So tired after surgery

Everyday living
1

Hi there,

Just wanting some thoughts on my predicament please.

10.11.20 laparoscopic/keyhole surgery for gall bladder removal. Discharged the following day. But didn’t go so well as went to A @E with acute pain on the 21.11.20 and was admitted to hospital again.

21.11.20 open surgery to wash me out and insert a couple of drains - I had a bile leak and was stapled back together.

24.11.20 third surgery under general anaesthetic to insert a stent. Discharged hospital on 30.11.20

My problem is that I am just so tired. I get up at 9.30am for breakfast. During the course of the day I try to go out walking for say 15-20 minutes. But I often go back to bed for a lie down as I am just so tired a couple of times during the day. I am not so tired that I need to sleep I just need to lie down.

Is this normal to feel so tired but not need to sleep after surgery? I have been signed off from work until end of December but feel I will need to ask for more time off.

Thoughts and opinions gratefully received

Min xx

2

You’ve had general anaesthetic (and 3 surgeries in a short space of time), so absolutely normal to be feeling very tired. Your body will be recovering from the physical trauma of the surgeries, and it is part of our evolved body’s defence mechanism to protect us and allow us to heal by making us feel tired, so we don’t overdo things. Also the anaesthetics are fat soluble and will be lingering in your fat stores for quite some time, just gradually leaching out into your blood stream and expelled through breathing and the liver.

3

Also keep in mind that you probably had some kind of fuss and bother over Christmas, whether it was decorating, shopping, cooking, or just minding that you weren’t doing those things. Add in the quarantines, and you’re dealing with a lot more than “just” recovering from surgery. Take whatever time you need.

4

Good heavens Min! I`m not surprised you are so tired. All those surgeries…and MS? You now neeeeed sleep and TLC.

Boudsx

5

Thanks so much everyone much appreciated

Min xx

6

My goodness, what a horrid time you have had! Any surgery is exhausting, general anaesthetics are particularly exhausting, multiple doses of that are exhausting squared. And then add MS into the mix… No wonder you’re feeling weary and bruised. I really hope that your recovery from here is, as they say, uneventful. I am sorry you have had such bad luck with this. Please be gentle with yourself and give yourself plenty of time to rest and heal.

Alison

7

So kind thank you

Min xx

1 Like
8

Look after yourself, your body is telling you that you need rest. It’s had a bit of a pummelling recently.

Sit and put your feet up, read a book or magazine, watch TV, phone a friend, drink tea, eat chocolate, be good to yourself.

Take care

Jen

9

Thanks Jen and all who have replied and all who have read.

Hugs

Min xx