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I am 3 1/2 months post takedown and in the past two weeks I have felt quite fatigued - not sleepy, but weary. Other than abdominal adhensions and some blockage, my recovery has - I think - been fairly "normal." So this fatigue: Is it a normal part of the process or is something else going on? Many thanks to those who answer.
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Hockadoo,
Frequent bowel movements can cause both dehydration and the loss of essenital mineral salts. Both things can cause severe exhaustion and fatique.
You may want to try some sort of sports drink that replenishes both fluids and minerals and keeps your body from dehydrating. It can also help to prevent leg cramps that go along with the other symptoms.
Other than that, general anesthetic can also do it to you, causing a general lasstitude and fatigue.
Are you doing any mild exercise or sports? Walking around the block, going out for fresh air can help a lot, deep breathing exercises help too.
I hope that you feel like your good ol'self soon.
Sharon
I'm only 1 month out from my take-down but my fatigue has been really bad and almost everyday I am in a brain fog from it.

My pouch is working great, 3-5 bms a day and I've never needed to wake up to empty my pouch. I've been making sure that I am staying hydrated with either water or G2. I'm also drinking an Ensure or Boost drink twice a day.

I've been getting plenty of protein and sleep; maybe I'm just being an impatient New Yorker. I'm living on coffee and caffeine. I told the surgeon and the GI how tired that I was last week when I saw them for visits but they weren't too concerned. The GI ran blood work and I didn't hear that anything was off, he wanted to check my electrolytes.

I am also on Antibiotics for a skin infection at the wound site but that is just precautionary.

I just feel really run-down and I don't know what else to do, I'm hoping the antibiotics are what is causing it and once I'm off of them in a few days my energy will come back. I just don't remember being this tired after my first 2 surgeries but the take-down has kicked my butt.

Does B-12 shots really make a difference? That's probably the next thing that I try. Other than learning some patience and letting the fatigue run its course.
For me, because of the excess gas and initially high bathroom trips, I've been slow to increase my food intake. The lack of calories caused a lot of fatigue. Over the last few weeks, I've been returning to a normal diet (though spaced throughout the day), and my energy has returned. There was a very direct correlation, and though it seems obvious, I didn't always realize it. I'm six months post take down.
quote:
For me, because of the excess gas and initially high bathroom trips, I've been slow to increase my food intake. The lack of calories caused a lot of fatigue. Over the last few weeks, I've been returning to a normal diet (though spaced throughout the day), and my energy has returned. There was a very direct correlation, and though it seems obvious, I didn't always realize it. I'm six months post take down.


Amstobar,

Thanks for the advice, I took your suggestion and upped my calorie intake over the weekend which made a big difference in my energy levels.
I had terrible fatigue for about 6 months after my surgery. Due to the loss of blood my hemoglobin levels were half of what they were supposed to be I was extremely anemic and lethargic. I would advice you to get a referral to a hematologist and get all your levels checked. Request a B12 shot also I'm sure you will have no problem getting one. I got one from my hematologist and then my Surgeon not to long after that what a difference. I was on iron pills for a long time but I ha to stop taking them because they messed my stomach up so much and I had enough issues with my stomach at that point. I was doing iron infusions for a couple months and that made a huge difference. Definitely stay hydrated if you are having a lot of bathroom trip. Gatorade might be a good option for electrolytes. I would take vitamin B12 supplements also. I hope you find some answers because being exhausted everyday is a terrible feeling. Good Luck.

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