... to wonder why I still feel like shit 3 weeks after surgery

[LakieLady]

I had shoulder surgery just over 3 weeks ago. There was more to it than they initially thought and the operation took a long time. I was asleep/anaesthetised for 2 hours 20 minutes.

The shoulder is recovering ok, but I feel utter crap. I am sleeping loads (all night and 2 naps during the day), my mood is low, I'm often weepy, my hair is dry as a bone and falling out by the handful, my skin is really dry and flaky and over the last couple of days I have developed a crop of zits worse than I ever had as a teen and have had a migraine 2 days running.

The surgery was an AC joint resection, keyhole and done in day surgery but they also had to fix something else that was "frayed" - can't recall what, because I was barely awake when the surgeon came to explain it to me.

I'm starting to think I'm never going to feel better and am also getting a bit worried that something's amiss.

Is this normal?

Sorry, should perhaps have mentioned that I'm 62, so perhaps take longer to recover than someone younger might,

Don't worry, it's the after effect of the GA. I felt awful for several weeks after having my gallbladder out. Give yourself time.

GA takes much longer to get over than they claim. Or maybe it's just the healing process. On the other hand, with dry skin, hair loss and tiredness, I'd probably get checked out for thyroid function. Low thyroid function one of the better things to get as it can be easily sorted.

Post surgery blues is an actual 'thing', absolutely normal, it can take months and months for the effects to fully wear off. Drink water as if it's going out of style, to try to imagine physically flushing the remnants of the GA out of your system.

Take a multi vitamin and extra vit C if you're not already and rest as much as your body tells you to. You will recover from it, I promise.

You might be a bit anaemic after the op, so worth asking for a blood test if this continues. But three weeks isn't that long in terms of recovering. You've been cut up and pulled about, and then there's the anaesthetic itself. It can take quite a while to feel normal again. I hope you start to feel better soon

I had shoulder surgery around 4 weeks ago and am actually feeling more tired and weepy now than I did straight after the operation. For me, I think it's the long haul of physio and not being able to do things for myself that's taking its toll. Initially it was a bit of a novelty and people jumped in to visit and help with stuff. Now I'm still very weak, still have a fortnight of sick leave left, but am being left to get on with stuff by myself a lot more. I've been in tears every day this week because I can't do basic stuff like put tights on, carry shopping, even hang up washing.

I'm also permanently tired even though I'm sleeping loads and not doing much. Hoping it's just after effects of GA, but I think the shoulder is a particularly difficult recovery because of needing to wear the sling and have so much physio. How long is your recovery meant to be? Mine is 6 weeks off work, then a further 6 weeks of regular physio before I see the consultant. Apparently it's a 2year recovery over all in terms of regaining full strength which is a big thing to face.

I had lots of GA when young and thin and was up and about almost immediately. Now I am older and much fatter - takes weeks to get over GA. Apparently if you have lots of fat the GA stays in there for longer. My hubby had shoulder surgery and had his arm in a special sling for weeks and it took ages to heal. Good luck - hope you feel better soon x

As you’re a more mature person it’s just possible that you could be suffering from low B12 levels

longer exposure to nitrous oxide commonly used in anaesthetics is known to denature B12 in your system which could be part of the problem

As we age a huge percentage of the population become deficient and suffer from tiredness amongst other symptoms

A quick blood test by your gp should identify if it’s the problem

My brother had a very similar shoulder op a few years ago. He was only about 22 and so fit and healthy but it absolutely knocked him sideways. The recovery took a lot longer than he expected and, like a PP has said, the toll of not being able to physically do everything for yourself becomes very frustrating. Looking back at photos of him in the few weeks after he had it he looked pale and tired, very unlike him.

Take it easy and give your body time to heal. Maybe you’re experiencing the bad skin etc because your body is focusing all its attention on the repair your shoulder needs?

Are you managing to get out and about a bit? I find that I get migrainey and teary if I’ve not been outside in the light and fresh air enough. Migraines and tears and exhaustion tend to go hand in hand for me.

I felt so unwell 3 weeks after my c section. My gp says it takes weeks and weeks for the general anaesthetic to fully get out of your system, It takes longer than most people realise. I hope you feel better soon, but as pp's said, get bloods done to check your iron levels just in case.

My dh recently had 6 hours of surgery. He was told recovery takes one month for every hour that you are under GA.

Thanks everyone for your reassuring comments!

I have an underactive thyroid and take 200mg of levothyroxine a day. I'll get some B12 tomorrow and drink as much water as I can. And I am fat, so plenty of blubber to store leftover anaesthetic in.

I'm signed off for 6 weeks and really expected to be back at work much sooner. 7 years ago I had surgery to correct a broken wrist that hadn't healed properly. It involved a lot of delicate metalwork and 6 weeks in plaster being pretty bloody useless, but I felt fine in myself after a couple of weeks, so this has rather taken me by surprise.

Feeling quite a bit better today. We went away for the night last night and I had the biggest meal I've had since before the op. Then when we got back this morning, the contractors replacing the gas main had dug a hole at the bottom of the drive and we couldn't park the motorhome anywhere, so we went and had a big Sunday roast. I'm hoping that the return of my greed appetite is a sign of recovery.

I'm not so worried now I know this is not unusual!