I went to a follow-up with my doctor on Tuesday, just a few days into the "puree" stage of my post-op recovery diet. I expressed frustration at not having lost weight in the past week as I stepped on the scale (despite my head understanding all of the reasons why stalls happen, and knowing that the weight will come off eventually as I continue to do the right things). What shocked me, though, was the response from my doctor....

"I don't care about weight loss right now, it'll come off eventually!"

I absolutely LOVE my doctor and appreciate that he's more interested in me making a full recovery (it's been textbook so far) than in dropping pounds as of yet...his response made me recognize that my new "tool" isn't quite ready to do it's job yet. Clearly, the post-op diet is in place to help your stomach heal and to transition slowly through diet phases in order to re-acclimate your stomach to various foods in the world.

Just. Hard to wrap my "gut" around the fact that I'm not losing weight at this point, despite my head knowing what's going on.

I will say, though, that it makes me excited for things to come!

Anyone else had this type of response from their doctor? When did your brain reconcile with the rest of your body? I'm reminded, often, of the sentiment that "the weight didn't come ON overnight, and it will come off the same way."

What a great doctor and a great attitude on your part! According to your ticker, you've lost 13 lbs since surgery, right? Actually, I think that's great, and it's probably about average from what I've seen here. One thing I love about my surgeon is that he has never compared my weight loss to anyone else's or anyone's average. He just says great job. In fact, he hasn't even talked to me about what my goal weight should be. I'm thinking he will do that when I get closer. I cringe when people report a really good weight loss and mention they are discouraged bc their surgeon told them at a checkup that they should have lost 9 more pounds by now. UGH. Everyone's metabolism and body and rate of loss is different even with all else being equal (food/calories, protein, water, supplements, exercise). Keep up the great work! Your losses will come. It is amazing how they add up even if you don't lose as fast as some others right out of the gate.

That was the response I made to my doctor...considering I started my 10 day pre-op diet roughly 1 month ago, I've lost 23 pounds since then. 23 pounds in a month? I'll take it!

puff........................puff.............puff.......puff...puff..puff.puffpuffpuffpuff

The old steam engine trains and the sleeve: overcoming inertia and healing/transforming a body.

My doc said the same thing at my 2 week visit. Was encouraged by that as the right medical attitude. Now almost 8 weeks out and down 40 pounds total since starting 2 week preop diet. I'm totally happy with this pace. I have hit stalls and I'm sure I will again, but right now I'm in a steady 1/2 pound a day loss. The restriction is amazing and when your body is healed the weight will just drop off if you get your Protein and Water in.

Great to have such intelligent doctors/staff supporting us! Good luck.

You're lucky your Dr is so nice! Unfortunately, I have one of those that whips you to the goal line. I feel like it has more to do with his 'stats' than my health or progress. When I saw him at just shy of 4 weeks he said I was behind where I should be and needed to catch up! I had been feeling pretty good about my loss to that point, but after that I was pretty discouraged. He wants me to have lost 55 lbs by 90 days post-op. I went right home and put together a spreadsheet of where I have to be each week so I'll know how bad the next appt is going to be.

Some docs just don't have any bedside manner I guess...

What a healthy attitude that you and your Dr. have! Heal first, the rest will follow. Get on the right track as you go and the journey will be better. My Dr. and NUT have similar attitudes. They say the goal is not to get it all off in a short time, start and practice your lifelong eating habits now and give yourself the time to get to your goal. It's not about getting there in 4-6 months, it's about healing first, developing healthy eating habits and exercise. The weight will come off and your body will feel great!

Congrats, you will love your sleeve more each day that you heal!

I was sleeved June 10th, 17 days post op. I lost 14 pounds in the 1st 8 days. I have not lost a single pound since though. So an 8 day stall thus far. Saw my doc yesterday and told him that I can't wrap my brain around why I haven't lost a single pound since 8 days out. He had the same reaction as your doc. He said it will come, just be patient. My body is in shock and it'll start losing again when it's ready. So my husband hid the scale and I'm perfectly fine without it.

I was sleeved June 10th' date=' 17 days post op. I lost 14 pounds in the 1st 8 days. I have not lost a single pound since though. So an 8 day stall thus far. Saw my doc yesterday and told him that I can't wrap my brain around why I haven't lost a single pound since 8 days out. He had the same reaction as your doc. He said it will come, just be patient. My body is in shock and it'll start losing again when it's ready. So my husband hid the scale and I'm perfectly fine without it.[/quote']

I need to destroy my scale...hiding it won't do the trick!! Lol!!

I love your doctors response. He hit the nail on the head.....the early weeks are all about healing and adjusting.

I'm trying to get myself in to that mentality. I'm about 7-8 weeks out and I haven't lost much. I'm a slow loser. I lost 4.5lbs in my 2 week pre op diet. So total pounds lost including preop is 26. I mean I know its still good but I thought it would come off faster. But I really think I'm just so anxious to start seeing a big change. I'm gonna try giving up the scale.. but ill probably fail at that lol.

I was sleeved may 20th, and going for my 6wk f/u wednesday. I havent't lost like I thought I would but I'll take it. 25 lbs so far, hate the scale, had to stop getting on it everyday! I know i need to up my exercise and hope that would kick start the losing again! What is everyone eating?