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

Recommended Posts

Does anybody know what the "expected weight loss percentage" is for immediately after surgery and how the weight loss curves. I guess I'm trying to set up my predictable timeline. For example, it's been 2 weeks since surgery. I lost 10.4 lbs. That is 5.36%

My nutritionist said my expected weight loss is 50-60 lbs in 6 months based on my metabolic test and a 600 Kcal/day diet. My resting energy expenditure test reported that I am using 16556vKcal/day.

I saw another physician video stating that the curve is greatest in the first 3 months. Then the next 9 months you would expect to lose the same amount as you lost in the first 3 months.

Simply, I want to track my weight loss and measure against something scientifically predicted based on those who have had bariatric surgery. Do you guys know of any calculator/program like that?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There are calculators but your body won't know that Kelly! They're based on averages and most people don't stick to those. If you're looking for a ballpark my surgeon said that people lose an average of 60-70% of their *excess* body weight in two years. That's not to say all people though - some do (much) better some do (much) worse. I'm a bit control freaky too so I have had a hard time not being able to predict what will happen from one week or month to the next. But I have learned to trust my sleeve - it's working really well for me. Your body will already have a new set point in mind and once you get there that's it - I believe we either accept that or we fight tooth and nail to lose more to get to OUR ideal (not our BODY'S new ideal) and then fight forever to stay there. And most of us have spent a good part of our lives fighting the same fight and losing.

I hope you do really well with your sleeve - you're already doing brilliantly. Stick to the rules and you will lose, there's no way on this earth that you won't. And if you stick to the rules for a long time you will get to your new set weight. How much you will lose and how fast is, unfortunately for you and me, pretty much impossible to say.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I should say too that 600 calories a day sounds really little to me - is that until you get where you want to be or just for the first few weeks?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

49 minutes ago, Spinoza said:

There are calculators but your body won't know that Kelly! They're based on averages and most people don't stick to those. If you're looking for a ballpark my surgeon said that people lose an average of 60-70% of their *excess* body weight in two years. That's not to say all people though - some do (much) better some do (much) worse. I'm a bit control freaky too so I have had a hard time not being able to predict what will happen from one week or month to the next. But I have learned to trust my sleeve - it's working really well for me. Your body will already have a new set point in mind and once you get there that's it - I believe we either accept that or we fight tooth and nail to lose more to get to OUR ideal (not our BODY'S new ideal) and then fight forever to stay there. And most of us have spent a good part of our lives fighting the same fight and losing.

I hope you do really well with your sleeve - you're already doing brilliantly. Stick to the rules and you will lose, there's no way on this earth that you won't. And if you stick to the rules for a long time you will get to your new set weight. How much you will lose and how fast is, unfortunately for you and me, pretty much impossible to say.

Thanks for your insight. I will try to trust the process. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

49 minutes ago, Spinoza said:

I should say too that 600 calories a day sounds really little to me - is that until you get where you want to be or just for the first few weeks?

Hmmm, from what he said it sounds like 600 kcal / day is the average daily goal for the first 6 months. Since I'm just now starting soft foods, 600 kcal is a lot. But when I can eat more items, I bet I'd hit 600 Kcal pretty quickly. They pretty much explained that I would be eating similar to the pre-op diet.

I bet that's why they suggest taking a Multivitamin, Calcium, B complex, Omega III, Probiotics

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Let me try to save you some potential angst and head-banging against walls: There is no way to predict your weight loss. Relying and comparing yourself to averages and statistics (and other people) more often than not results in disappointment.

But yes, we all do it anyway.

The data out there can be used as a guide, but doesn’t really dictate success.

Sounds like you are going into this with a good attitude and a plan. Just a gentle reminder to keep that good attitude when things don’t go according to plan.

Good Luck! ❤️

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What I am about to say is a general rule.

You are two weeks out from surgery. Within the next few weeks, you will hit a weight loss stall. It will last 2-3 weeks and will be very frustrating for you. Just keep doing what you know to do and you will break through the stall.

After you come out of that stall will be the quickest weight loss of the entire process. You will lose the most weight between months 3 and 6.

There will come a time anywhere between 8 and 18 months that the weight loss will begin to slow down. You will experience more stalls and you will not lose as quickly when you come out of the stalls.

Then there will come a time when you stop losing weight and even gain some back. For example, a co-worker had the sleeve about 6-7 yrs ago. He told me that he bottomed out at 175 pounds, but now he is at 195-200 (down from 330, I believe).

As other people have said, there is no good way to say, "I've lost 7.9%, but I am supposed to be at 9.8% by now." Everyone is different. But that is the general trajectory that you should expect.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't do this. Don't try to set yourself up for metrics like that, because everybody is different, and most importantly, every BODY is different.

I will say that my bariatric centre's nutritionist tried to shame me for eating 800 kcal a day and told me that's why my weight loss stalled. I fired her loudly and found a different nutrition coach, who increased my calories based on my activity level, and weight loss resumed. I currently eat 1500-2000 cal a day at seven months out and am still losing, though I am extremely active and also taller and heavier than you are.

I do want to say one thing, because I'm a total control freak and had to weigh myself every day. Get out of that habit right now. And if you must weigh often, then keep a running average. Pick a day—let's say Wednesdays. Every Wednesday add up your total weights and divide by the number of weigh-ins. Then track that average.

Why? Because your body has way more going on than just fat loss. If you eat salty, or if it's time for your courses, or if you've been doing a lot of weight lifting, or if you're constipated, etc., etc., your weight can fluctuate by as much as 3-5 lbs. over the course of just a couple of days. Does that mean you "gained weight" (as in fat)? No... you couldn't eat that much. So it's inflammation, or bloating, or muscle inflammation.

Learning this saved me from the terrible things I would say to myself if I stepped on the scale and had an unexpectedly high weigh-in.

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

    ×