Question:
Where is the energy that everyone talks about?

I've read several profiles where people say after they lose some weight a few weeks out their energy skyrockets. I wish that would hurry up and happen for me! I'm 19 weeks out, down 64lbs (from 252lbs). I'm still pretty tired. When did you get your energy back?    — Kimberly S. (posted on February 17, 2004)

February 17, 2004
I don't know! Three years out and still pooped. :(
   — Danmark

February 17, 2004
Oh man do I hear you! While I do feel 100% better, I'm still waiting for that incredible energy to kick in. I'm beginning to think that its not going to happen for me.
   — lorien

February 17, 2004
Just Imagine how pooped we would be with all that weight back on our bodies that we lost! I am wondering where the energy burst is for me, but thinking maybe the "energy" is the decreased effort it takes us to move our new bodies now...I'll take it! Open RNY 9/30/2002 Lost 176lbs at goal!
   — EMN

February 17, 2004
Doesn't sound right to me folks. I was back on track (energy wise) at about 12 weeks. What is your protein and water intake like? I have found that if I let my intake slip on either of those two I wilt so to speak. Also especially if you are doing any type of exercise at all you really need to feed your muscles more protein. And you really need to stay hydrated if you are exercising more. I make it a contest with myself and see if I can get at least 3-32 oz bottles of water in me a day. Maybe upping both of those will help you.
   — ChristineB

February 17, 2004
Well, for me...I was extremely tired and asked myself the same question. I was doing everything right as far as supplements, water and protein but I didn't have any energy. It started to come back around month 3. I was at my pre-op energy level...which isn't saying much. Then around month 4 it started really kicking in. When I started putting more energy into exercising it really helped too. Although I literally had to force myself to do it...it did give me more energy. Good luck!
   — Morna B.

February 17, 2004
Are you taking the B-12 shots once a month? I can sure tell it when I need it, I am very sluggish and tired. But a day or so after the shot, the engery is back and I'm feeling wonderful!
   — Danette C.

February 17, 2004
Three months before I felt alive again and had some energy. Also the B 12 issue. My legs were shakey and doc. told me to up my B12 It worked! Felt normal again.
   — suzcar51

February 18, 2004
I made it happen - "fake it 'til you make it". I just ACTED like a happy, active, energized, healthy person. Then it kicked in. Not trying to be a smarty pants, I swear. But that is honestly what it was for me. After nearly dying of my obesity, the thought of that happening again was too strong- and being healthy in my head and working out every day, riding my bike everywhere, and pretending to be a "jock" just made my energy rev up. No big secret there. Sounds crazy, but it worked for me. Oddly enough, all that time, I couldn't keep anything down, and had horrible protein and calorie intake. <br>Since my abdominoplasty a month ago I am going insane waiting to go back to the gym :)<br><br>Best wishes for all, Shelli
   — kultgirl

February 18, 2004
I'm 4months post op and still am tired. I have to nap at least once a day. I usually work a half a day and then go home and nap. I do all my vitamins and protein also. I take b-complex and my blood work came back fine. I can tell some difference in my legs and feet hurting less since I have dropped 85lbs. I guess it's something we just have to live with for a while. Good luck to you! Tammy E.
   — Tammy E.

February 18, 2004
You should have your doctor do blood tests to check your levels. I am almost 3 years post-op and have no energy because of my vitamin levels. I am extremely anemic and need to have B-12 and Iron injections and they are also injecting me with Procrit, to try to rebuild my red blood cells.
   — Kelly T.

February 18, 2004
My energy came back pretty quickly, by 6 weeks out I was back at work, back to going out with friends, and having more enegery than I can remember in a long time. But as a result sometimes I tend to do too much, and then get pretty wiped out for a few days.
   — Patricia T.

February 18, 2004
I wonder how much of this is affected by a person's general mood and habits developed? I have noticed my energy when I get home from work is very affected by how stressed I got over work crap. Also, if I haven't been getting my full night's sleep. And as people said, protein, iron, B12 affect it. For me, it was awful post-surgery in part as I had nausea and couldn't eat for a long time. But once that improved, say 3 months post-op, I was wokring and working on projects at home - didn't want to stay at work - wanted to go home and do my stuff!! In fact, Sunday I worked 12 hours on re-organizing my stuff. Not all constant moving, but plugging away. And it hasn't been this amazing skyrocketing energy, for me it is just that I don't come home, get food, sit on the couch and watch tv all night then go to bed. I want to be up and around doing stuff, and getting involved in activities outside home. So to me it isn't just suddenly having all this "energy" it is wanting to DO stuff, getting involved, finding it easier to MOVE - heck I can sit on the floor now and get up without that being HARD. To me the energy thing is just this whole new everyday something is different - I can cross my legs now and it doesn't hurt! I can wear heels now! My undergarments don't hurt! I want to get out and go dancing. So my mental energy level is impacting my actual energy level and vice-versa.
   — Calleigh Q.

February 18, 2004
Truthfully, my energy came from exercising everyday while dropping the pounds.
   — mrsmyranow

February 18, 2004
I would say the first 2 months my energy was low.I am full of energy now. When I had my blood level checks everything was normal. I work two jobs and I work out.
   — Just P

February 18, 2004
You should have felt some energy return already. Have your labs checked to ensure that its not a B-12 or iron problem or that you aren't anemic. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you exercising? Drinking enough water? Believe it or not, getting enough sleep and regular exercise and keeping up your water levels provides you with energy-ignore any of these and your energy levels will suffer.
   — Cindy R.

February 18, 2004
You should have felt some energy return already. Have your labs checked to ensure that its not a B-12 or iron problem or that you aren't anemic. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you exercising? Drinking enough water? Believe it or not, getting enough sleep and regular exercise and keeping up your water levels provides you with energy-ignore any of these and your energy levels will suffer. I also wanted to add, are you eating enough too? Food is energy!
   — Cindy R.

February 20, 2004
I never got my energy back and I am almost a year post-op. It's hard to explain....I don't have alot of extra energy, but once I get going I can last longer.
   — Jodie S.

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