Question:
Question on Engery Level ...

I know everyone is different, but I'm starting to get nervous that I'll never feel normal again. I'm TIRED all of the time, that is, no energy, weak. I haven't been able to walk at all and I almost always get a little queesy after I eat anything. I scheduled to return to work in 11 days (that will be 6 weeks post op) and I am really scared that I won't be up to par for doing my job (adult education). I know most post-ops get their energy back within the first 6 weeks, my question is are there any out there 6 months or more that never got their energy back? One last question, for those who are on special supplements, how do you know you're low on B12, Iron, or Protein? I know my profile is not updated (not up to the task), but my stats are open rny + gallbladder on 10/17/02. I am getting my 64 oz of water, I'm doing 2 bugs bunny multi-vits a day and I getting between 50 and 60 of my recommended 83 protiens. Thanks!    — D W. (posted on November 21, 2002)

November 21, 2002
You mention multivits but no other supplementation. Are you taking sublingual, liquid, or injected B12? You can't absorb that from a pill post RNY. Do your multivits contain iron? How about calcium? You should be supplementing at least 1000 mg of calcium CITRATE daily. Lack of b12 and/or iron can sure make you feel crummy. And lack of calcium can cause leg cramping in the short term and osteoporosis in the long term. Get cracking with the supplementation and I'll bet you feel better within a couple of days. I have listed on my profile the supplements I take. If you'd like you can use that as a starting point, but don't stop searching until you find products and a schedule that works for you. Because no supplement does you any good sitting in the bottle!
   — ctyst

November 21, 2002
I was like you. I had NO ENERGY! I was worried about that as well and started taking a B12 supplement. It is TWINLAB brand and its called B12 dots (sublingual) 500 mcg each. I take one each day 5 days a week. Although it helped I still didn't have the energy I thought I should have. I didn't really start to feel "good" until between 2 - 2 1/2 months out. I had so little energy in the first couple of weeks out that I was just sure that I must be bleeding internally. But I wasn't. Even though it doesn't seem like it now. It will get better. Your body just needs time to adjust to everything. After all, since they consider food being one's fuel. You are taking in way less than you were prior to surgery. Your body probably feels as though your on EMPTY. I would also be taking in between 1000-1500 mg of calcium citrate each day also. And at one month post-op I switched from my chewable flintstones vitamins to prenatal vitamins with extra iron. I would just listen to your body. That's what I did. I didn't really exercise until my body said it was okay. In other words not until I felt up to it. Good luck.
   — Laurel C.

November 21, 2002
I had no energy for a long time. I changed my protein supplement to Real Meals and it soared! It has a lot of vitamins in addition to the protein. I am not sure what I was missing before but it worked.
   — Gary N.

November 21, 2002
Hey--calm down! You are only a little over a month out from MAJOR SURGERY! Just remember that. Your body needs time to sort itself out. The energy will come believe me. Don't be so impatient. This is the time to baby your body and ease it into its new form. Pamper yourself and eat right. When you feel like doing something, do it, of not, don't. Don't rush it and don't compare yourself to what other people are doing. I myself went back to work at 2 1/2 weeks (surgery: 18 Sep 02, open rny). I was very tired. Came home every day and took an hour long nap and didn't do another thing unless I felt like it. My energy level is growing every day. Take it easy.
   — Patty.W

November 21, 2002
You won't know "officially" that you are low on B-12, iron, or protein until you get bloodwork done. It is, however, a safe bet that you are low on B-12 if you haven't been taking it sublingual or by injection post-op. Also, if your doc recommended 80+ grams of protein you really need to try to get closer to that amount--it really makes a difference in how fast you heal and your energy level. It is a good idea to start taking calcium citrate as well, 500 mg x 3 a day. Your bones will thank you later on.
   — LLinderman