Need Encouragement

[ualaw2008 4]

Hello All,

I've been lurking here for a while and have appreciated your transparency and vulnerability. I was on this forum almost ten years ago after having a gastric sleeve. I never met my goal weight; over the years, the weight returned. Last month, I was only 50 pounds short of my highest weight. So, on December 12th of this year, I had a revision to gastric bypass. I feel a little discouraged right now because I don't feel I'm making the progress I expected. I lost 11 pounds my first week, but I am only down another 3 pounds for the next 3 weeks. So, I am only down 14 pounds at three weeks post-op. I do not have an appetite at all and am having difficulty getting anything down but liquids, although I was cleared to begin soft foods today. I couldn't even engage in the puree phase too much. Protein Shakes are very hard to get down, so I've transitioned to Isopure (which is more of a liquid). Despite eating little to nothing, my weight loss is slow. It could also be attributed to my starting weight being a little lower than most. I started at 5'2, and my starting weight was 222. Additionally, I take bipolar meds, which are known to cause weight gain. Any words of advice or encouragement? I'm feeling down right now.

[catwoman7 11,278]

14 lbs in three weeks is pretty normal. Most people who aren't the size of the patients on "My 600 lb Life" seem to lose 15-25 lbs the first *month* after surgery. And since you're a revision patient (weight loss is usually slower for revisions than for virgin surgeries), I'd expect you'd be at the lower end of that range. You're only at the three week mark, so I'm guess you'll be 15 lbs down (if not a little more) by the end of your first month.

not having an appetite at all is completely normal. Hunger usually comes back sometime during the first year after surgery. Mine came roaring back at five months out. Honestly, I wish mine had never come back. Although it was weird at first, I must admit it was easy to lose weight when I was never hungry and didn't give a flip about food. THings got a lot harder once my hunger and appetite came back. So take full advantage of that!!

also, even though I was a slow loser from the get-go, I lost 235 lbs (at least originally - I gained about 20 lbs back in year 3, which is also common - most people have a 10-20 lb weight rebound after hitting their lowest weight).

you are doing absolutely fine - actually a little better than expected since your surgery was a revision. I think you're doing great!

P.S. I lost 16 lbs my first month - and I had a virgin surgery AND weighed almost 400 lbs. You're what we call a "light weight" at 222 lbs - and this is also a revision for you - so you're doing very well!

Edited January 4, 2023 by catwoman7

[Jeanniebug 476]

Hang in there!

I lost 20 pounds in the first 2 weeks, then stalled for almost a month. I finally started losing again, but at a slower pace.

The meds might have something to do with it, but it might not. If you're not getting enough calories (what does your plan say?) then your body is going to just store everything that it can get. That could be a reason why you're not losing. Also, make sure you're hitting your Protein and hydration goals - those will stall you if not met, as well.

[CeciliaInPNW 7]

On 1/3/2023 at 4:50 PM, ualaw2008 said:

Hello All,

I've been lurking here for a while and have appreciated your transparency and vulnerability. I was on this forum almost ten years ago after having a gastric sleeve. I never met my goal weight; over the years, the weight returned. Last month, I was only 50 pounds short of my highest weight. So, on December 12th of this year, I had a revision to gastric bypass. I feel a little discouraged right now because I don't feel I'm making the progress I expected. I lost 11 pounds my first week, but I am only down another 3 pounds for the next 3 weeks. So, I am only down 14 pounds at three weeks post-op. I do not have an appetite at all and am having difficulty getting anything down but liquids, although I was cleared to begin soft foods today. I couldn't even engage in the puree phase too much. Protein Shakes are very hard to get down, so I've transitioned to Isopure (which is more of a liquid). Despite eating little to nothing, my weight loss is slow. It could also be attributed to my starting weight being a little lower than most. I started at 5'2, and my starting weight was 222. Additionally, I take bipolar meds, which are known to cause weight gain. Any words of advice or encouragement? I'm feeling down right now.

Stalls are normal after the initial post-surgery weight loss. Its your body's time to stop and reset and get used to the new pipes. lol It's feeling that "uh oh something is different so it must be wrong" feeling so it's holding on to all the calories it can in case your body needs them to cope with what ever stress is happening. Once it realizes there is no new stress (other than new pipes!) it will start burning the calories/fat for you again. That is my "very non-professional" explanation. Hope that helps!

[CeciliaInPNW 7]

On 1/5/2023 at 7:55 AM, Jeanniebug said:

Hang in there!

I lost 20 pounds in the first 2 weeks, then stalled for almost a month. I finally started losing again, but at a slower pace.

The meds might have something to do with it, but it might not. If you're not getting enough calories (what does your plan say?) then your body is going to just store everything that it can get. That could be a reason why you're not losing. Also, make sure you're hitting your Protein and hydration goals - those will stall you if not met, as well.

Hi Jeannie! I am in the same boat... have lost 20 lbs in the first couple weeks after revision to bypass, and only another 1-2 lbs the last week or so. I am one month out today. It looks like you went on to lost another 41 lbs in the next 2 months or so, is that right? That is super encouraging! I just started regular foods today, so I am hoping that jump starts my weight loss again. Did you notice anything that you did that helped yours start up again after the stall?

[Jeanniebug 476]

1 hour ago, LynnfromPNW said:

Hi Jeannie! I am in the same boat... have lost 20 lbs in the first couple weeks after revision to bypass, and only another 1-2 lbs the last week or so. I am one month out today. It looks like you went on to lost another 41 lbs in the next 2 months or so, is that right? That is super encouraging! I just started regular foods today, so I am hoping that jump starts my weight loss again. Did you notice anything that you did that helped yours start up again after the stall?

I've lost 37 pounds since surgery. The thing that helped me was patience. I know that there's no possible way that I can't lose weight right now. I'm not eating a high enough volume of food. So, any stalls are just my metabolism recalibrating.

[Possum220 230]

14lbs in a month is a lovely loss. I have seen it said that the weight loss can be slower when you have gone from a sleeve to a bypass. On this journey our emotions can really mess with us, Some days we feel up and the next we are down. I had a bad couple of days this week. It only took a small change to make me feel like I could do this again. I am also on bipolar meds and anti d's.

Are you able to go for gentle walks? This will help your circulation and help the blood move around your body and help you in the healing process. Check in with dietician to get some advice on what things you can do at this stage. Might be small things will make a big difference. Breathe. 😊