I am almost three months out from my band revision/gastric bypass and have been noticing a significant loss of muscle power in my lower body. Climbing stairs takes me a lot longer than when I weighed over 400 pounds and tonight I almost couldn't get out of my bathtub. Once I did, however, the muscles in my thighs were twitching and it has scared the bejesus out of me.
I have been having a problem with dehydration and getting all my protein everyday due to every protein powder out there making me sick to my stomach.
I do have to go see my surgeon in a few days, however, I am really concerned that something more serious could be wrong. Any ideas?
Are you exercising at all, even just walking? How much protein are you getting daily on average, even without shakes? When were your most recent, or when are your next, labs? Do you have a copy of your pre-op lab results? What supplements have you been taking?
Many deficiencies can cause muscle weakness, including low protein, vitamin D, vitamin B12, thiamine (B1), folate (folic acid)...
I had a lot of the same problem with protein but I like Nectar it doesn't make me gag especially if I add a little crystal light.
I also have seen alot of muscle weakness but I still force myself to workout (in the pool) 40-45 mins a day 5 days a week with other exercise on the weekend and making myself take in protein and water and I am not suffering nearly as badly as I did a few weeks ago.
Because of my bad knees I could not get out of a tub to save my life and it is hard enough at times to get up off the edge of one so I dont dare let those muscles go weak.
jillybean ~ I have no idea when I am supposed to be doing labs for my surgeon. I have an appointment for a three month follow-up on Thursday. The loss of strength in my legs is something that I am going to bring up with him regardless. I do walk about two to three times a week. At this point it's all I can do and even then I am unable to do it for long periods of time. I developed asthma a couple years ago and it makes it difficult to walk in certain weather conditions. Somehow, I thought it might have gotten a little better once I lost some weight, but I am finding that it is a heck of a lot worse. I do have an inhaler, but with the problems with my heart that I have already had, I am a little afraid to make use of it.
As far as protein, I know I am not getting nearly enough. Some from Instant Breakfast, some from a piece of chicken or a couple of grilled shrimp. Other than that, zip.
At the moment, I am taking a multi-vitamin twice a day, 1000mcg of B-12 (in supplement to the amount in the multi-vitamin), calcium (when I remember), B-complex (again when I remember), and when I have had bouts of vomiting, which have been a lot lately, potassium.
I am beginning to think I made a mistake in having the bypass done at this point due to the fact that I feel my health is less than stellar.
Spooky ~ Even the Nectar has made me sick. I tried it on the advice of a few folks here and at my surgeons office. I wish I had access to a pool so I could exercise there, however, the one where I live... let's just say the kids think it's a giant toilet and I wouldn't want to be in there.
Last edited by TheStorySoFar; 06-07-2010 at 10:08 AM.
Don't think you made a mistake - that won't help anything! I'm really thinking it's a nutritional issue, and, while it is scary right now, it should be something that can be fixed.
Is the B12 you take a sublingual version (either liquid you hold in your mouth or a little tablet you hold under your tongue)?
If I were you, I would call your surgeon's office before your appointment (like this morning) and tell them about your muscle weakness and REQUEST an order for labs. That way, they can have it ready for you, and you can hopefully get some answers that much sooner.
Are you able to tolerate any nice high-protein foods? Are you currently eating anything OTHER than protein? If so, STOP! Reach for Greek yogurt, cheese, rolled up lunch meat, eggs (I LOVED egg salad early out), chicken salad, tuna, chicken (if you can tolerate - try cooking in a crockpot to keep nice and moist)...if you can tolerate instant breakfast, I bet you could tolerate instant breakfast with a scoop (or even half a scoop) of unflavored protein powder mixed in. My unflavored protein has 30g protein per scoop, so in adding just half a scoop, you could be getting 15g more protein without really changing what you're eating.
You can also do B12 injections if you are maxed out on taking things orally. I would try to get in earlier due to the muscle weakness, call and see what the office says. If nothing else it might put your mind at ease.
jillybean ~ The B12 I take goes under the tongue and disolves. I just recently added yougert to my diet (with the high sugar content even in Light versions, I was a little afraid), I have been eating cheese, however, lunchmeat? I have an issue with it staying down, even chewing it to liquid form. Chicken salad was good, however, at one point, same problem as with the lunchmeat. I am finding more and more poultry is not agreeing with me if it is white meat. Dark meat and I'm okay, so far. :/ I have thought of adding the unflavored protein powder to certain foods, but I am discouraged because I wonder if it'll affect the texture of the food, such as making something too think to tolerate. My problem with protein powders is that I can taste the whey in most of them and that is what is turning my stomach to no end. However, I am going to make the effort to try to add the unflavored stuff to other foods and see how that goes.
Coffee Luver ~ I plan on calling him, however, my transportation is limited and I wouldn't be able to drive or have someone drive me to see him until my appointment. :/ However, as I said, I will call just to set my mind at ease. My doctor has been wanting to give me the B12 shot for the last three years, back when I had my band even because I was always tired and all that. Even though my labs back then always came back fine, she always said I could benefit from B12.
