Rebooting energy level???

Hello, I will be seven months out from surgery this Thursday. I have lost approximately 93 pounds and several sizes in clothes. Lately my energy level feels non-existent. I have recently moved back to Indiana to be near my parents and help them, so I have not taken the time to establish an exercise routine, which I know will help, but to be honest, I don't know if I have the energy to do it! My family has started expressing concerns regarding my lack of energy. Anyone have any suggestions on how to reboot energy levels? Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks, Kel

Kel, Welcome back to Indiana and welcome to the Indiana boards. What vitamins are you taking? What protein level are you trying to maintain? How much water are you getting in daily? Exercise can rejuvinte you, yes, but a post-op needs so much more than just a good healthy walk. It is recommended by most surgeons in the area to take: 3 flintstone chewable (or equivilant) daily 3 calcium citrite daily 1 B1 weekly 1 B12 sublingual twice weekly or 1 B12 injection monthly 1 biotin daily if you exerience hair loss You also want to target a minimum of 60 g of protein/day and 64 oz of water/day. If you have any caffiene, then you need to drink twice that amount extra of water. So if you have an 8 oz cup of leaded coffee, then you need to drink 16 oz of water in addition to the 64 oz for a total of 80 oz minimum. Also, ensure that you are getting in a minimum of 100 g of carbs/day. Why????? B12 regulates your energy. No B12, no energy. Lack of iron or protein can also make you feel drained. Caffiene dehydrates you. Lack of water dehydrates you. Dehydration zaps you of energy. Lack of Carbs causes ketosis. With ketosis, there isn't carbs for the body to burn up so it burns up the muscles in your body. No muscles, no energy. If you are doing all these things, please get a surgeon to oversee your post-op care ASAP. Your body may not be asorbing it's minerals the wy it should be and so bloodwork may be called for. Please feel free to post often...and also, please let us know what you learn. Sherri

I agree with Sherri. But instead of taking separate B1 and Biotin, I was told to take a B-Complex (all the B's) in addition to the B-12. I shoot for about 80 grams of protein per day and take in between 75 and 100 oz of non-caffinated fluids. It really does help. If you need to find follow-up care, I highly recommend the Clarian Bariatrics group. You won't find a more caring group anywhere. Their dieticians are fantastic (they offer a cooking class you wouldn't believe and you don't have to be their patient to attend) and the I really like Dr Mattar. He didn't do my surgery, but I switched my follow-up care to them and he treats me like I've been his patient all along. If you are interested in them, you can call (317) 275-7010. Hope you feel better soon. Cindy

Girl, you NEED a new picture!!!! Sherri ps....hmmm, me thinks MY surgeon's & St. V's are the best! Ooops...no cooking class though!

I know! I know! I keep thinking I'll get one done (even if my husband just takes one for me). But I never get around to it. Maybe I'll corner him this weekend and just get it over with. I wonder if I am just still suffering from "fat person's aversion to photographs" syndrome? The way you like to cook, Sherri, you ought to come out to one of the cooking classes. I think you'd really enjoy them. Cindy

Hi Kelli, Welcome to the boards here in Indiana- I gotta say the people on here are the best!!!!! I found my energy level started to drop about the time I had lost 100 # . The Dr. did a blood test & said I needed more B vitamens, so I now get a B12 shot- every 3 weeks. I also make sure to take my vitamens/calcium seperately either before/after a meal, so that they can absdorb in my system. (I was told by the Dieticians if you take them all at once they don't all get absorbed into your system.) I hope you continue to post, and I am looking forward to getting to know you! (((hugs))) Ellen

I would have to agree with everyone as well. I was making sure I was getting enough protein in each day because I didn't want to loose my hair and then all of a sudden I was getting very tired and taking naps during the day like I was before having surgery. I had bloodwork done at 3 months and found out my iron level was too low so they told me to take 2 tablets instead of 1 and my hair has stopped falling out and I haven't had any episodes of tiredness since. Definently get some bloodwork done ASAP. Welcome back to Indiana!! Regina