Question:
HELP! I have no energy-can't function normally.
I'm 2 1/2 months post op and my energy levels are lower than they've ever been in my life. I can barely get out of bed and into the shower. All I want to do is lay in bed or sleep, I need help! I thought when I lost a substantial amount of weight that I would get all this energy. I've lost 60 pounds and have less energy than when I was pre op. — knew_life4me (posted on March 31, 2008)
March 31, 2008
According to my doctor, this is normal, and to be expected. His advice was
to fight the fatigue and work through it, not give into it. Your body
— Jeanne Aldrich
March 31, 2008
According to my doctor, this is normal, and to be expected. His advice was
to fight the fatigue and work through it, not give into it. Your body is
telling itself that you are not getting the same caloric intake, so it
needs to conserve what it considers non- essential energy usage. Hang in
there, your body will reset itself. Takes about 2-4 weeks. Just don't
give into the fatigue and lay about.
Good luck
— Jeanne Aldrich
March 31, 2008
Way to go on your weight loss. I am 2 years 2 months out from surgery. I
have lost 180 lbs and still going(very slow now) I had the same problem I
could hardly move as time went on I felt like I was getting weeker. I
stayed in close contact with my doc. after about 6 months I think I finaly
noticed I had energy back it kinda sliped up on me. Don't forget you had
Major Surgery and as long as your Doc and you are on the same page it will
take time to recover from any major surgery. 6 Months to a year to
recover.
Keep up the good work and after while you have energy and not even relize
you are going more then you have went in the past.
Rhonda G
— gillis1345
March 31, 2008
I responed to you another way > i had a hard time connecting here for a
while.I hope you take to heart what i posted and get some help.good
luck,bette
— Bette Drecktrah
March 31, 2008
I personally think this is unusual...but I could be wrong. It sounds to me
like a vitamin deficiency. If it is iron deficiency, the LAST thing you
want to do is "fight thru it". Are you taking your vitamins and
supplements? If not...You need to. 2 multivits daily...B-12...Iron...and
Calcuim Citrate...(Any other vits your doc recommended) It could also be
your thryroid... Get labs soon! There is a REASON you are tired...Most of
it is just fairly easy to fix just by taking your vitamins...Other reasons
could be a bit trickier...but there is an end to it!
— .Anita R.
March 31, 2008
My doctor pushed me to start excersizing after two weeks and I though he
was out of his mind. I started with just 10 minutes and now after 3-1/2
months I work out in the gym 6 days a week for 1 to 1-1/2 per day. I could
not walk two city block before without stopping for 10 minutes after each
block and resting. Have you blood checked for B-12, Iron, and Thyroid.
Make sure you are taking Bariatic vitimums and not over the countery. Got
to www.BBvitimins.com for a good source. They have a under the tounge
spray of b-12 that help me. A b-12 shot will help but you get a let down
when it begins to wear off. Thyroid will also cause you to be worn out,
but that is not caused by your surgery, and usually does not hit people
until they are in their 40's or older.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 31, 2008
My doctor pushed me to start excersizing after two weeks and I though he
was out of his mind. I started with just 10 minutes and now after 3-1/2
months I work out in the gym 6 days a week for 1 to 1-1/2 per day. I could
not walk two city block before without stopping for 10 minutes after each
block and resting. Have you blood checked for B-12, Iron, and Thyroid.
Make sure you are taking Bariatic vitimums and not over the countery. Got
to www.BBvitimins.com for a good source. They have a under the tounge
spray of b-12 that help me. A b-12 shot will help but you get a let down
when it begins to wear off. Thyroid will also cause you to be worn out,
but that is not caused by your surgery, and usually does not hit people
until they are in their 40's or older.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 31, 2008
I am postop 8 months. I am STILL tired and have no energy. I was
diagnosed as being anemic...something I was NOT prior to surgery. I do
take my iron pills every day, but like another post says, you are taking in
fewer calories than you were before and your body is adjusting. Also,
something NO ONE told me prior to surgery--some patient's take up to ONE
full year to recover!!!! There are LOTS of things they didn't tell that
they should have and should be telling...even if it is a one in a million
chance of it happening! I would definitely ask for an iron titer to be
drawn to see if you are anemic. And, if you aren't taking the iron, I
would start, as well as the rest of your vitamins. I just underwent an
emergent cholecystectomy 3 weeks ago too, in addition to all the other
complications I had post-surgery (read my profile for more info, if you
care to) and I'm still not functioning at the level I was prior to surgery
and 149 pounds heavier then!!!! Hang in there...it will get better. I
have to tell myself that, or I'll go nuts!
