I'm post-op day 8 and am doing well, but feeling extremely fatigued. Everything takes effort. I had to take a break while putting sheets on the bed earlier today! I'm getting in 65-80g of protein each day, 50-70 oz of fluids and taking my multivitamins. I've been able to do this for the past 4 days and I'm not physically hungry. I will note that I'm now starting week 4 of the full liquid diet (had to do it 2 weeks pre-op as well).

While keeping track of my protein and fluid intake (via My Fitness Pal), I've noticed that I'm only getting 550-700 calories per day - and that's even counting my 3 calcium citrate chews! I can't help but wonder if the low calorie intake is what's contributing to my fatigue. And forget about exercise - I can hardly make it through an entire shower without needing to sit down. This just doesn't seem right to me. Have others had the same issue?

Obviously, I'm not expecting to be getting anywhere near "normal" caloric intake, but I thought maybe 800-900 calories would be closer to what I should be getting at this point? Does anyone know?

HW 280

CW 263

SW 274

DOS 8/24/17

The three most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily protein, fluid and vitamin requirements. Food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight.

Weight loss is achieved after surgery through meal volume control. You begin at 2 ounces (1/4 cup) per meal and gradually over the next year and a half increase the volume to 1 cup per meal.

Some people report a lack of energy after surgery. You discussed a couple of the causes: not meeting your daily water intake and protein intake requirements. But it seems that you are meeting your goals here. Then you discussed taking your multivitamins and calciums. But there are other vitamin requirements that you did not mention that can also affect your energy levels. One of these is iron which can cause anemia. According to my discharge directions - menstruating women should add an additional 65 milligrams elemental iron daily. B12 is another vitamin that can affect energy levels. RNY gastric bypass patients should take 500 to 1000 micrograms sublingual B12 daily or 1000 mcg IM injection once monthly. Since you are 8 days post-op, I suspect they administered a B12 shot when you were in the hospital before discharge, so you should be covered for the first month. But it never hurts to ask. My surgeon also recommended 100 mg Thiamine (Vitamin B1) daily for one year following surgery and then weekly thereafter. Also if you have not taken probiotics to restore the lost colonies of good gut bacteria, that would be a good move.

Thank you so much James. I appreciate your thoughtful reply. I didn't consider low iron being a factor since I'm taking Bariatric Advantage crystallized vitamins. I checked the container today and was stunned to see that there is NO IRON in the formula I bought! It doesn't include calcium citrate, so I have no idea why iron would be omitted. So I just took one of my women's multivits that I'd taken in the past. I'll be ordering another formula soon so that I'm not missing the iron I need.
Thanks again!

HW 280
CW 263
SW 274
DOS 8/24/17

I felt so weak until I introduces very soft scrambled eggs. My surgeon allows that on day 14 however day 10 I had it. That has helped me big time. Lifting my arm to grab my phone felt like a workout. Coming from my room to livingroom felt like a marathon. I'm only 14 days post op and feel 90% better. I did back to school shopping groceries and Costco yesterday and by the end i was done but I did it. I'm also down 31. Lbs since the start of my 2 week post op diet so it defiantly works. Good luck

every day is a new day!
Kristen

Thanks Krissy22blue! What you're describing is a lot like how I feel! I have 3 flights of stairs in my townhome and each one feels like a small mountain. The 1 and only trip I've made to the grocery store wore me out.

I'm post-op day 12 today and I had a couple bites of scrambled egg last night. I just needed some protein that wasn't liquid or jello! Very glad to hear you're feeling better already. That gives me hope! [emoji4]

HW 280
CW 261
SW 274
DOS 8/24/17

Bariatric has a vitamin with iron and vitamin c that is chewable. I have added this to my mix of vitamins.

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal App

In my pre-op conversation last week, my doctor warned about the fatigue. He said that since you've got such a low calorie intake, you're forcing your body to convert fat to energy and fat is not a great source of energy. Add to that that you are healing from a fairly intense surgery, it's no surprise that you're low on energy.

Check with your doctor on iron and other supplements, and definitely get your water in, but some of it might just be recovery fatigue for a while. I'm sure you'll get some pep in your step once you heal a bit more.

I'm 5 months out and I just now get in 900 calories. For me, 600-700 calories was average for the first 4 months. Fatigue like you describe lasted a good two weeks and slowly let up.

Hw 310 sw 299 cw 224 goal 170