Question:
I am eight weeks post-op and my problem lately has been I have no

energy whatsoever..I mean I wanna exercise and such but I just cant get my self motivated..I mean I thought I would have this surgery and I was gonna exercise and do all the right things all the time..well here I am 2 months later and taking sips of sprite, and eating fudge pops(sugar free)..Its so hard for me because I have been a compulsive overeater for 20 years...how do I change that? Someone please tell me what to do..If I could get my leg up in the air I would kick my own ass for being so being so BLAH! Whats a good vitamin for energy?    — tylerswife (posted on April 1, 2002)

April 1, 2002
If you are 2 months post-op and only drinking sips of sugar free sprite and fudge pops, that sounds like your problem. You are getting practically no protien. Weren't you given a diet of 2 weeks liquids, 2 weeks pureed, and 2 weeks soft foods before returning to fairly normal food?? At 8 weeks, you should have graduated to real food like chicken, fish, low-fat dairy, cooked non-fibrous veggies, etc. I am just over 4 weeks post-op and am just getting into the soft food phase. I have had a protien drink, chicken, cooked carrots, cottage cheese, fruit juice (diluted 50%), V-8 juice. A couple of pretzel sticks. Now I am not eating very much of eack and had lost 28 lbs in the first 2 1/2 weeks (go in tommorow for 4 week checkup. I am starting to have lots of energy and really noticing that my clothes are getting looser. Are you taking childrens chewable vitamins? + Iron & B-12.
   — Dell H.

April 1, 2002
Rebecca, you sound just like I was at 2 months...my energy level went up about a month after surgery and then plummented again. I had the same trouble getting motivated to exercise. I was getting my protein in, most if not all of my water and faithfully taking my vitamins. I did find that if I made myself walk, I would feel more energetic. But that was SO hard to do feeling as I did. I had my pcp run labs because after 3 months I was still tired often. He thought I might be anemic. My labs were all perfect. He says that some people just take longer than others to completely get over such a major surgery. Give yourself time, try to make yourself move...and get your healthy stuff in...it's just a matter of time till you feel more energetic. I'm feeling better now at 3 1/2 months than I did even 2 weeks ago. It'll happen.
   — Donna L.

April 1, 2002
I felt the EXACT same way!!! However, I FORCED myself to start walking and once I did, I started to get more energy and was able to eat ANYTHING!! Even if you only walk for 5 minutes it will make a difference. I started exercising the 2nd week of January and have continued to exercise 5 days a week EVERY week since then. It has made a difference in the way my clothes fit and I haven't been on a plateau since starting either. I've also consistently lost weight EVERY week. I'm 21 weeks post op and down 78 pounds.
   — Patty H.

April 1, 2002
Be nice to yourself, you're healing from major surgery. But.....(always one of those) your body NEEDS fuel to heal. Try a protein supp, CIB w/ no sugar added, anything healthy to get some fuel(food) in. What you're eating now can't give you anything. BTW, We all heal at different rates. Don't kick anything, ok? you might bust a stitch! LOL Donna in AL
   — Donna S. C.

April 1, 2002
Hi. I was reading thru your profile and saw several times during this initial phase you say you have never felt so energetic, and it seems to correspond with when you were doing something physical (weeding, bowling, roller skating). So, I would encourage you to examen your diet, make sure you're getting enough food, vites, water, etc. and KEEP MOVING. Congrats on such a fantastic loss...Ill be there right behing you! Huggs, from another Rebecca...
   — rebeccamayhew