Question:
i am 2 weeks post op and feel awful
I am 2 weeks post op open rny and although eating is going well and i am on a varied diet with no probs, i am so weak and tired. i have no strength at all and feel very dizzy alot of the time. i have lost about 15 lbs but i cant understand why i have lost so little considering the tiny portions i am now eating. surely the weight should just drop off? i weigh myself each morning and for the past 4 daus the scales havent moved??? what am i doing wrong? — JULIE B. (posted on June 7, 2003)
June 7, 2003
Well, first off your body has had a real shock by having major surgery so
it is hanging onto all the calories that are being put into it or that you
have stored in your fat reserves. The body also thinks that it is in
starvation mode. Are you getting all of your water in and how about your
protein? Concentrate on these two items and the weight will start to come
down more. I know it is fun to watch the numbers come down on the scale,
but try not to weigh yourself that much, try only once a week or only at
your doctor's office. It can be discouraging not to see the scale move at
all. As far as the tiredness and weakness you will feel that for a while. I
seemed to come out of it at about 3 wks. I was a little dizzy also for a
couple days but it passed. I am not sure what I did to make it go away, it
just did. Remember you are getting very few calories into your system right
now so it may take some time to get back on your feet. Good Luck, remember
this too will pass, I promise. Open RNY May 7th, 2003 down 29#
— ChristineB
June 7, 2003
First some questions (1) are you getting adequate protein each day--lack of
it will make you weak and cause muscle loss (2) could your blood sugar or
your blood pressure be dipping? (3) are you getting enough fluids per
day--minimum 64 oz. That too will make you weak. Sounds like it's time to
get to the surgeon's office for a checkup.
— Cathy S.
June 7, 2003
First, you are dropping about a pound a day which is good (sorry that men
lose it faster). Secondly, if you're dizzy, chances are you are
dehydrated, although as the previous poster explained, you could also be
suffering from a lack of protein. I wasn't even close to a varied diet 2
weeks post-op even though I had my RNY done LAP. I kept hydrated intially
with little sips of Gatorade (which I stopped drinking after about 3 weeks
b/c it's high in carbs), the Boost drink (once again, slightly high in
carbs, but loaded with vitamins and protein) and Isopure (which I got from
GNC). Also, I would enjoy chicken and beef broth (it's low carb, it's
warm, it has some flavor and it has a little protein). As a result, by the
second week out, I was probably consuming at least 40-60 grams of carbs a
day. And my first month weight loss of 80 pounds is a direct result of
that high protein intake. Good luck.
— SteveColarossi
June 7, 2003
Hi Julie...you're not doing anything wrong...just keep doing what you're
doing. Losing 15 lbs. in two weeks is FANTASTIC! If you keep going like
this (and you really can't HELP but keep going like this) you'll lose 30
lbs. in a month, which is MORE THAN AVERAGE. You're doing great.
<P>
As for the tiredness and dizziness...I had that too. I was basically
"in hell" for the first 10 weeks as far as no energy and feeling
lightheaded and about to keel over whenever I walked more than 20 feet at a
time. This is normal (for some of us). I also battle a chronic pain and
fatigue disorder, fibromyalgia, and it just takes some of us with more
"delicate" constitutions to recover from the trauma of surgery.
Think of what your body has just gone through...it's not unusual to feel
weak, tired, etc. after such a trauma to your body. And don't despair
about the scales not moving for 4 days...normal again. Your body needs to
catch up. This is going to be how it goes from now on...don't expect a lb.
to drop off every day, but you may have no loss for a few days, even a
week, and then the scale will go down 3-5 lbs. at one time. Hang in there,
and let us all know how you're doing. Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
June 7, 2003
Just my 2 cents. You are doing fantastic. I only lost 8lbs the first two
weeks then hit a month long plateau. As far as the way you feel that is
completely normal. It generally takes most of us about three months to
start feeling human again. weak, tired, dizzy and etc. Give your body
time to get over the trauma. You've been run over by a mack truck. It
will come, just be patient.
— Delores S.
June 7, 2003
Hey Girl,
Sounds like you are doing great. Just keep up the good work. Do exactly
as your dr tells you and you will do great. Each week will get better. You
will feel stronger, have more energy and life just continues to get better.
I am 10 months post-op and down 115 lbs. Life is great and you will know
exactly what I am saying in a few months. The first few weeks are hell but
I promise you, it just keeps getting better!! Enjoy the weight loss process
but remember you gotta follow the rules!! I wish you the best of luck!!
— Sharon1964
June 7, 2003
Julie, you are doing great just like everyone says! I can remember my
first two weeks vividly and tired was a big problem. You are recovering
from a major surgery and your body may be in some shock over your new
portions. One thing I notice is that sometime the scale stales and I
wonder what on earth the problem is but keep on going. Then low and behold
one day I get on and 10lbs are gone just like that. I've heard our bodies
go into starvation mode and try to hold on to everything. Once it figures
out that everything is ok the body lets go and we loose. Keep it up. I'm
120 down and feeling great after 1yr. I just had a tummy tuck and my new
body is awesome. You have so much to look forward to!
— Vickie G.
June 7, 2003
reading these post is just what I needed this morning. I was feeling realy
depressed because I have only lost 14 lbs in three and a half weeks. I too
am totally exhasted. I just got up, and want to go back to bed already. I
drive myself crazy with the scale. I got on it this morning and gained a
pound and a half. How depressing is that. I am only eating about 500-600
cal a day, and started walking on a treadmill 20-30minutes three to four
times a week. But you know what, these post are right. Our bodies are
adjusting to major surgery. It is going to take some time for us to get
our energy back. So, hang in there, and I will too.
— Robin T.
June 7, 2003
Hi JULIE, just to let you know you are doing fine. Remember like the other
posters said you just had major trama to your body, I remember being tired
all the time for about 4 or 5 weeks and then I started to take in more
protien and thats when I started to feel better. It is important to get in
all the fluids you can and dont forget the protien. Then you will be good
to go I know I am now and feel great. I had my WLS on 02/19/2003 and I am
down over 70lbs already and as for the scale stay off they will drive you
nuts. I dont get on one for weeks at a time but when I do it is great and
always a loser. Good Luck Tony
— tonyskid
June 8, 2003
Hi Julie,
You are doing great. I, too, felt the same as you, weak, nauseous,
lightheaded. My doc told me that I was not taking in enough fluids. I was
dehydrated. I know this is very hard to do at first, but I forced myself
to drink more and begin feeling better. Even now at 7 mos. post-op, I can
feel it when I'm not drinking enough. I get nauseous and lightheaded.
Hope this helps. Good luck on your journey.
— Kathy C.
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