Question:
Returning to work and back to

I have returned to work and need to know if I will stop wanting to nap so often esp. after walking. At home it seemed impossible to not want to sleep after waiting 30-40 min after eating. If I went on walk 30 min or more, I went to sleep for about 2 hours after. Will this urge stop? I'm not 1 month yet I am losing (refuse to weigh myself as some post-ops recommended). I do feel a lot stronger each day and get in about 35 grams of protein and as much water as I can drink. But I cannot imagine not taking a nap every 3-4 hours - and of course at work I can't LOL    — Anna M. (posted on December 29, 2003)

December 28, 2003
I too went back to work 2.5 weeks post op and was very tired. I had to go back because I'm self-supporting. It DOES get better but take about three months. I just white-knuckled it and went to sleep IMMEDIATELY after I got home for a few months. It will get better, I promise.
   — Margaret G.

December 29, 2003
Getting more protein might help your enegry level. Even though I am on soft foods I still use some protein shakes otherwise, I would get no where near the 60 grams my doctor reccomends. About a week ago I was tired quite a bit and when I called my doc's nurse told me I needed more protein (I had been getting about 30) so I added a protein shake (unjury) back in as yucky as it was, and it's helped tremendously.
   — Patricia T.

December 29, 2003
Try some coral calicum. I was the EXACT same way. I wanted to sleep all the time. Part of the problem is u have anesthesia in your body. I started taking coral calicum about 6 weeks out. At about 8 weeks I was begining to feel better, but still not 100%. I had my doctor put me on half days for about 6 weeks. And that REALLY helped too. KEisha 3/12/03 316/199/160
   — keishax

December 29, 2003
It does get better. By my 3rd month I had alot of energy. Your body is still healing from major surgery. Another poster recommended Coral Calcium, just remember that it is a fancy name for calcium carbonate and we should be using calcium citrate. We do not absorb carbonate very well. You need to up your protein to 65 grams. This will also help your energy level increase. Best wishes - 4/2/03 283/185/175
   — M B.

December 29, 2003
I don't want to dispute that what Keisha said works for her, but know that coral calcium is just fancified calcium carbonate that we do not absorb well. I can't pinpoint why coral calcium helped with her energy levels, but just know not to rely on it as your calcium source (ALWAYS use calcium CITRATE as your calcium supplement!) And, don't worry too much about feeling tired at this point. Your body is trying to heal from MAJOR surgery, and that takes a lot of energy to do, especially on a restricted diet. Just do what you can, nap when you can, and it will get better. Generally, it helps to get as much protein and as much fluids as you can, but time is really the main thing. Best wishes.
   — Vespa R.

December 29, 2003
I am now about 14 months out. I went back to work after 2 weeks and was soooo tired. Hang in there. It does get better and in time your energy will return like gangbusters. For a while I used to take a nap in my car during my lunch hour (had an alarm clock to wake me). And then when I got home I would take another nap. Do what feels best for you. Before you invest in calcium or any other supplement, contact your dr. and find out what he/she suggests. Good luck....it does get better!
   — Carole J.

December 29, 2003
I understand what you're going through. I will be 8 weeks out tomorrow, and went back to work at 3 weeks. The first week I only worked 6 hours per day, and only three days (it was Thanksgiving week, thank goodness!!) I started feeling as if I had much more energy at about 5 weeks. It also helped that most of my co-workers knew about the surgery, and were very supportive--I actually had to convince them I could climb the stairs to check my mailbox daily!! Be patient, it will come. Congratulations on being on the losing side!
   — Shelly M.

December 29, 2003
At 8 months post-op, I've found that altering what time of day I take my vitamins makes a difference in my energy level later in the day. Drinking more water has helped me also but then again, I'm terrible at water (don't blast me...I work on it everyday). Take note of what you're eating and how soon after meals you feel drained. I never had a problem with carbs in the past, but I notice the further out I get, the more they really take a toll on my energy level. Yes, it doesn't make sense...but it's the truth. Good luck!
   — Diane S.