Question:
has anyone felt weakness in the legs or knees after surgery, I dont really have pain

   — Yvonne S. (posted on June 10, 2004)

June 11, 2004
Yes, I definitely had that and it lasted a couple of weeks. But it did eventually pass. Take it easy and do short walks to build up your endurance.
   — Daisy C.

June 11, 2004
I had my surgery Jan 27th, 2004 and I definitely have weakness in my legs and knees. In fact had an EMG test on my nerves which showed nothing. I have difficulty going up steps without handrails and getting up from the ground with nothing to hold onto. I am mystified about it and somewhat worried. My PCP didn't think it had to do with muscles as he felt my arms, etc. would also show weakness. I really haven't exercised much so this could have something to do with it. I've lost 60 lbs. and I thought this would surely help me going up stairs, etc. I've wondered myself if others have experienced this problem.
   — Carlene B.

June 12, 2004
I had this situation and my surgeon said most Post-Ops have a slight problem with balance and lower extremities weakness. Balance might be related to the mind not registering the weight lost as quickly when we get up or walk, after he said it was normal I did not inquire about the weakness.
   — Anna M.

June 12, 2004
I don't know if this is how you feel or not, but I've had episodes where I suddenly feel weakness all over. My heart starts to race and my hands shake so bad I literally cannot hold anything in my hands. I start to feel a little sick to my stomach and then that feeling progresses quickly too. The feeling starts with the sudden weakness which progresses rapidly. I mentioned it to my surgeon and he said I may be having some amount of hypoglycemia. He told me to drink some orange juice and get some crackers or some food in me as quickly as possible. It takes about 15 minutes for me to start to feel better. One day, I actually felt as if I were starting to black out because everything started to go dark from the outside in...like I was going into a tunnel. As for just weakness in the legs and knees, I'm probably not the best one to answer this, but I have definitely noticed a weakness. I'm 5 months out and have lost 82 pounds. It's easier to walk up the steps, but in the past few weeks, I can't do it without practically pulling myself up with the hand rail. I don't have handrails outside coming up to my house from the sidewalk and I have to lean on the side of the house in order to climb the steps. But I didn't know it was abnormal because I've had some severe injuries to my back and hip (herniated discs and two hip fractures) and thought maybe it was related to that. But after reading your question, I realized that this really has just started in the last few weeks. Before that, I was getting pretty quick in climbing the 12 basement steps. Hope this helps in some way. Sorry it was so long.
   — Katherine F.

June 15, 2004
I have had this happen too, I just have to make sure I get in enough food and I don't go way too long without eating, (it tends to happen if I go extended periods without eating) No more skipping breakfast for me... that's usually when I start feeling the weakness.
   — Patricia T.