Hey everyone. My name is Claire and I'm 29, I recently had my lap-band removed and converted to the gastric sleeve. I had my surgery on 12/4/2019 so I'm almost 2 full weeks out. I've experienced a number of emotions since the surgery but most prevalent at the moment is depression. I feel so sad and so overwhelmed with how much weight I have to lose. After the lap-band I lost over 100lbs, my lowest weight was 154. I managed to gain over 200lbs within the last 5 years, where my alcoholism and addiction became increasingly problematic until I got sober 2 years ago.

I'm impatient and I want the weight to "fall off" like everyone told me it would. All of the comments from friends and family like "you're going to lose weight so fast, you'll look so great" were nice before the surgery, but now I find myself feeling pressure and unsatisfied with my progress in 2 weeks. I've lost 22lbs since surgery. I'll have my 2 week post-op appointment tomorrow.

I'm following my post-op diet and have been drinking plenty of water, protein shakes, some yogurt, and some thinned soups. I eat less than 400 calories a day.

Logically, I know that 22lbs in 2 weeks is great but I still feel so depressed and discouraged. I'm not sure what's going on with me. I know I have to make lifestyle changes to lose weight and keep it off, I've done it before and I know I can do it again but for whatever reason my brain is telling me that I'm going to fail this time. It's scary. Just looking for some support or advice from others.

Thanks,

Claire

Congratulations on getting/staying sober! I had my sleeve done on 2/11 and am only down about 12 lbs. I also feel like kind of a failure. I hear the same thing "the weight just falls off" (specifically regarding just after surgery) and I am not experiencing that. I'm exactly following the diet (and have recently started to become "hungry"). I have just started walking, etc. outside - but get tired after about 2 blocks. I'm starting to worry myself - what if I just spent all this money and I don't lose the weight? As an emotional eater - that is taking a toll on me. I want to eat stuff (especially bad stuff) but I haven't (and can't). People say there can be stalls even in the first 6 weeks, so I'm hoping it's just that!

2 minutes ago, slsvacha said:

Congratulations on getting/staying sober! I had my sleeve done on 2/11 and am only down about 12 lbs. I also feel like kind of a failure. I hear the same thing "the weight just falls off" (specifically regarding just after surgery) and I am not experiencing that. I'm exactly following the diet (and have recently started to become "hungry"). I have just started walking, etc. outside - but get tired after about 2 blocks. I'm starting to worry myself - what if I just spent all this money and I don't lose the weight? As an emotional eater - that is taking a toll on me. I want to eat stuff (especially bad stuff) but I haven't (and can't). People say there can be stalls even in the first 6 weeks, so I'm hoping it's just that!

you are doing fine. Keep following your program and stay off the scale if you have to!

I think people's expectations come from shows like "My 600 lb Life". Yes, those people drop like 30 or 40 lbs the first month, but they also start at 600+ lbs. Starting BMI is a HUGE factor in your rate of weight loss. Most of us "normal" bariatric patients will not lose nearly that fast. At a starting weight of 242 lbs, I would not expect you to lose that fast. You are doing just fine!

and yes - almost all of us go through the so-called "three week stall" (doesn't always happen the third week, but it happens SOMETIME during the first six weeks or so post-surgery)

2 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

you are doing fine. Keep following your program and stay off the scale if you have to!

I think people's expectations come from shows like "My 600 lb Life". Yes, those people drop like 30 or 40 lbs the first month, but they also start at 600+ lbs. Starting BMI is a HUGE factor in your rate of weight loss. Most of us "normal" bariatric patients will not lose nearly that fast. At a starting weight of 242 lbs, I would not expect you to lose that fast. You are doing just fine!

and yes - almost all of us go through the so-called "three week stall" (doesn't always happen the third week, but it happens SOMETIME during the first six weeks or so post-surgery)

That's good to know! I don't know too many people that have had the surgery and my husband, while supportive, doesn't quite understand what I am going through! I'm definitely glad that I found these forums!