Fat2FabMyWay

You've done great. Remember you didn't gain it all overnight, it won't come off overnight. I do a Protein Drink for Breakfast, Ensure plus, 30 g. Protein and 150 calories. A 4 oz cottage cheese for lunch and 4 oz of protein for dinner. I have a couple Outshine no sugar added pop cycles for treats and 100 cal of almonds for roughage. I add cold-pressed virgin olive oil to my food with a shake of Italian seasonings to add taste and moisture. It also keeps the cholesterol down. About 600 cal. per day. I am constantly drinking caffeine-free ice tea with lemon. You will experience several stalls. The 4 month was the hardest as it was the longest and first. Since then I tend to lose 3 weeks, pause a week and I don't lose as much as I did the first 4 months. Your body just has to adjust so be patient. You are doing a great job.

We have similar stats and surgery around the same time. I don't have much hunger, but I had a really easy recovery (yay!) and don't seem to have any food aversions or challenges with eating and drinking which means I've been able to push myself to meet my Protein and fluid goals from early on. That means even though I'm limiting my meals to 3-4 oz lean protein (usually with light mayo or greek yogurt because I am still on soft foods, or I eat a lot of eggs) and then if I am still hungry some soft cooked veggies, I get almost 800 calories a day. Part of that is because I'm still using Protein Shakes to supplement
I am seeing my surgeon and NUT next week for my 6 week. My weight loss has been really slow the last 3 weeks and I'm hoping it's just a stall and they'll have some advice to pick it back up.

I lost my mind Ate out 5 times a day
Mc Donalds - Subs - pizza - You name it i went crazy Made myself sick the two weeks before the surgery,
Now i feel great do not eat any garbage and it was the best decision i ever made!
You have to get your mind in order so work on that - Do Not be a dumb ass and not be ready for this surgery, Read the long post i did months back on crashing!
Once you get the tool and the workshop set up you will love your new life-
Below is the last meal before Pre Op after going nuts eating out

You're clearly conflating this person's situation with your own journey. You may be fine and dandy with eating candy floss or twinkies or whatever you like—and if you are, and you are satisfied with the progress you made. Bravo. It's no one's business but yours.
But no one is actually giving YOU advice in this thread. The distinction worth making it that they're replying to the OP, who ISN'T fine and dandy. They are discouraged. Unlike you, they are unhappy because they are losing weight more slowly than they'd like. They came here for advice on how to change that.
Fact: It's considerably outside the experience of almost everyone here that a nutritionist would suggest regularly consuming a sugar drink as part of a bariatric diet.

Fact: The OP is experiencing the EXACT result one would predict from loading up on sugar. The weight loss they would like to experience is slowed.
Fact: Outside of blood sugar issues, no one actually needs to routinely consume sugary drinks.
No one is being holier than thou. They're pointing out the obvious. You can argue about this food or that food and the benefits of carbs. But an empty calorie sugar drink hardly seems like the right rock to die on.
I guess I don't understand why you would fight so hard against the suggestion that they make a change in their diet to see if it improves weight loss.
I mean, it isn't a question of whether or not they have the "right to eat carbs" or "carbs being evil". It's a question of whether eating less sugar will result in faster weight loss for them. I guess you can argue it won't, but I see whole lot of data points around here that indicate otherwise.
Peace.

Thanks for sharing and being so open. I think many feel as you do, but don't document like this! So that's awesome! I know there will be a lot of opinions coming soon which will help!

My take is that in the early days you cut out as much C.R.A.P. as humanly possible to rewire your brain/pleasure center. You are eating a LOT of highly satisfying foods and slidery stuff (protein chips, cashews, cranberries, sports drinks (sf but still spikes hunger and insulin), birthday cake Protein (is that a bar? or is it a powder? super calorie dense so suspect protein bar), and things with sugar (miracle whip, cranberries).

