Question:
help I have no energy and I feel tired!

I'm sure this is normal but before surgery I started the complete vitamins & was feeling real good & after surgery I've been feeling real good started taking vitamin B-12 3 times aday (1000mcg)& my tums I drink atleast a 16-20 oz of water each day & well eat eat instant grits 3x aday 1oz at ech sitting but for the past 2 days I feel so tired and don't feel like exerciseing or anything not depress just tired kinda had surgery 7-09-03 Lap RNY what can I do to snap out of this & I am still on a liquid diet but just eat cheese instant grits & sf carnation instant bf 1-2oz each morning please give me some advise Thanks.    — Stacy R. (posted on July 21, 2003)

July 21, 2003
I know how you feel. I thought after 2 weeks I would start getting my energy back. That third week I had no energy at all. My angel told me just think what you have been through. You have had a major surgery and have not eaten for two weeks. My surgeon suggested protein and water only. So I started eating more cottage cheese, baked fish, eggs, after about two weeks I started feeling better. I am now 10 weeks post op and finally able to exercise without pain. It just takes time. Be kind to yourself, everyone is different, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.
   — Fran S.

July 21, 2003
I'm so glad you posted this question because I feel the same way! Two week post and today all I wanted to do was sleep! I started wondering if I had mono or something. Reading the answers here will be so helpful for me too. Thank you and those who answer!
   — Postop_nurse

July 21, 2003
It sounds like you are doing alright except on your water intake. 16-20 ounces a day is not enough. You need to try to get at least 48-60 ounces of water a day or you can get dehydrated. This can make your feel real weak and yucky. Why don't you try upping your water. Good Luck!
   — jenniemminor

July 21, 2003
You will feel tired... Think of the lack of food and vitamins you are getting. I had the same problem and now I stay away from carbs and eat lots of protein. I am a month post op now, so it is easier to do this. It does get better once you start eating real foods.
   — Heidi J.

July 21, 2003
I had Lap RNY on 7-1-03, and have been feeling well. When I went to my two week follow-up appointment last week (down 22.2lbs)my doctor told me to expect to be feeling more tired and increased thirst within the next week or two. I have been trying to get at least 50-60mg of protine a day and haven't been as tired, yet. I am begining to think my tiredness is more from being home and not working right now more than anything.
   — Beth E.

July 21, 2003
Water is the first thing. Not enough can make you feel like a wet noodle. You don't have to be dangerously dehydrated to feel bad. Then, I see no multi vites, no calcium (Tums is not an absorbable calcium for bones), no iron. The B12--is it sublingual? OK, and then, here it comes: no protein. ALL of the food you are eating is SUGAR. Sugar can make us SOOOOOOO sleepy. And sugar begets more sugar. That can ultimately poke a hole in your wt loss. Nothing wrong with grits with an egg. But as the main course, not a good idea. The CIB + milk is also high sugar. You might want to try proteins our bodies can use, made with water and move over to the vites rny's specifically need. I think you'd feel better in a few days with enough water & nutrition on board. We can be calorically starved without being nutritionally starved.
   — vitalady

July 21, 2003
I felt this way until 6 weeks post op. I guess that's just how long my body needed to recover. I stuck to drinking my 60 oz of water, 2 protein shakes a day (60g protein), EXERCISING (at least 15 minutes a day) and taking my multi-vitamins (3 a day with an iron supplement) and now at 12 weeks post op feel FANTASTIC and have lost 73 lbs!! Just listen to your body and get that protein in!!
   — SMG I.

July 22, 2003
I agree with Michelle. Dump the carbs and replace it with protein. Make sure that you are taking a multivit with IRON, as iron deficiency can make you feel really crappy. You can cut back the B-12 back to 1000 mcg/day, but make SURE it is sublingual--we don't absorb the pills. (Too much won't hurt you as it is water-soluble, but it sure makes for expensive pee!) Also, as Michelle said, 86 the Tums in favor of the more absorbable calcium CITRATE. Yes, you will feel tired for a while, but this should help you perk back up. And I know it is really tough, but try to drink your 64 oz of non-caffienated liquids. (I have a lot of trouble with this myself.)
   — ctyst