Maybe it's because I feel so down and discouraged. I have posted about this before, but I will be 4 wks out tomorrow and I lost 20 pounds the first 2 weeks and since then...NOTHIING..NADA.. it's really starting to depress me.

I've been noticing I'm grazing a bit...and I do feel actual hunger after my 3 main little meals. And it is making me nuts. I keep thinking, is my body not EVER going to go below 240?? HOw depressing that I've had 80 percent of my stomach removed and still am not losing. I just want to cry. I know I need to stop this snacking/grazing before it becomes a bad habit. Any advice?

Try the 5 day pouch test to help get rid of the snacking or carb monster if you are having that problem as well. Best to nip the snacking in the bud now!

Maybe it's because I feel so down and discouraged. I have posted about this before, but I will be 4 wks out tomorrow and I lost 20 pounds the first 2 weeks and since then...NOTHIING..NADA.. it's really starting to depress me.

I've been noticing I'm grazing a bit...and I do feel actual hunger after my 3 main little meals. And it is making me nuts. I keep thinking, is my body not EVER going to go below 240?? HOw depressing that I've had 80 percent of my stomach removed and still am not losing. I just want to cry. I know I need to stop this snacking/grazing before it becomes a bad habit. Any advice?

HIEE!

I am in your exact situation

I lost 26 lbs post surgery getting me to 236, but Ive been stuck there for the past 2 weeks. I lowered my cal intake from 800 a day to 600 a day a few days ago, dropped 2 lbs since, but I was expecting a bit more. BUT like Im reading on countless posts, stalls are common at this time, and the weight loss will continue!! Logically, there is no way that we can be eating what we are and not lose, so just hang in there, we'll get through it!

As for the grazing, I had the same problem and really had to take control of that. I log my food meticulously, and make sure I always know where Im at calorie wise. If I absolutely feel the need to eat and Ive hit my 600 cals, which usually happens at night, its ONLY Jello, which does make me feel full after 6-8 oz and it helps w Fluid intake. Also, Ive heard from many people that sometimes when you are feeling hungry just increase fluids and it will help. Ive been doing that the past few days and it DOES. I dont know how many cals you are on a day, Im hearing anywhere from 500 to 800 a day is normal, but if you are feeling hungry and want to eat, it probably wouldnt hurt to just have a piece of low fat string cheese or maybe a tbsp of Peanut Butter in there. I am definitely a snacker, but as long as its good for me and within my cal limit then I don't feel bad at all.

Good luck!

I am sorry you are struggling. Hang in there! Do you have a Nutritionist? Is your surgeon helpful? If you do not loss weight with in the next few weeks maybe you can see a theripist that specializes in this area. It may help to talk to someone face to face about how you feel.

Stalls ARE common. There are things you can do to help.

• DO NOT weigh yourself every day, do it once a week. You won't get as discouraged with the ups and downs.
• DO NOT set your expectations so high, 2 pounds a week will be 110 pounds a YEAR - look to the long term
• CAREFULLY count your calories - inspect labels CAREFULLY, an old trick is to declare ridiculously small portions. That can or pouch that you eat in one sitting? It may be listed as TWO SERVINGS on the label, you therefore need to count TWICE the calories when figuring your intake.
• DO NOT limit your Water intake in an attempt to lose "water weight" , remain hydrated. It is very unlikely that you are drinking too much water.
• REMAIN ACTIVE, walking is the BEST exercise post surgery.
• WATCH THE "GRAZING", while most NUTs / Docs recommend 3 meals plus Snacks the snacks need to be lower calorie and not equal to a full meal. Avoid high fat, high sugar snacks.
• CONCENTRATE on Protein. Your intake is limited, you therefor need to get the best nutrition in FIRST, then carbs / sugars if there is room left.
• BE PATIENT - you body is a wonderful thing, when faced with this rapid decline in caloric input it does many things to "lean out the throttle" and use just the energy that it is taking in rather than the fat stores it has so carefully stored away for years. It can only do this for so long then it is forced to start burning fat. Stick with it, it works.
• DID I SAY to stick with it? Yep I already did. If you're like the most typical of us here on the VSG forum you've tried and failed at many a diet. This is NOT a diet it is a physical block to drive down your caloric intake. DON'T GIVE UP, again, stick with it, it'll work.

I can't really do the 5 day pouch test yet...except for the liquid part. Which I think I am going to do (go on liquids for a couple days). I am still only on purees anyway. Not supposed to move to soft foods until this Thursday.

Try the 5 day pouch test to help get rid of the snacking or carb monster if you are having that problem as well. Best to nip the snacking in the bud now!

Thanks, glad to know I'm not alone..althought I actually GAINED a pound today! AF is supposed to be coming soon so I'm hoping that's why.

Yeah, my calories have only been between 300-500 I have a hard time getting any more than that. Perhaps I'm not getting enough fluids either though.

HIEE!

I am in your exact situation

I lost 26 lbs post surgery getting me to 236, but Ive been stuck there for the past 2 weeks. I lowered my cal intake from 800 a day to 600 a day a few days ago, dropped 2 lbs since, but I was expecting a bit more. BUT like Im reading on countless posts, stalls are common at this time, and the weight loss will continue!! Logically, there is no way that we can be eating what we are and not lose, so just hang in there, we'll get through it!

As for the grazing, I had the same problem and really had to take control of that. I log my food meticulously, and make sure I always know where Im at calorie wise. If I absolutely feel the need to eat and Ive hit my 600 cals, which usually happens at night, its ONLY Jello, which does make me feel full after 6-8 oz and it helps w Fluid intake. Also, Ive heard from many people that sometimes when you are feeling hungry just increase fluids and it will help. Ive been doing that the past few days and it DOES. I dont know how many cals you are on a day, Im hearing anywhere from 500 to 800 a day is normal, but if you are feeling hungry and want to eat, it probably wouldnt hurt to just have a piece of low fat string cheese or maybe a tbsp of Peanut Butter in there. I am definitely a snacker, but as long as its good for me and within my cal limit then I don't feel bad at all.

Good luck!

I noticed the reason I was going into stalls was because I wasn't eating enough. I'd eat lightly for a week, go into a stall, eat more, get out of the stall, eat lightly... back into a stall!! So, I got fed up, and just started eating a little more than I was.. and well I haven't been in a stall since. Ive been losing about a pound a day, and i'm fine with that. Also weight training helps too. As far as protein goes, I only take it in after my work outs.. When I eat i'll try to reach for protein rich foods, but I know i'm not getting in the recommended amount... and I haven't lost all my hair yet- lets hope it stays this way, lol!!

Thank you everyone for the great advice. I am just nervous too because I go into my surgeon and Nut on Thurs for my 1 mo checkup and I'm so scared they are gonna be disappointed in my weight loss. I feel bad enough already!

Kindra - Just keep following your plan. Stalls are the pits and I felt just like you when they happened. But, you will get through it.

And, if your surgeon and nut are "disappointed" tell them that you have been following plan, you are hungry between meals and work with them to see what's going on. You paid them to help you with this journey - work with them.

Keep your chin up! 20 pounds in 4 weeks is terrific!!!!!