ALL of those things would keep my tastebuds activated and CRAVING and my head hunger would be off. the. charts. And it seems your's is too.
This is the time when you EMBRACE boring. EMBRACE tiny meals and lack of appetite. EMBRACE food apathy and repetition. Cut it will truly be the easiest time in your life to ever break-up with the bad food bonds and emotional triggers that won you a lifetime invitation to the Obesity Ball. Dr. Weiner says that once we are MO, we will forever be different and must relate differently to foods and eat a different kind of food. Why? Cuz our MO predisposes us to relapse and regain at an alarming degree.
So if it were me, and it surely was, I would: ditch the C.R.A.P. Move from sweetened beverages to pure Water, Decaf teas (unsweetened), and decaf coffee (unsweetened). I would focus on protein until you can eat 2-3ozof dry dense protein per whatever stage you are in. You may be in softs now, so 2-3oz in meatloaf muffins (bread free), or burger meat, or fill in the blank. Then you can have a bite or two of well cooked veg depending on satiety with a tiny bit of fat. That is the rec that was given to me. Not trying to give you advice...hope that helps.

Just wanted to add this last screenshot, to give more of an idea of my daily average macro-wise.

I also have been walking 1.5-2 miles, 3-4 times per week, for the past couple weeks.

no. I didn't get up to 1000 until I was almost a year out. It seems a lot of us are in the 600-800 range when we were where you are currently...
sorry to hear that you didn't get a respite from hunger. Most us do the first few months, but not everyone. That "feature" helps immensely!!

P.S. there are a lot of other protein-rich foods that aren't as caloric as cashews. Lean meats. Cottage cheese. Greek yogurt. Maybe mix some Protein Powder into something like sugar free pudding.

I wasn't given calorie parameters, just amount parameters, which is probably why I ate more calories than a lot of people.
I look at this like a diet (or a new lifestyle, if you prefer). The surgery just makes it much easier for me to calorie count and stay below my personal upper limit.
If you avoid slider foods that slide right through your restriction and don't drink before, during, or after meals, you should feel more full.
There are some foods that I just can't have around or I would eat too much of them.
Good luck!

At 6 weeks I only had a Protein goal for the day, a food stage, and the appropriate meal size/#meals per day to shoot for--the rest took care of itself.

Nuts IMHO, are VERY hard to control for most people and are very high fat for the protein return. Additionally cashews have a fair amount of carbs per ounce, so not only are you getting lots of cals, and fat, but maybe even spiking insulin if you're eating a lot of them. This will keep you hungry.
Concentrate on the lean Proteins appropriate for your stage and meal volume target given to you by the doc and RD. At this point, you would probably only be at 1/4-3/8c of food, maybe 1/2c on the outside limits?
Also, it's possible you aren't registering your new full cuz the nerves were disrupted with the surgery and aren't talking to your brain very well.
Sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger and also mistake high acid (GERD or REFLUX) as hunger, too. And of course there is always that pesky head hunger! Ask what your protein goal is from the RD. 85g per day seems high for a woman, but you are tall, so that may be what your individual prescript is!

at 315lbs even if you are eating 1000 calories a day the weight should be falling off you. Something seems off you should probably post a food log.

I never lost my hunger after sleeve surgery either so I can relate to you. I did stick to my food plan and continued to lose weight for the first 9 months.

I agree that you still should be losing weight. Maybe you should give you nut or dr a call.

Sienna this is AWESOME. Food truly is an addiction and unlike other addictions that we can give up and never have again, we have to face our food addiction several times a day. Amazing on being off those medications too - that alone is worth it! Try to focus on healthier foods, remember all the work you have done to get this far and if you can, move - even if it's just walking. It helps SO much! If you are on a budget and can't get more Protein Shakes, yogurt is a great source of Protein and not expensive (I love the "Two Good" brand - no fake sugars like sucralose, super thick and tasty, and like 12g protein in 5.3 ounces!) Read labels - milk is a good source of protein - if you can afford a protein powder that is cheaper than the ready-to-drink shakes, even get unflavored so you can add it to anything. Most Vitamin Shoppes have inexpensive protein powders, even online (but stores sometimes have samples so you can try them first) an d if you're tolerating chicken, 1 chicken breast is 43g protein! I can't eat one whole one in one sitting but if you can eat one in one day that's great protein there! I hope this was helpful and best of luck!

