Question:
Post-op anesthesia concerns

My insides are doing great since open RNY 6 weeks ago. However, my head is like cobwebs--I'm scattered--forgetful--unfocused--I can't remember people's names, and I swear my vocabulary has diminished. Please someone out there--will this resolve with time--I'm assuming this is a side effect of the anesthesia--or at what point to a seek a consult to see if something like a stroke happened to me? Thanks. P.S. I am a normotensive healthy fat 43yo female prior to my now diminished mental capacity!!    — Wannabe A. (posted on December 26, 2002)

December 26, 2002
Do call your surgeon but this is a common side affect of anthestic, and should go away over time. If you need surgery in the future let them know so this can be avoided.
   — bob-haller

December 26, 2002
I also had this problem for about 6 weeks. I have to concentrate pretty intensely in my job and I was very worried that I had lost it forever. I just couldn't concentrate at all. It did pass. I would say I didn't feel back to normal till about 2 months. Now, things are great. I haven't had this much energy for many many years. However, never hesitate to talk to a Dr. I think the rule of thumb is...if it bothers you...then it should be brought up to the Dr...repeatedly. Good Luck and enjoy the ride.
   — Scott L.

December 26, 2002
I'm not a doctor but I play one in my mind! hahaha.. Anyways, I wonder if there is a correlation between lack of concentration and the time it takes to get the proper amount of protein. Protein is brain food. Case in point... look at Cults.. they purposely feed their members low protein diets to distrubt their members ability to focus and think about the properness of the Cults requests/dogma... "YEAH!! We, the true believers, must give up all of our worldly possession to Pappa Ralph to secure a seat on the celestrial chariot that will bring us to salvation by translocating our spirit to the mother world! YEAH!! pass me another bowl of porridge! YEah!" hahaha Take Care, Be Well, and Be Happy!
   — John T.

December 26, 2002
I just had to say how much I loved John's answer! Ripped up over it and it seems so plausible!
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 26, 2002
I was 1 1/2 weeks post-op from a surgery 12/1/02 which had nothing to do with the WLS I had on 10/15/02 (down 53#). Since I couldn't drive, I figured I'd start my XMas wrapping to keep me occupied. Well, I reversed some of the 'To' and 'From' gift tags or I labeled them from the wrong people (To: Bob, From: Bob, for example) and I left some price tags on. My family just laughed and it has since past but I think it was a combination of the anesthesia and just being tired from recovery. Good luck!
   — Yolanda J.

December 27, 2002
That sounds like low blood sugar to me. I felt pretty scatter-brained shortly after my surgery, too. Keep in mind you just went from eating something on the order of 3000+ calories a day to about 500 or less. You're bound to feel it!! I found that drinking some Gatorade or some apple juice (mixed with water) will perk you back up again and get the brain working again. Good luck.
   — mandajuice

December 27, 2002
My sis n law is a Rn and she says this might be the problem if you arn't eating 1000 calories or more a day. Your Brain can not function. You can liveff 500 caloies but 1000 makes your brain function right. You will have alot of these same problems you mtion if your not getting enough calories. Good luck!!!celeste jordan
   — sunshineinjaxs