Can anyone help, or....

[over65 133]

Have you had your cholesterol checked. There is a case in journal about a young man (20s) who was exhausted all the time, could hardly crawl out of bed, had no energy. Turned out he had severe high cholesterol and diagnosis was starvation-induced high cholesterol. It is uncommon but does happen when a WLS patient maintains a low intake of food either due pouch size problems or development of an eating disorder afraid of regain. You should stay away from shakes at this point and figure out exactly how much real food you can eat before feeling full. If that amount is abnormally small at this point in your journey, you have a pouch problem. A barium swallow would show it. Another possibility is you have a severe malabsorption problem so matter how much you eat, your body doesn't receive the nourishment.

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[Tracyringo 503]

On 6/3/2020 at 3:00 PM, PolahBeou said:

I'm a 38 year old male and I'm 4 years and 2 months post VSG. I weighed ~270 at my 1st consultation and 254 at surgery time. I'm 5'5" tall and my goal weight was set at 160 with the understanding that I'd likely lose the 1st 80lbs over about 18 month and it would take strict diet and exercise to get to, and maintain my goal. As I type this I weigh 114lbs. I'm literally skin and bones and I cannot figure out how to gain some weight back. I've tried just about every Protein Drink and shake combo imaginable, even though every one of them makes me nauseated to the point that it's not even funny. I try to eat more every day but I have very little capacity. I pretty much exist anymore with no strength, no energy, terrible insomnia, and I hurt 24/7 from head to toe. I'm so bony that there is not a comfortable position sitting, laying, or standing for that matter. My initial follow ups with the surgeon were a joke and his dietician could offer no more advice than "drink your protein". I've had swallow studies and various imaging. The tech that did my abdominal ultrasound said she couldn't even visualize stomach tissue. My thoughts are that too much tissue was taken. I doubt I can ever prove this. I could go on and on but the simple fact is I feel like I'm slowly starving to death and I need help. So far, every doctor I've visited has recommended more exercise and protein..... I'll admit I've tried, seriously. I can lose a pound a day, still, with light to moderate exercise and I just can't afford to lose any more. Internet searches on how to gain weight have been less than helpful and anything sleeve related come up with how to Not gain weight. Can anyone share some thoughts or ideas...? I'm all out.

This may sound nuts but if your problem is that you have no room because too much was removed, how about a bypass ? Everything will slide through except Proteins and I haven't gotten to those yet to know but I do know I am 2 weeks post revision from sleeve to bypass and everything just flows right through so far. I have not felt restriction. I am taking in 700 calories 2 weeks out and could take in more without much problem. Just a thought

Good luck to you

[fat2fitbel 2]

Try some pot 😊

[PolahBeou 13]

My cholesterol was oddly high at last check..... Doc said it was genetic/hereditary most likely and suggested whole 30. Ugh. My intake amount for solid foods has always felt abnormally small and I've tried, to no avail, to 'stretch' myself. Talk about pain! Maybe time for another swallow study. 1st go round was solely focused on the horrendous reflux issues.....

Scared to death of another surgery at this point but I'm opening up to a bypass for quality of life reasons.

Pot helps most everything

[Maryeuh 55]

This happened to my mom. She was basically starving to death. Her sleeve was too small. Her surgeon had to go in several times to put a balloon in her sleeve and blow it up a bit to stretch it. It was would for a few weeks and then the same problems would arise. So she went to a different surgeon and he had to give her a bypass. She had now gained back and maintained a healthy weight.

[afterthought 15]

On 6/4/2020 at 9:15 AM, summerset said:

Exercise (strength training) and Protein to get some muscles on the frame is actually not the worst recommendation possible. Sufficient calories are important though to build up mass.

Hard to build muscle when you can't consume enough calories to stop weight loss. I agree, exercise (strength training) would be beneficial once the OP can increase calories.

Edited June 7, 2020 by afterthought

[2Bsmaller18 436]

For slider calories you can try adding a teaspoon of olive oil to a scrambled egg. To get more calories and Protein you can try Premier Protein Water. It is gross to me cold but over ice so it's really cold is much better. When I was losing too quick I would have a tablespoon of Peanut Butter and lick the spoon so it would take 10-15 minutes. Slider foods will not make you feel as full so you can consume more calories. I changed from eating low calorie yogurt to high calorie/high fat yogurt with some nuts or granola mixed in. I was able to eat a graham cracker square with peanut butter and half hour later eat another. I would dip carrots in high calorie/high fat ranch dressing. Just go slow and try a little at a time to make sure you feel ok before eating a lot of something. If eating something dense like refried Beans try and mix in some water so it slides down easier.

