mr.sean

My “6 month” check in was scheduled for mid-March, but was canceled due to COVID-19. My weight loss had stalled at about 50% of my excess weight and I was feeling really down about it. I started Noom about 5 weeks ago and have slowly lost 10 more lbs. Too slowly. Now I’m ratcheting up my exercise with HIIT and body strength training on the Peloton app. Free for 90 days.

Checking in, about 20 weeks post-op!

Weight loss has slowed to about 0.5 - 1 lb per week, and some of my binge-eating habits have returned, but in smaller quantities. So I don't think it's technically binge-eating. I'm talking eating shredded cheese out of the bad, eating Peanut Butter out of the jar, eating like 4 string cheese instead of 1. I'm sure that's making the calories add up and contributing to the slowing weight loss. It's not hard to overeat soft, high-fat foods like that. I still can't binge-eat anything high in carbs, thankfully.

This happening because I'm feeling very hungry again, especially at night. It's very discouraging because I was told the surgery would dramatically reduce the ghrelin hormone production in my stomach. It seems to have come back with a vengeance. I eat when I'm hungry, and then I fill up quickly, but then I start feeling hungry again when my stomach empties. This is not what I thought was supposed to happen.

I'm feeling very jealous of all the people who lost 75%+ of their excess weight in the first 6 months, because I'll be lucky to hit 50%.

On 12/16/2019 at 3:52 PM, MarvelGirl25 said:

What types of dishes have you been making? Maybe we can give you ideas Ive always loved cooking but I will say that after surgery I love it even more. Ive found it fun and interesting to take meals I love and make them into a healthier version. Every Sunday I plan what I'm going to eat that week and stick to it. I do have days where Im hungrier than usual so what Ill do is have more Fluid or some kind of dense Protein like tuna. When I meet my Protein goal Ill usually have a 1/2 cup of cherios if Im hungry.

I think fear of eating too much is normal. Its something that I think about 24/7 but I found it helpful to track every bite so that I know how much I'm eating and if in reality I'm overdoing it.

I definitely could be more positive about it, like you are. I'm still getting used to how much I can eat, but I've finally started cooking in smaller quantities so I'm not throwing away a lot of leftovers.

My issue is more: Why spend a lot of time and effort on making this meal when I'll probably be full after 6 bites?

1

On 12/10/2019 at 5:43 PM, MarvelGirl25 said:

On 12/10/2019 at 5:43 PM, MarvelGirl25 said:

It sounds like you're doing good but If your scared about hitting over 1000 calories I would replace items such as the string cheese with some kind of dense Protein meal since its more filling.

Is it meal ideas you're struggling with?

It's meal ideas, and also the concept of cooking in general. I used to like cooking, but now I wonder what the point is.

I'm also worried about eating too much, so I stick to "safe" foods.

On 12/11/2019 at 9:11 AM, HipHopDiva said:

@Bastian I'm 3 months(August 27th) out & only can get in between 350-500 calories a day. I can barely complete a meal & it still takes me 30-40 minutes to eat a 5.3oz yogurt. My dietitian told me that this calorie amount is fine but try to get in as much Protein dense foods as possible & keep my liquid intake close to or at 64 ozs. When I get full - STOP EATING! She said this is the crucial stage for my new pouch & over eating is not good therefore trying to get in 800-900 calories is not the goal she wants for me right now. So I am listening to my body, eating high quality Protein meals and getting in the Water.< a class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image" href="https://s.bariatricpal.com/uploads/monthly_2019_12/20191211_090713.jpg.1790c94141916669d23315d38bc25cde.jpg" data-fileid="97296" rel=""> Start Weight(SW) - 215 Surgery Weight(SW) - 198 Current Weight(CW) - 165 Goal Weight(GW) - 145

Wow that sounds like me in the first 2-3 weeks, not 3 months. By 4-5 weeks I could eat a yogurt in a few minutes. I think it's a good thing though? You'll probably be in the top percentage of weight loss.

1 hour ago, 303nursemom said:

Hi all! August 27th post sleeve here. I love reading everyone’s updates and can relate to many of the successes and challenges. I have lost about 50 lbs since surgery and my BMI has dropped from 36 to 28. Even better, I exercise consistently and feel strong and more energetic! The reason I decided to post today is because I slipped up for the first time and ate more than I should have in a sitting. I paid for it by getting sick and vomiting almost immediately. I am pretty disappointed in myself, but trying to get past it and move forward. I still have so many goals, I need to stay on track!

