As with any medical procedure, bariatric surgery can come with some unpleasant or uncomfortable side effects following the procedure. Some bariatric patients may feel tired or weak after surgery. While this may be common, it is not normal and should be addressed.
Here are five common reasons you may be feeling tired or weak after gastric bypass surgery.
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You’re dehydrated.
Dehydration after gastric bypass surgery is common because the new stomach pouch created during the procedure has a limited capacity to hold food and fluids. In addition, bariatric patients should wait 30 minutes after eating to drink rather than drinking with a meal. Conditions such as vomiting, diarrhea and increased urination can also lead to dehydration.
Keep in mind that in order to keep your energy and strength up after a bariatric procedure, you need to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of non-caloric fluid every day. It’s also important to avoid carbonated, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks after surgery as these can not only interfere with your small stomach pouch, but also contribute to dehydration. Follow these recommendations by your bariatric surgeon.
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You’re not getting enough protein.
The amount of protein you consume has a direct effect on your energy levels. Following gastric bypass surgery or any other bariatric procedure, you should be eating at least 80 grams of protein per day unless otherwise directed by your surgeon. Immediately after surgery, your protein intake will come from protein shakes and supplements, but as you progress through the post-op diet stages, you will be able to gradually increase your food sources of protein, including fish, chicken and lean meats. Follow your doctor’s guidelines for your post-op diet, and if you struggle to eat enough protein during a day, adding in a protein shake can help you keep up with necessary protein intake.
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You have a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Some bariatric procedures, such as gastric bypass surgery, work through the mechanism of malabsorption of calories, which also affects the body’s ability to absorb vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. For this reason, taking vitamin and mineral supplements after surgery is critical. Iron deficiency (anemia), B12 deficiency and/or vitamin D deficiency can all result in fatigue after gastric bypass surgery, so be sure you are taking any supplements as recommended by your bariatric surgeon.
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Your blood pressure is low.
After weight loss surgery, your body may not require the same dosage of blood pressure medications to control your previously high blood pressure. If you were on blood pressure meds prior to surgery and those have not been adjusted, talk to your primary care physician, as some blood pressure meds can cause lethargy and fatigue.
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You are experiencing depression.
Feeling blue or depressed after bariatric surgery can be normal. Some patients experience thoughts such as “What have I done?” or feel overwhelmed by the required lifestyle changes after weight loss surgery. These feelings should subside with time, but you aren’t expected to push through alone. Be sure to be honest about how you are feeling during your follow-up visits with your bariatric surgeon. It’s also crucial that bariatric patients take advantage of support services offered by your weight loss clinic — especially support groups. Of course, if you were on antidepressants prior to surgery, be sure to continue taking them.
Significant changes take place in the body after gastric bypass in Dallas or any other bariatric procedure. Feeling tired or weak after surgery is common but is typically the result of an underlying issue, such as dehydration or macro- or micronutrient deficiency. Keep up with your follow-up visits after bariatric surgery and let your First Baptist Medical Center doctor know any symptoms you are experiencing after surgery.
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