Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hello. My name is Tessa and I am a newbie to BariatricPal.

My sleeve was 6/12/15. So I am currently 4 weeks post op.

Things were going great until I introduced soft foods this week. I'm up 5 pounds since my weigh in Thursday.

I don't understand. I'm eating SMALLER. Why am I gaining? I understand that eating and drinking to together will do that. I wait 20 minutes after drinking and wait 30 after eating to drink again.

Could it be the sodium? Not all of my food is low in sodium. I have been so hungry that I haven't cared to check.

Could it be sugar? I drink 98% Water but will have organic lemonade every once in a while.

Please help. I am having major regrets about this surgery. I didn't have it to still gain weight. It is so depressing.

Thanks,

Tessa

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Even though I'm banded Tessa, I'm responding because I can understand your concerns. Let me assure you that after introducing food after what I presume has so far been a liquid diet will absolutely cause a weight gain. Please remember that this is a lifetime change and gains and stalls are just part of it. You didn't gain the weight overnight and you won't lose it that way either.

You should pay attention to sodium and sugar as too much can cause weight gain. But some salt and sugar won't derail you. The only thing that will derail you is worrying about every loss and gain.

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the scale. Just pay attention to what you are eating. Choose wisely...protein first and watch the carbs, sugar, and sodium. Exercise. Move around. It will make you feel like you accomplished something and will improve your mood.

Pay attention to how your clothes fit and those non scale victories. Before you know it, you will notice that you are looking and feeling better. Take it from me...you'll get there. I was banded 2 1/2 years ago and my journey was also not linear. Yet, I still managed to lose an amazing amount of weight and have a normal life as well. Good luck and keep us posted on your status.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

  • There are several options for drinking stuff that isn't Water, but I would stay away from drinks with sugar in them. Try decaffeinated iced tea, crystal light, mio, true lemon, etc.
Could you be about to head into a menstrual cycle? That can seriously mess with the numbers on the scale. Just something to keep in mind as you go forward.I can't say that I've ever watched my sodium. I mainly focus on the Protein and carbs in my food. During the soft food stage it seemed like most of the foods they allowed did have a higher carb content (refried Beans, yogurt, etc.) than the foods in the shake stage or in the stages after it when you can start eating more straight meat and cheese. Are you tracking your food? My fitness pal (MFP) tracks all the important stuff for you when you enter in your foods. It can make it easier for you to see where things are going wrong (if anything is).I agree with the other post. It can take a little while for the your body to adjust and for the scale to show progress. Even if you stay off the scale, I would definitely start tracking if you haven't already just to get an idea of where you're at on a typical day with carbs, calories, and protein.Great job on drinking/eating separately!You'll do great, just give your body some time. You're also in that range of 2-4 weeks where the scale gets weird anyway.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Are you getting all of your liquids in? I have found that when I become laxed in getting 64 oz of Water in...I either stall or gain. Besure you are getting all of your liquid in and if possible more.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You are only 4 weeks out, and your body is still healing. Your weight will fluctuate in the beginning because your body is still trying to recover. I think by your sixth week, you will be fine. Just try to focus on Protein and Water, as they will be your best friend in this journey and your weight will fall. You're just going through the healing process unfortunately right now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

First off - BREATHE!!
Second - go give yourself a bit hug.

It's not uncommon to gain a little when you go from liquids to soft foods. Be sure you're getting in your liquids, be sure you're getting in your Protein, and be sure you're moving! Those three things are key components.

If you're still concerned, you might talk to your doctor or your nutritionist and they can give you some good insight on what's going on.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Tess White I agree with the other posters here, you shouldn't be drinking anything with sugar in it. This is lifestyle change, and this soon after surgery, you just can't go back to those old habits, and putting sugar into your body. It's going to make you gain.

Carbs=sugar and sugar makes us fat.

My best advice is....

Measure, weigh, count, and write EVERYTHING down you eat and drink.

You'll get a clear picture of where you are going right, and where you are going wrong.

I was told people who record and measure all their food, are more successful after wls. Exactly the reason I do it, and I know it's a pain, but it helps, and holds me accountable for everything that goes in my mouth.

Don't estimate your portions. That can make a difference between 1/4 Cup and 1/2 Cup. BIG difference in the numbers happens. Know how many Proteins, calories, and carbs you are putting into your body, and remember.

Protein first, then veggies. Carbs last. And you shouldn't have room for carbs, if you eat your Protein and veggies first.

If your issue is head hunger, that's something that needs to be worked out in therapy.

I wish you luck with everything.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do what the others here have suggested for a few weeks THEN get the scales out and weigh yourself. I know it's hard not to hop on and off the scales, but this may be one of the times that you need to. You have been through a huge operation and your body needs time to heal and 'sort itself out'. Drink, eat Protein and exercise. Oh and well done !!!

Hugs

Kate

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you so much everyone, for the wonderful encouragement. I feel a bit better.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Are you tracking and weighing food? I use my fitness pal. My surgery was June 8th so I am right around same stage. I am getting my Protein and fluids in and trying to limit my carbs. Not as low as some here. I usually am between 40 and 80 grams a day. I have been in a stall this week. Don't worry too much. I know that's hard not to do. I went up 2 pounds one day then went back down and then kept losing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×