BillyHalleck

Hey all - So like many of you, I am still trying to figure out what normal means, six months post surgery. First off, I am so happy I did the VSG - no complaints, I feel great, surgeon was fantastic, their office is responsive and follows up and I am down from an all-time high of 305, 261 on Surgery Day, and 195 Today. Hoping to get to 185. That's where my difficulty is: In the past 10 weeks, I have lost maybe 5 pounds. I find my weight fluctuates daily +/- 5 pounds, so I only track the lows as benchmarks. (IDK: water retention, lack of BM, salt...). My low was 194, today 196, the other day 200 (which is a number I hate!). I think I am spoiled by the rapidity of weight loss early on and feeling a little discouraged now that things are slower. More than that though, my fear is that my portion size is starting to feel almost normal person normal... not my pre VSG by any stretch, but not terribly restricted. I also am getting hungry again... and craving things like sweets again. After a filling dinner at 6, by 9 I think about dessert - and sometimes succumb. Thus far, I havent done anything too terrible, but the idea of making a batch of chocolate chip cookies has been on my mind for weeks. I feel like I could fall off the wagon at any time. And now that I can eat almost normal amounts again, its not like the little cheats along the way that didnt matter due to space restrictions - I COULD DO DAMAGE! (BTW- still dont understand the "2nd stomach" when it comes to dessert. If I think about having another piece of grilled chicken, I know I am full, but a bowl of iced cream, suddenly I am starving!) With slow weight loss, which I understand is normal as I am getting close to goal weight, and growing portions (8-10 oz at a time), cravings for sweets, and inter-meal hunger, I am terrified that I am a few months from seeing an uptick on the scale. Ten pounds from the finish line - which I might hit, but for how long? So, for my version of the "is this normal" questions: 1. 5 lbs in 10 weeks? 2. 8-10 oz portions 6 months out? 3. How long till 8-10oz becomes, 12, 14... 4. Is this in my control (am I stretching), or is this healing and normal? 5. Why am I hungry - is it psychological bad habits or physical healing and ok? 6. I have no problem getting enough protein, but are carbs still the enemy, or calories, or fat? 7. Macros, Keto, Calorie counting - academically I understand them all. I cant reconcile the conflicting info. Even my Doc and my nutritionist seems to differ (though they obfuscate to be respectful of one another). Anyone in a similar phase of this process with insight on this part? And tips: 1. Least harmful desserts that have worked for you? Mathing things our has been getting me a little crazy. I have gotten back to espresso/lattes lately, which I find to be a filling snack, but even with skim milk: 100 calories x 2/day x 7 days per week = 1400 calories = almost half a pound a week. Same with the 100 calorie dessert. Thus, if the I'm doing the math right: I am basically eating a neutral calorie amount at this point - evidenced by lack of meaningful weight loss. Avg 1/2 a pound a week for the past 10 = 1750 calorie deficit per week = 250 calorie deficit per day. Does that mean I am a skim milk latte and an apple a way from not losing weight. Then any excess is gain!?!? I think all I have left in my arsenal is more exercise, which frankly, doesnt seem that probable. If I liked the treadmill, I would be on this forum now would I? Welcome thoughts & feedback! Thanks all!

@rjan Many diets over the years, with mixed results. Had a long "f*** it" phase, which is what I meant by not thinking about it at all. Then post surgery for the first few months, there wasn't really much I could do wrong given my 4 bite max at every meal. Now I can eat a real meal, and get hungry again, so being cautious is somewhat new. Prior to surgery, my best weight in the past 15 years was around 240, so even what was being careful then isnt too helpful in the 190s and hoping to still drop a little more. Love the tracking - very similar progression as I am on. I am optimistic that at month 20+ i am still slowly dropping and not heading in the other direction. I think part of my concern stemmed from talking to a guy at work who I hadnt seen since pre covid, and sadly, he looks close to where he was pre surgery. 1 year of losing followed by 2 years of gaining, now back in roughly the same spot. He's not an idiot, but bad habits die hard. Dont want to end up there. I also dont want to calorie count. I want the occasional dessert at a nice restaurant or a friends party. Keeping the balance and not letting one dessert, or a vacation turn into a trend is the fear. If I get in the habit of a 9 pm snack, multiplied out, does that still allow me to lose weight. Does it "open the door" to an apple becoming an apple with peanut butter, to a reese's peanut butter cup... I know, up to me, but the slippery slope effect is real. Now snacking on meatballs is a new idea. Sounds very satiating. Might try that midday. Thanks for the thoughts and tips!