That's definitely normal. Usually one time doing it is enough of a motivation to not "binge" again for a while. You learned your lesson, and you know not to do it again because it hurts!

I no longer know what to eat, since I've found I can eat a little bit of almost anything. And guidance from my program has dropped off a lot.

Every day, I've been eating some variation of:

Sous Vide Egg Bites from Starbucks

A Medium Iced coffee with milk and splenda

salad with grilled chicken and Italian dressing (about half)

2-3 low-moisture part-skim mozzarella string cheese sticks

1-2 low-fat greek yogurts

If I put away too many of the very-easy-to-digest yogurts and string cheese, I can easily hit 1000 calories, which worries me.

On 12/4/2019 at 12:20 AM, Meadow76 said:

You could eat solid food after only 2 weeks Of surgery? According to my plan I couldn’t try solid food week til 4. I’m 2+ mos out now. I still can only eat one egg. Had Breakfast out & ordered 1 poached egg. Had it on top of slice Tomato & Canadian bacon.

Programs seem to be realizing the VSG =/= the bypass in terms of restriction of foods. My program at MGH said:

Week 1: liquids

Week 2-3: Soft/puree

Week 4: Start adding in cooked vegetables

Week 6: You should be fine with raw vegetables

Week 8: You should be able to have a little bit of pretty much everything (except pasta), but we advise you still stay away from bread and rice for now.

On 11/29/2019 at 10:51 PM, Meadow76 said:

salad is one of last food my nutritionist says we should eat. I never order from regular menu anymore. At least at this stage which is 8 weeks out. I order from appetizers or sides. My dinners cost $10-$20. If really want to try something usually friends eating out with offer taste if it’s something I can eat.

No salad? Even 8-weeks post-op? Why is that? My nutritionist just said not to try it until 4 weeks at the earliest. Since about 6 weeks I've been fine with salad.

About a month ago, so 10 weeks post-op, I was sitting at my desk at work and had a sudden, sharp, severe pain on my right side underneath my rib cage. I had to put my head down and close my eyes and just breathe through it. It lasted about 20 minutes. I haven't had any issues since then, but I think that must've been a gallstone.

For the first time in years, I sat between 2 people on the subway and felt comfortable and that I wasn't encroaching on their space.

3 weeks after surgery, I went out to eat with a friend and got a cup of chicken noodle Soup, and just ate the broth and some of the chicken.

Starting at 6 weeks, I get a chicken caesar salad and eat about 1/4 to 1/2 of it.

Like everyone said, that's totally normal. Your appetite will decrease when you start eating more solids and you feel how it feels in your stomach, and how uncomfortable overeating by even one or two bites is.

I'm down 55lbs since surgery 3 months ago and definitely noticing sagging and softness.

I'm wearing a new, VERY tight compression shirt today and my organs hurt and I think it's causing nerve damage. But I keep getting compliments, so 🤷‍♂️!

On 11/1/2019 at 12:41 PM, BayougirlMrsS said:

Surgery Aug. 28, 2019

SW: 173.5, CW: 146..... GW: 140-143

Wait, what? How did you have the surgery if you're only 30lbs overweight?

On 11/1/2019 at 11:27 AM, ahillig said:

When I stalled I added in more carbs and the stall broke. Even when I'd lose weight before having surgery my body needed carbs, I couldn't go without them and expect to lose weight. I make a point to have carbs everyday now, in moderation of course, but I definitely need them to keep the scale going downward. Some days my carbs consist of Mac n cheese other days it might just half a piece of toast. My local grocery store sells some single serve Mac n cheese that's about 1/3 cup serving size, 6g Protein, <10g sugar (not sure off the top of my head), and under 200 calories. I one of those 2-3 times a week and ever since I've done that I've lost each week. I'm lucky to eat about 1/2 of that when I eat one, then again, I'm lucky to eat 1/3 cup at a meal, most meals it's still 1/4 cup.

You eat... mac and cheese??? I miss mac and cheese so much. The huge load of carbs from the Pasta doesn't cause dumping or a crash after you eat it?

On 10/24/2019 at 11:26 PM, Deedee12 said:

I'm absolutely with you Mr. Sean!! EXACTLY 4lbs in 3 weeks!!! it's extremely frustrating BUT I'll trust the process

Also eating less than 1000 calories with regular exercise! I hope it continues to move in the right direction

I've lost a lot of inches though and my clothes are practically falling and I am becoming self conscious of the looks and comments but trying to take it in good stride!

Let's keep plugging away and a year from now, we'll look at these moments with laughter!🧡🧡

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok, the weight started coming off again, I think. I've lost like 51 lbs now.