— ALafferty
March 31, 2008
Rhonda,
I have to agree with Anita. The first thing that came to my mind was
vitamin deficiency. I'm about 13 months out and just this month had my
physical with my primary care physician and was found to be a little
anemic. Just enough where my body temp goes down and I fill like I'm
freezing. From time to time I do become exhausted and it lasts for about
of couple of days and then I'm okay. You might want to increase your
multi-vitamin twice a day (one in the morning and once at night). You
might want to take the majority of your vitamins at night so they can work
while you are asleep. Give it a try and see how it goes. As another
poster said, your body is still healing. You might also want to increase
your protein as well.
— the7thdean
March 31, 2008
It took me months to get my strength back. My potassium stayed low. The
more fluids that I drank I began to fill better. I also switch to prenatal
vitamins, doubled the dose per day. It took me almost 6 mths to get my
strength back. If you are showing signs of malnutrition this can make you
very weak and if you are exercising to much and your body is not getting
what it needs as far as nutrition, the body will begin to feed off your
muscles and you could lose muscle mass as I did. They had to check my
blood work every 2 weeks for almost 8 months.
— aburbank3551
March 31, 2008
Hey Rhonda. Are you taking any vitamins? I know that I had this problem and
it was because the vitamins I was taking wheren't doing a thing for me.
Shaklee Vitalizer Strips have been my savior. My energy is through the
roof, my hair is growing back and I feel 15 years younger since I started
taking them. You can get them at www.shaklee.net/gonegreen4life
And you might check out a good protein shake too. Need that protein.
Shaklee has great natural protein..soy and whey. Best wishes to you. It's
been 7 years and I feel wonderful and ALIVE. If you need any advice feel
free to contact me.
— Twanda S.
March 31, 2008
I had a similar problem. My internist said it was because of my body still
producing too much insulin, just like it did prior to surgery. I had
developed insulin resistance prior to surgery -- my body just kept on
producing insulin and then, all at once, it all kicked in and left me
feeling like a limp dishrag!!! No energy....feeling like I wanted to
collapse! As the weeks progressed, these episodes have become less and
less frequent. This may be the reason for your fatigue as well. But keep
on trying to exercise....even if it is only 10 minutes of walking at a
time. Movement helps you to have more energy.
Keep on doing what you are supposed to ....... you will be so very glad you
did. This journey is not always easy, but the result will be good.
Congrats on the 60 pounds!!! I am at the same stage post op and have lost
56! Take care.
— JStangel
March 31, 2008
I am 5 yrs out, and the first thing that I would ask, are you taking your
B-12 shots regularily? Right after my surgery, I was taking the shots
about once a month... toward the end of the month, I would get real
sluggishI, both mentally and physcially. I talked to my Dr about it and he
changed it to take a B-12 shot every two weeks. What a difference!!
Lately, I have been getting that sluggish feeling again, so, when I go back
to the Dr for my appointment next week, I am going to talk to him about
changing it a weekly injuection. I would suggest you talking to your Dr
about increasing your B-12 shot intervals. You will be amazed! Good Luck!
Danette
— Danette C.
April 1, 2008
Losing weight is very stressful. Be sure and check in with your surgeon
and that your blood work is ok. If it is in balance, then bump up your
water and be sure you are getting 8 solid hours of sleep every night. Find
ways to relax, stress can cause this easily. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
April 1, 2008
call your PCP and have a CBC (complete blood workup) done -- you could be
anemic -- that will make you very tired -- good luck :)
roberta
— RCassety
April 1, 2008
Besides checking your vitamin levels, you should also make sure you are
hydrated. I get very fatigued when I don't get enough water; dizzy and
lightheaded too. My nutritionist says I should have a MINIMUM of 64 oz. of
water everyday. Hope this helps.
— eddyrider3
May 23, 2008
I helped myself to avoid this problem too, and recommend anyone to check
out these products and my story for a healthier life post-op> Anyone who
has experiences like mine are welcome to comment here and on the site at:
www.healthwellnessprosperityforwls.com
— Bruce C.
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