Did you ever wonder why you feel so tired and lethargic after surgery? A common misconception is that this is a result of being anesthetized. Surely being artificially put to sleep drains your system and causes tiredness? Surprisingly no – extreme fatigue after surgery is the result of other factors including:
– Sleep deficit and pre-surgery nerves
– Blood loss during the procedure (Anemia)
– Medication administered during surgery
– Loss of minerals and nutrients during the procedure
As you can see, there is a myriad of reasons. It is therefore important to fix this problem and ensure that you have a quick recovery, with minimal fatigue. In the below sections we look at different ways of combating this problem:
Move and Exercise If You Suffer from Extreme Fatigue
People can often remain in bed for days or even weeks after surgery. This can lead to a lack of energy and fatigue. It is vital that you begin moving quickly and trying to exercise. Basic movements and exercise help rebuild muscle strength and improve your blood circulation. Furthermore, they help to improve flexibility and maintain your basic level of fitness.
Physical Therapy
Sometimes, it can be difficult to exercise and keep moving without help. People can lose skills and find that they are too weak to cope with basic daily activities. This is where physical therapy can help greatly. Undertaking physical therapy sessions can help improve your recovery times. Furthermore, it can help avoid extreme fatigue.
A trained physical therapist like the staff at Haym Salomon Home can advise on the best course of therapy for your individual situation. Furthermore, they can guide you through the various exercises and ensure you maximize your physical exertion. Not only can physical therapy help reduce fatigue, but it can also boost your immune system and prevent your body from becoming weak.
Occupational Therapy
Surgery affects more than just your health – it can also affect your employment and day to day life. Many people may struggle to return to work after surgery – tasks they once completed with ease could become difficult.
Therefore, occupational therapy is also important together with physical therapy to beat extreme fatigue. Occupational therapy can be tailored to suit your specific working environment and job. Professional occupational therapists will help you regain the vital skills needed for your job and regain your strength and conditioning.
Keep Hydrated
After surgery, your body may lack vital fluids. You may be placed on a basic fluid drip but keeping hydrated is something you must do long after your operation. Enough hydration is vital to improve blood circulation, and to cleanse your body from potentially dangerous toxins. Furthermore, water and other fluids are needed to provide energy and basic sustenance.
How We Help with Extreme Fatigue
Haym Salomon Home for Rehabilitation & Nursing in Brooklyn NY is the perfect facility for physical and occupational therapy. We understand the importance of recovery after surgery, and the potential harm fatigue can cause.
We accept most insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, HMO PPO EPO Plans, MLTC’s and private care. In addition, our finance coordinators will help you smooth out the issues you might have.
Our staff is professional and experienced – they can deal with a myriad of situations and help you recover to full health. Moreover, our facilities are impeccably clean and we offer recreational activities that can help your body. Contact us or walk in to see what we can do for you to beat your extreme fatigue.
This content comprises informative and educational resources only and can not be considered as a substitute for professional health or medical guidance. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk. If you have any inquiries or apprehensions about your medical condition or health goals, talk with a licensed physician or healthcare provider.
I totally agree that people can stay in bed for weeks after their surgery. I witness this firsthand with my mother, who refused to leave her bed after the hip-replacement procedure she had weeks ago. Maybe I should ask a doctor and see if they can recommend physical therapy so she can recover quickly as you mentioned.
Hi I had breast implant sergery 5 weeks ago. I’m still going through fatigue and migraines.
It’s prob from the implants
I’m having this problem now… was it ever fixed ???
I had spine surgery a month ago and I still feel very tired. Have to push myself to walk more.
Hello, my mom has spine surgery but very close to her skull. She is not walking or doing much right now on her own post-surgery. She just started home health physical therapy after doing physical therapy at rehab.
Hello there. I had open heart surgery close to 12 weeks ago and i am still quite fatigued. I was told it is normal given the procedure i had as i was told by my surgeon and my wife who has been a true blessing all this time. The worry and stress from both of us was tremendous. Hopefully this will ease up soon
I had a laporosapy operation and I’m 3 weeks at home but getting domanal pains in my tummy what can I do
I’m 4 weeks post op from knee revision surgery and I’m finding it very difficult to stay awake. I do my pt and I also live alone. Will this go away?
Weeks three post ACL reconstruction. Battling fatigue. So tired all the time. Sugar is a huge booster for me though. Something like gingerale or apple juice gives me energy.
I had my big toe amputated 5 weeks ago was released to go back to my normal routine this week . I am so fatigued and I do do my daily work again but the next day I am so tired I can’t get up to do anything .
I had metal put in my wrist and I had metal put in my shoulder 3 months ago and I’m still feeling fatigued how long is this going to last I do physical therapy I do exercise everyday and I still feel like crap
I had open knee surgery last week. I was home by 2:00 pm that day. I felt great after the surgery. I was moving around and drinking plenty of water as instructed. Later that night my body just lost all strength and I was in a lot of pain and could barely move. It took me ten minutes to throw myself out of bed. I felt like I had been beaten with a bat. I called the Dr. and his nurse to me to call my regular Dr. that my problem could not have anything to do with the surgery. It went on for two days and pretty was scary. I couldn’t cough hard to clear my lungs etc. Suddenly when I woke up the third morning, everything was fine. I had no pain or weakness. I have no doubt that this had to do with anesthesia and could have been really bad. Has anyone had anything similar to this or know what happened?
What if you don’t get the operation?
I am about 4 weeks post op from having a spinal fusion and discectomy. After being released from the hospital and coming home I went through a period where I had problems going to sleep. However now all I want to do is sleep. I went to sleep yesterday around 7:30 or 8pm and while I awoke several different times and went back to sleep, I had to make myself get up today at 10:45am for my physical therapy appointment. This has been happening now for over a week. Is this normal? Should I be concerned? My mother feels it’s something to be concerned about but my peers say it’s my body just try to heal.
I had foit surgery April 1st been down for several weeks I’m very fatigue and no energy . Now I’m having problems with my knee . Will this fatigue and loss of energy return ?
I had an emergency, full abdominal surgery for a bowel obstruction. Scar tissue from a hysterectomy in 1988 caused the obstruction. I am physically cold and extremely fatigued 90% of the time.
Please try not to worry. I have just had emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction, and the full recovery time can be as long as 6 months. Keep walking and keep hydrated. One morning you’ll wake up and everything you are going through now will be in the past and over. All the best for the future. Justin
I just had the same surgery but with complications. I get fatigued after 30 minutes. I was told 6-12 months for recovery.
I am 5 weeks post op after replacement hip replacement caused by a fall I’m totally exhausted most of the time and everything is an effort I am sleeping fine Not much pain more discomfort But this exhaustion is draining I would like to hear other people’s experiences
I had hip replacement surgery 3 months ago and I’m still feeling very tired and fatigue, wh8 can I do to ge my energy back doing hysical therapy, I go to the gym ,I go to the, sauna and whirlpool but I’m still feeling weird confused fatigue and tired
Sandra Kinsella, I too had a hip replacement , but mine was just over 3 weeks ago. I am so exhausted all the time I keep wanting to just lie down and go to sleep. I have to MAKE myself do the exercises. No real pain…just discomfort and ache in my quads. I’m not sure if I should keep pushing myself or just give in to the exhaustion. I’ m told it will get better, but right now it’s hard to push ahead. It’s good to know I’m not the lone ranger though.