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Tips for Post-op Energy during recovery?

It's 15 days today I think. I'm getting between 500-600 cals via full liquids, at least 80 gms of Protein, less than 50 of carbs, and drinking my Water. I'm taking Vitamins, Fiber, b-complex, omega-3. No pain, no complications, feeling lucky. Down 20 lbs, feeling incredulous about that. Just finished my cycle today, so apparently all is well with my innards.

And I am still SO tired. I thought by two weeks, I'd be up and about and at 'em! But I'm not able to do much without needing breaks. I am taking meetings lying in bed and after two, I'm tired. I'm used to 60 hour weeks, and now I couldn't be bothered to schedule meetings this week. Don't feel up to working which is weird. Can't focus on reading anything substantive so reading light novels, which is not normal.

All I do is lie around and read forum posts and occasionally get up and try to cook something, clean house a bit, or ride my stationary cycle for 10 minutes. THIS IS NOT THE REAL ME!

Is this "normal"? I need to be back to fighting speed next Monday. I can't be lying around in week 3--surely I won't need to, right?

More importantly what did you do during post-op recovery to get some energy into you?

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Gamergirl' date='

My suggestion would be to ask your PCP for a b12 shot. I got one a week after surgery and the doc gave me prescription so I can do my own monthly. It's helped alot with energy, i am a little more than 4 months now. I was told the same about gummies as other people mentioned. Stay away from those, they are not absorbed. Hope you start feeling better soon.

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That sounds like a good idea, the shot. I'll ask the PCP for one Monday. Thank you!

That sounds like a good idea' date=' the shot. I'll ask the PCP for one Monday. Thank you![/quote']

I take the shot too! Anything is better than having to swallow something else!

Someone told me that the effects of surgery plus the anesthesia are contributing to fatigue for between 3-6 mos .. Until all anesthesia is out of your body ?! Ps I'm tired too and worried because I return to work on Monday and my job is physical

I was tired for several weeks.

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My surgeon wrote me back and said I needed to up my calories and my carbs. I was at 450-650 on calories and he said get to 700-800. I was at under 50 for carbs and he said that's too low, and was why I was so tired. So I had some black bean soup, and some applesauce today, and will try to add some complex carbs in over the next few days. Maybe they will help.

  • Author
Someone told me that the effects of surgery plus the anesthesia are contributing to fatigue for between 3-6 mos .. Until all anesthesia is out of your body ?! Ps I'm tired too and worried because I return to work on Monday and my job is physical

Wow I feel for you. Mine isn't physical and I'm concerned. Maybe you could try more carbs and calories too and see if it helps?

Ok well now I am worried because I only have 1 week off of work and no I can not take more time off. My nut told me to take Centrum chewables

I couldn't stomach the centrum chewables. I take a hefty women's multi with a separate Iron.

Gamergirl, my energy levels were pretty good last week and then kinda tanked. (I'm Day 9 post-op today.)

Starting Tuesday, when I was still a bit bleary-eyed from the anesthesia, I went out every morning to do an errand or two. I also wore a pedometer so I could get a rough estimate of how much I was moving. (It ranged from 7,000 to 11,000 steps a day, although I'd say the real number was more like 5,000 to 6,000. Don't think my cheap pedometer is as accurate as some.)

Thursday and Friday I worked 10-hour days, with about three hours of driving each day. These hadn't been scheduled in advance. I work freelance, so they called and I felt well enough to go and so I went. I felt great, actually, and it was a pleasure to think about something other than Soups and Proteins. :)

Yesterday after errands I crashed a little, and went to bed at 7.45. I slept for almost 12 hours and I'm feeling fine but certainly not energetic today.

I think the waxing and waning is normal, but it's interesting that you mention the black bean Soup. The days i felt great, I had eaten a bowl of black bean soup blended with chicken stock to thin it out. Think I'll have another one today.

Hope you're feeling better soon. It's hard to come down from feeling like the recovery is a breeze to realizing it's going to take a little while. B)

Hang in there.

  • Author

Gamergirl, my energy levels were pretty good last week and then kinda tanked. (I'm Day 9 post-op today.)

Starting Tuesday, when I was still a bit bleary-eyed from the anesthesia, I went out every morning to do an errand or two. I also wore a pedometer so I could get a rough estimate of how much I was moving. (It ranged from 7,000 to 11,000 steps a day, although I'd say the real number was more like 5,000 to 6,000. Don't think my cheap pedometer is as accurate as some.)

Thursday and Friday I worked 10-hour days, with about three hours of driving each day. These hadn't been scheduled in advance. I work freelance, so they called and I felt well enough to go and so I went. I felt great, actually, and it was a pleasure to think about something other than soups and Proteins. :)

Yesterday after errands I crashed a little, and went to bed at 7.45. I slept for almost 12 hours and I'm feeling fine but certainly not energetic today.

I think the waxing and waning is normal, but it's interesting that you mention the black bean soup. The days i felt great, I had eaten a bowl of black bean soup blended with chicken stock to thin it out. Think I'll have another one today.

Hope you're feeling better soon. It's hard to come down from feeling like the recovery is a breeze to realizing it's going to take a little while. B)

Hang in there.

I have to say, the bean soup and the applesauce REALLY helped me yesterday. I do feel so much better today! I woke up and almost the first words out of my mouth were, I'd like to go somewhere and do something today. It's still super hot outside, so we may be reduced to walking in the mall, or taking out the new boat that my husband insisted on buying while we're both still recovering :) But I agree with you, distraction and focusing on something else really helps.

We ended up spending all day yesterday on the go--not planned, just worked out that way. I usually work from home, but this upcoming week, I might go into the office just to get a little separation from recovery, Protein, Water, and more protein. It's good practice because the following week, I have to travel for work so time to get ready.

Don't you just love/hate to find out we're all normal? Not only do we get tired after surgery---but ta dah! now it's the 3 week stall!! Thank god for this forum or I'd be freaking out. :)

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