HaddocksEyes

On 2/18/2018 at 7:31 PM, ElseeG said:

I’m looking at gastric sleeve and have been reading about regaining weight. How easy is it to regain the weight and stretch your stomach?

Your stomach does get a bit bigger over time, but it will never be the size it was prior to surgery.

You can gain back the weight. If a post-surgery sleever chooses calorically-dense (is that a word?) foods that fit in small spaces (think milk shakes, candy, blended coffee drinks, etc.) you can take in too many calories and put it back on.

My experience on this is that the carbs aren't going to matter if your calories are too high, which they probably still are. I averaged around 100g per day on the carbs when I was losing, and lost the 100+ lb that I needed to lose in about 7 months. But....my caloric deficit averaged about 1000 calories per day towards the end of that effort; it was likely higher earlier on (I averaged 1100 calories per day while losing, and am maintaining at 2000-2200). Your top line metabolic burn (what you are quoting as around 1800 calories) will go down as you lose simply because you have less weight to move around all day long; the exceptions to this are usually those who seriously ramp up their exercise burn as they lose - typically those who get into marathon training or the like as they get closer to goal. So, consider that when setting your caloric goals - at your goal weight, you will probably be stable in the 15-1600 range.

Your Protein is likely well in excess of what your body needs to maintain itself, so you really don't need to convert carbs to more protein; better to look into what nutrition your body needs once your Protein needs are met and shoot for that, though most of us do overkill on protein to some degree as it tends to provide longer lasting satiety which helps keep the calorie count down while losing. Protein needs best correlate to our lean body mass, and at your height and likely lean mass for a woman, your maintenance needs will likely be in the 60-70g range; mine is around 100-105 to support my 150-ish lb lean mass. If I were inclined to add to my muscle mass, (which I'm not - that's just "fat in escrow" for when I stop,) then I would need to add another 40 or so g per day of protein along with a well-developed program (and all the work that goes with it) to add around 10lb in six months or so (without funny drugs.)

For most of us, the best approach is to work to maintain what muscle mass we have while we lose the fat rather than trying to do both at the same time (at least for us seriously obese folks who need WLS,) Some promote the idea that you physically can't build muscle mass while in a caloric deficit consistent with significant weight loss. I say "never say never" but from what I have seen in this WLS world, it is extremely rare. The one case that I can think of in our WLS world is a post op of my doc's practice from several years ago who is retired NFL - he got himself down to about 4% body fat before letting up (and likely a decent muscle mass increase) but he already knew how to do that from years of doing so at the professional level, and working at it 2-3 hours per day, something most of us can't duplicate in our working lives.

I would say that if you can get yourself down to around 1000 calories per day, that would leave you with enough margin to get to your goal weight; much higher than that and you will likely fall short. Leave yourself some margin on carb restrictions so that you can make adjustments to fit the nutritional needs of your fitness regimen - I increased my complex carbs strategically (timing relative to workouts) part way through my loss phase in order to maintain my endurance (particularly when swimming, though it didn't seem to make much of a difference to my strength workouts that are similar to yours - alternating muscle groups between sets rather than just standing around doing nothing.)

Good luck on getting things back on track,

I think you are right. I didn't want to admit that because I was thinking "geez, if I lower it to 1,000, what will I be eating when I weigh 145 pounds?" But maybe it doesn't work like that. I am on the hunt for a new nutritionist because while I may be able to email my old one, I think I need a little more help than that. I know it is my diet. If I were to tell you that I don't eat ice cream or have cake once in a while, I would be lying and what's more, all of you would know it!! ha!

Thank you so much for your response! It is much appreciated.

Hi all!

Had to change insurances as of the first of this year. Already missing the folks over at UC Davis....loved Dr. Ali and his staff.

