dmkaz

My surgery was Feb. 2015 and I have had the same experience! I fly fairly often and every time I have to go through the scanner, it lights up and I get patted down. I jokingly asked my surgeon if he left an instrument in there. The TSA people swear that the machine only detects surface metal and that surgery should not affect it. But I never tripped the sensors before my surgery, and now I do regularly.

My surgery (gastric sleeve) date was 2/2/15, and I have had a relatively easy recovery. I was back at work by 2/6/15 and I have felt really good. I haven't experienced any problems. I have strictly followed my liquid diet and I never exceed the 500 calories/day that my doctor advises. I have avoided caffeine and make sure that I drink at least 64 oz of Water a day and I get between 68 - 74 grams of the recommended type of Protein a day, and I never miss my Vitamins. I have also tried to be careful about my sodium intake, since I do drink about 2 - 3 cups of broth a day. I make sure I choose a lower sodium or no-salt added broth or stock. However, after 4 weeks, I have only lost 15 lbs from my pre-surgery weight. This is about 12% of my excess body weight. I don't get it - I've lost 15 pounds a month on Weight Watchers in the past, and I didn't have a large portion of my stomach surgically removed to achieve it. My surgeon's expectations were that I should lose 20 - 25% of my excess body weight in the first 4 - 6 weeks. I haven't exercised as much as I'd planned - the weather has been terrible this month, but I know that is not a good excuse. I do get exercise in at least 3 times a week. To say that I am frustrated is an understatement. My biggest fear pre-surgery (aside from not making it through!) was that I'd have the surgery and I'd still not be able to lose weight. I am grateful that I am not hungry, but I was really looking forward to this amazing quick weight loss at the start that everyone talked about. I was also hoping to move to the next stage in my diet and be able to eat blended food. I am afraid that the surgeon will keep me on liquids because I have only lost 6 pounds since my last office visit, 10 days post-surgery. I feel like crying, but feeling sorry for myself isn't going to help me meet my goal. Has anyone else experienced a slower than anticipated weight loss at the beginning of their journey?

WL Warrior - Thanks so much for your message. It was really helpful, and encouraging. It is inspiring to know that you have continued to lose steadily.That is my biggest concern. Because I had a thyroidectomy, I am worried that this will impede my success. I go to the surgeon again on Thursday and I am worried that they will chastise me for not losing enough when I have been working so hard and haven't deviated from the surgeon's/dietician's recommendations at all. And after 6 weeks on a liquid diet, I am so ready to start moving to regular food and actually chew something besides my vitamins. Thank you again!

That article really helped! Thank you! I had my thyroid removed 4 years ago, and although my internist and surgeon assured me that this would not prevent me from losing weight with the sleeve, I was worried that it may be interfering. I really appreciate the link!

Thanks, Summer - that makes me feel a little better. I haven't measured, but my clothes don't really feel any looser. I guess I'll just keep doing what I have been doing.

I don't need quick results, but I am worried because I've read that weight loss slows as time progresses, even with WLS. I am worried that I will still be fat even after I had the surgery. It sounds irrational, but I have spent a lifetime struggling with my weight and not being able to lose, even when I try to follow diets strictly. I will say that I am not hungry, so I am not uncomfortable with my greatly reduced intake. I just worry because the weight loss is much slower than what I have seen reported by others, and I am concerned that I will never get the weight off.

I was afraid to tell my employer, too, but once I did, it was great. She has been very supportive, and that really made me feel less worried. I just had my surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) last Monday. I feel great and I went back to work last Friday. I have a pretty sedentary job, so I figured I'd rather sit around at the office and be productive than sit around at home. I realize that is not the norm, but I wanted to let you know it is possible. I was so worried about things going wrong, and it really has been a lot easier than I anticipated. I am a 54 year old woman, and I was super-nervous before I had the surgery. I know it's personal decision about who and how much you tell people, but I decided to be honest with my coworkers. Hopefully, they will see a big change in me fairly quickly, and rather than have them worry about my health, or speculate, I decided to be upfront about it. Everyone has been very supportive, and that really helped allay some of my anxiety.