I had surgery on August 24, 2014.

It wasn't until about 2 months in that I started noticing way more hair in my comb after I wash my hair. And couple that with the feeling that my hair isn't as soft and luxurious as it used to be. Okay, I read about it, and was expecting it.

Now I'm starting to get concerned with the brittleness of the hair and the split ends as a result of dryness. Just not something I'm used to, nor do I want to get used to.

I am taking Biotin daily. 1000 mcg. What more can I do?

Next, starting this journey with in excess of 100 pounds to lose, I was told very seriously by my surgeon and his assistant that I would lose 40 pounds in the first two months. That definitely didn't happen. Yesterday, I weighed myself for the first time in about 7 weeks, and I was down only about 5 pounds since the previous time I weighed. And I've been sick for five days and am barely eating anything, so that five pounds could be the result of that. And now, 18 weeks post surgery, I am barely at 40 pounds lost since surgery. I've lost more weight than this without the added weight loss 'tool' of the vertical sleeve. And I'm frustrated. Very.

I am following the rules. Mostly. No, I'm not cheating. More than anything, I'm not getting enough in. I'm sure I'm not getting enough Protein in and I'm thinking I'm also not getting enough fat, either. But, I'm doing my best. I eat protein at each meal. I'm not eating flour, bread, Pasta, rice. I'm not even eating potatoes (not my favourite).

I can't over eat, the restriction won't let me. If I eat too much, it comes back. And too much is sometimes 3 tablespoons of food. If I eat too quick, it comes back. If I eat pasta, it feels yucky. Eating slow definitely feels the best. Fish is my friend, mild fish is best. Raw veg, which I love, take some getting used to in my tummy, so I'm eating cooked mostly.

So, my theory is, just based on quantity consumed alone, I should be registering weight loss. Oh, and I'm exercising, not like a fanatic, but at the gym in group fitness classes 4-5 times a week.

I know that I need to do what I can to help the weight loss along. I need to commit to the protein number. And that will mean going back to Protein shakes (gag) again. I am, for Breakfast, so I can get that out of the way. But there must be something else.

I read story after story of weight loss successes here, and want more than anything to add my own to the pile. I see others with surgery dates close to mine who have lost 60 pounds, 70, pounds, 90 pounds SINCE SURGERY. And I want to just keep losing.

I go for weeks and months without losing even a single pound. And I find it frustrating.

I can't undo the surgery, I can't change my mind. But I'm not feeling the love.

Thanks, everyone.

BarnGirlWK

@@BarnGirlWK, everyone's body is different. I had my surgery in August 2014 and have lost 41lbs. I maybe weird, but I am happy with the slow weight loss. I prefer not to deal with excess skin. What is your caloric intake? If you are not eating enough, the body will go into starvation mode and hold on to the fat for dear life . In addition, are you losing inches? I have gone from a size 20 dress to a size 12 dress. Also it is beneficial to do some strength training at the gym. Good luck!

@@Galaxy Girl and @@MichiganChic

Honestly, I'm not counting calories. At this 'initial' phase, I didn't think I needed to, nor have I been asked to.

I know I am not over-eating as I simply cannot eat much. Likely, the issue is the opposite. Not eating enough. And not drinking enough Water. And considering my activity levels, I'm sure this issue is exaggerated.

I am a regular exerciser, always have been. Got back to the gym as soon as I could after recovery from surgery. I take fitness classes 4-5 times a week. Twice a week, I am in classes for two hours. Twice a week, I am in class for one hour. Once a week is irregular and sporadic, depending on what else is going on in my life. My fitness classes are a healthy combination of cardio and intervals and weights.

Yes, I have noticed the difference in my clothing. Recently, so has everyone else. I think I've turned a corner in what my physical self looks like.

I realize that we are all different. And I want to be different, too. Someone who I met at the hospital that had surgery two days after me has lost 93 pounds (compared to my 41 pounds). I would be happy to meet in the middle and have had 65 gone by now. I have 100+ (total) to lose. I am serious about it and want it so bad and doing what I can.

I'm not really weighing and measuring. Again, I can barely eat anything and I'm full. I am eating Protein first. And vegetables. I am not eating any flour products. I am not eating 'junk foods'. I do eat an occasional Jelly Belly or Skittle (candy being my downfall), but that is not the main stay of my food intake.

Yes, I track my protein intake, but that's really all as it is of highest concern to me. And I am getting 18-25 g at Breakfast (with a shake). And I am getting 17 g when I add a Protein Bar. And then whatever meat, cheese, eggs I consume for lunch and dinner. I'm afraid I fall short. I renewed my commitment to at least one Protein shake a day to ensure regular protein intake. I don't love them. But I understand their value.

And I 'get' that eating more protein (and probably some more fat) will result in better losses and better hair and overall health. I'm a life-long dieter (been overweight since puberty) and am totally pissed off from the years and years of diets (especially Weight Watchers) that told me that 'fat makes you fat' and never said a word about sugar. So, when I had a small cheat, it was ALWAYS candy (ju jubes were my cheat of choice). Right there on the bag, it said "Fat free". And now I learn (and BELIEVE) fat hasn't been the enemy that sugar has been in my world. And it seriously pisses me off.

