deactivated Member] (posted on November 7, 2002)
November 7, 2002
Wow!! Glad to know I'm not alone here! I too have the same problem and am 2
weeks post op today. I had asked a friend just last night if she has the
same problem, she's 2 days ahead of me. I was tying a bib on my daughter
and had actually FORGOT how to do it!!! I was so freaked out. I am
attributing it to the lack of nutrition right now. I know that food fuels
the brain, so I'm hoping that once my vitamins and diet are regulated this
will all go back to normal. Sorry, that I don't have a definate answer, but
I hope someone else will. Good luck
— Ruthie K.
November 7, 2002
I'm 4 weeks post-op and experienced the same thing. It was frustrating to
not have real clarity. I'm not a scientist, but I'd guess it's a
combination of factors: anesthesia, lack of nutrients, overall stress/shock
to your system. These last few days have been getting better for me. I
can think & speak in complete sentences. What a relief!
— Rebekah B.
November 7, 2002
I was kind of a "ding bat" for several weeks- and bad dreams at
first. It is true that anesthesia can in rare cases affect your brain
cells - but I think our hormones etc are on a roller coaster for awhile
after wls. Try not to worry - patience.
— charlene M.
November 7, 2002
Hi. Inability to concentrate is directly linked to a lack of carbs in the
diet. If any of the posters have been limiting carb intake, this is likely
the reason for the problem. JK, RN
— Joya K.
November 7, 2002
Oh, this scares me. I have to go back to classes and work 3 weeks post-op.
I hope I can think!
— Toni C.
November 7, 2002
I did some research on this, it is do to KETOSIS, the lack of carbs. The
body generally burns the carbs as fuel, when there is so little (under 50
grams) to none, the body starts burning fat for fuel instead. The brain
has a hard time using this new fuel (try putting deisel in your unleaded
car!) and it takes a while to get it running smoothly. I am at 3 months
now and it is better, although I still have my days!
— Dana B.
November 7, 2002
I don't know if it's normal but it's happened to me as well. It seems
better now than it did in the beginning. I'm 6 months post-op. Wait!
What was the question again?!
— Jennifer A.
November 7, 2002
Stress causes "brain fog" to occur, and you're really stressed
out after surgery. Also the lack of fuel (food) can cause lack of
concentration. Also the anesthesia stays in your system for about a month
and that contributes to the fog overall as well. Hang in there, it does
get better. I was really "out of sorts" in so many ways until
about week 11 post-op. Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
November 7, 2002
I am 18 days post-op. On Monday (14 days) I tried going back to work for a
few hours and found I really couldn't function like I needed to -- I found
myself saying things I didn't mean to say and generally feeling like I was
in a fog. I decided to take the rest of this week off, and you know what?
4 days later, and already I can tell I'm better. Your body (and mind) are
healing. All will come with time. Good luck!
— Tamara K.
November 7, 2002
I'm 4 weeks post-op and just beginning to feel normal.
— Wanda R.
November 7, 2002
Oh, definitely! Friends told me that they had a hard time keeping up a
conversation with me because I would suddenly just drift off or ask them
the very same question they had just answered. I am 6 weeks post-op today
and only now am I starting to feel less spacey. It got to a point in early
post-op where I, a big reader, could only master my old Nancy Drew books.
So, out they came. I'm now ready to move on to something a little more my
speed.
— kelleykeith
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