Energy.....

So, I'm approaching four weeks out (this coming Tuesday). I had Lap RNY and some days (like today) it feels like I'm never going to get my energy back. I've read posts of people who go back to work after a week, etc. I went back last Monday (after 2 1/2 weeks) and think I only made it a whole 8 hours one day. By Friday I was dragging and ended up only working 5 hours, coming home and falling asleep for 3 hours. Yesterday I was feeling pretty good - went grocery shopping and walked home (1.5 miles). By the time I got home I could hardly put one foot in front of the other I was so exhausted and today I seem to be paying a price for yesterday - I walked a couple blocks, came home and it took every ounce of energy to put the wash in the dryer. Do any of you remember it being like this? How long does this last? Is it just because I'm so old? I have to say it's making me a little discouraged. On the positive side I've lost 31.6 lbs. since surgery and more than 80 since I started my pre-op diet on May 30. Steve

Hey Steve, First of all.. congrats on loosing 32 lbs. A lack of energy is so normal. I remember feeling exactly like you describe. I had Open RNY so it took me a little longer to heal and have my energy return but when it did, it comes full force and it's great! Dont get discouraged. Just remember your body has gone through so much and it just takes time. If your body says rest, then do just that. Dehydration will also make you feel tired and weak so make sure your getting your water in. Take Care and let us know how your feeling Kay

Steve I felt shattered for almost a week after having a 30 minute procedure on my knee a couple of weeks ago - ease up on yourself (not so) big guy! charlotte

I honestly had days where I felt like you do until about week six post-op. I had days before then that I thought I was feeling better until the next day when I wanted to sleep all day. About week 6 I was feeling like i had more energy. You just have to be patient and let your body heal. You will get energy when your body is ready. Don't rush your healing. Take care Erin

well...you know the old mantra...'we are all different....' blah blah blah....but walkiung a mile and ahlf is doing pretty good and the energy issue will suprise you sometime soon...I don't remember how long I felt weak but then somewhere along the 4th or 5 th week, I began to notice that I was able to do a little more each day, and it has continued to this day, almost 3 years out...but initially, for me, somewhere in the 4-6 week range and I was ready to zoom!... Just hang in there and all will work out...each day will be a little better than the day before...just remember that.....

Hey Steve, Here is my ten cents on it... First off you have to remember that you are supposed to feel tired! 1) you just had major surgery, that takes it toll on your body. 2) When they put you under, that lingers in your system for about 6 weeks, hence the reason why you can't color your hair for 6 weeks or drive for the first week or so. 3) Your caloric intake has dramatically dropped because of malabsorbtion and reduced intake, your body has to get used to that. So don't be down on yourself, this is Natural. I was tired for the first 8 weeks or so. Here are my suggestions to help you get on the pep train! 1 - Diet, aka Protien protien protien. Now I know you have heard this a million times and I know you hate to hear it again but it is 100% true. It was hard for me because I hate all the protien shakes, they are NASTY to me. For a while I could tolerate Muscle Milk, but even that was just too much. I don't care for soy or whey protien, and I don't like artificially flavors like vanilla, bannana, peach, etc... Even the protien juices were yuck. I tried everything, even the protien water from GNC. They are a necessary evil though at your stage so shake it up. The worst thing isn't getting down the banana cream shake the first time if you hate it, it is the second one. Don't over do any one flavor. Don't buy another one if you hate it, you know the drill. Also, I now use Proteinex... Two table spoons of this stuff is 15 grams of sugar free, fat free, unflavored predigested protien. It isn't yummy, but it is one small half a shot glass of fluid and it is over. I follow it with something very potently flavored like an Active Kids vitamin or hot and sour soup, something that is strong. If you google Proteinex you can e-mail the lab that makes it in florida and they will send you free samples to try. No charge. They sent me 5 1oz bottles. It was a generous sample! 2 - Be creative with your day. Maybe your employer could work something out with you where you could nap in the middle of the day. I know I worked 7am-11am, then came back and worked 2pm to 6pm. that gave me 3 hours to go home, eat lunch, take a good hour and half nap, then go back to work and not be late. I needed the extra nap, you might too... 3 - Exercise. I know the thought of exersize makes you tired, but it helps you to digest and utilize the vitamins that you are using, plus it helps you to avoid your muscles waisting down. The more muscle mass you loose the harder what is left has to work. Even if you are only walking, do it smart. Walk, come home, shower, and go to bed. So do your exercise when you can best benifit from it. As times goes on you can use that walk to get your juices flowing. A few laps around the block then shower and off to work will help! 4 - Vitamins. I know it seems stupid, but really you do need them. I take two active kids chewables a day, a iron suppliment (dr.'s orders, I am low), then a B complex with C and Potassium for absorbtion. You will figure out what is right for you. ** As a bonus, remember your ammune system is low right now and will take 6 months or so to build back up to normal. Try not to get sick. Keep some airborn handy, antibacterial hand wash stuff, etc... A cold, or god forbid the flu, could really set you back right now. Be careful! I hope some of this helps! Cheers, Cam