I am on the diet before surgery and they want me to lose 30 lbs, but I am not seeing the scale move. I eat between 800-1200 calories a day I only drink water and I have been exercising. I am worried and I don't understand why I am not losing anything. For the last week I have even been doing just two shakes a day for breakfast and lunch then a healthy dinner. Does anyone have any ideas?

I had to lose weight before they gave me the okay to get into the bariatric program and I actually did Weight Watchers (WW) it helped me lose the weight I needed to get approved. Just a thought

you should be losing on 800-1200 kcal/day. When did you start? If it's just been a few days, I wouldn't worry about it yet. If it's been longer, maybe you should check with them - they may have a dietitian on staff you could work with. It could be you're taking in a lot of sodium (that can cause water retention in some people), or more calories than you think - or something. Because if it's been more than a few days, there's something going on here..

I started out a 373 and my pre-program dietitian had me eating about 2000 kcal/day - I did lose weight. It wasn't speedy, but I did take about 40 lbs off in six months...

Edited April 17, 20242 yr by catwoman7

2 hours ago, Ms. Neidler said:

I am on the diet before surgery and they want me to lose 30 lbs, but I am not seeing the scale move. I eat between 800-1200 calories a day I only drink Water and I have been exercising. I am worried and I don't understand why I am not losing anything. For the last week I have even been doing just two shakes a day for Breakfast and lunch then a healthy dinner. Does anyone have any ideas?

I agree with CatWoman...we need to know when you started on your pre surgery diet?! Also, what type thing f exercise are you doing, remember muscle weighs seven times more than fat...but it also burns calories quicker.. So it could be that you're putting on muscle .... It all depends on when you started.

I started the diet the end of february started at 312 and my last visit i was down to 308 but not seeing anything on scale since march

25 minutes ago, Ms. Neidler said:

I started the diet the end of february started at 312 and my last visit i was down to 308 but not seeing anything on scale since march

Did the bariatric team give you the variable calories? The "800 - 1200" A day? Normally, its a set amount... I'd contact your bariatric team/dietician..IF you're not cheating you should be losing more than 4 lbs in two months.

Yes the dietician gave me the calories when they gave me the book. I also told i needed 79-98 grams of protein and i have not cheated on diet. I track everything in the app she had me download

2 hours ago, Ms. Neidler said:

Yes the dietician gave me the calories when they gave me the book. I also told i needed 79-98 grams of Protein and i have not cheated on diet. I track everything in the app she had me download

I'd make an appointment with your bariatric team then. I'm a slow weight loser..but 4 lbs in two months seems off.

A couple of things here....

1) you might need to stay at the 1200 calories since you're working out. If your body thinks it's starving, it'll hold on to absolutely EVERYTHING. If you're getting in your fluids and protein, and you're working out a lot, then you may need to stay at the higher end of your allotted calories so your body knows it's not starving.

2) what kinds of exercises are you doing? Are you switching things up to "confuse" your body? If you do the same things every time, your body will get comfortable and the exercises will stop being effective.

3) are you using a tracking app to keep track of your calories, carbs, protein, fats? That's so so important, because it's so easy to forget to count drinks or sauces or fruits and veggies. You need to track absolutely everything that goes in your mouth so you can really see what you're eating and drinking.

4) are you getting in your protein and fluids? That's so key, both pre and post op. Protein helps you get, and stay, full longer. And fluids are your best friend. But you want more than just plain water. Gatorade zero (they even have protein gatorade zero) Propel flavored water, sugar free fruit juice, protein shakes, etc... it all counts.

5) start cutting your sugar and salt intake WAY down. Both of those can add, or hold on to, fat and calories. Limit any alcohol you might be drinking. Limit your snacks and be mindful of what you have.

6) No cheating. At all. During pre-op and also the first couple of months of post-op, absolutely NO cheating. That's really important. As time goes on and you're further out, you might be able to navigate a cheat meal here and there, within reason. But right now? No.

Edited April 18, 20242 yr by SleeveToBypass2023

thank you, I do a few different things for exercise and I drink at least 80 oz of water a day and surprisingly I haven't cheated and just meal prepped. I have made it in to see the dietician and she didn't seem concerned. So I am going to keep doing what I am doing. Thank you for you advice.

I did lose a few pounds I am down to 303 as of today