Question:
Do you find that you have more or less energy after WLS surgery?
Do people who have been post op for a while find they have more energy than pre op? I have heard people comment that they have much less energy than usual right after surgery. This makes sense to me, however I am hoping to have more energy eventually after surgery. I feel like I have no energy now. Does the fact that you can not eat as much food make you less energetic? — Terri A. (posted on September 5, 2001)
September 5, 2001
I had no energy before surgery -- slept all the time. After surgery you'll
be tired because it is major surgery and you need to take it easy. All my
friends wanted to come walk with me. Of course, I always walked more with
them than I did on my own and after they left I headed for the sofa and
slept the remainder of the day ... wore me out. I'm 8 mos. post-op and just
now getting more energy. Frankly, I think I'm just lazy. (I hate that!)
— Betty Todd
September 5, 2001
Wow! I'm only 10 weeks post-op (down about 65 lbs.) and I have more energy
than I've had for years. By the time I had surgery I had become a lump on
the couch. I didn't feel like doing anything (my wife dragged me out a
lot). Now I'm walking, riding my bike, taking out our kayak, and really
enjoying it. I had very little energy the first 4-5 weeks post-op but this
is typical. It takes time for the body to recover after any major surgery.
Not enough food doesn't seem to be a problem. I don't have that
"heavy" feeling I used to have when I ate so much. Also I'm
eating healthier (low fat, high protein).
— Jonathan M.
September 5, 2001
I think the loss and regain of energy varies from person to person. I had
my WLS on 7/13/01. I take walks for exercise during the day. Some days I
don't get tired until I'm almost back home. Then on other days I'm pooped
by the time I get to the front door of the apartment building on my way
out. I'm very conscience of taking in lots of protein. I make sure I take
my vitamins. Still, I never know when the fatigue will hit me. What I
have noticed is that as time goes by, the fatigue isn't as bad as it once
was. I'm also at a point where taking naps isn't a MUST on a daily basis.
Again, I think it's an individual thing. One person might feel a lack of
energy for 3 months post-op, the next person could be feeling it for a
longer or shorter amount of time.
— Jennifer P.
September 5, 2001
Hi Mary. I think a lot of it depends on if your getting your protien in
everyday. Im 7 weeks out and for the 1st 5 weeks was only getting 15grams
per day. Man I was always tired. Now Im using a shake that gives me 43
grams a day and feeling so much better. Its called Myoplex from GNC and the
vanilla cream is great with fruit in it. Also try to get plenty of sleep.
That really helps. Good luck.
— Jolie M.
September 5, 2001
I am 10 1/2 out after having surgery and have now hit my goal weight of
135# and am 5'3". For the first few weeks after surgery I had less
energy. I had a proximal RNY with a 3" incision. After 2 -3 months I
had alot more energy than I had before the RNY and that continues to be the
case. I'm careful to take my vitamins and protein and sometimes exercise
really well and sometimes don't.
— Marilyn M.
September 5, 2001
Hey Betty, I'm with you - I think I'm just lazy! For about 6 - 8 weeks
after surgery, I was quite tired. Did not feel "normal" until
about 3 months. I expected to be cognizant of much higher energy levels,
and at 14 months post-op, don't feel that way. I can see that I actually
*have* more energy, I walk a lot more, take the stairs, and physically can
do much more. But, I still need the same 9 hours of sleep a night I always
have, and I'm still exhausted at the end of a typical 10-11 hour day of
work. So while the physical part has changed, the more mental exhaustion
from a long day hasn't. -Kate-
— kateseidel
September 5, 2001
I am 12 weeks out from my openVBG (and down 71 lbs) and I have energy I
never DREAMED of!! I feel like the Energizer Bunny!! I can keep going, and
going, and going.......
— Cathy J.
September 5, 2001
Mary, for me the 1st 6-7 weeks were slow. I had good energy
in the a.m. but by afternoon it was a B-I-G nap for me. Now
just a bit after a year, I have more energy then ever!! I can
get so much done in a day I can hardly believe it. I don't
get all red in the face and have to stop every 5 minutes
to rest- it is wonderful- Best of luck to you...
— [Anonymous]
September 6, 2001
Funny you should ask! I was just thinking about this this morning, as I
lay in bed WIDE AWAKE at 4:00 a.m. At 13.5 months out, it seems I don't
need nearly as much sleep anymore. I often want to get up after approx. 6
hours sleep, instead of my (before wls) nine hours. I doubt that this is
only from the weight loss, more likely a combination of the weight loss,
getting ample protein (I love supps), vitamins, and exercise. I think it
is the yoga classes, which I truly love and try to take 3-4 times a week.
Because I am not completely sure which of these things it is, I plan to
keep doing it all and not change a thing. It is great to feel energetic.
— Anne G.
September 6, 2001
LESS!!!!!
— Danmark
September 6, 2001
Hi there,
Just thought I would shed a little light on your energy question on
Obesityhelp.com. I am 4 months post-op and am just now starting to have
lots of energy. My first two months after surgery were horrible. I had
zero energy, all I wanted to do was sleep. It hurt to do anything. Now
that time has passed I have so much energy, probably ten times as much as I
ever did pre-op. It takes time to recover from major surgery, and I think
you too will probably experience a loss in energy, however, please remember
it is only temporary. Your body is trying to mend, and you'll require more
rest. That's perfectly normal, so don't let it be a discouraging factor.
This surgery has changed my life. In 4 months, I have lost an amazing 130
lbs, and am about half way to my goal weight! I feel like a new person,
and you will too! Good luck! : )
— Heather W.
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