does anyone understand what I am going through

Pre-op I used food as a comfort zone. i could spend all day in my room snacking on chips and watching tv. Well, I can't do that anymore. I don't have much energy yet or lately because during my first week out I was fine, No pain, lots of energy. I haven't been real successfule with the protein drinks, the calcium supplements, or the b12 sublingual pill. All in all I don't regret having the surgery because I know how unhealthy I am carrying around all of this weight but I don't know if I made a mistake, because nothing seems to be working right and these supplements are things that I need for a life time and I don't want to end up getting sick because I am unable to get in the nutrients that I need. Right now I am stressed and I can't have my bestfriend to help me through this....... I have read a lot of post about people who are able to walk two and three miles a day and do there aerobic exercise- shoot where did u all get that energy from because I don't have it. I have lost 27lbs since WLS but I still don't have the energy to get much exercise in.

I LOVVVVE your name. Sounds like you need to let your Dr. know whats going on with you. Now, you were having tough times before the surgery, food is not our friend. I haven't had my surgery yet. I can't tell yet what it will feel like, but when I learned how little my body can live on and how much I have miss treated it I'm so glad the Lord has given me this second chance to do it right. It must be terribly hard to get all the proteins and liquids in. I'm trying to give up pepsi, oh dear it's terrible that's my hang up thing. I don' smoke I don't chew but I sure drink diet pepsi! Get your blender out and mix a few things in those things (Protien drinks) that you are allowed, to make it taste better, tofu crushed ice that will up the protein and it will be better to sip, even powdered milk would increase protein and make it more like what we are use to. Talk to the dietician you payed for her help. You can do this, I'm on your side. Your on the loosing side now. I have a goal for next summer. Do you have something you want to do when you loose your 150 pounds? I want a porch swing ( right now one would't hold me). I want a pretty braless sundress that I look good in. I had breast cancer last year and I'm fine now but I want a sun dress. You need to make a list and check them off as you have success with this of things your weight has kept you from doing all these years. It doesn't have to cost a thing. I want to tie my own shoes in public. Your child is going to be so proud of you and you'll be proud of your self. I hope you don't think that I've been preaching to you it's 2;30AM and my knee hurts and I can't sleep talking to you has taken my mind off of the pain for a while. These are just my thoughts and I hope that they are helpful to you. God Bless You Hugs Doris

You aren't alone. I'm tired all the time. I poop out after just a few minutes of any activity. I know I'm not getting in enough protein, but have become lactose intolerant and am still trying to find a supplement that I can use. All I know is we have to keep trying. I do something, rest a bit and then try again. I don't even know how much I've lost... I go to the doc today and will buy a scale and make it match whatever his says. I guess it will get better as our diet progresses. Good luck.

TODDRA, I'M THE SAME AS YOU, NOT GETTING ENOUGH PROTEIN DRINKS, THEY MAKE ME SICK. BUT WE MUST FORCE AT LEAST 60 GRAMS A DAY. SOMEONE JUST GAVE ME THIS WEB SITE WWW.BARIATRICEATING.COM. THEY SAY THE DRINKS ARE GREAT TASTING WITH LOTS OF PROTEIN. I AM GOING TO ORDER SOME. GOOD LUCK, I KNOW ITS HARD BUT WE CAN DO IT. HUGS AND PRAYERS, TRUDY

I totally understand where you are coming from. I, too, feel sometimes like I have lost my best friend. I am one month out and it is getting better every day though. I have found that eating things with sodium really help my energy level. I spoke with my nurse on this just last week and she really made sense. Before surgery, the majority of us probably ate a lot of foods that are processed or fast foods, which all contain high amounts of sodium, to make them taste so good. After surgery, with the way we have to eat, we are missing that. For the past few days I have been trying to eat more salt and it has really helped. Last night was the first night when I actually felt normal. It was wonderful!

girl, I know exactly what you are going through. I cannot get that protein in either. I am struggling so bad with wanting to sleep all the time. Like today I was up at 8 and went back to sleep about 8:30 slept til 9:45 and back asleep at 1 to 4:20. I don't know what it is but I am drained!!! I take my B12 but that does not seem to help. I only eat the 2 oz meals 3 times a day but hardly any protein at all. I get about 10 grams if I am lucky. I have tried all the protein drinks too but no success. I cannot have milk and EVERYthing is milk based just about. I am not sure what I am going to do either. It is so discouraging.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! I am 3 weeks post op and I am fighting for energy also. I am suppose to be drinking 5 protein shakes a day and I can only handle 3 right now. I have not started an exercise program either. I have went out shopping for a couple of hours if you call that exercise LOL !! Even after the shopping, I was very tired and my muscles burned when I was shopping. I know in time when my body adjusts, I will be ready for exercise. Right now, I am listening to my body when it is tired and lacks energy and I do rest. When I get some energy, I get what I need done, done. I wish I had the answer for you, but I don't because I am in the same boat as yourself! Take care and remember that is what we are here for!! Congrats on the weight loss!! Misty

Toddra, Yes girl I know how you feel I have been so tired and I mean tired like I have worked a weeks worth and I have not done any thing I don't even want to open my eyes so yes you are not alone at all and exercise what is that LOL I am so tired I can't , I can't even go to the store with out feeling like I ran 3 miles but any way I feel ya hope to talk to you soon...

Toddra, everything will come together in time. Take it slow, your body will let you know when you are ready to move on. Are you drinking enough****er? Water is the main stay of the body. If you are able to get 48-64 oz in then you energy will improve dramatically. I usually try to drink about 4-6oz every hour that I am awake. I did not have any energy but I wanted to maximize my weight loss so I forced my self to do walk away the pounds. It is one tape 15 mins long. Or buy a pedometer, the are easily obtained at Wal-Mart. It measures the number of steps you take a day. Mine also converts this into miles. The first few weeks I used this and did my normally daily walking. I was amazed at how many steps I was actually taking. What type of B-12 are you taking? My surgeon gave us one that is tasteless. It is made by Trader Joe's of Monrovia, CA. Don't sweat the calcium. I bought a pill crusher and I mix it into what ever I am eating or drinking. Somedays it is in sugar free pudding or crystal light. Whatever you can tolerate. Some days I just cru**** and pour it into my mouth with water. It will work out for you. I have not been very successful with the protein drinks either. Try www.unjury.com they sell a tasteless form of protein and it can be mixed into anything with out changing the consistency of the liquid you are using. It has 20 grams of protein a scoop. I order samples to see how I would like it.

Hey Toddra (& Anyone Else).. A couple thoughts and things that helped me overcome that 3-4 week out loss of energy: 1) Try and drink as much as possible - water, crystal light - whatever it can be for you. Don't use caffiene. Even being a little dehydrated can zap you of engery. 2) At about 3-4 weeks you SHOULD be tired. If you're like me you are starting back to a more "normal" schedule. And that schedule will zap your strength. 3) You're right on the mark about your supplements. You NEED them for all the healing your body is still doing. Especially the protein. If you don't eat it - your body will use it's own source - muscle for what it needs. There are ALOT of options. Unjury is good - so it Nitro-tech (fruity flavors - more like Kool-Aid. I guess I am not saying anything new, just that I had the same experience. It does get better and pretty quickly. Stick to your plan and you WILL feel better. Good luck!