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Low Energy Levels after bypass?



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I am 5 weeks post op from gastric bypass. I had surgery November 7th. I have read that lots of people have so much energy but I'm not feeling it. In the last week or so, I have wanted to take a nap most afternoons. Is this normal or am I missing something? I was really looking forward to feeling more motivated to move and do things. TIA!

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Everyone is different. Don't compare.

You are barely getting any calories in, your body is healing. It needs time to adjust to the limited calories. It will pass and you will be feeling great before you know it!

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I had my sleeve on 11/7.

During the strict 2 week preop stage, I was utterly exhausted. My first 5-7 days after surgery I was miserable so my fatigue was the last of my worries. Then I felt fine and had my energy to do normal cleaning and errands. However, I tried the treadmill and after 5 mins I was worn out (I used to walk 3 miles daily pre-surgery). However, this last week, I've been exhausted to the point I have to sit and take a break while cleaning or even showering. I'm not sure why. My bairatric team strongly encourages walking still and will expect regular routine exercising after I get clearance. It's just so difficult to even get normal tasks done without the extra walking. Plus the weather is freezing here.

Sent from my SM-S115DL using BariatricPal mobile app

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Really, don't compare yourself to anyone else. We all heal differently and at our own paces. Try not to get discouraged, it will get easier.

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I was the same. It took about eight weeks before I fully back to normal energy-wise.

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My biggest energy drop was in my third month. Was so tired almost fell off my treadmill. Just depends on your body & how it deals with stress & how you heal & recover. Best thing to do is listen to it. If your body says rest, have a nana nap or stop what you’re doing & take a break. I found electrolyte drinks helpful (used Hydralyte) to give me a little boost.

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( I had gastric bypass surgery on January 23,2023. Right after my surgery I was able to walk the halls of the hospital and get a thousand steps in at a time. When I got home reality hit and I felt exhausted! I know I had pain meds during my overnight stay- but- when I got home, I’d sleep all night, wake around 8 am, and then nap from noon to 3. This was my first week home. I barely was awake enough to drink my Protein Shakes, and sincerely considered trips to the bathroom or to fill my water bottle exercise.

The second week I walked almost everyday- one trip around my pond- 1,080 steps. When I’d get inside, I collapsed into my recliner to warm up and rest. But- I still felt tired and not peppy, nor did I see massive weight loss. I am at the end of week 3- beginning of week 4- I’ve lost 20 pounds, am getting my Protein requirement I, and 60 plus ounces of Water a day, I take my vitamins- but, honestly, I still don’t feel energetic. Oh, I also had a 5 cm hiatal hernia fixed at the time of gastric bypass surgery. I am letting my body sleep when it needs too, respecting that I must exercise , feed and hydrate my body and am just…allowing this journey to unfold at its own pace.

I want to be thin, healthy and active, but at this stage- I respect that my body must heal from the trauma of surgery- which is a big deal. I am just grateful to be on this side of surgery, grateful that I had the opportunity to go through it and looking forward to the wonderful life ahead, being healthier, enjoying my family and experiences without unhealthy co morbidities that haunted me before gastric bypass.

These are just my thoughts!

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You have to remember it isn't minor surgery it is MAJOR surgery. Healing is way more complex than the few incisions you see on your stomach so don't be down on yourself if you need rest to heal. Listen to your body and it will guide you on what you need.

Me personally, I haven't been able to sleep at night but I am an oddity. Then yesterday I randomly slept 20 out of 24 hours? Who even knows . I had my surgery on 2/14 btw.

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    • LeighaTR

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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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      1. Selina333

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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