Frustrated with lack of energy

Hello Everyone,

I need to vent and get some advice.  I will be nine weeks out this coming Tuesday, have lost 8 pounds in two weeks pre-op and 48 pounds since surgery for a total of 56 pounds.  I have 34 pounds to go to reach goal of 190.  At four weeks I complained to surgeon that I was having trouble gettting in liquids and was taking in very little solid foods.  They asked me to stick it out a couple more weeks.  At seven weeks I had and EGD and dilation to 12mm. I can drink fluids now and eat slightly less than a quarter cup at a time.  Surgeon also informed my wife that I had a very tight pouch slightly less than 15cc.  My problem is energy and the lack thereof.  Last year this time I was doing twenty mile bike rides five or six nights a week.  Now i can't ride five miles without be exhausted or work in the yard for fifteen minutes without having to stop for five minutes.  Everyone talks about how much energy they have and i just don't see it.  Is it a matter of perspective,  I was very active before but couldn't take off the weight versus and inactive person who is losing and feels much more energetic.

Also at this point  what would you expect calorie intake to be for a male 6' at 224.

Thanks for any feedback.  I am going to cross post this.

What is your protein intake a day? I know it's hard when your just out from wls expecially when your having problems with the pouch. I know when I lost all my weight I was loosing fat but also a lot of muscle. I was much weaker after wls. All I can suggest is to get as much protein down a day as you can. You need carbs(complex) also for stamina and water lots of water. At five years out i still have to eat all day long to get the right amount of food and water. Right now your only way to get in enough protein is the shake method. I was the same way after my wls. Weak and dizzy when you stand up all the time. All I can tell is that for me it did get better with time. Also I'am very actice and work out six days a week. I shoot for 2800 cals and 250grams of protein a day.
 
Derrick

I generally shoot for 80 to 100 grams per day and make it with the exception of this past week. While we were on vacation, I didn't do shakes and only hit about 65 grams per day, but I increased my carb intake which helped some with energy.  I still lost four pounds!  i will get back to the shakes and up the protein to 100 plus and see if that helps this week.  Thanks for the reply.

Chief,

Need to get your strength and energy up - budget "season" is rapidly approaching!

Actually, preliminary budgets for 2010 are due the first of the week but that is not a problem after fifteen years of doing them.  I am more concerned with the four employee contracts I have to negotiate this year. 

A couple of thoughts.  I know what you mean about energy.  I would try and grab for it...and it just wasn't there.  Things that may help.  Putting some cottage cheese or protein shake on your nightstand.  If you pee in the middle of the night have whatever you put on your nightstand.  Graze...Yeh, we tell people not to graze (danger danger), but in your case it may make sense.  Things I keep in my pockets are plain walnuts, almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, dry roasted peanuts, roasted soy nuts...May help with the energy...When the energy comes back and you are near goal, you need to be careful with grazing...esp with carbs.  Add foods high in potassium to your diet:  Oranges, tomatoes, raisins, spinach, lima beans (Wendy's Chili), bananas, avocadoes, yogurt, broccoli.  Take a small amount of B Complex through out the day.  Besides the regular vit. it may help.  Also are you sure your stricture has not come back...very common to have to go back a second or third time to get your pouch enlarged again.  Happy biking.  Brian

Forgot two other things...I keep beef jerkey in my pockets too.  Also maybe add a small amount of salt to your diet.

Cabin11,  Thanks for your reply,

I think the stricture is ok for now.  I can drink without any problem now but eating is still hit or miss.  Last night I was able to eat about a three ounce grilled hamburger with cheese but tonight it took 45 minutes to eat one half piece of tilapia.  If the drinking becomes a problem I will go back to the doc.

Thanks for the other tips!

Try upping your vitamin B12 intake also.  I do the sublingual at about 5000mcg a day.

I am doing 2500 mcg per day, I'll try 5000 mcg and see what happens.  Thanks!