sweetsmith78

Hello long time no speak!
I had my vsg 4 years ago . With the typical stalls of loosing weight. As I approached my goal weight . The scale keeps going down. To the point I’m now underweight . Was told not to loose any more. Blood test all come back great. She did order an upper GI . Why? I have no pain or heartburn. i can eat and eat and eat. Half cup or less at an time even wake up in my sleep to eat. I feel as if my body is starving . I’m sure I’ll get the back lash but I know I’m not the only one suffering. If you happen to see a form on here please let me know. I don’t want bad eating habits like chips . Pop . candy . But I am to keep the scale from moving in the negative 😢

Well, I think you look spectacular and very healthy. The transformation is absolutely stunning!
I also think as our population trends heavier, we don't see the extra weight as much. I was a chubby kid, and I was like one of maybe 3 chubby kids in my entire grade, not just my class. I dieted like an idiot as a teen and got down to 126 lbs and I was nowhere close to the thinnest person in my friend group. Nobody said anything about me getting too skinny, for sure. I gained weight in college and by the time I graduated, I was overweight again, and obese by the time I hit my late 20s. I always felt like the biggest person in the room (at, like 210 lbs).
But by the time I was in my mid-30s, I started seeing bigger people than me all around. Everyone was getting bigger. My weight went up to 225, but many of the parents of kids in my daughters' grades were way bigger than that. It almost had an insulating effect from my own weight gain, because I was no longer the biggest person in the room. I just kind of looked normal.
When a friend heard I was getting bypass, her first response was "but you're not that big" and at this point I was 250 lbs with a 40+ BMI, plus high blood pressure, prediabetes, and high cholesterol. And this was from a person who is in the healthy BMI range and never been overweight. So I definitely think we've become so used to seeing larger people that we think "obese" is a term reserved for the people on television shows who weigh 600+ pounds.
And, of course, the rapid weight loss from surgery is jarring so people notice it more. But don't let their comments get to you!

i lost 10 lbs in the month after reaching goal. and then another 5 or so lbs in thr 2-3 months following.
the fear of losing too much weight is a common concern to those who reach goal (or are nearing it)
it doesn't last long.
slowly up your calories if you can...if u cant now, trust me, you will have no problem later.
if you continue to lose weight over months (not weeks as its way too soon for concern) and you dip below 18.5 BMI and your doc/team is concerned , then that will be your cue to be concerned.
otherwise use this time to figure out what YOUR maintenance calories are (not what is recommended to you as we are all different and require different calorie intakes) and enjoy and bask in your success!
congrats!

a couple weeks ago i remember your post about your struggle to stop losing...are you still losing while this hunger appeared? perhaps its your body's response to the weight losses...? if thats the case, then perhaps listen to your bod and eat more?
i can imagine that eating more is in itself a struggle...it took me 3-4 months to get over the mental block to actually stop diet mode (and like 2 years to get over the mental block of eating bread/rice/pasta lol)
if im not mistaken you just recently reached goal? (congrats again btw), my suggestion would be to give yourself a bit more time (ie several months) to find your happy spot, it usually takes a while before you get to the autopilot of maintenance...great suggestions above...experiment with (small amounts) of (preferably nutritious) foods and amounts and see what help with the hunger. keep an eye on the scale in tandem to determine any causal relationships with certain foods.
but yeah, i know, "easier said...".
good luck, and it CAN be done! ❤️

I hope this finds you well and you are okay. From my understanding, the upper GI series your surgeon has recommended is a crucial diagnostic tool. It can provide insights into various post-surgical changes, such as alterations in the anatomical structure of the gastrointestinal tract or potential issues with nutrient absorption. This non-invasive test is instrumental in identifying the underlying causes of unexpected weight fluctuations following weight loss surgery. It’s a key step in ensuring your ongoing health and well-being.

Jello Water sugar free. Gateraid. broth, tea. Water down Protein Drink.

