I was sleeved 6/22/16.

The first week I lost 3 pounds (okay, I thought, not great but maybe I'm still full of IV fluids).

The second week I lost 3 pounds. (Okay, I thought, at least I'm losing SOMETHING.)

The third week I really upped my exercise, hiking 4-7 miles per days. I lost 5 pounds. (I thought it would be more.)

The fourth week I lost one pound.

The fifth week I lost zero pounds.

I'm in the sixth week now and have lost zero pounds.

Other than the first couple of post-op days, I'm getting in ~125g protein per day (spread across 5 meals), very low carb, between 800 and 1200 calories. (800 was when I was losing those first 3 weeks.) Plenty of cardio, rotating among different activities (biking, hiking etc). Started up weight training. Mostly hitting my water goal.

Yet I'm not losing weight (or sizes). And I'm huuuungry, especially shortly after shakes or soft meals. A little weak and a lot cranky. Basically this feels like the same old diet I always do.

I'm emailed my clinic and they say a stall is normal, they are "pretty sure I'll lose weight by three months out," etc. But everyone in my support group, even the lower-BMIers, are dropping almost a pound per day. Versus me; I've lost only 12 pounds in almost 6 weeks.

Help. This is the most expensive diet I've ever done - I am self-pay - and it is one of the least successful so far. (In the month BEFORE my surgery, I lost 21 pounds. Yet with a sleeve, in even more time, I've lost only 12.)

@@Seastars i eat fruit but just not at night and i would go full fat on your cheeses and everything tbh. this is what worked for me. have bacon and steaks and all that. just to get it moving again. you'll find what works for you i'm sure you're on the right track! keep it up

Edited August 1, 201610 yr by pr_pitbullgrl

Question: Are you serious about having expected "magic" or is that a jest?

Of course that's a jest. But I didn't think I would have to go nuts with cardio, or feel (and ignore) hunger pangs, in order to lose. I thought it would be easier and more successful than other diets I'd tried.

You'll find that quite a few people expect magic despite being told it doesn't work that way. They tend to hear or know only what they choose even when no one ever spoke of it. I'm glad you're not one of them.

If you do cardio and strength training, in that order, they will help the weight loss along. They'll be good in many other ways, too.

@@Seastars i eat fruit but just not at night and i would go full fat on your cheeses and everything tbh. this is what worked for me. have bacon and steaks and all that. just to get it moving again. you'll find what works for you i'm sure you're on the right track! keep it up

At 6 weeks out - I'd be careful with having steak and bacon.

@@Seastars i eat fruit but just not at night and i would go full fat on your cheeses and everything tbh. this is what worked for me. have bacon and steaks and all that. just to get it moving again. you'll find what works for you i'm sure you're on the right track! keep it up

At 6 weeks out - I'd be careful with having steak and bacon.

I was cleared for all foods at 4 weeks - and then tip toed into trying different things. Was a relief that steak didn't upset my tummy at about the six week mark - but we are all different and the healing process varies.

@@Djmohr I was feeling defeated today and then came across your thoughtful response and advice for @seastars. It made good sense and I am glad I came across it. Thanks!

@@Seastars

I think you are doing a tremendous job and I tend to agree with your nut given everything that you have told us. Honestly the best thing you can do is get off the scale and continue your plan but ask about reflux because that really could be having an impact your feeling of hunger.

I commend you on your exercise routine. I am unfortunately disabled and yet I try hard to swim, walk and do PT exercises. I am young, only 53 but have severe arthritis of the spine. I have so much energy after losing all of my weight that I seriously want to get back to my hour cardio routine per day. Unfortuntely my back just wont let me......the good news about all of this is this increased energy and want to do more.

I am hoping and praying that with time this nerve pain from my previous back surgery will go away sooner vs. later.

I tell you all this because I swear I would love to be right next to you exercising.

You are going to do great! I know it based on your eating and exercise routine. You just have to be patient and let it happen for you.

All that exercise should help with lose skin too. I have lost 151lbs and I look like a sharpei dog! LOL all except for my arms which I had Brachioplasty 2 1/2 weeks ago and my cute little muscular arms look fabulous although still a bit swollen and bruised.

Ooh she's right. I don't know y I thought u were six months out not six weeks. She's right I couldn't eat steak for a long time.

Thank you so much, guys. Your encouragement and advice means a lot.

I was able to eat steak (beef tenderloin only) at 3 months but I had to be very careful about chewing. Even ground beef took a long time but now I have no problem. Pork for me has always been a problem, I still struggle but will eat pork tenderloin or sometimes pulled pork if it is not too dry.

chicken and fish from the beginning, shrimp I had a hard time with for quite a while. I want to say somewhere around 4 or 5 months post op.

And eggs, I still cannot do.

So many great responses, especially those reminding you that it may take a bit to find the best approach for you and for your body to kick into weight loss gear. A couple of suggestions.

1. Try planning your meals primarily solid Protein and vegetables. Eat slowly and chew your food really well. Enjoy Water a half hour before and an hour after meals, but eat your meals pretty dry. The sleeve is a restrictive surgery and liquids may not be giving you the sensation of fullness you're looking for to feel satisfied.

