amybeth150

I was sleeved in Nov. 2017 and since then I’ve only been able to get in about 500 calories a day, but have been meeting my protein goals. I was told not to exercise until I reach 800 calories a day. So, this past week I’ve worked really hard to get up to 800 calories, while following the rules and eating a few more small meals, so I can go back to the gym. But in doing so I’ve gained two lbs. I know in the grand scheme of things that’s not a lot, but I can’t go back to gaining weight and I’m freaking out a bit. I’ve still got 80 lbs to my goal weight! I’m going to hit the gym this week to make a bigger calorie deficit, but any advice or thoughts (constructive ones) are greatly appreciated!

I normally don’t share my story, but yours spoke to me. I completely understand your struggle. I was also self-pay and struggled with the financial burden on my family. I was sleeved on Nov. 21st, 2017. All my life I’ve been overweight. I like to kid that I came out of the womb fat. Right before I met my husband I managed to lose 65 lbs and then I had my son and gained it all back plus 50. I had never been able to lose that much weight before and haven’t since. My lowest weight EVER was 147 and that only lasted a year. My highest weight was 254. I’m only 5’0” so you can imagine how that many pounds looked on me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I knew, with certainty, that if I didn’t have the surgery I would still be obese in 5 or 10 years and most likely would have gained more. The night before surgery my husband sat my down and asked me, “I just want to make sure you’re doing this for you, and not for me or anyone else.” My answer was, “I’m doing this for me, and for everyone else.” I said that because I was to be healthier and look better, but I also don’t want to miss out on anything else. I want to run and play with my son. I want to be healthy when I walk him down the aisle in many years and beam with pride and joy in all the pictures. I don’t want to cringe and hide them like I usually do. I want to travel and see the world and not think about seatbelts on airplanes or getting too tired to see the sights in Europe. So it’s for me, but it’s for everyone and everything else, too. This surgery changed me and my outlook on life. I’m 100 days out of surgery and 53lbs smaller and down from a size 22 to a size 16. My energy level is up, my confidence is up, my health has improved and I don’t feel quite so much like a skinny person trapped in a fat persons body. There’s not a day that goes by that I regret my decision. In fact, everyday I thank God for putting me in a financial position to be able to do this, with amazing support from family and friends. I will finally take pictures with my family. I am finally out of plus size clothes. My only regret is not doing it five years ago and letting the fear and skepticism of others infect my mind. At the end of the day, listen to your own heart and mind. You said you’re excited and can’t wait for April to come. I think that means you know what you want. I can only speak from my own experience, but if I had an upcoming wedding I’d be so excited to be able to enjoy it without the self consciousness. It’s so freeing! I hope this helps you and good luck! Feel free to message me directly if you ever need someone to talk to or ask questions.

It’s not the same feeling for me as before. It feels as if the food has filled up my esophagus and if I have one more bite it’s gonna hurt. I also weighed everything until I was good enough to judge it by eye. That way I would know I was eating enough but wouldn’t overeat.

So, what is someone like me to do, when I can’t eat more than 2-3 oz at a time without feeling horrible and in pain? I think I should be getting in more calories, but I can’t. I have no desire to starve my body and am hoping there will soon be a time when I can eat a healthy menu, such as this. Everybody’s journey is different. I was just wondering if there were other people like me.

So, what is someone like me to do, when I can’t eat more than 2-3 oz at a time without feeling horrible and in pain? I think I should be getting in more calories, but I can’t. I have no desire to starve my body and am hoping there will soon be a time when I can eat a healthy menu, such as this. Everybody’s journey is different. I was just wondering if there were other people like me.

I’m almost 7 weeks out of surgery and I cannot fathom eating this much. I can’t fit more than 2-3 oz at a time. Am I the only one?

Has anyone ever watched Dr. Duc Vuong’s YouTube videos? He’s a well known Bariatrics surgeon who has written several books on the topic. I just watched one about why you shouldn’t work out after WLS. I’ve been burning about 200 to 300 calories at the gym 5 days a week for about 4 weeks and hit a huge stall for two weeks, and I’ve only lost 1 pound since getting out of the stall. I’m wondering if he’s absolutely right. Everyone encourages us to workout, but if I’m only consuming 400-500 calories a day, which my surgeon says is fine, it sounds like this doctor may be right, especially considering my progress. Has anyone watched it? Opinions? The link is below. Looking for some other comments before trying out his advice and giving the gym up for two weeks as a test run.

Amen! It’s so frustrating!

Yes! I was sleeved 11/21 and I lost 29lbs quickly. But for almost two weeks now I haven’t lost a thing. I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do. But, so many people on here and in my support group say this is perfectly normal and can last a few weeks and to try not to be discouraged. So, I’m trying, haha, and just working the plan. Hope that helps!

Thank you!! I’ve heard so many different things to try or do, but what you said is what I’ve heard the most. So, I’ll just stick to the plan and wait it out. Fingers crossed...

Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement!

So, I ditched the scale for a few days and weighed in this morning and I’ve lost nothing. Absolutely nothing. I increased my calorie intake, varied my workouts, met my protein goal and still, nothing. Almost ten days with nothing. I just hope this stall doesn’t last much longer. I paid out of pocket for my surgery and this is very discouraging.

I have a protein shake for breakfast with 32g of protein, about 1.5 oz of tuna or turkey and .5oz of some veggie for lunch. Dinner is whatever I cook my family, so last night was 1.5 oz of shrimp with sautéed peppers and the night before was the same amount of pork tenderloin and some green beans. Most of the dinners I cook are lean protein and veggies. I’m starting to think you may be right about the calories, as many others have been saying it too. It’s just hard because if I eat more than 2oz at a time I get sick. On top of that I’m never hungry. But, maybe finding a way to add protein powder to meals? I don’t know and am open to suggestions on how to add another 300 calories.

Exactly!!! There’s so much more that goes into how people lose and gain weight. I’m trying to stay positive though. Thanks! [emoji5]

Thanks for your thoughts. I’m trying to stay positive. I’m wondering if I need to really work at getting another 200 calories. We’ll see...