10 weeks post - op and in a funk

Hi everyone:

I'm 10 weeks post-op Monday and have been feeling really blah!  I haven't been able to get my protein or water in like I should.  I feel tired and want to sleep anytime I can even on my lunch breaks.  Haven't been walking either.  Maybe depression?  Who knows?  I'm still on Effexor XR 75 mgs/day.   I'm down 43 lbs and feel like I should be down more.  I had a horrible bout with reflux last week that landed me in the bed for 3 days last week.  I have found myself drinking McD's sweet tea because I was sick of water and crystal light.  I know this is a baaaad thing even though it would take me all day to fini****  I get fearful thinking that I've lost all I will lose.  Say it ain't so!

I hope you feel better soon. You are doing a great job. I am 4 weeks post op and feel the same way. I am tired all the time. Don't know how i'll feel at 10 weeks out but I hope better. I am also on Effexor XR but on 150mg a day. Just stick to your plan and stop drinking that sweet tea. Its gotta be bad with all the sugar. You can do this!

Hang in there. Can you wean yourself off the sweet tea by doing half sweet half regular + 2-3 splenda? For a week...then the next week do 1/4 sweet tea 3/4 regular tea + 2-4 spelenda....et****il you get to just all regular tea + spelenda.

I also just bought this new sweetener packets they are orange from Splenda but it's made from monkfruit....whatever that is.  There's also a C&H light sugar packets that are half sugar half stevia and only 5 calories maybe as another option.

You must get off the sugar.  It could really be hurting your energy levels.

Get back on your plan
vitamins
protein
water

If you're sick of water or drinking your liquids go to sugar free jello.

If you are not getting in at least 40 oz of fluid a day you need to make an appt to see your NUT and swiftly. Best of luck. Hang in there!

Hi

First of all, you've lost 43 pounds in 10 weeks?  That's 4.3 pounds per week -- and you think you should have lost more?  WOW -- give yourself a break.  That's a great total.

Next, you MUST get those fluids in...........water, ice tea -- NO SUGAR -- try Splenda or another artificial sweetener, even most protein shakes count as fluids -- check with your nutritionist about that, though.  Mine count -- Premier Protein Shakes.  You CAN get your fluids in.  If you're tired of Crystal Light, try Mio -- some great flavors to help make water fun!

Third, you CAN get your protein in.  If you have some unflavored protein powder, mix 1/3 or 1/2 scoop into your cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, refried beans (watch the temp so it doesn't clump up on you).  Some days I add 1/3 to 1/2 scoop of the unflavored powder into my home made shakes.........mint cookie, chocolate peanut butter, vanilla, chocolate, etc.  I use 1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk with 3/4 cup water to make my home made ones.  Lots of folks use all almond milk, but I find it makes my shakes too thick.  The point it that there are many ways of getting extra protein into your diet.

Are you taking a PPI?  Are you taking all your vitamins and calcium?

Next, MOVE YOUR BODY!   I'm serious -- even when you're exhausted, move.  You'll find that the more you move, the better you will feel.  Surprisingly, the more you move, the more energy you'll have.  Sure, you'll be pooped after a workout, but after an hour or so, you'll be ready for another workout!  REALLY!  If you aren't ready for a big workout, try a 15 minutes walk.  Anything is better than nothing.

I'm 11 weeks out today.  I've lost 42 pounds.  I wi**** were more, but it looks like I'm going to be a slow loser.  I lost 26 pounds the first 4 weeks, and the other 16 over the last 7 weeks.  I don't like that one bit, but I can't control what shows on my scale.  I CAN control what I put into my mouth and how much I move/exercise.  Yep, I get into the dumpers - was in them yesterday.  Today, a new day, a new attitude.

You can do this.  You've already shown you can.  If you don't already belong to MyFitnessPal, maybe you would find it helpful.  It has a great food log, lots of super supportive people and it might help you be accountable for your food intake.  I measure and weigh all my food and then log it there.  Thanks to some nice people here on OH, I was guided to MFP.  If you choose to join, feel free to add me.  I am Justme72847 there.

Keep us posted on your progress.............we care. 

Good Luck!

Ree

Hi Ree - I just sent you a friend request on MFP from Sarah829522.

OP please also add me if you like.

I want to see what others are eating and at what stage. My diary is public but I'm on all liquids right now so I don't really update much.

Hi Sarah

I just added you.  My diary is open, too.  I eat some weird combinations LOL  But most of the time I stay at 550-650 cals, 20-25 grams of carbs, 60-85 grams of protein.  And I do my best to get in 3 good workouts a week at my fitness center -- at least an hour at a time.

Are you on a pre-op diet now?  With your surgery scheduled for the 27th, sounds like a one or two weeks all liquid pre-op????

This is the best thing I've ever done.  I'm totally off meds for Type II, cholesterol issues, and my Chronic Kidney Disease rose from mid-range Stage III to low end Stage II -- my kidney function numbers improved dramatically in a very short time.  I'm keeping fingers crossed that all this protein isn't making my kidney function suffer..........labs in about a month, so I'll have a better idea.

My point is two-fold:  I'm officially an "old geezer-ette" at age 65 and I'm plugging along......if I can do this, anyone can!   And, when we trust someone to slice and dice our innards, we owe it to ourselves to do the best we can with this outstanding tool.

Please stay in touch -- all of us need each other for support and encouragement.

Good Luck

Ree

 Hi Ree, Hi Sarah,
 I read alot of things about vitamins on here, but I was told no vitamins until at least one month out by both my surgeon and the bariatric coordinator at the hospital. So I'm confused and a little worried about this difference. I don't want to be vitamin deficient. My surgeon also said I won't need the b12 sublingual that I've read about on here as well. He says that only gastric bypass patients need that, that sleeve patients still absorb their vitamins. Any input?

Sometimes folks can feel depressed and very tired after surgery, but it could also be not getting enough protein or water. 

I need to be a little firm with you, okay?  You are going down a bad path and you really need to pull out now.  This doesn't have anything to do with losing 43 lbs in 10 weeks.  That part's amazing. 

Here's the deal.  You pulled the trigger on the only real shot you're going to get to lose weight.  For the next year or so, you will be able to lose oodles of weight because your appetite and capacity will be as small as you've probably ever known.  And you have to do your part.

Protein and water are like medicine.  Suck it up and get it in.  And you absolutely have to stop drinking your calories.  Find that part of you that wanted this bad enough to get most of your stomach removed.  Talk to someone if you are depressed, and see about getting your medication adjusted.  But I suspect getting enough water and protein will really help.