Question:
Help, getting depressed
I don't feel like I am snapping back from this. I have had no problems tolerating food. Except for getting enough protein and fluids it. It takes all day to get to the right amount. But I am so weak. I have a normal day and the next day end up back in bed. I need to get well and find a job, but I can't even carry out regular household duties. Help! Am I expecting too much too soon? I am 3 and a half weeks out from Lap RNY. Thank you! — lesleigh07 (posted on January 4, 2008)
January 4, 2008
The first two weeks were the worst for me. I was tired, no..take that back
exhausted. You have to remember you just had MAJOR surgery and your body
needs time to heal, and get back up to speed. You are eating and drinking
very little - try to get your daily amounts in - I know it's hard, but it
will make the difference in helping you bounce back quicker. Your body
needs the "food" and liquid to help repair and heal; it needs the
energy from what you put into your body to do that. It (your body) is
focusing on that (healing) right now - so everything else is taking a back
seat. I think I was around 6 weeks (when I started soft foods) when I
started to feel much better - getting energy back and feeling more like me.
Hang in there. Don't let this get you down. Sounds like you are like the
rest of us were. I didn't do any household duties for over a month - my
surgeon was very strict about not lifting, pushing, pulling, etc. My honey
had to do the laundry, housework (under supervision, of course, LOL) So at
3.5 weeks out - you sound normal to me. Also, sounds like you have a bit of
hibernation syndrome going on, too. I had it for about 3 weeks - the 2
weeks after I got home so like week 2-4ish. People were lucky to get an
email from me and I wasn't taking calls or doing much of anything. Again,
this all sounds normal to me. But if you are overly concerned, please call
your PCP.
— jammerz
January 4, 2008
Yes, you are expecting too much. Give yourself some time to recover.
— Carlyn M.
January 4, 2008
My Goober :) be lucky you can "tolerate" food. i still am having
a hard time :( it too takes me the day to get my fluids in. and i know how
you feel being weak :( you do have a job!!it takes all you got just to
stay focused on this. lol they are right sweetie, we just had major
surgery, and i know even with my surg. he said a good 6-8 wks. i know its
hard, and we want to feel better, and do more. but seems when i get to
feeling good, and do something a little bit more, i end up down again:(
just try to be patient, and please get your rest, and keep doing proper
intake. were all behind you, been there, or still going through... your
doing fine. love ya your angel
— kimcrain
January 4, 2008
Some people take 2-4 months to "snap out of it" and feel somewhat
normal again. Eachperson is different. You also need to exercise on a
regular basis. Start out by walking short distances, and then increase the
distance. That is my daily exercis-walking 1 1/4 -1 1/2 miles. Depression
is a common feeling after surgery--you're now missing your old best
friend-TOO MUCH FOOD. You need to take protein supplements of some kind on
a daily basis. Limited food intake will not provide the 50-60 grams of
protein you must have as a minimum.
— Dave Chambers
January 4, 2008
yes i felt the same way as you did...it took 2 months before i felt
"normal" again and be able to exercise and work....it's now
almost 8 months out and you can't keep me still! everything will fall into
place and i promise you, you will get used to the new lifestyle and eating
habits...just do what feels right for you...good luck
— lizzie42
January 4, 2008
I had my surgery 5 years ago. I remember being so tired. Your are feeling
like this because you are absorbing very little calories and losing lots of
weight. Be patient This will pass. check out my site I have a narrative
about how I was feeling. You will be feeling better soon.
— mszdaisy
January 4, 2008
I've been pretty lucky and have energy since my surgery 3 weeks ago. Make
sure you get your protein in. I have protien powders I got from my local
nutrition store that have 20-24 grams of protien per scoop. I will add a
scoop to pudding, soft soups, hot cocoa (don't heat over 120deg or it turns
REAL gross). I also have made egg substitue with sauteed mushrooms sliced
thin and added a bit of LF cheese. To get my fluid in I make herbal tea,
since I seem to drink more when it is a warm beverage. I also have SF
popsicles I use for fluids too. I also recommend getting your vitamins in,
especially the sublingual B-12, multivitamin, and calcium citrate. I also
take biotin for hair, zinc, folic acid, D-3 to help calcium absorption, and
iron...I take the iron seperate from the calcium to prevent interfering
with absorption. Sorry for the lengthy reply, I was just trying to let you
know what is working for me. I know everyone heals at their own rate, so
good luck and I hope you get your energy back soon :)
Kat
— KatFord
January 5, 2008
Lesleigh, I am 2 1/2 weeks out from VSG. I have much the same problem as
you.....not being able to maintain my energy level.
Also, I was not able to tolerate milk products so I had to stay on clear
liquids twice as long. I am just now getting soft foods in.
I talked to my doc yesterday about this. I told him one day I can walk for
20 minutes...the next day I am like a wet washcloth on the floor, waiting
for someone to pick me up. He assured me that this will get better with
time. From all that I have read here on OH, he is correct.
I am looking forward to more energy. So you keep looking with me, OK?
Keep your goal in sight and remember that we have hurdles to jump over
before we get to the finish line. So jump, girl, jump!! I am right there
with you!!!
— JStangel
January 5, 2008
Your possible problem could be blamed on a case of raging hormones. Fat
binds to estrogen and when you are losing a lot of fat fast estrogen is
released. This is why birth control pills can be ineffective during rapid
weight loss. I was a mess near the 1 month mark. I teared up over
commercials, movies etc. and I am totally not like that. It was Christmas
time when I went through this and I could have cared less about getting
anything "Christmas" done. You will feel better, give it some
time. If you have already been taking any meds for depression etc. perhaps
an adjustment is in order. Give a shout out to your doctor though to be on
the safe side in case something is out of whack with yourlabs and what not.
I hope you start feeling better.-Heather
— tazthewiz23
January 8, 2008
Weakness is a normal reaction of your body after the shock form surgery,
but it will go away. I was also very tires for about 6 weeks, ans suddenly,
I was not so tired any more. Good luck
— MargaritaRM
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