Question:
Why am I so tired?

Hi, I am 5 mths. post-op now and I am soo darn tired all of the time, I even get to the point to where I am almost going to faint or fall over cuz I am so tired and I know that I get enough sleep already, but I just want to sleep more. I know I am not depressed either, I am just tired. What do you all think could be the cause of that? Thankyou for all of your responses!    — Melodee S. (posted on July 5, 2003)

July 5, 2003
I would have your labs checked first. If they are all OK, then I would eat some more foods, esp carbs. (good carbs) I remember not being able to get off the couch and ate one Mac and Cheese at a time and really felt the difference in about an hour. Good Luck! (ps: make sure you're getting in enough water, dehydration can make you tired also.)
   — ZZ S.

July 5, 2003
I'm almost 6 weeks post-op and I feel the same way. The only thing I can think of is the reduced caloric intake. You may want to have your blood tested to see if anything is low. My doctor said sometimes the B-12 pills don't work well enough and you may need to take shots once per month. It takes time to get yourself back on track after surgery, keep hydrated and take it easy.
   — Starrlina

July 5, 2003
I agree with the other person. Have your labs done and talk with your doctor. I'm 3 months out. I have so much energy I don't know what to do with myself sometimes. I feel awesome!!! I exercise everyday, clean my house everyday, work a minimum of 8 hours a day, socialize and still have to make myself go to bed at night. I do only eat fresh things. For example, lunch meat, cheeses, fruits and veggies. Anything else makes me feel sluggish and slow me down. I don't ever want to be slowed down again so I don't eat much carbs at ALL, nor fried foods, breaded foods or basically anything that seems heavy. Good luck.
   — Lisa C.

July 5, 2003
Good question. Wish I knew the answer. I'm over 2 years post op and still feel as if I've been run over and half dead. I had complete blood work a couple months ago. Everything was fine except my testosterone was LESS than 20. It should be around 250-950. I've upped my dose and although I feel "slightly" better, I'm still so damned tired that I don't care about anything. I had more energy at 319 pounds than I do at 162. At least I felt alive then. Let's hope you still don't feel tired at 2 years out. Believe me it stinks.
   — Danmark

July 5, 2003
I agree with the others that the first place to start is with your labs (could be a lack of B-12, or potassium, or iron, or any number of other things). I also agree with trying to eat a few more carbs of the fruit/vegetable/whole grain variety. Your body uses fuel from carbs to drive your brain, heart and lungs, and you'll feel really draggy without enough of them. Good luck to you.
   — Vespa R.

July 6, 2003
Are you dehydrated? It can cause lethargy, moodiness, depressed feelings, dizziness, nausea, etc... It is so underated as the cause of a lot of this stuff post op and especially in the hot months. Also call your doctor, better safe than sorry. I have started feeling a little better since I started getting B-12 shots.
   — Carol S.

July 6, 2003
Your doctor's office should always be your first stop for questions. With that said, I get dizzy and exhausted when I don't get in enough water. Even a day of less than a quart leaves me so tired I want to keel over -- my doctor's office immediately pinpointed the problem as dehydration. Sometimes it takes a few days to get rehydrated, but that always does the trick for me. Have you been getting in enough water and taking all of your vitamins & minerals?
   — Katherine T.

July 6, 2003
I felt like I could not even get out of bed in the morning and brushing my teeth was a work out in itself! What I did...because my blood work came back normal, is that I took an extra iron pill a day, I also took 2 extra b-12 a week with folic acid and I also took biotine daily. I also took in more protein in my food or drinks and I till this day feel better within two days! After I get my energy levels back up I go back to my regular vitamin intake. I do keep up with the biotine supplements daily and my hair has STOPPED falling out! It is great! I thought I'd be bald, but keep up the hard work it all works itself out! I am almost 10 months post op and I still go through it but I love the life I have been given! Good luck and God Bless!
   — Margie M.