For me the weakness was linked to lack exercise, protein, B12, and potassium. If I don't get enough sodium, I have a hard time retaining my potassium...for the potassium I drink G2 powder mixed half strength and it helps a lot. For protein get online and see if you can still get....Beneprotein. its like Benefiber and almost completely dissoves in water. I couldn't find it in stores but I did find it online. I got it as a sample from my NUT when I first had WLS and it was fabulous because it was tasteless and almost the texture of water. Another thing is weight resistant exercise..try lifting light weights (cans of soup even) to keep up the muscle in your arms and upper body...try just lifting your legs in sets of 5 or 10 while watching TV. Get the exercise dvds online for Chair Aerobics....it really does work to keep your muscles from wasting away...a contibutor to feeling weakness in the legs.
Many deficiencies can cause muscle weakness, including low protein, vitamin D, vitamin B12, thiamine (B1), folate (folic acid)...
YES !!! this is what I have and that is why my leg muscles feel so weak when I walk. My Doc said to take supplements and get outside for some sun. I go back in 3 months for more blood work.
Please be careful what you take and make sure your doctor ok's it first, remember we are not doctors
you're at that point where stuff that works one day won't necessarily work the next. so, be careful. and many of us have the 'leftover problem' - because we're eating so little, we have the opportunity to eat the same thing for several days, but for whatever reason, it doesn't work the second or third time.
so, if your tummy is being really touchy, try not to have leftovers.
try mixing the protein powder into yogurt - it becomes sort of like a pudding. also, you should be eating yogurt that's less than 15 grams [or so] of carbs.
Can you get Greek yogurt? even if you can't it's easy to make - take LF/FF PLAIN UNSWEETENED yogurt, put it onto a strainer lined with a coffee filter or paper towel, and let the liquid drain out. a couple of hours in the frig should do it.
deli stuff like bologna is NOT a good idea, but the unprocessed stuff - turkey or chicken breast, roast beef - are good choices. and although they certainly are pricier, you're only going to be eating a little bit. think 'cost per YOUR serving' rather than 'cost per teen aged boy [or some other hearty eater]' serving.
also, thinly sliced ANYTHING works better than thick pieces. one of the local places around here sells very thinly sliced pork chops - very lean. they worked GREAT for me.
and make sure everything's really moist. make some chili. sorry - i'm starting to ramble.
you're at that point where stuff that works one day won't necessarily work the next. so, be careful. and many of us have the 'leftover problem' - because we're eating so little, we have the opportunity to eat the same thing for several days, but for whatever reason, it doesn't work the second or third time.
so, if your tummy is being really touchy, try not to have leftovers.
try mixing the protein powder into yogurt - it becomes sort of like a pudding. also, you should be eating yogurt that's less than 15 grams [or so] of carbs.
Can you get Greek yogurt? even if you can't it's easy to make - take LF/FF PLAIN UNSWEETENED yogurt, put it onto a strainer lined with a coffee filter or paper towel, and let the liquid drain out. a couple of hours in the frig should do it.
deli stuff like bologna is NOT a good idea, but the unprocessed stuff - turkey or chicken breast, roast beef - are good choices. and although they certainly are pricier, you're only going to be eating a little bit. think 'cost per YOUR serving' rather than 'cost per teen aged boy [or some other hearty eater]' serving.
also, thinly sliced ANYTHING works better than thick pieces. one of the local places around here sells very thinly sliced pork chops - very lean. they worked GREAT for me.
and make sure everything's really moist. make some chili. sorry - i'm starting to ramble.
I haven't tried it yet but Nectar makes a non flavored protein powder, you should give it a try and put it in whatever you can, like soup and different sugarfree juices, it is the next one i am trying.
I met with my surgeon today and for the muscle weakness, he advised to exercise and for everything else that I have had going on (dizziness, light-headedness, etc) he's put me on thiamine and potassium. I am to go see him in three weeks for a follow-up on everything.
I have also found that I can tolerate the protein powder I can get from Curves. I inadvertently made some lemon protein pudding the other night. Came out really good, no hint of any type of aftertaste in it.
Hopefully with a few additions and new foods being able to be added to my diet, everything will work itself out.
I'm 9 wks out today and I am SOOOO tired all the time and weak, I slacked on exercise for a week and dont know if that is part of it, I am due for blood work in one month but if starting to exercise regularly and getting more protein and making sure I get some more calories does not help I will call the dr in a wk.
when I walk my knees are now a bit better but my legs are so weak and i just want to sleep so much.
I am kind of worried.
Muscle Weakness?
Reach for Greek yogurt, cheese, rolled up lunch meat, eggs (I LOVED egg salad early out), chicken salad, tuna, chicken (if you can tolerate - try cooking in a crockpot to keep nice and moist)...if you can tolerate instant breakfast, I bet you could tolerate instant breakfast with a scoop (or even half a scoop) of unflavored protein powder mixed in. My unflavored protein has 30g protein per scoop, so in adding just half a scoop, you could be getting 15g more protein without really changing what you're eating.
My doctor has been wanting to give me the B12 shot for the last three years, back when I had my band even because I was always tired and all that. Even though my labs back then always came back fine, she always said I could benefit from B12.