I had to consciously eat every 30-60 minutes to try and up my calories from 500-1000 over 2 months. Others will warn it is a slippery slope and it's against everything you learn and it will make you feel like you are creating bad habits. All of that is true. However, if you are determined and set a goal that once you gain "x" pounds I will stop eating after 8pm or not snack between lunch and dinner then you can later reduce calories and go back to good habits to stay at a maintenance level.

[PolahBeou 13]

Happy to report that I'm up 3.5lbs since my 6/3 request for help. The slider foods have been a life saver, literally! I have more energy and a generally positive outlook already!

Thank you all so very much!

[BayougirlMrsS 3,933]

On 6/4/2020 at 11:01 AM, PolahBeou said:

~600 or so. I eat till I hurt, which is a few bites, 3-4 times a day. I drink a lot of Water and sadly can't tolerate milk. I've been trying to stretch myself with Bubly brand carbonated waters. Painful and hasn't proven to increase capacity.

I was going to suggest Milk shakes... but you said you can't tolerate milk. Can you drink soy, almond or coconut milk? If so, maybe try making shakes with those. I know if i eat ice cream even a few bites... i gain. So i have to stay away.

[PolahBeou 13]

It's been almost one month. I've made it from 114 to 121.8lbs. My goal is another 28-30lbs.

Things that work: oatmeal cream pies and fudge rounds, Peanut Butter pretzels, fig newtons, pringles, nutter butters, honey Buns and Breakfast breads (carefully) and chick-fil-a breakfast (this one takes several attempts but everyone who's had this surgery is used to cold and soggy food after a while I'll bet)

[aiclark1 13]

I'm a 38 year old male and I'm 4 years and 2 months post VSG. I weighed ~270 at my 1st consultation and 254 at surgery time. I'm 5'5" tall and my goal weight was set at 160 with the understanding that I'd likely lose the 1st 80lbs over about 18 month and it would take strict diet and exercise to get to, and maintain my goal. As I type this I weigh 114lbs. I'm literally skin and bones and I cannot figure out how to gain some weight back. I've tried just about every Protein Drink and shake combo imaginable, even though every one of them makes me nauseated to the point that it's not even funny. I try to eat more every day but I have very little capacity. I pretty much exist anymore with no strength, no energy, terrible insomnia, and I hurt 24/7 from head to toe. I'm so bony that there is not a comfortable position sitting, laying, or standing for that matter. My initial follow ups with the surgeon were a joke and his dietician could offer no more advice than "drink your protein". I've had swallow studies and various imaging. The tech that did my abdominal ultrasound said she couldn't even visualize stomach tissue. My thoughts are that too much tissue was taken. I doubt I can ever prove this. I could go on and on but the simple fact is I feel like I'm slowly starving to death and I need help. So far, every doctor I've visited has recommended more exercise and protein..... I'll admit I've tried, seriously. I can lose a pound a day, still, with light to moderate exercise and I just can't afford to lose any more. Internet searches on how to gain weight have been less than helpful and anything sleeve related come up with how to Not gain weight. Can anyone share some thoughts or ideas...? I'm all out.

Have you tried nutramen Protein Drink. They are pretty good. And they will help you gain a bit of weight. This is what my daughter had to go on for 1 month prior to her major operation. She needed to gain at least ten lbs.
She didnt gain the 10 but she gained 8

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[LastChance57 35]

If your doctor won’t help, get a second opinion from another reputable doctor. My prayers go out to you.

[godblessedchild 30]

I’m three years and 8 months out and all I have loss is 70lbs and now it’s coming back on. What can I do to get my body to loosing again. I exercise, 6 days a week and do weights. Had an appointment with my doctor before this pandemic came out then the appointment was canceled, don’t know when I’m going to get a chance to see him. Need help

[amboyle728 71]

11 hours ago, godblessedchild said:

I’m three years and 8 months out and all I have loss is 70lbs and now it’s coming back on. What can I do to get my body to loosing again. I exercise, 6 days a week and do weights. Had an appointment with my doctor before this pandemic came out then the appointment was canceled, don’t know when I’m going to get a chance to see him. Need help

So sorry to hear you are struggling with the weight loss. It is a constant battle, and I somehow thought once I had this surgery, the battle would be easier--but it's not. It's a struggle, always.

How much more are you looking to lose? What is your diet like? What is your calorie intake on a daily basis? I may sound like a broken record on my posts, but I was stalled with my weight loss until I got lactose and dairy out of my diet. Since then my weight loss has been slow but steady.

If you are doing everything right and the weight is not moving, it may be time for a blood test to see if there are any underlying thyroid or other metabolic issues going on.

[StarMonroe 8]

This may sound ridiculous but Flintstone vitamin.. they will help with your eating and before you know it your weight will pick up.