Anyway, I have been on the stall of a lifetime (well, not that long, but sometimes it feels like it!) for about 10 months now. I exercise 4-5 days per week faithfully, lifting as heavy as I can go with weights and about a half hour of cardio. I work hard outside almost every weekend as we have 13 acres. For example, last weekend I helped to dig holes, mix/shovel concrete using a wheelbarrow and shovel to set 21 posts on our property and THEN the next day carry boards to the posts to nail them to the posts. Hot and heavy work. But I love it.

I have every reason to suspect this stall is related to my diet (yes, I do get more than 80 grams of Protein per day). So, I am on the search for a new dietician or nutritionist through Sutter. The way it works is I have to choose either between Dr. Patching or the other doctor in Auburn (cannot remember his name at the moment) and then I guess I see whoever is on their staff?

Just wondering if anyone worked with either of these two doctors and could recommend a good nutritionist. I have United Health Care.

Thanks in advance!

1300-1500 calories seems like a lot to try and lose on. We are the same height and thats about what I maintain with. There are a lot of people (me included) that have to be in the 1000-1200 range to lose.

You didn't mention fluids, but I'm assuming you are at 64oz or above. I typically get 80+.

What I've found that helps when I gain a few pounds here and there or when I find my willpower to stay on plan waivering, is to go back to basics. I will spend at least a week eating just Protein and veggies. Clearing out those carbs really helps my head and my body reset. In desperate times (like before a vacation or holiday) when I KNOW I will be eating WAY off plan, I do a preemptive strike. I do the traditional "preop diet" of Protein shakes only for a few days and that usually drops me to the bottom of my range. That way, even if I gain 5 pounds being "bad", I'm still in my maintenance range.

These are all tricks I use to maintain and stop any little regains, but they may help kickstart your losing again. BTW, welcome back! Nice to hear from you after all this time.

Kindle, I forgot to address the Water issue. I slack on that. I usually get about 40-45 ounces per day. I should up that. Thanks!

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I really agree with the responses and think that my carbs are too high. I will try lowering them to about 60 grams per day and make up the difference in Protein grams.

1,300 to 1,500 calories per day does sound like a lot but I was maintaining on about 1,800 per day before I got really serious about bodybuilding. At the time I contacted her (which was about 4 weeks ago) she believed that the lack of weight loss on the scale is due to recomposition - increase in muscle mass and a decrease of fat at proportionate levels. Which is understandable. But I have not lost any more inches, so I was doubting that this was still happening.

The new thing I have been doing for the past week (now in week two) is 30 minutes of high intensity intervals during cardio. Then, during my weightlifting sets I take "active" rests. So this means that when I do a set of reps, instead of standing around or just sitting for the 45 -60 second rest period before I start the next set, I move. I take a medicine ball and do squats with it or I will take another weight, hold it in both hands and swing it above my head and then down again, over and over. I am hoping this will jump start my lazy metabolism.

I have said it before but will say it again - the gastric sleeve was one of the greatest gifts I have been given and I am so glad, every day, I had this surgery. I would not be where I am at today without it.

Hi All!

Glad to see a few familiar faces around here. I see there have been some changes so I am not sure where to get some advice.

So I lost 65 pounds. I stalled out in June of last year (2015). I stopped going to the gym because I started to commute with my husband to work. And honestly, I was sure I would still lose some weight. Yeah, not so much. So in January I decided to go back to the gym and work out in earnest. Consulted my favorite bodybuilding site and went to work. I love lifting weights!

But, not much has happened. I lost like maybe 2 or 3 pounds. Lost one inch on my waist and hips. That's always a good thing. I'm not going to stop going at all, just wondering what I can do to speed this up. I'll be at two years out in August and I have another 70 pounds to lose. I can't see my old nutritionist anymore because I had to change medical plans. But I did manage to message her and she recommended eating between 1,300 and 1,500 calories per day (I was eating 1,800 before and maintaining just fine on that).

I'm at a size 16 (which is great coming from a size 22) but I'm not where I need to be.

