Got Energy?

I'm 3 weeks post-op today. No pain, incisions have heeled and I'm generally feeling pretty swell. It's truly an amazing trip; I've already lost 30 lbs. I advanced to stage 3 foods after my visit with the doc last Friday. Only problem I continue to have is the lack the energy. Sheesh... I can hardly keep my eyes open in the afternoon and I'm ready to crash at 7:00 pm. I've been strictly adhering to my doctors orders, of only "real" food, but now I'm feeling a no/low carb energy supplement might be of help. Any advice? JohnH

JOHN, JUST WANTED TO SAY KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. 30 LBS IS AWESOME. IM AT 22 LBS GONE FOR 3 WEEKS BUT IVE ALSO LOST 35.5 INCHES TOO. IM HOPING MY LBS GONE WILL GO UP THIS NEXT WEEK BUT WE WILL SEE. SORRY I DONT HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON THE ENERGY THING.. I KNOW EVERYONE ASKS R U GETTING ENOUGH PROTEIN? BUT U SOUND LIKE UR DOING GOOD. MAYBE ITS JUST BECAUSE ITS WINTER. ALL OF US NOVEMBER'S SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM SO HANG IN THERE. LISA

Hi John, Nope I really dont have a lot of energy............ Ugh by 3pm my eyes are closing!!! the morning is the best time for me to get things done......... Im glad to see that others are experiencing the same thing ~Bethany 266/240/140?

Hey John, Sounds like you are doing great. I'm 5 weeks out tomorrow but sheesh, still no energy. We've tried to go Christmas shopping twice and I'm only good for about 30 minutes. I've been reading lots of profiles of people who are 6 or months out and a lot of them mention the fatigue in the first few months. I've seen several that said three months was when they finally felt recovered fatigue-wise. BTW. I was able to stay up until 10 last night. I think that was a first since surgery. Didi

Hi John. My first time posting here in this board. I have a lot of energy, I want to go and go, I may not walk much, but I'm doing other things that seemed so hard before surgery. It may be the fact that I'm not in pain anymore. I was driving 4 days after surgery, and going to football games 2 weeks after. Some times I hit a slump mid afternoon, and take a 30 min to 1 hr nap, and that takes care of it. I usually get up at 6 am, and sometimes get going untill 1 am, with the aforementioned nap in between. Before surgery it was sleep untill 11 am, go get the kids from school at 3 pm, take a 2 hr nap, and be in bed by 11 pm. It's all new to me, having so much energy, so I hope it stays with me. Best wishes. Joe

Ok, well I hate to be the weirdo here, but I've got great energy. I'm bursting with it. Maybe I'm not exercising as hard as you all. I'm RELIGIOUS about 70 g of protein and 70 oz of water and my vitamins though. That happens before anything else. I haven't been hungry, and I'm averaging about 400 calories a day. I've only lost 22 pounds, but my starting BMI was pretty low, so I'm not surprised. Here's a thought: were you a coffee drinker? I never was, so I don't have withdrawl from the sense of perk that coffee gives. Maybe you're missing some caffeine drink that you used to drink? I don't think the caffeine is as big of a pick me up as just the habit of doing it. I know that my husband uses it as a substitute for rest a lot... But other than that, I don't know what to tell you. I think that if you're tired you should take a nap when you get home (like 15 minutes) exercise good in the evening then go to bed when your body wants to--if it's 7, go to bed at 7. Give your body at least one thing it wants: if it can't have all the goodies, give it extra sleep. Glad you're all healing nicely. That's a big mercy, isn't it? I tell you what--I wouldn't trade the last 3 weeks for anything. I've learned so much already. You're right John, this is an amazing trip. Get some sleep, and keep in touch, ok? Sandi

Hi John, I recently talked with my nutritionist about this she said when Hibernation Syndrome kick's in ~ UP THE EXERCISE. I have more info. about it I will try to post it tomorrow, I don't have time right now. God bless, Annette

Just one more energy note. For the most part, I'm careful enough about blood clots, etc., that I have been really trying to move around a lot, (despite very painful knees that are a lot worse for the moment without my trusty ibuprofen). I do a lot of up and down...do what I can on something seated, then get up and do some until I can't anymore, etc. Have napped most days for at least awhile, but usually I at least see it coming. Yesterday I sat down about 4 in my rocking recliner with a protein drink, got about 1/2 way into it, and the next thing I knew it was 6:00 and my phone was ringing! I had no clue I was even going to fall asleep!

Well I know this may not be what you want to hear. I am 20 days (almost 3 weeks ahead of you John and I'm still tired and have low energy. Yep, I think it is the hibernation syndrome, although I'm not depressed Thank God! I notice when I don't get in enough protein it's even worse. I am thankful I'm not working right now as that would be a struggle. I feel for those who had to get right back to work feeling this way. I enjoy my naps from time to time in the afternoon. I just figure that for me (I'm no spring chicken) I had major abdominal surgery and major changes are taking place in my body right now. Just wanted you to know your not alone. I've read it can take up to 3 months to get your energy back or up to par. My only advice would be drink your water, follow your diet and be sure to take your protein and vitamin supplements as your Dr. orders. And for gosh sakes, if you can, go to bed and rest when your tired! Hey John, I see your from CA. Come on over to the CA. message board and meet us. It's a great group of folks! Best wishes, Tami P.S. Don't let my pic scare you, it was my Halloween costume I was a Spa Girl LOL