2. Aim for 1000 calories of carefully planned meals, protein and vegetables, only small amounts of complex carbs or fruit to start. Avoid liquid calories unless you can only manage a shake in a hurry.

3. Physical activity is really healthy and almost essential for maintenance, but it has a limited effect for weight loss. The focus should be on the food you eat. It's not necessary to exercise 3 hours a day or push yourself to the limit. If you do that to the extreme, you're body may think you're starving and go into high gear to hold on to your weight.

4. Trust your body and the process. You'll learn what works for you. Sometimes it just takes a bit longer to figure it out. Take care. Dr. Gail

I was able to eat steak (beef tenderloin only) at 3 months but I had to be very careful about chewing. Even ground beef took a long time but now I have no problem. Pork for me has always been a problem, I still struggle but will eat pork tenderloin or sometimes pulled pork if it is not too dry.

chicken and fish from the beginning, shrimp I had a hard time with for quite a while. I want to say somewhere around 4 or 5 months post op.

And eggs, I still cannot do.

i eat eggs like they're going out of style lol.

@@pr_pitbullgrl

I wish I could I miss them. I used to love poached eggs the best and ate them almost every morning for Breakfast. Now, I gag and they weigh really heavy in my stomach. I keep trying thinking maybe but the answer is always no way!

That important to understand too. Just because something don't work today doesn't mean it won't tomorrow so if there is a food you want to eat keep trying. I had a heck of a time with raw salad vegetables especially lettuce. It was nearly 6 months before I could tolerate them.

There are also times when a food doesn't bother me and then the next week it doesn't work.

it must be really frustrating for you. I wonder if 1200 cal is a tad too much? I also thought maybe ( and I really have no idea so this is just a thought) that does losing the 21 pounds prior have anything to do with it as in could your metabolism have dropped possibly?

I suppose though that most sleevers and banders would lose quite a bit prior because of the shake diets?

I like these tips! Dr. Gail, I do think I'm over-relying on shakes. I still have at least 2 per day. (Pre-surgery, I was similarly reliant on Protein bars - at least one per day.).

Pre-surgery I was mostly vegetarian, with some low-fat dairy, eggs and fish a couple of times a week. I ate a LOT of legumes and whole grains, and some nuts, for my protein. Unfortunately, those are high in carbs (part of why I got obese) so I've had to cut them out except as a treat. Fish is my main "solid" protein source now, at least once per day. I try to eat chicken and turkey but am getting a little burned out on it. Ditto cottage cheese. So all that is to say: (1) my body may be adjusting to a new, low-Fiber part of dieting along with the low-carb part. (2) since I'm still relying on shakes to meet my protein goals, I might not feel as satisfied - mentally at least. Maybe adding more fat will help.

What are some good,non-red-meat fat sources? I do get some from oily fish. I have my 2% cottage cheese (higher fat, harder cheeses are not tolerated now). I could add more eggs. I used to (pre surgery) have ground flaxseed and olive oil on popcorn - nearly every day - but I know popcorn is out for sleeve patients, and nuts and hummus have too many carbs. I had a little avocado yesterday. I haven't reacted well to salad dressing, so that's out.

No offense to you and your surgeon's handout, but I need to follow my specific medical provider (dietician's) rules for me in particular. She wants me at minimum 800 but better 1000-1200 calories. She wants 100g (better 125g) Protein given my particular muscle mass, and spread across 5 meals. 125g x 4cal/g is 500 cals just for protein; add in some legumes or the fat in canned fish and I'm at 800 cals easily - without any junk or refined carbs.

I wonder if the post-op program that you are following might be in part the cause of your slow weight loss. You are eating FIVE MEALS a day. You are consuming 1200 calories a day. [At 8 weeks into the program, I was consuming about half of that amount or less.]

When I look over the directions for patients with gastric sleeve from my surgeon, it reads:

Three 2 ounce full liquid meals for the first four weeks.

Drink 64-80 ounces of Water or low calorie liquids daily.

75-90 grams of protein is required following surgery.

Off hand I think you are consuming too many calories per day even with your extensive exercise program. When I was young, I decided to lose some weight by upping my exercise routine. Over a few weeks I built myself up to 10 miles of walking per day. But instead of losing weight I gained weight. I was replacing my fat cells with muscles and muscles weigh more.

The above poster that you replied to is only giving you a reason why you might not be losing enough weight. Not all doctors are 100% right. You asked us why you're having a stall, and taking in so many calories might be the reason. 1200 calories was the amount of calories I would have to take in to lose weight WITHOUT the gastric sleeve. That's to keep me from starving since my stomach is big. The point of having the sleeve is to shrink your stomach in order to be able to handle a low calorie diet (i.e. 500-800 calories). Most gastric sleeves are performed in a way that only allows you to hold a 4 oz meal. If you feel that your dietician is doing the right thing, then go for it. But remember, you asked us why you're having a stall. We are giving our opinion.