I had my surgery Jan 14, 2014. I was down 23lbs with the pre-op diet, but I currently weigh 5lbs more now then I did the day of surgery. I know I have been having a hard time getting my Protein in. I started my pureed foods today and was full after only 3 bites of cream of wheat. I am just concerned I am not losing anything yet. Did I do all of this for nothing? Is it common to be up weight following surgery? Anybody else dealing with the same thing? Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

I am also 5 days out! Congrats to you! I've noticed the same thing. I just attributed it to swelling from the surgery. But if anyone else has any better explanation for it I'm all ears!

This is totally normal. I think most everyone gained the first week. it's because they pump you full of fluids during the surgery. don't worry it will all fall off plus much more. I gained about 8 pounds the week of surgery, but then I lost that plus 15 more in the first month.

Yep, I didn't weigh myself till a week out and I was 5 pounds up. I've netted a total loss of 6 pounds at 3 weeks post op. Not a big deal. We are healing and the weight WILL come off. Just be patient, this isn't a race. I didn't start puréed food until 18 days out and could barely eat 1-2 tablespoons of anything even that far out.

I also gained during my first week, then starting losing about a pound a day. Hang in there!!! It will definitly be worth it!!

I can't start pureed foods until day 22! I am totally surprised that your doctor is allowing you to start them so early!!!

I was surprised at the puréed food so early, too, but every surgeon is different. You said you are having a hard time getting protein in (which is very common in the beginning). So I would concentrate on fluids and protein first before you start worrying about trying to eat cream of wheat. My nut also strongly recommended yogurt as early as possible to help replace normal GI flora, so I started drinkable yogurt at day 4. But you can progress as slowly as you need to. I was cleared for soft food 2 days ago, but haven't ventured there, yet.

I am day 5 too, and gained 5 pounds in hospital. My MD said they over-hydrate us with IV fluids so we have extra fluids in our system when we get home. That makes us less likely to get dehydrated and end up in the the ER. He said it is like watering a camel before a long trip across the desert. So - it's just water not fat!

Edited January 19, 201412 yr by Schmincke

Thank you everybody for the great support. I figured it had a lot to do with the IV Fluid just wasn't for sure if anybody else experienced the same thing. As far as starting the pureed food, I have strictly been on Clear liquids and Protein shakes until this point. My Dr. has you do nothing the day of surgery then start clear liquids and Protein Shakes from day 1-day 4 and pureed/full liquid foods from day 5-22. Until today, I wasn't even allowed to have yogurt which I'm sure is why I was having such a difficult time getting my protein in. With pureed foods, at least I can get protein from food sources as well as shakes which is what my Dr prefers. So choosing cream of wheat was a way of having some protein through a food source. It is crazy though how different Dr's view's can be. Even from my Dr and her partner there were differences so I expect us all to have a different journey as far as when to introduce stages of food. It is great to hear that I am not alone in not losing so quickly. I had just been reading different posts where people were talking about losing 12lbs and such the first week and I was feeling like perhaps I was doing something wrong. Once again, thanks so much for the great support and input!

This is super normal Its from all the fluids and gas that they have pumped into you. after my appendix surgery in sept I had gained 10 pounds. which I lost that plus 12 more pounds from complications. Just give it another week or two. It should come off in the next week but everyone is different.

I had surgery on the same day 1-14-14 and my doctor told me to start puréed foods also! My husband thought that this was wrong, but now I feel better knowing that I am not the only one! I also have gained weight and was just telling my husband that I am going to be the only person in the world that gets sleeved and gains weight! I have so many questions about everything and thought that I had all the info that I needed to make it through this first week and now I am not sure! I feel like I am going to fail!

I am having surgery on Wednesday and I was told clears for 7 days then I do all food as I feel my body can handle it. His words were " God gave you teeth for a reason".

I am on anything the texture of stage 1 baby food. It's day 5. I had 1/4 cup of cream of wheat with Splenda for breakfast; this AM I had a cup of tea and a protein raspberry smoothie with almond milk and benefiber. Lunch was a full cup of tomato/roasted red pepper soup. A big vitamin water this afternoon. Feel comfortably full at 368 calories, 44 gm protein, 50 oz fluid - and still supper ahead. Lost 2.5 pounds fat and 5 pounds water since Thursday release from hospital.

There's so much stuff going on with your body, I wouldn't weigh.

Right now, focus on your recovery - working on your fluids and Protein and to your doctor's plan.

Your body is just trying to figure out what you just did to it!

You got this - you're going to be fine.

I dealt with this too. You're not alone and remember...everyone's body is different. Its easy to go through these threads and look at others' stats and make comparisons, but that's just not being fair to yourself. Plus, your surgery was very recent...give yourself some time to heal and follow doctor's instructions to a T. Measure and journal everything you're eating/drinking so if for some reason you don't see results sooner than later you'll have a record to show to your doctor. I struggle with patience myself. I had hoped to lose more on the pre-op liquid diet than I did, but I just didn't. I just had to get to acceptance and move on - no other choice. You'll get there.

Patience ... You have an excellent point and something I need to foster in myself. It has taken me decades to get here.