Question:
Why am I having lots af weakness and nausea?

I am 7 days post op lap band surgery and can still only have liquids. I have been drinking 1 Atkins protein shake a day, a cup of soup, and sip on water throughout the day. I may have pudding or applesauce also. I have been weak and nauseated for 2 days now. Whats wrong?    — MrsShannon (posted on August 15, 2006)

August 15, 2006
Hi Shannon, Sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well. I would say maybe the weakness may be from not enough protein. Make sure you are getting 60- 70 gr a day I know it may be hard right now but when your body doesn't get enough protein you can feel very tired and weak. Also u just had major surgery on your stomache of course your body is healing and you may feel tired or nauseated. Maybe u should just try to call and ask your doctor what may be wrong. I hope you feel better take care.
   — jjeanniespets1

August 15, 2006
well. as i did not have the lapband, i would only be guessing, but i did do a lot of research on that wls too. id have to say that you need to get some more food in, that is less in sugars. unless what you are eating is sugar free or low in sugar. i know that it doesnt matter a lot with the lapband, but try it and see what happens. also, try going for a walk. i know you are a week PO, but you still need to be walking. walk walk walk, and get MORE water in. these two things are going to help the most. lap band, or RNY water and walking ALWAYS helps. try this, and let me know after you have went for a walk how you feel. and dont just walk to the mailbox or something, walk a little ways down the road or the street. or walk around your apt complex, as i dont know where you live, but there is ALWAYS someplace to walk too. take care, and email me and let me know how things are going. good luck on your wls journey, and congrats on getting it done!!! the hard part is over now hun, now for the melting!!! ~redneck stephie~
   — squeekypete

August 15, 2006
I didn't have Lap, I had RNY but at 7-9 days i was feeling the same way. I had NO energy and was nauseated and just feeling terrible. I went to er because my tummy pain was worse and turns out that i was severely dehydrated and spent 2 days in the hospital getting back to 'normal'. I was doing exactly what the doc said and taking in the amount of water the doc suggested and sipping water all day as much as i could and it just wasnt enough for me. Good luck
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 15, 2006
You are dehydrated plain & simple you should be drinking at least 8 glasses a day (64 oz.) you can work up to that, but, if you are only get a sip here & there it is not enough. Also add a couple of more shakes into your system. you are going to be fine. Just remember to get more protein than anything else & as someone else has already mentioned make sure they are sugar free, Whey protein is better choicem but, if you do not have access to a GNC of health food store that carries the Whey Protein. Atkins will work, you just have to add more than 1 into your day. you should have 40 to 60 grams of protein or better each day. Take care & it will get better.
   — Marilyn C.

August 15, 2006
I echo what everyone else says regarding the protein and water. Are you taking your vitamins as well? Are you not eating and drinking a lot because you are nauseas? That was the case for me. Call your doctor!!!! He may be able to prescribe a med for you - my doc gave me Zofran...comes in very small tabs or sublingual. Made the nausea go away so I was able to eat more which made the nausea STAY away. It's kinda a catch 22. I hope you feel better. Remember, you just had a big surgery. I know it was lap; I don't really know what it was like; I had open-rny. But it's still a big shock to the system. So allow yourself to heal. Good luck!!
   — platypus

August 16, 2006
have had this same experience. you are dehydrated. you should have 3 of those shakes its easier to drink through a straw you get more in without a lot of effort. heck use 2 straws. a cup of soup is not enough either. i would skip the pudding and applesauce because of the sugar content (diarrea possiblity). no sipping on water get a straw to get your water in. sqeeze lemon or lime or use the newest kroger performance powder that only has 5 calories to add to your water. hope its been helpful.
   — champton44

August 16, 2006
I agree with everyone else here that as soon as you start getting your protein drinks down, you WILL feel better!!! And 64oz of water is a daily requirement PLUS lots of vitamins and minerals (my surgeon gives us a LONG list to take daily for the rest of our lives!). We were on liquids ONLY for the first week post OP, then liquids ONLY plus protein shakes for 3 more weeks, then soft foods for two weeks before beginning to try "real" food...take your time...your body is adjusting and the weight will begin to melt! Definitely your surgeon's office for advice first!!! Every surgeon has different ideas for their patients...
   — zoeysgrami