Hi! I'm 3 weeks out and having a hard time. Where do I start? My energy level is all over the place, mostly low. I'm still on pureed, but not really tolerating much so Eating anything now just feels like a chore. And I've only lost 12 pounds since the surgery (14 pounds before surgery).

PLEASE tell me this will get better and I'll be able to enjoy my life again!

P.S. I'm not usually this negative, I'm just so frustrated with this process.

6 minutes ago, HealthyVibes said:

Hi! I'm 3 weeks out and having a hard time. Where do I start? My energy level is all over the place, mostly low. I'm still on pureed, but not really tolerating much so Eating anything now just feels like a chore. And I've only lost 12 pounds since the surgery (14 pounds before surgery).

PLEASE tell me this will get better and I'll be able to enjoy my life again!

P.S. I'm not usually this negative, I'm just so frustrated with this process.

It will get better, your body is healing and adjusting. Just stick with it and the weight will come off.

Same with your energy levels, you are eating barely any calories right now, your body is healing so you are going to be beat.

Try to keep your head up and you will get through the slump.

It will get better, your body is healing and adjusting. Just stick with it and the weight will come off.
Same with your energy levels, you are eating barely any calories right now, your body is healing so you are going to be beat.
Try to keep your head up and you will get through the slump.

Thank you! I'm usually on the go, so I'm not used to this down time. I appreciate your response.

Agreed. You just had a pretty major surgery and our bodies take time to adjust to just that but the reduced calories on top of it make this recovery that much harder. Plus if you are female your hormones are possibly out of whack which can make things seem even worse. As you start to take in a few more calories things should start to get better. If you are really struggling reach out to your team for someone to talk to.

Agreed. You just had a pretty major surgery and our bodies take time to adjust to just that but the reduced calories on top of it make this recovery that much harder. Plus if you are female your hormones are possibly out of whack which can make things seem even worse. As you start to take in a few more calories things should start to get better. If you are really struggling reach out to your team for someone to talk to.

Thank you!

unless you're the size of someone on "My 600 lb Life", 12 lbs the first three weeks is perfectly normal. Most of us "normal" WLS patients lose somewhere in the 15-25 range the first *month*. Yes - you'll find some who lose more or less than that, but they're outliers. Most of us fall somewhere in that range. So if you've already lost 12, you'll likely end up in range by the end of your first month, too.

I started off at almost 400 lbs and lost 16 lbs by the end of my first month - and I went on to lose over 200 lbs. So don't lose hope yet!

First of all, 12 pounds in 3 weeks is a lot. You didn't gain the weight overnight and you won't lose it overnight, but be patient and stick with it and the weight will come off. The first few weeks post-op are the hardest because you're still recovering from surgery, very limited in what you can eat, and getting used to major changes, but you haven't yet seen the benefits of the weight loss. It is VERY common to have regrets and thoughts of, "What have I done to myself?!" early on, but as you progress, things will just get better. You'll be able to eat normal food again, and you'll lose more weight than you ever have before and get all the benefits that come with that. Hang in there!

unless you're the size of someone on "My 600 lb Life", 12 lbs the first three weeks is perfectly normal. Most of us "normal" WLS patients lose somewhere in the 15-25 range the first *month*. Yes - you'll find some who lose more or less than that, but they're outliers. Most of us fall somewhere in that range. So if you've already lost 12, you'll likely end up in range by the end of your first month, too.
I started off at almost 400 lbs and lost 16 lbs by the end of my first month - and I went on to lose over 200 lbs. So don't lose hope yet!

This is so inspiring, Thank you! I guess I just feel like the weight should be falling off drastically since I can't eat anything. Lol

First of all, 12 pounds in 3 weeks is a lot. You didn't gain the weight overnight and you won't lose it overnight, but be patient and stick with it and the weight will come off. The first few weeks post-op are the hardest because you're still recovering from surgery, very limited in what you can eat, and getting used to major changes, but you haven't yet seen the benefits of the weight loss. It is VERY common to have regrets and thoughts of, "What have I done to myself?!" early on, but as you progress, things will just get better. You'll be able to eat normal food again, and you'll lose more weight than you ever have before and get all the benefits that come with that. Hang in there!

That is exactly what I've been feeling! It comforts me to know that I'm not alone in this! Thank you!

Hang in there, up to the first 6 months is the hardest. I went through a terrible time in the early days now it seems like it didn't even happen (the hard days) you will be fine. I cried multiple times a day in the first 5 months. I even researched stomach transplants lol ? in the first 2 months. It gets better don't forget your hormones will be all over the place too. I found my favourites and stuck to the mash potato and gravy was a favourite kids yoghurt pouches, powerade, cloudy pear juice is great to. Big hugs ? hang in there ?

Hang in there, up to the first 6 months is the hardest. I went through a terrible time in the early days now it seems like it didn't even happen (the hard days) you will be fine. I cried multiple times a day in the first 5 months. I even researched stomach transplants lol [emoji38] in the first 2 months. It gets better don't forget your hormones will be all over the place too. I found my favourites and stuck to the mash potato and gravy was a favourite kids yoghurt pouches, Powerade, cloudy pear juice is great to. Big hugs ? hang in there [emoji847]

Thank you so much! 5 months sounds awful and unbearable but I've been through worse, so I can do this! I'm glad you are doing well and I can't wait to get to the other side of this!

Exactly as everyone has said. If you are feel tired & low on energy, remember this also is your body telling you it needs to rest to recover from what has been a pretty major surgery. Listen to it. Nothing wrong with a nap or just lying on the couch for a while. In time you’ll even wish you still had an excuse to have a nap.

If you have a few chores to do, are going to undertake some activity, going out, etc. try sipping an electrolyte drink to give you a little boost of energy. Hydralyte was my go to. I’d mix up 500ml (diluted as it was sweet) & take it work to sip during the afternoon when I’d always slump.

Exactly as everyone has said. If you are feel tired & low on energy, remember this also is your body telling you it needs to rest to recover from what has been a pretty major surgery. Listen to it. Nothing wrong with a nap or just lying on the couch for a while. In time you’ll even wish you still had an excuse to have a nap.
If you have a few chores to do, are going to undertake some activity, going out, etc. try sipping an electrolyte drink to give you a little boost of energy. Hydralyte was my go to. I’d mix up 500ml (diluted as it was sweet) & take it work to sip during the afternoon when I’d always slump.

Thank you! My fiance has been telling me the same but I feel so lazy. I will definitely try the hydralyte. Thanks for the tip!

Oh girl, don’t get down on yourself! 3 weeks is still really early! My energy was so low too until I started being able to eat actual food and take my vitamins. Also, my dietitian said she didn’t care if I puréed my food in a blender or in my mouth so long as by the time I swallowed it was basically mush. This helped me soooo much because puréed food is disgusting! I was able to add in so much more food this way which helped. Just remember, it feels so long and hard but in the grand scheme of things, it’s actually such a short amount of time. 1-2 months is the hardest but you’ll get through it, I promise!

Oh girl, don’t get down on yourself! 3 weeks is still really early! My energy was so low too until I started being able to eat actual food and take my Vitamins. Also, my dietitian said she didn’t care if I puréed my food in a blender or in my mouth so long as by the time I swallowed it was basically mush. This helped me soooo much because puréed food is disgusting! I was able to add in so much more food this way which helped. Just remember, it feels so long and hard but in the grand scheme of things, it’s actually such a short amount of time. 1-2 months is the hardest but you’ll get through it, I promise!

Thank you so much! I'm trying to work on my patience. It's been 3 weeks, but feels like 3 months! I keep telling myself it will all be worth it.