@Arabesque Thanks for the thoughtful response. The experimenting is part of the fun. And this forum is great for guidance. Understanding normal after 30+ years of bad habits, bad family habits, and frankly, an American culture of obesity and gigantic portions has been a challenge. While I have not even had the desire to follow any of my 300lbs habits, trying to gauge what is appropriate both currently and as a trajectory has been unclear - and I guess its supposed to be. Thanks again! @njlimmer Glad to not be alone in the confusion! @LaoDaBeirut Ordered - appreciate the tip! @BigSue Thanks for the meringue tip. Definitely going to try. Nervous about protein bars - I really like the thinkthin lemon bars, but at 230 calories (though well balanced, making that a habit would be 1/2 lbs per week - basically my entire weight loss. Love a 25 calorie option! Great tip!

Thanks Cat - appreciate the extra detail. I have been perplexed by the carb piece. That is really good guidance! Patience and persistence... no way around it!

Thanks Cat! I guess its just a matter of watching even the small things. Not used to thinking about food in that way. From not caring at all, to not being able to eat. I guess this is the first phase where I have to actually think carefully about food choices and be cognizant of every calorie choice. Appreciate the feedback and support! I think I am realizing that the training wheels fell off and now I am panicking a bit. Time to buck up?!?!

In the early days of the surgery the scale has no relation to your body's reality. My advice - ignore it for a bit. While you are on liquids and basically minimal calories, you are losing weight. Nothing more you can do. For reasons I cant explain (and it seems no one else really can either) weight loss is not linear at all. Days will pass where the scale doesnt move - then one day three pounds disappear. We all go through the same anxiety from time to time (I am in the midst of another stall now). Other than having this group tell you its all going to be alright, there is nothing to do but be patient, and know that its just a matter of time. Wishing you good luck!

Disclaimer: Always listen to your doctor - or at least not me 🙂 When you read about the liquid stage pre surgery, its sounds nearly impossible. Actually, the hardest part is consuming the liquid. You wont be hungry. I found the protein broths were the most tolerable. Hated the fat free cream of something soups. My doc (may be different from yours) basically said for the first few days worry about not being dehydrated - to do your best on protein. Then it was protein based liquids - check out the protein waters, they aren't "heavy." Pretty soon thereafter, shakes, puddings, jello, yogurt. That's only about a week-10 days out. at that point protein isn't too hard. In the early stages, I agree with Queen - warm was much easier than cold. I thought this one was pretty tolerable: Protein Broth Wish you all the best for surgery. If its at all encouraging - I think it was the best decision I have made!

Awesome! Glad you are having success with it. I have made chia pudding with, added it to coffee, and more - love that product. Also, their skim milk is great and lactose free which may be helpful for your dairy sensitivity. Its higher protein, lower sugar, lower calorie than regular milk. Good luck!

Not sure how often you are having soup, but liquids didnt trigger the fullness for me the same way solids did. Wait till you have a piece of chicken for the first time. Youll be wondering how you ever plowed through an 18oz rib eye in the old days... Dont worry - from what you've shared, sounds really normal to me!

Hey - I had a similar issue. Here's what worked for me: 1. Fairlife Protein Shakes - 42g version. So much better (for me) than the chemically ones. Though still dairy. 2. Non Diary protein powder + SF Jello/pudding mix. I hate Jello! I used sugar free almond milk + protein powder + SF pudding. Huge amount of protein, no dairy. Jello is just as good, but not my thing... 3. Are you allowed any solids yet? Soft scrambled eggs worked pretty well. 4. When you're allowed seeds (docs differ on this), consider some non-dairy chia puddings. Can add protein powder, non-dairy yogurt, cocoa powder/vanilla - very flexible way to get protein and fiber. Variants of this have become my go to breakfast even 6 months out since you can make a batch and grab to eat on-the-go. Hope that helps - I promise it gets easier every day... until, believe it or not, you look back fondly on the days when food was repulsive 🙂 Good luck!

Also, I had great luck with sugar free fat free free pudding and jello. Make with fairlife milk or add protein powder. For whatever reason, I thought this was tastier and easier to get down (in one bite increments). They can be made in a blender and ready to eat after sitting for 5 minutes. Seriously 1-2 bites an hour max, but helps a lot with protein goals.

Hey - Totally normal. The goals of how much to consume in terms of liquids are very optimistic. First week, I probably couldn't get more than 25-30 OZ down for an entire day, forget anything more thick than water/broth/tea. If it makes you feel any better, when you get on the scale in a week or two, youll see your body has been having a grand ol' time eating itself - the numbers are shockingly awesome. First few days/weeks are scary. Nothing feels normal, digesting anything feels damn near impossible. It'll all settle. Weird pains will come up (not to suggest you shouldn't reach out to your doc, but dont freak) they too shall pass. Recovery takes time, and adjusting to a strange diet plan, a new digestive system, and relearning every food/drink rule that youve spent years getting accustomed to is really hard. And totally worth it - Hang in there!

Thanks - having just started limited foods, I've been nervous that I am doing something wrong - but I kow I cant event be close to exceeding my calorie expenditure. