Question:
I was hoping I could gain from others surgical experience. I recently
had a gall bladder removal surgery. Unfortunately, things did not go
well and they had to perform emergency surgery on me within 7 hours of
the first surgery due to internal bleeding. According to the doctor, I
lost over a litre of blood, but no transfusion - wanted me to recover
on my own. It has been 2-weeks since my surgery, and I am still very
week and lacking energy stamina. Can anyone tell me if this is common
due to the blood loss, or the multi-surgeries in a row, combination of
both, or should I being looking else where for the reason?? Tanks
in advance....

Answer:

I was hoping I could gain from others
surgical experience. I recently had a gall bladder removal surgery.
Unfortunately, things did not go well and they had to perform
emergency surgery on me within 7 hours of the first surgery due to
internal bleeding. According to the doctor, I lost over a litre of
blood, but no transfusion - wanted me to recover on my own. It has
been 2-weeks since my surgery, and I am still very week and lacking
energy stamina. Can anyone tell me if this is common due to the blood
loss, or the multi-surgeries in a row, combination of both, or should
I being looking else where for the reason?? Tanks in
advance....[/quote:8c37b444ae] Feeling weak and fatigued after what
you have been through is common. You have to remember that your body
has been through a great deal of trauma and it will take a good amount
of time to recover. Your recovery rate will depend on your ability to
follow your postoperative directions also. If you are trying to do
more than you should or are pushing yourself in any way, your time of
recovery will be longer. You should not be climbing stairs or lifting
anything heavy for a good six weeks after your surgery. It becomes
really tiresome and boring but if you don't allow yourself enough time
to rest, etc, you could even end up back in surgery. If, within these
last two weeks, you are worsening in terms of fatigue or pain, you
need to let your doctor know. If you aren't worsening, then you can
expect to gradually get better. Try to keep your patience - it just
takes time. You will feel "normal" again soon!

Answer:
smithn, Thanks for the reply - it definitely helps. You are correct
that I am quite anxious to get back to "normal". I find it difficult
to balance some exercise vs all rest, as I feel I will completely
atrophe if I just lay in bed reading books all day... at any rate,
your post is greatly appreciated...

Answer:
Hey woody, how are you doing?

Maintain a proper diet and take the medications prescribed to you as your doctor directs. Avoid foods and factors, such as alcohol and smoking, that increase gastric secretions.

Serious gastrointestinal bleeding can destabilize your vital signs. For instance, your blood pressure may fall sharply and your heart rate will increase.

The outcome of treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding greatly depends on the cause and location of the bleeding, the rate of bleeding when you see a doctor, and your age and prior health. Follow up with your physician on a regular basis to monitor progress, so that your doctor can prevent further progression and complications of your gastrointestinal bleeding.

Best wishes,
The Prison Hospital

Prisoner: Look here, doctor! You've already removed my spleen, tonsils, adenoids, and one of my kidneys. I only came to see if you could get me out of this place!

Doctor: I am, bit by bit.

-- Aha! Jokes



Answer:
Woody,
You have two reasons to be subjectively weak.
1) You are likely anemic (i.e. have a lower than normal amount of red blood cells) which means decreased oxygen delivery throughout your body.
2) Any serious illness or trauma places the body in a catabolic state whereby your body starts breaking down muscle for energy.

It will take time, but eventually you will hopefully have a full recovery.