I mean, you titled the post that way lol What else does LSD mean? I was over here thinking "this isn't the forum for that...how do we even help her? I better click on it and see if there's anything I can say, but I doubt it..." I'm having this internal debate with myself and you're over there talking about a 4 week pre-op diet LOL

ejm, did you have a DS done? I have read that in rare circumstances low Protein levels or excessive weight loss can cause the small intestinal portion of the DS to have to be reversed. Have you spoken to your surgeon about the extra weight loss? Have you had your Vitamin levels checked lately to make sure you aren't deficient in anything? It might be worth an appointment with the surgeon to talk about your concerns... I wouldn't cut out fat so much as just make sure your fat is coming from a heart healthy source. DS patients have malabsorption of fats which is part of what leads to their better weight loss/maintenance outcomes. But some DS patients find they need to eat more fat or calories to maintain a healthy weight, and things like nuts and avocadoes can help with that.
sweetsmith78, I'm sorry you felt scrutinized. I have generally found people on this site to be quite kind and helpful. It is hard to know what to say to someone experiencing excess weight loss when most of us here don't have that issue or anything even close to it. Which procedure did you have? Have you talked to your surgeon about the extreme weight loss? I would think focusing on calorie dense food might help. Full fat yogurt, milk, and cheese. Maybe adding MCT oil to your coffee? Protein Shakes with Peanut Butter added, in fact, anything with nut butters added. And adding more nuts and avocadoes to your diet, as they are good sources of healthy fats. For most of us fat is where we start to gain calories back (or sugar, but I generally don't tell people to eat sugar LOL). I'm sorry you are losing so much weight, it must be very distressing after having surgery to treat the opposite issue! My sister sits in the 90s/100lb range and when under stress she really fights to keep her weight up. She hasn't had any surgery, she was just born that way. She uses Meal Replacement shakes and fats to help with that.
Good luck to you both with finding answers and viable solutions to this!

Hello long time no speak!
I had my vsg 4 years ago . With the typical stalls of loosing weight. As I approached my goal weight . The scale keeps going down. To the point I’m now underweight . Was told not to loose any more. Blood test all come back great. She did order an upper GI . Why? I have no pain or heartburn. i can eat and eat and eat. Half cup or less at an time even wake up in my sleep to eat. I feel as if my body is starving . I’m sure I’ll get the back lash but I know I’m not the only one suffering. If you happen to see a form on here please let me know. I don’t want bad eating habits like chips . Pop . candy . But I am to keep the scale from moving in the negative 😢

I don’t enjoy food, good question. Took me two years to learn not to over eat. We know what happens when we over eat. I eat small amounts thru out the day 3/4 a cup 4 times a day at max. Now I wake ip in the middle of the nite eating Quality food . It either comes up or goes out in unpleasant ways. The odd thing is. one week I’m starving.I can’t seem to fuel my body. The next week I have no appetite it’s been one hell of a roller coaster ride. Thanks for pointing out allergies many would’ve thought that. Im good . nausea medication any suggestions over the counter? Besides that, going out with friends and eating is embarrassing. You take three bites done in 5 minutes. Mean time people are conversating and eating for an hour. I miss the days of indulgent .

Why don't you enjoy food ? I may only eat small amounts but I delight in each mouthful. These days I choose quality over quantity.
And why are you constantly sick ? Are you taking nausea medications, eating slowly, not overeating, gained a food allergy. This forum may be able to help you with this

At first I was a calorie counter about 6 months. Now I just watched what I eat. That being said I stay away from only man made carbs and small portions. Unfortunately I need to start counting loosing to much🥴

Everyone is different.
Pro
Lost the weight and still loosing confidence was up. move around freely. Blood pressure down.
Cons
eating out with friends. Not able to enjoy food . constantly sick .If your thinking about doing this. Eat one cup of food 3 times a for a month. You will get first hand look at head hunger. Best of luck to you.

Trying very hard to maintain, but the hardest thing to get into that state is my BRAIN.
I've not only spent the last 2 years meticulously monitoring every bite of food I put in my mouth (even though my doctor didn't insist upon it I've been counting calories since day 1), but I spent the last 20 YEARS in the mindset that if I wasn't actively trying to LOSE weight, I was going backward. So, at 41, I have to learn how to eat to maintain which for some reason is VERY hard for me. I can't get out of the "weight loss" mindset. I don't eat enough. I monitor and measure and check and re-check everything. I pour myself a bowl or plate of something and put half of it back.
I just can't seem to accept that I am *done* losing weight.

Did not get answers that sufficiently addressed my concerns with OCC. Decided to go with Renew Bariatrics and Dr. Rene Armenta. MGB surgery is scheduled for September 2nd. I will report back on experience post surgery.

