Exhausted All. The. Time

[Amburmist 55]

Hi fellow bypassers!

Ever since my surgery was completed on 9/13, I've been exhausted, unable to get enough rest, only able to sleep about 2-4hours at a time since surgery. I don't mean just a little tired, I mean I'm FALLING ASLEEP or on the verge of falling asleep the majority of the day, no matter what I'm doing: at work, watching TV, reading a book, on my phone reading these message boards... everything. I find myself standing or pacing all the time now just so I won't fall asleep (ya, it's odd when the fam is watching TV on the couch and I'm standing BEHIND the couch just to stay awake!).

Is anyone else experiencing such dramatic energy loss since their surgery? If so, what have u done to combat this? Any suggestions?

[BigDH 26]

I'm in the same boat you are. Funny thing is our Surgery date and weight is almost the same! Are you getting the 60 grams of Protein in, I know that is the important thing, but have be falling short on that, also we need to make sure to get our walks in, also falling short of that with being tired and all.

Also just seemed to hit the stall point, hopefully this doesnt last long, as the weight has been falling off pretty quick!

[insul817 49]

I'm not there yet, but almost sounds like Iron poor blood. Have you talked to your team? Also, seems really early in the game, might just need more time to adjust?!? Keep us posted as to what you find out :-)

[Amburmist 55]

I'm in the same boat you are. Funny thing is our Surgery date and weight is almost the same! Are you getting the 60 grams of Protein in, I know that is the important thing, but have be falling short on that, also we need to make sure to get our walks in, also falling short of that with being tired and all.
Also just seemed to hit the stall point, hopefully this doesnt last long, as the weight has been falling off pretty quick!

You're right, we do have just about the same stats! Cool beans!

Ya, I'm getting plenty of protein in, daily from 80-120 grams. Too much actually...my NUT just told me yesterday that I need to ingest a MAX of 80 g protein a day, not a minimum. Oops.
I, too, am working on making exercise part of my daily or every other day schedule. Being this tired it's difficult to muster the strength to do what needs to be done every day, let alone incorporate walks. Even when I do walk (Ive been good about it for the past 7 days), it doesnt wake me up, which I think is strange. Gotta be done tho, I know. I wish u luck with that, as well.

The low on Iron suggestion is a good thought. I shouldn't be that low on iron yet, I wouldn't think, only being post surgery for 1 month. But I'll check in with my team, see what they think. Because I cannot continue day to day being this tired. It's painful...and I don't want to fall asleep at work, or driving, or cooking dinner for the fam, you know?

I just want the weight to fall off quicker (only down 13lbs) and to have more energy. Is that too much to ask?! [emoji57]

[dreamynow 136]

I found that after my 4 week post op appt they put me on more Vitamins and Calcium and Iron. Once those kicked In I felt much better. Now with 38 down and daily vitamins I feel great. I think you are early and still recovery. You will feel better soon. You are also getting used to the minimal calories. During plenty of Water too- more if you exercise. Hope you feel better soon

[debi216 18]

I remember that feeling. I was sleeping well at night and still couldn’t get enough sleep to not be exhausted. Two things. First you just had MAJOR surgery. They may be small little slits on the outside but on the inside there was some major cutting going one. It takes a ton of energy for your body to heal from that, especially in the first few weeks. Second, make sure you are getting enough fluids. I went in and saw the nurse practitioner for (I think) my six week check up and mentioned the continued fatigue and they started an IV and ran two bags of fluids through me and I started feeling better.


Heaviest weight-250
Gastric bypass 6/23/16
Current weight -138

[Kat410 423]

Honestly I was exhausted until about 3.5 months out. If you take it all into consideration it’s not shocking. Having one of your internal organs cut and partially removed. Operating on a significant calorie deficit. A complete change in diet. Whatever ****/hormones/chemicals my fat cells were saving for a rainy day plus working out after 2 sedentary decades.

Yeah I was exhausted all the time. And it was so unfamiliar to me to feel that way that I got anxious about it.

While it eased up after 3-4 months, suddenly about 2-3 weeks I have tons of energy. More than I ever had. I am like he energizer bunny. I can’t sit still. I need to move, work out, be outside, DO STUFF.

It’s cool.

If sleeping is an option just take it. Rest up. Get your levels Checked by your doc for B’s, D’s, Iron and all that good stuff. But if you’re tired try to find ways to add naps, longer sleeps and down time. Your energy will bounce back

[Lysbelle 10]

My surgeon said it is completely normal to be exhausted the first several months. Our bodies are trying to get used to this drastic change and it takes time.

Might I suggest melatonin for sleep? It wasn't working well for me prior to surgery, but I've tried a fast dissolve tablet at 3mg and it's done wonders for my sleep!

[Berry78 4,259]

"only able to sleep about 2-4hours at a time since surgery"

Umm.. this is why you are so tired! Instead of trying to watch TV, go to bed! Even getting 2 hour naps spaced throughout the day may get you rested enough to be able to start sleeping through the night.

Sleep meds may be needed for a while until your sleep schedule improves. Melatonin is a great suggestion to try without a prescription.

Lay off of all the exercise until you get your 8 hours of sleep. Daily activities are enough for right now, because the exercise is increasing your adrenaline, keeping you awake.

Weight loss happens when you sleep. Healing happens when you sleep. Not falling asleep while driving and killing yourself and family... happens when you sleep.

Good L... NIGHT.