What would people recommend? I'm thinking low carb may do it? I eat under 100 grams of carbs per day, about 140 grams of Protein and then the fats make up the rest.

Thanks guys! Glad to see you all!

meh - a little over 9 months out and I've gained my first 5 pounds. Totally my fault and no one to blame but me.

up until now I had lost a little more than 60 pounds. I refuse to backtrack.

I never got a full "honeymoon" period, as you so commonly hear. I healed fast and felt normal quickly, and I am able to eat anything I want to. I think I will experience these "firsts" faster than some. But it keeps me honest. I don't have a lot of time to develop long-standing expectations (going a long time without gaining weight) so I think in some way, this is good. Wake up call came earlier in the game rather than later. I must meet the challenge and overcome.

We all knew this was not a magical fix, but a tool. I've gotta treat it that way!

I've had 3 csections, and I'm just trying to see how the pain and recovery compares? I did well with my csecs so I'm hoping I'll do OK. Thanks!

2 c-sections here. Had pain with both of them but the pain from the C-section lasted longer than the pain with the sleeve.

Also, the pain was different between the two. I would say that for me, the C-sections hurt more.

I too am a slow loser. Congratulations on your weight loss!

I've not been doing what I am supposed to be doing so for the first time, I have gained 5 pounds. It's a huge wake up call for me to get back to the gym and the low carb, high Protein lifestyle that I need.

thanks so much for sharing!

I hear it and read it all the time. People saying that someone told them they took the easy way out because they had weight loss surgery. But most of us that have had surgery agree this was the only way we could lose the weight and keep it off.

This got me thinking, how many people do you know that did not have weight loss surgery that lost weight and kept it off (for say 3 years or more)? I'll go first. Of all my friends and family, I can think of one person.

Glad you brought this up. Before the surgery I thought about this to remember if anyone I knew lost a significant amount of weight and kept it off. I couldn't think of one person. I even asked other people if they knew anyone that lost a significant amount of weight and kept it off and they all said "no". When I say "significant amount" I mean 60 pounds or more.

It really highlighted for me that for some people (like me) the overly-touted mantra of "just eat less and exercise" wasn't going to work without adding in another tool, like weight loss surgery. This has been and is such a gift. I bought a pair of size 16 jeans the other day and while a bit too tight for my liking, they actually fit. I haven't been in a size 16 since 1993. That's a big deal.

Ha..I didn't think that but I didn't think that I would stop losing weight at a fast pace so soon in the journey. It feels like I didn't get a honeymoon period.

At about 4 months out I stopped losing 2 pounds per week. Then I went to 1 pound per week and by 6 months I was losing about a half a pound per week, which is where I am now - .5 pound per week. Hey, creeping down is a lot better than creeping up. I think I could have better progress if I exercised more.

I do! I love the shakes. I'm 9 months out.

Mine is a not-so-subtle reference to Alice in Wonderland. I chose it because of a few things:

--Alice makes her second trip to Wonderland through the Looking Glass. She has been there before, knows of it's strangeness, but continues through because she knows, from experience, she can have a wonderful adventure, even though she may encounter hardships.

Our journey through the gastric sleeve process is similar - we know that it will be hard, but we power through knowing that overall, it will be worth it.

--The poem in this book is first called "Haddocks Eyes" by the White Knight, though it comes to have other names. It's a parody of Wordsworth's poem Resolution and Independence where Wordsworth meets a man, lowly in stature, that teaches him that hardships are to be approached with patience and acceptance. The poem in Alice in the Looking Glass makes parody of Wordsworth's solemn realization - poking fun at the serious Wordsworth.

We should also approach life like this...with seriousness but also the willingness to poke fun at ourselves to keep things from getting too overwhelming.

This is weird but some people swear by putting their deodorant in the normal spot in their arm pit and then continuing down over their scar (once it has completely closed). I've seen pictures of this and it does look like it works!