That's absolutely not true. The OP asked for advice. She got the advice and now she's going to follow it. We're not all nutritionist on this board and we don't all have the answers, which is why we humble ourselves and get on here and ask. What would be nice is if people could approach some of these questions in a kindly manner and try to help people. If anyone doesn't feel like they can do this... then just don't try. Best to leave it to the rest of us who actually feel empathy.

The OP asked for “advice” and there appears to be a lot of people taking issue with people offering advice based on their personal experience when their experience and advice differs. How does sarcasm and ridicule and anger benefit any of us?

Oh please stow it, since when is snowflake exclusively a political description, you assume too much.

Had my surgery on 13 December 2019 so about 5 weeks post-op now. I was 231lb when i went for my surgery and I'm now at 202lbs during my doctor visit on 20 Jan 2020. I'm averaging 1000 calories per day and taking at least 80g Protein and 80-100oz in liquids.

I’ve been there. I had gained back 75 pounds after 6 years. I had enough. I still had the tool, and started making drastic changes. I went back to basics. I started my all liquid diet again and went from there. I started logging all my food again and drinking only Water. Also weighing myself daily. To me when the food is logged I cannot run from it. I started getting conscious of my Snacks. I know at work there is always temptation and at home as well. I got back in touch with my surgeon and got the kick in the bud I needed. I was re-educated on my daily needs, as well as getting back on a good bariatric Multivitamin. It can be done, the tool never go away. In June 2019 I was at 168 after losing 20 pounds gradually over 2 years. I saw a picture of myself and knew I wasn’t happy with myself. I went though surgery hell with all my complications and was so mad at myself. In June I decided to start, like I said, with the basics. I have now lost 40 pounds in 7 months. To say my tool is still there is an understatement. I also started on my head work, and realized I had to grow there too.

You can do this. You are here and that’s the first step. Come here for support. My real life people don’t understand my food issues. Here there is always someone with good support and advice.

Good luck in your new journey.

I’ve done it many times before on diets . But, I also didn’t have the restriction like I have had . I haven’t even lost 30lbs on with pre op diet plus vsg

Again, I’m not saying NOT to get the surgery or regret it. I’m clearly stating my frustration just like others have stated theirs. Why can’t y’all just let this be our “safe space” to freely talk about frustration during this process ?

Would you please stop policing the discussion? It's incredibly annoying.

You have already stated SEVERAL times how you feel - you have made your point. This thread is for people who would like to talk about their slow weight loss. How many times do you have to be asked to stop putting forward your opinions? Go and make your own thread about your viewpoints. People can b***h and moan as much as they want - it's not up to you to tell them they can't.

I am only 3 weeks out and maybe my mind set will change later in the journey BUT I find myself a slow loser. I am not losing the same amount as EXAMPLE fatboyslim. I am also not losing around the same rate as pre op.

I find it frustrating that I came to this to be a “safe” place to talk about frustration of not dropping lbs as fast as others (I know we shouldn’t compare but we do) I am dropping lbs just not like the 5-10lbs a weekers. I’m following my plan the best I can - I am lacking the Protein. I’m having a hard time trying to drink 2 Protein Drinks to meet my goals AND eating 2 oz of protein (eating part of tuna creation pack with good culture cottage cheese to “soften” it up) I’m just insanely full.

Anyways, I get CICO , I agree with it BUT right now it’s just not going A+B= C for my body on the scale BUT I’m definitely losing inches.
Also, I’ve been spotting on and off since Monday and have had period like cramps . So I know my hormones have to be a little wonky atm. Usually during my monthly I hold Water weight 🤷‍♀️ . My face is breaking out like a teenagers too 😩 I usually have clear skin with a pimple or two during that time.

Back to the point. I find it frustrating when I see people blow the weight off and I’m doing the same thing and I look like I’m going snails pace THEN some say it’s being unrealistic to have the expectations of losing fast like others or I must be lying , making excuses etc etc etc

I am just not understanding why it’s so detrimental to others if I want to label myself a slow loser ? Or other people do? It’s keeping me from the mind frame to restrict (to only drink water at this point to drop faster), or say F it if I can’t be like Mike - why bother?.