How's everyone doing?

I'm 11 weeks post-op and have lost 47lbs. I've really stalled in the past 3 weeks though, and I've only lost about 4lbs in that time. It's very discouraging. I'm eating less than 1000 calories per day. How can I possibly have only lost 4lbs in 3 weeks?

I was eating reduced/low sugar greek yogurt 2 days post-op from my sleeve.

18 minutes ago, CoramDeo said:

I disagree, I am 4 weeks out and get about 800-1000 calories a day in. What you want for a caloric intake will be affected by what surgery you had more than anything else. No disrespect to anyone, but I would trust the team that rearranged your insides rather than us random people on the internet.

Very true. I had the sleeve and @Lynda486 I just noticed had the bypass. Definitely listen to your doctors over us.

However, there is a problem in that there is such a wide range of information and differences in programs. Some say liquids only for 4+ weeks and some say the transition to solids after 2 weeks. Some have calorie goals, some don't. Some do a pureed stage, some don't.

Message boards like this are useful for hearing about other peoples' experiences so you can tinker around the edges of your eating habits, but yes, you should definitely not go against what your doctors say.

Hi Mikey!

My surgery was 8/12, so I'm 10 weeks post-op now.

Can you run down exactly what you went through whilst in hospital?

I checked in around 6AM, and had to wait 2-3 hours to be brought into the surgery prep. I changed into the gown and spoke with the nurse and anesthesiologist. They put in the IVs, and I was wheeled to the surgery room, where I fell asleep within seconds. I woke up feeling very woozy and in pain. Post-surgery, I spent about 36 hours in the hospital. I was in a lot of pain for the first 12 hours or so, but they give you medication for it. Getting up and walking really helps with the pain, as much as it hurts to get out of bed those first few times. I was discharged in the early afternoon of my second day.

How did you feel in the first few days to weeks.. Where you able to drink much Water?

I felt very groggy from the pain, pain meds, and dehydration. In the first week, I was getting around 36-48oz of fluids per day, and by week two, I could get int 48oz+.

Did you feel hungry much?

I felt a little bit hungry for the first week, but not starving (even though you are technically starving).

Was the pain bearable?

The pain got noticeably better each day, and around 2 weeks, it was almost gone. It's not constant, nagging pain. It's sharp pain at the incision sites when you sit up or twist a certain way. I couldn't sleep on my side for about 10 days, which was very annoying. However, as bad as the pain was at times, at 10-weeks post-op now, I barely remember it, and it was definitely worth it.

And in the first weeks or months are you still feeling restrictions on how much you can eat or drink in one go?

Definitely, but it depends on the food. It's a lot easier to eat 4-8oz of yogurt or cottage cheese in 30 minutes than it is to eat 2-3oz of meat in 10 minutes. As for drinking, I can take bigger sips now and finish a small iced coffee (12oz/350ml -- not sure if Australia uses metric or imperial) in about 45 minutes.

I'm just curious how we're meant to get enough Protein if unable to drink much liquids?

The surgeon and dietician understand that in the first 2-4 weeks, you'll struggle to get enough of both. That's why you prioritize liquids over Protein at first.

The 1st day home after surgery I was only able to drink about 24oz. By 1 week post-op, I could do 48oz if I was sipping several times per hour throughout the day.

12 minutes ago, Lynda486 said:

I just switched to the soft food diet yesterday, and I think that will help my weight loss. My dietitian wants me to get 1000/1200 calories a day, but I think that is too much? As of yesterday I am still getting between 300 and 500 calories a day and I know that is not enough. Last night Hubby made Maidrites and I made acorn squash, sweet for him and savory for me. It went down great, and lots of leftovers for me!

My surgery was in August, and I'm 10 weeks post-op. My surgeon and nutritionist refused to give me a calorie goal, which is annoying. Considering that you're only 4+ weeks post-op, 1000 calories sounds high. At 4 weeks, I was getting between 400 and 600. If I were you, I would try adding another 100-200 calories of Protein to get into the 600 calories/day range and see if you can tolerate it.

I'm 10 weeks post-op and my weight has stalled around 45lbs of weight loss and it's pretty upsetting. I'm also easily able to eat 800+ calories per day and my appetite is coming back, which is also upsetting. I feel panicked because I know the majority of weight comes off in the first 6 months and the clock is ticking.

I'm 8 weeks post-op and my incision scars are still very red. They look better and slightly smaller than they did in the week after surgery, but is it normal for them to still look so prominent? Anyone have any idea how long until they fade?