It has minorly affected things. I have been more adamant that my husband stop smoking (yes, I am still after him about that!). I look like I will be around for a long time (labs are really good) and if he keeps up with what he is doing, he won't. He has a family history of smoking and cancer.

I have been married for 20 years.

My profile says 145 but I'm actually not sure where I will end up. I want to get involved in bodybuilding so I'm not sure what that will look like. It might be 135. it could be closer to 150 or 155. I am looking for reduction of bodyfat and an increase in muscle mass, not a specific number. But I think having some number in mind is a good thing because it helps us set goals to work for.

Good luck!

Vsgann I am well aware of that which is why I reached out for support instead of giving in to temptation... and 6 months from now if I am dumb enough to have one slice of pizza and want another I will do the same thing reach out for support. I mean really...I thought this forum was for support not harsh words like suck it up.

Just let that one pass - Ann tends to like to employ tough love with other sleevers. She's harmless.

It's totally normal to feel the way you do. It's a huge adjustment and sometime it feels like it's almost impossible to go through the changes you have to go through. This is the time to learn new habits and behaviors. It's actually a positive thing.

Please keep coming back whenever you need support. We are all here for you.

Oh, I'm SO SORRY!

You poor thing.

I really can't imagine feeling like you feel right now, having to eat only liquids for days after having had major surgery to cut out 85% of your stomach.

How in the world people handle something like that I have no idea!

If I were in your shoes, I would just eat ice cream. I bet that would be so much more soothing.

Bless your heart.

Wow - little harsh there, eh Ann?

I was in your same shoes. I was bad and ate ahead of time prescribed time table. I started the cream based Soups and yogurts, etc. about a week early. I had no adverse affects from it so I continued on eating these food items. I was really hungry and they did the trick.

I started losing hair at about 3 months and it is now slowing down at almost 5 months. I did bring up this topic with my nutitionist and she said that there is only one thing you can do about the Hair loss and that is to use minoxidil (so basically Rogain). It is easily found at any store or drugstore. It will slow the rate of hair loss down for you until your body recovers from the stress it has sustained.

Some people will say that Biotin will help and there is certainly no harm in taking Bioltin every day.

It's hard (and scary) losing that much hair all at once, especially when you don't have a lot to begin with. It WILL stop and your hair WILL grow back.

At three months I felt totally normal - like I never had surgery. When I ate, then I would feel the restriction.

I forget I had surgery until I eat - then I remember.

So my doc told me to drink 2- 10oz bottles of magnesium citrate today and clear liquids, no food or Protein shakes. So what I want to know is if anybody had a hard time drinking Water after the bowel prep? The MC is so freaking tart and now I want to vomit when I drink the water....even with the crystal light in it!

Try the cherry flavor. I thought it was a bit better than just the clear.

i prayed it wouldn't happen to me, i love having mid-to-long length hair, but my hair has gone limp and thin post-op. im finally giving in and getting a shorter style. on the plus side, i've lost enough weight in my face that i'm more comfortable going shorter (i have a football face like stewie on family guy...ugh).

praying my beautiful locks will once again be there when i look in the mirror!!!

It will look great! I finally broke down and cut my hair too. I cut it into a asymmetrical bob and have gotten nothing but compliments since.

My Hair loss has way slowed down and I believe I am back on the upswing. You will too!

6 months out, been eating sushi since 4 months out. Rice doesn't bother my sleeve guess I must be lucky or unlucky, depending on whether you think rice is good for you to eat, whether white or brown.

Half of the burger and a few fries (like maybe 5 or 6). No shake.

or

All of the shake and nothing else.

or

All of the patty (sans bread) and the veggies and half of the fries.

My choice is usually to have half of the burger and just a few fries. I almost always skipped the shakes because I have never liked to drink my calories. That hasn't changed post-surgery. I have not had a shake since the surgery, and it has been almost 6 months. I doubt that will change going forward.