Question:
Has anyone experienced extreme exhaustion after their surgery?

I had my surgery July 1st and I am almost 4 months out. I have lost 65 lbs. Everything was going great and about a week ago I became so exhauseted I feel like I can't even work. I have not been able to exercie and I fall asleep just after 9:00 p.m. every night. It almost feels like mono, which I had in H.S. I am having blood work done, but I thought maybe it has to do with the changes in my body from the surgery...PLEASE HELP.    — Karen D. (posted on October 20, 2009)

October 20, 2009
I was like that 2 weeks after my sugery. I am sure you are taking all your vitamins. My dr told me to slow down I know easier said then done. Hope you feel better
   — taylaroses

October 20, 2009
Karen, I had my surgery June 1st and I am feeling the same way these last couple weeks. I'm getting plenty of sleep so I don't know why I'm so exhausted. I had sooo much energy the first couple of months, I felt like I was on cloud 9. I hope this is just a phase and will end soon!
   — Crissy G.

October 20, 2009
I had the same experience when I was about 4 mos out, and my iron counts were real low. I started taking ferrous sulfate 2x day, and it really helped. I had surgery Feb. 26, 2009 and to date have lost 110 lbs. Hang in there and make sure you take all your vitamins, they really do make a difference.
   — dcspence

October 20, 2009
I was feeling the same way. The Dr said I was very low on my Vitamin D count. He prescribe 50,000 units Vit. D and I am doing much better
   — topaz11

October 20, 2009
I felt the same way. Went and got a B12 shot. Problem solved. So now, I get one every month plus I take two sublingual B12's a day. I also take the Bariatric Multi Vitamine which has lot's of B12. You may try getting the shot if you aren't already. I also take a potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Just had my 6 month check up and all my blood work was excellant.
   — Kathy Thomas

October 20, 2009
Oh yes indded but it passed about 3 weeks out for the most part. I slept 4-5 hours out of each day extra and I still woke up tired. It has only been 4 months since your surgery and it can take up to a year for the body to reaclaimate post surgery......be patient and see what the bloodwork shows.
   — karensaporito

October 20, 2009
My surgery was back in March so I'm about 30 weeks out. For the past six weeks or so I have been exhausted and falling asleep by 9 pm, granted my day does begin about 4:45, this has been the case for several years before surgery. I had labs done last week and my B12 dropped from over 700 in July to just under 200. I have some other B12 deficiency neurologic symptoms -- occasional stumbling, numbness in hands and feet, trouble concentrating. I see my surgeon today and am going to ask for B12 injections. I have been taking B12 orally but obviously it's not doing enough. When we encounter things we don't think are right we should bring it to the physician and not allow them to just say "it will get better" but demand that they take care of it. I've found that lots of docs will wait until things get really out of control before they do something unless I initiate it. I think once the patient brings something to the table they are sure to address it so as to avoid any possibility of negligence and a malpractice suit down the road. The best was when I called my surgeon's office last week to talk with the nurse about this problem and asked if I could get a shot when I was in this week I was told they don't give B12 shots, I just found that amazing since so many RNY patients have problems with low levels of B12. Drs. Lahmann & Joyce are you listening? (This would also be another income stream for them--can't believe they are not on top of this!!!)
   — rkurquhart

October 21, 2009
I had RNY 8/08. I am always tired.... I told my Dr that I don't understand, I take all my vitamins etc and still so tired all the time. He did my blood work up and everything was fine.... His answer to my problem is that I work to hard, have to much going on and I don't get enough sleep. I know this is a funny answer but he is right. I am up at 5am work all day am working on a double masters degree at night and only get about 5 hours of sleep before I get up and start all over 6 days a week.... Some times you just need to go to sleep at 9pm.
   — phyllismmay

October 21, 2009
DIFFENTLY NORMAL. REMEMBER YOU ARE LOSING ALOT OF WEIGHT VERY FAST AND YOUR BODY IS IN STARVATION MODE. BE SURE TO TAKE YOUR VITAMINS AND EAT/DRINK MAX PROTEIN. ASK FOR A BLOOD WORKUP TOO. I AM 10 WEEKS POST AND HAVE LOST 77#s, I FEEL GREAT IN THE A.M. BUT BY 2 P.M. I NEED A NAP. SO I EXERCISE IN THE A.M. BEFORE WORK. I WAS ALSO HAVE MUSCLE CRAMPS AT NIGHT. I TRY TO WALK AT NIGHT BUT MY DR TOLD ME NOT TO OVER DO IT WHICH WOULD MAKE ME MORE TIRED. I MEDITATE AND STRETCH BEFORE BED TO HELP ME SLEEP. LORRIE
   — spicermom

October 22, 2009
Take and iron pill every night before bed. You may have to take a stool softener with it as well..(pill). Believe me, you will feel much better in a few days. Your iron is probably low.
   — LatvianJ

October 22, 2009
Thank You all!!! I found out I have "mono"(mononucleosis) they call it a "flare up," because I had it in High School. They think my body reacted from the surgery and activated the mono. Who would have thought. Thank goodness in their search they found out all my numbers (vitamins, thyroid, iron, cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.) were all in normal range. YEAH!!! So all I have to do is wait to heal. Its frustrating because I am not allowed to exercise at all because they say my spleen is swollen, so my weight has slowed down, oh well it will all fall in place eventually. Thanks for all of your support!!!!
   — Karen D.

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