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

Recommended Posts

Hello,

The therapist told me he's never met a patient that regretted having the surgery--I may!

I had a sleeve Feb 23. I've had a hard time transitioning to soft foods, so am doing a a combo of liquid and some soft food (scrambled eggs, etc.). I'm having fewer then 1,000 calories/day (around 800).

I lost weight on the pre-surgical liquid diet and a little bit the 1st week when I ONLY had calorie free Vitamin Water the whole week because I couldn't tolerate even thin liquids. Since then, I've only lost ONE POUND.

I'm more hungry than I was pre-surgery, I don't eat large amounts, I never fever feel full when eating, I start sweating and get lightheaded when eating (dumping syndrome without the bowel movements), and I end up belching until I vomit if it's anything more than the Protein Shake.

Any advice? Am I doing something wrong?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

800-1000 calories seems high for less than a month out from surgery, but I'm no expert on that. How many grams of Protein are you getting in that 800 calories?

How much are you exercising and what sort of exercising are you doing?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Are you working out at this time? I am asking because that is a large number of calories to be intaking less than a month out. I was only at about 400 around that time.

Also, what type of foods are you eating? Protein-rich foods tend to be low in calories. It sounds like you are either not tracking your meals properly or weighing them to know how much you are eating.

It could also be a stall. That can happen.

Edited by Sleeve1stFitNext

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm having the same problem. I had my sleeve Feb. 26th. I initially lost 13 pounds (plus 10 on the pre-op diet), and the scale hasn't moved in 2 weeks. I've had a lot of complications (severe diarrhea, bad dehydration, and now I have a bladder infection most likely from the stupid catheter they insisted I have, so the antibiotic is causing diarrhea again). My blood pressure has also been low so my surgeon had me come off my BP meds and one was a diuretic. I was thinking I was retaining Water and that's why the scale hadn't budged, but when I was I needed the ER on Friday, trying to determine why I wasn't peeing anymore, the ER doc said I wasn't retaining water.

i can't get the shakes down without being in severe pain so I know I'm not getting in enough calories or protein- maybe 300 calories a day. So why am I not losing?

I'm sorry you're going through this too, Voltar0. You're not alone. It sucks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

37 minutes ago, Sleeve1stFitNext said:

Are you working out at this time? I am asking because that is a large number of calories to be intaking less than a month out. I was only at about 400 around that time.

Also, what type of foods are you eating? Protein-rich foods tend to be low in calories. It sounds like you are either not tracking your meals properly or weighing them to know how much you are eating.

It could also be a stall. That can happen.

Let me start by saying that I was told to have this surgery because of autoimmune medical issues and side effects of steroids NOT that I was an overeater. The whole journey to approval was doctors saying that this is hormonal and less so a result of behavior. I gained 40 pounds on 2 weight loss medications.

I'm not really eating meals or solid or pureed foods. My post op plan says to consume 3 Protein shakes/day and I usually only get one. I don't usually get 800 because I can't tolerate anything. I'm vegetarian and am making an effort to eat mostly protein with low calorie/fats.

Pre-op I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks on a liquid diet of fewer than 800 calories. AND I WAS NEVER HUNGRY--EVER! Now I dread eating and never feel that full feeling--just sick. I feel more hunger now. I feel better when I don't eat, so I hardly ever do.

I was told only walking. No other exercise is allowed. I walk a lot since I live in NYC. I still have severe pain in my umbilical incision with certain movements.

So, I actually don't eat 800 calories/day, however, that is extremely calorie restricted and should result in weight loss even without the surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

25 minutes ago, Arabian78 said:

I'm having the same problem. I had my sleeve Feb. 26th. I initially lost 13 pounds (plus 10 on the pre-op diet), and the scale hasn't moved in 2 weeks. I've had a lot of complications (severe diarrhea, bad dehydration, and now I have a bladder infection most likely from the stupid catheter they insisted I have, so the antibiotic is causing diarrhea again). My blood pressure has also been low so my surgeon had me come off my BP meds and one was a diuretic. I was thinking I was retaining Water and that's why the scale hadn't budged, but when I was I needed the ER on Friday, trying to determine why I wasn't peeing anymore, the ER doc said I wasn't retaining Water.

i can't get the shakes down without being in severe pain so I know I'm not getting in enough calories or protein- maybe 300 calories a day. So why am I not losing?

I'm sorry you're going through this too, Voltar0. You're not alone. It sucks!

Sorry, Arabian. I keep belching foam and to the point I vomit.

I feel for you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you have other hormone issues have you talked to that doctor about this? I ask because the reduced calorie diet can cause decreased levels of leptin, thyroid hormone and norepinephrine, the drop of which can cause your metabolism to slow down. This particular issue may not necessarily be something your surgeon may be aware of so it may be worth broaching with your specialist (who may be able to prescribe something that may help).

Edited by aNYCdb

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you!. They're generally aware of my issues, but I was going to bring some of this up at my 1 month on the 27th.

On another topic...does anyone experience bad breath after the surgery? My husband mentioned it because I've never had an issue before...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Voltar0 said:

On another topic...does anyone experience bad breath after the surgery? My husband mentioned it because I've never had an issue before...

Yes, it's not a surgery thing per se, but you get either what's known as "keto breath" when you are are on low calories diets where it smells like acetone or some variation on an unpleasant breath. Those dissolving breath tabs that you put on your tongue work great to fight them.

Edited by aNYCdb

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks again. I've had Keto breath before, but it was usually sweet...not like "rotten meat" as my husband described it....

Oh well. Time to up my Water intake too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Rotten meat is what you get when you mix "Ketosis" with ultra low calorie diet. My wife is similarly missing the abnormally sweet breath I had a couple of years ago when I was on Atkins.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks aNYCdb...amazing job on the weight loss so far...I'm jealous!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Fingers crossed, so far so good. Feeling hungry (pretty much all the time) has always been my Achilles heel and I'm really hoping this provides a permanent solution for that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you're not getting 800 cals your body may be in survival mode. Just a thought but your doctors will likely be able to sort it out. Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello,
The therapist told me he's never met a patient that regretted having the surgery--I may!
I had a sleeve Feb 23. I've had a hard time transitioning to soft foods, so am doing a a combo of liquid and some soft food (scrambled eggs, etc.). I'm having fewer then 1,000 calories/day (around 800).
I lost weight on the pre-surgical liquid diet and a little bit the 1st week when I ONLY had calorie free Vitamin Water the whole week because I couldn't tolerate even thin liquids. Since then, I've only lost ONE POUND.
I'm more hungry than I was pre-surgery, I don't eat large amounts, I never fever feel full when eating, I start sweating and get lightheaded when eating (dumping syndrome without the bowel movements), and I end up belching until I vomit if it's anything more than the Protein Shake.
Any advice? Am I doing something wrong?

I lost weight the first week post op and then nothing at all for the three weeks following. It was torture and I regretted my surgery at that point. Now I’m much farther along and I am in a much happier place. I can eat like a normal person just very small portions. So far the weight loss pattern for me is: lose 12 lbs in a week, stall for 3 weeks, lose 12 in one week, stall again. My surgery was 1/17 so I’m 8.5 weeks post op and I’ve lost a total of 24 lbs. Have a feeling I’ll be stalled for another 2 weeks before I lose anymore. We are all different and lose differently so don’t stress too much.


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

    ×