Question:
I have no energy, how can I fix this?
I am one week post op and feel lethargic a good part of the day. I am assuming this is because I have less calories being converted into energy. Does anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions? — laurabeth1977 (posted on April 26, 2007)
April 26, 2007
You are just one week out of having major surgery. You will feel tire for
awhile. Im over 3months out and Im still tired. It will get better. You
have to allow yourself to heal. Good Luck!
— barfiep01
April 26, 2007
Yes...this is normal. 1.) Remember, you just had MAJOR surgery and even
though you feel good and look good on the outside your insides have been
rearranged. 2.) Yes, you are consuming less than you did before surgery and
that will contribute.
I am working on 3 months and although I have WAY more energy than I did in
the beginning....I still have days where I am BEAT and go to bed early to
recharge.
I would suggest: make sure you get all of your protein in, take your
vitamins and walk, walk, walk as you can tolerate. Do everything you are
supposed to do - live your life by the rule book and you will do great!
— jammerz
April 26, 2007
Time, plenty of protein and a daily sublingual B-12 will help.
— SteveColarossi
April 26, 2007
I agree with the other posters. Although I didn't feel lethargic, I felt
sleepy a lot. I wasn't worried though as I knew anesthesia did that to me
for about 2-3 days after surgery AND that I just had MAJOR surgery and my
body needed to adjust. Hang in there, once you can start taking your
protein and vitamin suppliments, you will feel better! Good Luck!
— crystalsno
April 26, 2007
Your body has to have time for the anesthesia to work out of it's system
for starters. It can take months for it to work its way totally out (from
what I've been told). Also, your intake is different. Shortly your body
will kick into malnutrition mode and will start eating your fat stores for
energy. This is part of the process. You are going to feel tired, and less
energetic for a while post op until things level out. Ask your doctor if
you might start a B12 regimen to help out. I take a shot of B12 weekly as I
have problems with pills as a result of my surgery.
After a few doses of the B12, I found a huge difference. Also make sure
that once your doctor lets you start working on your protein and your food
intake that you meet your protein levels. That will help out as well. Don't
push those though until your doctor says so.
Good Luck!
— oceanrayne
April 26, 2007
Laura,
I'd feel that way too -- I'm 2 months out -- and as soon as I had some
water after a few moments I'd be okay. Make sure you are getting in fluids
and when you feel lethargic drink some water.
I still get tired too -- especially around working out. For example,
tomorrow I'll work out for at least an hour -- its my day off and Saturday
and Sunday I'll have to rest
— the7thdean
April 27, 2007
Hi Laura, welcome to the losing side! Your head is gonna tell you that you
are taking less calories and so you are tired, it will tell you all sorts
of lies, like you are starving to death and what did you do to yourself.
The head games are not fixed during surgery, so be careful of them. We
have been lying to ourselves for years about how much food to eat and what
we "need" food wise to survive. The lust for food is very great
for the obese person. You will have this battle every day. Now the energy
loss, who wouldn't be tired after a surgery like this? I am 3 years plus
from surgery and I took a full six weeks for recovery. My husband made me
stay upstairs for the first two. sleep and adjust to the surgery, and walk
with him when he got home for circulation. I was glad he did that, I
needed the rest. Each day I got stronger, and walking helped it even
though I was exhausted after each walk. I encourage you to rest the first
two or three weeks and walk to the mailbox or up and down your street with
your friend or spouse for the first few weeks. Then build up your walking.
At two weeks, I began walking 2 miles a day. It was tough, but I pushed
through and kept it up, by 5 months out I was walking 2 1/2 miles twice a
day around my own neighborhood. I lost 120 pounds in just over a year and
am keeping it off. You can do the same, but it will take hard word and
exercise, and dealing with those pesky head games. You took the risk of
surgery, rest now, but prepare your plan of attack for the head games and
exercise. Take care, and welcome to the losing side! Patricia P
— Patricia P
April 27, 2007
Hi Laura, welcome to the losing side! Your head is gonna tell you that you
are taking less calories and so you are tired, it will tell you all sorts
of lies, like you are starving to death and what did you do to yourself.
The head games are not fixed during surgery, so be careful of them. We
have been lying to ourselves for years about how much food to eat and what
we "need" food wise to survive. The lust for food is very great
for the obese person. You will have this battle every day. Now the energy
loss, who wouldn't be tired after a surgery like this? I am 3 years plus
from surgery and I took a full six weeks for recovery. My husband made me
stay upstairs for the first two. sleep and adjust to the surgery, and walk
with him when he got home for circulation. I was glad he did that, I
needed the rest. Each day I got stronger, and walking helped it even
though I was exhausted after each walk. I encourage you to rest the first
two or three weeks and walk to the mailbox or up and down your street with
your friend or spouse for the first few weeks. Then build up your walking.
At two weeks, I began walking 2 miles a day. It was tough, but I pushed
through and kept it up, by 5 months out I was walking 2 1/2 miles twice a
day around my own neighborhood. I lost 120 pounds in just over a year and
am keeping it off. You can do the same, but it will take hard word and
exercise, and dealing with those pesky head games. You took the risk of
surgery, rest now, but prepare your plan of attack for the head games and
exercise. Take care, and welcome to the losing side! Patricia P
— Patricia P
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