Frustrated/Confused by Low Energy!

Hi all,

So I had my surgery almost four months ago, and at first I felt like a million bucks.  Once the weight started falling off, I felt like my mental clarity was better and I had insane amounts of energy.  Until about a month ago.  Now I am as tired as, if not more than, I was before I lost the weight.  My eating is impeccable, exactly what the nutritionist recommends, and I'm down 70 pounds.  I'm no longer obese, so I feel like that should buy me some energy!  I am definitely not exercising to the extent that I should be, but I'm also not sedentary.  I'm a teacher with two young children, so I'm up and moving all day long.  I'm definitely getting enough sleep.

I will say that before surgery I took an iron supplement and a vitamin D supplement, neither of which my doctor had me continue since surgery.  I'm taking a Bariatric Fusion multivitamin twice a day and a B12 supplement.  Last week, my doctor tested several levels (calcium, albumin, B1, folic acid), but I didn't get a call, so I assume all the levels were fine.  

I know GrimmTraveler mentioned that it could be just that my body is feeling the effects of a low caloric intake; has anyone else experienced this?  I feel like I've spent the last few years in this exhausted, fatigued haze, and I'm sad that it's back.  I used to chalk it up to having babies who didn't sleep through the night (hence being sleep deprived), then to being morbidly obese, then to poor eating habits.  Pretty much all of those variables have been eliminated, and I'm just plain frustrated.

I don't really expect anyone to have the answer... I just wanted to vent.  I see my nutritionist and the surgeon's PA this week, so I'll definitely be bringing it up.  Hopefully they'll have an answer!  

Thanks for listening!!

I'm sorry you have such low energy :(  I do too, but I just had major plastic surgery.  I don't know what it could be, but talking to your doctor is probably the right way to go.  I hope they can figure it out.  

Don't assume your labs are ok just because you haven't heard from your doc.  Get a copy of the results and take a look at them.

I had very low energy in the beginning, after I had lost 25 pounds or so.  I was doing everything the nutritionist told me to do.  The surgeon had me increase my calorie intake by 200-300 per day, which conflicted with the nutritionist recommendation.  (same office even)  It worked well.  Additionally my blood pressure was low and I was still on the medication.  They took me off and that helped too.  Hopefully you can get to the bottom of this.

In addition to grtting your actual lab results, track them over time. Watch for trends. You may still be in range, but if something is dropping over time, it's easier to head it off.

Low iron could certainly lead to tiredness, as could several other things.

I'm so sorry.  I hope you're able to get to the bottom of this.  I'm sure it's incredibly frustrating.  Keep your chin up.  You've done amazing work so far!

Have you had blood work done?  Have you had your iron tested?  Ferritin?  I'd suggest talking to your doc and not just assuming that everything is okay!  Also you want to see your lab results and track them yourself.  It sounds like your iron or B12 could be low, but I'm not a doctor.  

Definitely check your lab work & ck with the drs/nutritionists. Are you under some kind of stress?, sometimes mental stress/fatigue can lead to physical ones.

I felt that way around 4-5 months. Increasing complex carbs helped a lot

Get a copy of your lab results and start learning your own levels and ranges (they are usually printed on the lab) that are the target.  Start comparing them at least annually to see any downward trending.  Pay special attention to Vitamin D.  It's a very common deficienty in the population and not only affects mood, but also immunity when deficient.