Question:
very tired

I am post op 3/13/06 RNY...I am so tired. I am so dizzy when i get up...but my biggest problem is tirededness. I realize i may be in ketosis, but gosh, what a problem. Any suggestions. Diana    — kublai92 (posted on March 29, 2006)

March 29, 2006
Diana, It took me exactly 3 mos. from my surgery date to stop being so tired. I was completely exhausted. I had never felt like this before. My doc said it would take about 3 mos. before I felt good and he was right. I swear it was 3 mos. to the day. I was so tired that all I could do was sleep, sleep, sleep. I think it was the anesthesia and the fact that your body just went through major trauma. Give it some time and trust me. In a few mos. you will have so much energy, especially after you lost a lot of weight, you won't know what to do with your self. Good luck and welcome to the losing side.
   — KellyL

March 29, 2006
Just out of curiosity.. are you on blood pressure meds? If you have lost weight you may not need them and you may be getting prthostatic hypotension from your BP dropping. Check with your doctor before doing anything. also are you getting enough fluid..one way i check is fi my urine is dark that is a sign that I am not getting enough fluid. I am post-op 3/09/06. i have days where i feel great and do a bunch of stuff and excercise..than i fell REAL tired the next day and can hardly get of the couch and get motivated. Today is a good day and I just got back from a 1 hour bike ride. Hang in there and let me know how you are doing. Lynn
   — nurse442

March 29, 2006
Diana, I agree with both of the previous posts. I am just past three months p/o and still have bouts of total exhaustion for no reason. The first six weeks all I did was sleep on and off all day. There are a lot of reasons for this extreme fatigue: 1. Your body underwent major surgery and needs to recooperate. 2. You are not getting anywhere near the calories of energy you are accustomed to getting and it will take awhile for your body to switch over to burning fat and accomodate your new calorie level. 3. You are still experiencing side effects of anesthesia. My surgeon said the effects can last up to several months. In my case my I have found it to be true! 4. You should look at the medications you have been taking/ are taking and check the levels with you doctor to make sure they are not too much for you now. This includes any pain killers you might be taking 5. I know for me there was a lot of emotional ups and downs during the first ten weeks after my surgery and all the emotional highs and lows make you tired and sometimes a bit depressed. To combat the fatigue you must make sure you are getting all your protein and liquids down each day. At least then you are giving your body a fighting chance at recovering itself. If you are already back at work or considering going back to work; see if you can arrange some part time or half days for a week or two to easy yourself back into a work routine. As soon as your doctor gives you clearance to exercise, do some light exercise and/or walking to get your blood moving and increase your endorphins. Good Luck - Patti
   — pattilca

March 29, 2006
It didn't say in your post but you might consider having your blood iron levels checked. I have found that low iron levels make me extremely tired.
   — Stormchild

March 29, 2006
Whatever you do, get in ALL your supplements and protein - that will definitely help, and will keep your body from adapting to start absorbing more of the calories you're consuming, which is the last thing you want! :) Sometimes a good protein shake to start your day gives you that extra get-up-and-go that you need.
   — j_coulter

March 30, 2006
My surgeon told me that it would take a solid two months for my energy to return - and he was right on. The dizziness is most likely caused by dehydration (I had that, too). Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and you should feel much better. Good luck!
   — kkv11870

March 30, 2006
It should get better soon - I think we all went through the same thing....I know I did. Just wait - soon no one will be able to tie you down! Robert
   — RobertMiller