Saying I might be a slow loser or I am one makes me feel better or at peace that I’m not melting like others 🤷‍♀️ maybe it may help others who are feeling a bit defeated that they aren’t dropping as fast

Anyways, end of rant

Okay.
"Slow" or "Fast" is all relative. IN THE BEGINNING, its normally easier for a 300lb person to lose 4-5 lbs a week vs a 225lb person.
I started at 235 lbs 2 weeks before surgery. I just looked it up, and not counting the first month post op, I averaged 2.8 lb loss a week until I reached goal in 7 months, with a total loss at that time of 110 lbs (which includes the 11 lbs I lost in my two week pre-op diet).
I DO NOT think my 2.8 lbs weekly loss as slow in any way whatsoever. In fact, I think it was wickedly fast.
I stuck to my plan those 7 months. Pretty strictly. I made sure to get in my exercise. I figured there was time later for a looser diet AFTER I lost the weight.
I am now 1 year & 3 months post op and my total loss is standing at 120 lbs, which is more than 1/2 my total (NOT excess) body weight. Today I am 115lbs with a BMI of 21. I'm 5'2".
However.
Full disclosure, I am of the CICO camp. I also understand that some peoples' CICO exchange are alot more efficient than others' due to a gazillion reasons. But I at the base level, it holds true. You can't argue science. If you don't eat a stick of food for a month, I guarantee you, you will lose a whole lotta weight, no matter what issues you have. Is this healthy? Hells no. But is it fact? Hells yes.
With that said, I do also understand that there are folks who need to vent their frustrations, as it makes one feel better to feel understood and commiserate with others who find themselves in the same boat. There is security and camaraderie in numbers.
I mean, it does sorta suck to be told "this is all your own making", regardless if it is true or not.
The title of this thread is the "SLOW LOSERS CLUB SUPPORT GROUP". Its clear that the purpose of this thread is for those who believe they are slow losers (whatever the criteria is to qualify oneself as such) and to vent and share their frustrations, and not to attend a science lesson.
Perhaps another, separate thread can be started for the purpose of continuing this debate, and this thread can be left to those who need it to get through. I would think that those who want the information will go there to find it.
Of course no one is stopping anyone from posting what they think, when they think it, to wherever they want.
Good Luck, everyone.

Hey guys. I am a slow loser as well. I was just reading this article the other day and thought that you all may like to read it. Written by an actual dr and not a random person in a forum
https://sponsored.journalscene.com/roper-st-francis/weighing-in-on-weight-loss/

just one of the interesting facts this dr talks about
Dr. Cleek points out that genetics are responsible for 50 to 70 percent of a person's weight, but other factors contribute to what your bathroom scale tells you each morning. For example, if you don't get enough sleep, your metabolism decreases and your appetite increases.

Agreed. The message has been communicated and the facts that we can and should derive from it are tipping from helpful into hurtful. The message is being lost in the way it is being harped on. We get it...
You may notice that about 90 to 95% of the posters in this thread are women and yes, it has been proven that men TYPICALLY lose faster than women.
Please give us credit for some intelligence and the ability to read and take what we know to be true and/or our questions back to our professionals and find ways to work with/deal with and continue on our WL journey whether we are losing 10 lbs a month, 5 lbs or have stalled.
Fluffly's definition of what her team determines to be a stall was helpful. I think much good can come from this thread. The majority, to me at least, seem to be interested in getting clarification, are acknowledging things they are facing they can't do anything about - menopause, etc. while also admitting things they need to do something about.
I personally know that I will not consider the month of December in my weight loss average as I went on a cruise, admitted to gaining 1 lb and I know that will skew my results.
We also have been around long enough to help newbies, as i was shocked that my first month loss was so low but my preop had been SO LONG (switched dr's - long story) and the way the surgery impacted me...my weight didn't really start moving until weeks 3 and 4. It was good to hear that this happens for others. In fact my surgery sibling group had me back away from the scale. NONE of us were, at that point..or almost none of us..eating more than 400 calories so we knew even w/o exercise that the scale would INDEED MOVE.