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

First month weight loss/exhaustion/starting work



Recommended Posts

Hey All. I am three weeks and three days post op. I have lost 20 pounds and for the past three days I have stalled in my weight loss. Has anyone else had this experience?

Also, I am so exhausted I sleep 12-16 hours a day. I can't even imagine how some of you went back to work after a week or so. I'm terrified going back to work at six weeks. I'm so scared to go back to my old ways and not eat what I need. I work a very high stress job where I am not able to sit or take many breaks. Now I'm just ranting but it would be nice to hear some experiences. My doctor hasn't been of much help.

Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's one of the most common questions I've seen here...

Look for a thread called "Embrace the Stall"...

It will answer all of your questions...

Well, not all of them...

But it's got this one covered...

Well done!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Spend some time here...

Ask questions...

Out here or in PM...

The knowledge and experience around this site is invaluable...

Obviously, it's a lot of anecdotal advice and/or opinions...

But whatever you do, don't be afraid to ask...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Did you have your surgery on Jan 26th? If so, we are surgery sisters. Where did you have your surgery? Does your Dr not have a NUT on staff? My Dr gave us what he called our second Bible that described everything about the surgery, what the eating phases are when to get the labwork done etc. My PCP, Psych Dr and others were very impressed by the material my Dr provided.

I also lost 20 pounds in the first 11 days and have been stalled since Feb 6th. The thread mentioned above is a wonderful thread to read and will help you to understand what your body is going through. Please feel free to friend me and ask as many questions are you like.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I did! My doctor kinda sucks honestly. Maybe I'm just being pissy because I'm hating life but I get no help and have no idea who to talk to or go to for answers. You used a lot of abbreviations that I don't know. lol

I had it done through Bay Area Surgical. I'm suffering for the reputation of my surgeon... I picked an amazing surgeon he's just terrible with anything else.

Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal

At my 2 week post appointment he said "ok I'll see you in three months."

Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

All I can say is it gets better. The fatigue improves as you can get more calories and your body adjusts. Stalls are frustrating, but if you follow your protein/nutrition guidelines you will lose weight!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm 4 weeks post op today, surgery was January 21. I lost 18 pounds the first two weeks, then slowed to a crawl these last two weeks. Three pounds last week, two pounds this week. Still, down is down, but it feels like a stall by comparison.

My doctor performs a lot of sleeves and his office is very busy. When I see the doctor he is always very pleasant and thorough, and does not rush me out. On the other hand, if I have a question about something outside of my followup and I call the office, I usually get "You have a counselor and nutritionist, right? You should talk to them."

I have been more tired than usual, after work I find myself in front of the television or computer more than before, due to fatigue. I'm sure it will get better. I start soft foods today, so yay! Hopefully that means more energy.

I keep a food journal. Not an app, but a log I can actually write in, or scribble something that looks like words with a number next to it. I used to write in a journal, but I picked up the Biggest Loser spiral bound food journal and love it. It sits on my kitchen island and I fill it in at home. When I am out, I write what I eat on a piece of paper and stuff it in my pocket, then add it at home. That way I know what I am eating, and hold myself accountable. My nut recommended it, I have always done it when dieting, and I don't think I'll stop until I'm well into maintenance. I'm confident that as long as I am honest and keep a journal I will succeed.

These forums are helpful, and I keep going back to the stall post myself. I should probably print it and tape it to my desk.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I did! My doctor kinda sucks honestly. Maybe I'm just being pissy because I'm hating life but I get no help and have no idea who to talk to or go to for answers. You used a lot of abbreviations that I don't know. lol

I had it done through Bay Area Surgical. I'm suffering for the reputation of my surgeon... I picked an amazing surgeon he's just terrible with anything else.

Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal

At my 2 week post appointment he said "ok I'll see you in three months."

Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal

So sorry that your Dr and office aren't more helpful. I am a bit surprised you had a 2 week visit and was told see you in three months from now. You didn't mention if you had gotten any booklets from your Dr about what your suppose to eat and what lab work is suppose to be done and what Vitamins you should have? If your interested I would be willing to email with you and share what my Dr has me doing?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

These forums are freaking me out. I feel like nobody has gone through what I'm going through. Not helping my anxiety. I have had no word on any labs or Vitamins. He just looked at me and said ok you're clear to start solids. I'm almost a month out and am still eating liquids and mush. The most solid food I can stomach is refried Beans with a little avocado and the occasional ritz cracker that's chewed to death. I get horrible stomach cramps and pain if I eat anything more than that. So I'm freaking out about starting back at work and I don't have any control of my food. I don't sit at all at work and generally log in 10k steps a day. I work retail and I cannot be off the floor to eat every hour.. My boss would flip and send me back out on leave. I have a sheet of paper with some food items on it and a diet plan of what to eat and when. Nothing very detailed.

Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

These forums are freaking me out. I feel like nobody has gone through what I'm going through. Not helping my anxiety. I have had no word on any labs or Vitamins. He just looked at me and said ok you're clear to start solids. I'm almost a month out and am still eating liquids and mush. The most solid food I can stomach is refried Beans with a little avocado and the occasional ritz cracker that's chewed to death. I get horrible stomach cramps and pain if I eat anything more than that. So I'm freaking out about starting back at work and I don't have any control of my food. I don't sit at all at work and generally log in 10k steps a day. I work retail and I cannot be off the floor to eat every hour.. My boss would flip and send me back out on leave. I have a sheet of paper with some food items on it and a diet plan of what to eat and when. Nothing very detailed.

Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal

If you're thinking no one else had experienced what you are experiencing, your not reading enough here. Nothing sounds abnormal about what you're going through. Did you have labs drawn? If so review the result yourself, it's pretty easy to see if your numbers are in range, low or high. See anything concerning, ask your doc specifically since he didn't bring it up. Or ask here. If no lab were drawn, ask for them to be, if he days no, go to your pcp and see if they will order them for you. Take control of your healthcare, don't wait for the doc to direct you.

All because your doc said move to solids, doesn't mean you're ready. Progress through stages as you can tolerate them, but you have to try and incorporate solids. Can you keep a Protein shake with you on the floor at work? Drink that through the day and use your lunch/ breaks to try and get in a small amount if solid foods. And it sounds like you need to expand your diet a little. Early in my favorites were: Turkey meatball, mashed, in sauce with ricotta. Corned beef hash/ scrambled egg. sugar free puddings, Soups, etc.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm calling on Monday. I was freaked out at another post of all these people going back to work after a week or two and yet I'm still here at four weeks feeling like crap. Lol

As far as work, no I cannot have anything on the floor not even Water. Plus its just too busy and there's constantly something going on. As far as food goes I get really sharp pains if I try different things. I thought the world was coming to an end when I had a bite of salmon. I found a new Soup that is good that's about it. I need to give my stomach a break from trying new things.

Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry, not much of a boss not to allow you a little consideration of trying to have a water bottle to sip on or a snack every hour or two. Your body will be changing and you may be getting upset

stomach / diarhea, to deal with. I pride you in wanting to go to work and hopefully work will

show you the respect you need to have a good working environment. Your Company is lucky to have an employee as you trying to get in better health and coming to work as you are adapting to the

changes! Good luck to you and I hope work wakes up and appreciates you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Re the exhaustion - I found for me personally on the days I did not get my Protein in and my Water, I felt very tired and lethargic. As soon as I upped my protein intake again and or the water I immediately felt better. If that doesn't work though make sure to discuss with your doctor

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

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 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

    ×