Question:
At 5 1/2 mos post op (lap RNY) I am constantly tired and easily aggitated by
everything and everyone. I take my vits regularly, b-12 sub, multi(2 GNC gel caps), and zinc in the a.m., then iron, vit C, in the eves. I begin every day with a protein shake for my breakfast and make sure to have healthy, high protein meals for lunch and dinner. I am wondering if it is normal to be so super sensitive at this stage. I have only lost 50+ in this time and that too has me upset. Though I'm not quite sure the exact amount, that is the numbers from my last visit at my 3 mos post op. I have gone from a size 30/32 down to a 22/24. Loss of over 7"! Is this slow? — Patricia F. (posted on September 17, 2003)
September 17, 2003
Gosh, there seem to be several questions rolled up in here. Let me tackle
the one about being tired and irritable. You say that you eat protein for
lunch and dinner and a protein shake for breakfast. While protein FIRST is
important, protein ONLY can be problematic. Are you eating any fruits,
veggies or whole grains or other acceptable carbohydrates? Your brain,
heart and lungs prefer to burn carbs as their energy source. If you don't
take in enough carbs, these organs will switch over to burning fat, but
they don't function as efficiently. That is one possible cause of your
fatigue and irritability. Of course, there are many other possibilities,
too. But it's a fairly quick try to just add some "good" carbs
to your diet and see if it helps. As far as the rate of weight loss, 50
pounds in three months sounds good to me, but one thing I've learned is not
to compare my results to other people's. If you're sticking to getting
your protein and water in every day, and are exercising, then you're doing
all you can. Enjoy the ride.
— Vespa R.
September 17, 2003
I'm five months out and was having some problems with fatigue the past few
weeks. I finally started taking a daily B-12 (which I see you are already
doing) plus I upped my calories by a couple of hundred (up to 1,000). I
feel 100% better. Are you exercising at all? Cardiovascular exercise will
improve your overall health and you will feel better if you're not already
doing it.
— Barbara C.
September 17, 2003
After you have tried the things the previous 2 posters have suggested, if
you see no improvement then please talk to your PCP about the possibility
of depression. These are classic symptoms of depression, but can be from
some of the other things mentioned too. It's the irritability that makes
me think depression. Maybe just a little counseling would help and not
need any medication. I know some do not agree with my thoughts on
depression, but uncontrolled depression will just continue to work against
you and sabotage your success. Better to find out than just ignore it in
my opinion. Personally I don't have a problem admitting that I have
depression and that I am treated for it. I take my meds, see my counselor
and consequently it is well controlled and a pretty non-factor in my life
anymore. There is nothing to be ashamed about if it is depression.
Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain and it many times takes
medications to balance things out.
— zoedogcbr
September 18, 2003
I noticed that you said your taking a gel cap for your vitamins. Does that
mean it is oil based? If so, it is my understanding that we don't digest
oil based vitamins now -- that is why you'll see advise on taking dry
Vitamin A & E. It could mean you aren't getting the vitamins you
thought you were. Just a thought.
— Helen C.
September 18, 2003
I got like that too. It was my thyroid. It was constantly out of wack until
my weight stabelized. Good luck , and very good weight loss , no need to be
upset about that!
— Rose A.
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