October 5, 2022 was my surgery date. Forward one year and it has been wonderful. Got on the scale today and was at 198. So not only did I finally get to "onederland" but have lost 163lbs. My bmi is 28 opposed to 50+. I couldn't have done it without my bariatric team, friends and family cheering me along the way. I'm so thankful and even though I still want to lose about 25 lbs, I find it amazing with the tool of gastric sleeve, my life has changed so much.

While most of us lose our hunger & desire to eat after surgery, there are odd cases when people don’t. What you could be experiencing is head hunger especially if food was a comfort to you. You’ve had a pretty major surgery, are stressed, likely emotional, & your hormones may be a bit off so wanting to comfort yourself is a pretty common reaction. And because you can’t have food you want it more.
In most cases a grumbling tummy does not mean you’re hungry unlike we were always told. The rumbles are usually just your digestive system working. Are you on a PPI to reduce your stomach acid? You’re still making what you used to need which is too much for your much smaller tummy & lower food intake. Excess tummy acid can make you think you’re hungry too.
Oh, yes I found the shakes awful too. I diluted one in the morning, sipped it for hours & then relied on Soups (bone broths are great but can be salty but cream soups & consommés are fine too) for other meals. You could make your own shake using a unflavoured Protein Powder & milk, blend a high Protein up yoghurt with milk to make a yoghurt drink, etc. you don’t have to have just those pre made shakes.
All the best.

I had stalls thru out my journey. One stall was 5 months. After that stall I lost a huge amount of weight very quickly. If you noticed how your body is acting with carbs cut the carbs.

This is crazy .... I've taken my dog to the dog park every day for the last 2 months. We walk around the edge of the 4 acre park. (Some days I'm panting harder than the dogs when I'm done walking .LOL) Took the dog to the vet -- he lost 2 pounds !!! I stepped on my scale - haven't lost an ounce in the 2 months we've been going there !!!! It's not fair !!!!! LOL
Okay - I just had to rant about it in this forum

I was also going to say it could be a stricture, but then you said you were able to hold down 20 oz of Fluid, so now I'm not sure. Those usually start with not being able to hold down food - and once the stricture progresses, you can't even keep fluids down. If that's what it is, it's a really easy fix. They just do an upper endoscopy and stretch it out. Quick and painless. I had two strictures - at four weeks out and again at eight weeks out. They almost always happen (if they're going to happen) within the first three months after surgery. If you get to the point you can't keep fluids down, you need to contact your clinic right away or get to the hospital. You can live for several days without food, but not fluids. Keep your clinic posted and do go to the hospital if you're unable to keep fluids down.

Not everyone experiences a bounce back regain. And not everyone experiences a larger regain. If it does happen there’s often a reason: complacency/&or bad habits returning, a too restrictive way of eating, lifestyle changes, medical/health issues, emotional issues, settling of your weight, …
I had a regain of a good two kgs (about 5lbs) rather quickly a few months into my second year so earlier than the usual 3rd year. Didn’t gain any more. Wasn’t happy but was accepting it. Couldn’t really put my finger on why. No dietary changes, no activity changes during that time. But what I did have was a gall removal at 25 months which caused an Protein absorption issue. Then almost at the three year mark we realised the gall removal also stopped me absorbing my HRT & caused other issues. Went from a tablet to a patch & slowly but surely I lost a good kilo of that regain over 6 months +/-. I’ve been sitting pretty stable again for about 6 months or so.
I keep an eye on the scales, monitor my portions, watch my food choice & fingers crossed I continue to remain stable.

It took me for ever to reach my goals. Like 3 + months. They just told me to do my best. Protein yogurts were my saviour, 2 of these and a pint of milk a day and I had all my protein. Drinking seemed to take all day and all my waking night too. I had my surgery in coldest winter, so Hot Drinks were easiest for me to manage, although they did get cold before I drank it all. After meals if I found myself thirsty, I would suck a popsicle , its a Fluid. Once you can drink your ounces you will feel amazing. Its really worth while persevering, it does get easier soon
I had to keep going back a stage because eating 'normal' foods was so difficult for me

Your body is adjusting, you have to be patient.

Its rare but I got it with the sleeve. It was not bad enough to take me to the ER but was really debilitating all the same. If I am really careful in what I eat and take my PPI twice a day and use sodium alginate after foods it keeps it at bay. I would have got the gastric bypass if I knew beforehand.

I had a relatively easy time after my surgery but it took me *months* before I met my Protein or fluid goals.
Keep the faith - if you're there or thereabouts then you'll be absolutely fine. 😍