Yes, in some ways I'm okay with losing slowly and allowing my skin to adjust. But, come on! I haven't had a downward trend on the scale in close to 3 months.

I find it frustrating. I've lost way more weight than this without the tool of having had VSG surgery. And now, even with surgery, it isn't coming off.

As for water, I guess I also have been confused by the rules of drinking before, during, and after eating. I have a tea or two in the mornings, but don't seem to fill my water bottle until after noon. And I take and consume a full bottle of water (about 4 cups) during my fitness classes. And then, when I get home, because I am taking additional Biotin and Omega 3, I consume a little more water, and I take a glass of water to the bedroom with me. I don't always drink it all, but sometimes I do.

I am so grateful to everyone reaching out to help me through this frustrating no weight loss period. I appreciate your ideas and support so much. Keep it coming.

Just the basic calculation of calories in versus calories out should be affecting a significant weight loss. But it just isn't. I feel the restriction very very much, which I love, and am exercising, which I love. I just don't get why, oh, why, the weight isn't just falling off.

Thank you, again.

Calorie/protein tracking- give it a try. I know you're feeling restriction after a few ounces of food. It seems impossible that you can be eating too many calories. I had the same thought process. And, I WAS over eating. I think you're at about 5 months out, right? I was eating 800 calories or so then. I started to slack off on tracking at about 6 months and noticed the lack of weight loss at 8 months due to it. I use My Fitness Pal. It's free and very useful. And, if that still doesn't work, you'll at least have a food journal for your dietician to look at to see where you can make changes.

@@BarnGirlWK -If I could offer a suggestion. It sounds like you're burnt out on food journaling because of the counting calories aspect. I can't say I blame you. However the one thing I learned was that it's much more than calorie in calorie out as you seem to have discovered with the whole "fats are bad" deal.

I use MFP not so much to count calories as to keep better track of what I am eating. My NUT wants me to eat around 800 calories. I probably fluctuate somewhere around 675 - 875 and that varies depending on my day's activities. I look at the macros. So I can say with a certainty I've gotten in X mount of Protein. But also I'm looking for a healthy amount of sodium, sugars, fat and carbs. For my body I know even if I meet my protein if my sodium is too high, the scale won't move. Similarly if I don't get the right type of fats or carbs, scale is not budging. Even checking off how much Water I drink helps me make sure i'm getting it in.

One last tip; I find getting in the bulk of my protein between breakfast and lunch makes a difference for me. So 5 days a week I start my day with a protein shake using 1 scoop of Isopure unflavored Protein powder, ½ - whole cup of Fage 0% Greek yogurt. Then I add whatever natural flavorings I like. Sometimes fresh fruit, sometimes a bit of cacao powder, sometimes some chopped spinach. My Protein drinks clock in at roughly 30 - 38gms. That takes a lot of pressure off my eating for the rest of the day.

Edited January 25, 201511 yr by BLERDgirl

@@BarnGirlWK I can't begin to imagine why you haven't lost anything in so long. Generally, it is due to intake, but sometimes it could be due to other factors. I believe you when you say you are eating so little, and that you are following the rules.

One thing I learned that just shocked me, and explains why weight watchers didn't work very well for me, is that I have to eat less than 900 calories a day to lose. I couldn't do that before surgery, so no wonder I didn't lose. Another that I've learned since surgery is that it can add up in a big hurry. I can hit 1500 calories easily, and it can happen while following the rules. I wouldn't know unless I counted those calories, so for me, its useful information. I use my fitness pal, and I force myself to count everything. If I hadn't done that, I would have never known what it takes to lose, and I guarantee I would have been following the rules and not losing a pound. I'm not saying that is your case, but it's my best advice. There are some people who don't have to do this, but I think they are the minority. If you try it, you're not out anything, and then you'll know for sure. It's a way of ruling out one possible cause of stalled weight loss. Once that's ruled out, your doc can focus efforts to find other causes, such as medications or another sub-clinical issue.

I know you wrote a lot but to make this short i felt the same about the protein shakes and then i found the Atkins pre-made ones. There are many flavors but the Dark Chocolate is awesome it takes away the after taste completely. Try them. The more protein u take in the quicker you'll lose.

@@BarnGirlWK, I will give tracking a try. Due to all the exercises you do, I have a feeling you are probably not eating enough and thus the body is probably in starvation mode. Hope you figure something out.

Remember eating too few calories can also put you into a stall. The body will hold onto every calorie since it's doesn't know when more will come.

I wasn't an overeater. I was a disorganized eater. I could wake up at 8, get a cup of coffee around 10 and then not eat anything until 8 -9 pm easily. Then when I did eat it was typically some carb laden meal. Usually a plate of Pasta with some veg and a creme sauce. One of the first things I did when I started trying to get healthy nearly 4 years ago was begin to eat regularly and change the quality of food I ate.