Losing Fast Enough? & Other Questions

[Andre Garcia 3]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post. I had surgery on 11/14/16 and have wondered if my weight is coming down fast enough, and if not, how I could increase the amount of weight loss or should have concerns. I know that losing weight more slowly could give my skin a better chance of keeping up with my changing body, but I can't help but wonder if I am doing something wrong. I already know I can increase my Water intake (getting 32-64oz water per day). I'm in my 3rd stall and noticed it happened when I started eating "regular" food again (after the puree phase). The stalls drive me nuts, especially since they seem to be lasting from 3-7 days.

At six weeks post-op, I am at 303.2 pounds, down from a day-of-surgery weight of 334, or an average weight loss of 5.13 pounds per week. I have read using multiple sources that weight loss varies between 5 to 15 pounds per week. I am wondering: what is the difference between those that lose 5 pounds per week versus those that lose 15 pounds per week? If your rate of loss is faster than mine, what are you eating, how much water are you getting per day, how much are you really exercising per day/week, and do you have any other medical factors that might be contributing to your faster weight loss?

Also, I have a few other questions:

• At this phase of my diet, I'm supposed to be eating 3 meals a day and not drinking Protein Shakes anymore. Is anyone out there still relying on shakes to get the additional Protein? I feel like 3 meals a day doesn't give me the minimum 60 grams of protein I'm supposed to have per day. Also, I have started weight lifting and believe I need more protein than my diet specifies.
• I noticed I had a tough time with ham, barbecue pork, and asparagus...I get a tight feeling in my pouch even if I chew these down to nothing. Is the pain I feel really the food trying to pass into my small intestine? Seems like some foods like greek yogurt go down really easily while others, no matter how much you chew, cause discomfort. Knock on wood: nothing has made me throw up yet, but at times I feel a little sick when I haven't eaten in a while.
• I have not experienced dumping syndrome yet. I am wondering if the daily probiotic I am taking is helping reduce the risk of adverse effects. Are you taking a probiotic? Have you noticed any benefits?

Sorry everyone...I know this is a long post, but since it's my first, I have so much on my mind.

Thank you,

Andre

[catwoman7 10,881]

everyone loses at different rates depending on a lot of factors - age, gender, starting weight, metabolism, whether or not they lost a lot of weight before surgery, etc. It's pointless to compare yourself to others. As long as you stick to your plan, you will lose - whether fast or slow.

that being said, 30 lbs in six weeks is on the high end of the range. Even though you're going to see some people drop 30 lbs the first month, be aware that the average range is more like 15-25. You're on the high end of that. I was a slow loser (I dropped 16 lbs the first month, and seemed to be behind the curve for the first six months or so), but I've lost 223 lbs - 100% of my excess weight. So being fast or slow at the beginning has no bearing on how much you'll ultimately lose. Working hard and being committed to your plan *does* make a difference.

Not everyone dumps. The number I see thrown around a lot on these boards is that 30% of RNY'ers dump. I don't know if there's any scientific research behind that, but suffice it to say, not everyone dumps. I don't.

I still drink a Protein Shake every day at 19 months out, because if I don't my pre-albumin levels tank. Lots of people drink them the first few months or even the first year. Surgeons have different opinions about this. But I, for one, need the extra Protein, and it's hard for me to get my requirement (at least 100 grams a day) through food alone.

Food tolerance - it sometimes can take awhile. At about six months out, you'll probably be able to eat just about anything, but until then, it's trial and error. Sometimes something won't sit well, but then a couple of weeks later, it suddenly will. So just keep trying.

Edited December 29, 2016 by catwoman7

[DeletedMember 715]

Not sure of your sources, but I believe 5lbs a week is on the extremely fast end of weight loss. 15lbs a week will never be sustainable. People may have a single week where they lose 15 (MAYBE!?!), but no one is losing 60+lbs a months on average. From what I have seen on these forums, people tend to lose 10-20lbs a month the first few months, then it slows. Starting weight/BMI, gender and genetics have a lot to do with it, and it sounds like you are losing very fast. Follow you plan and you will continue to lose weight - hit your Protein and Water targets.

Many people use shakes for months or years, but check with your doc/NUT for your plan.

Yes, some foods will go down better than others - you will most likely experience this for months or years. Not only that, but things that are fine one day will probably not be another day - and this is all very personal. Some people struggle with eggs, some with fish, some with beef, others have no issues at all. It's a continual learning process.

Dumping syndrome only affect somewhere around 30% of bypass patients from my recollection (if it's not 30%, it is definitely a minority). For many of those individuals, it lessens or goes away over time. For some it never goes away. I've never read anything that says Probiotics lessen the effects of dumping syndrome. However, if you are following your plan, and avoiding sugar, you should not be dumping as sugar is the main culprit (meals high and fat I believe can also cause it in some people).

[DeletedMember 715]

@@catwoman7 and I must have hit post at almost the exact same time, and said almost exactly the same thing! Ha.

[whit110 10]

This is informative, thanks guys. I am 4-5 months out and I haven't seemed to lose a pound in over a month. It is very frustrating! I got my Protein goals, but sometimes fall a little short on Water. But I am not sure if it is just slow coming off or I am doing something wrong.

Sent from my XT1080 using the BariatricPal App

[catwoman7 10,881]

This is informative, thanks guys. I am 4-5 months out and I haven't seemed to lose a pound in over a month. It is very frustrating! I got my Protein goals, but sometimes fall a little short on Water. But I am not sure if it is just slow coming off or I am doing something wrong.

Sent from my XT1080 using the BariatricPal App

hi Whit -

it could just be a long stall, but if you're not weighing/measuring and logging things, do it for a few days just to make sure you're still OK. I actually have to do that all the time because I know I'm very susceptible to "portion creep". If your eating is still OK, you're probably just in a long stall.

[Travelher 915]

I suggest you check out dr. Matthew Weiners videos on YouTube. He has a lot of information on a variety of topics including rates of weight loss. I lost about 16lbs month one, 14 month 2 so you are losing quickly.

Why do you think you should be dumping? Are you eating foods off plan? I still have not tried high sugar/ carb foods so don't know if they would make me dump. But drinking my shake too quickly has.

Edited December 30, 2016 by Travelher