My surgery is scheduled for one week today, 5.23.08, anyway......I am concerned about low energy levels( not that I have a lot of energy at 300 lbs) the first few weeks while on the liquid diet and while my body is adjusting to the low caloric intake. Has anyone experience this...

I didn't have alot of energy for about a week after it.... due to the anesthesia. I could tell it was more a result of the medication rather than intake. I still got up and walked twice a day about half a mile.. and in the house every hour or so. My body would be so drained that I actually wanted to get up and move around.

Then... the more you move around, the better you feel... and going into this I KNEW that I had to increase my exercise so mentally, I looked forward to the walks.

Best wishes!!!

Bux - in response to your question. I think the difference for me was my Protein Drink consumption. I had surgery on March 1st at 10:00 a.m. That night I was walking around the mall. I was back at work on the follow Tuesday. I have felt great ever since. Energy level and recovery from surgery will vary on the individual. All I can say is I have lost 45 lbs since March 1st, I have never felt better and had more energy. I often opt to walk to local businesses vs driving just so I can get exercise. Good luck to you. Find a good Protein drink and enjoy the start of your new life!

Michael :thumbup:

Thanks for info, I can't wait to get on with my new life.

Keep the proteins up and keep yourself exercising - before you know it you'll have more ebnergy that you've had in a long time. First couple of weeks right after surgery, just don't push yourself too much - you are recovering from surgery !

Yeah, bux, they're all telling you the truth.

I had a two week pre-op liquid diet, to shrink the liver before surgery, and was pretty accustomed to it by the time of surgery. In the post-op period, I was a little knocked down, but as Wendy says, that was more of a medication thing than an intake issue.

But DO pay attention to your Protein intake! Try to get in about 80 g of protein a day - you're a big guy (not as big as me, starting weight 473 lbs, he said proudly), and you need your protein. In the early stages, this is going to mean Protein drinks - you'll find it hard to take in your full liquid allotment each day. Go slow with your drinking, make sure you constantly have Water. I think it's worth investing in a dozen or so Isopure clear protein drinks, the Zero Carb kind which are available from health stores (I get mine from GNC, which is national, I think). They're not cheap - I pay $3.50, but you get 40 g protein in 20 oz Fluid, which is a good deal.

But you'll be fine. And Michael's right - you just feel better and better.

The other cool thing about the liquid diet period? You lose a HECK of a lot really quickly.

Finally, you didn't mention any nerves or whatever, but all of us felt a bit nervous going into it. It really DOES happen in the blink of an eye - one minute you're awake and talking to the anesthetist, the next minute you're awake and banded. Most of us lads have had minimal discomfort - I think we've all been surprised by how Not Bad At All it was.

Afterwards, come back here and ask questions, vent, chat, tell us how you're doing...

Will do, thanks.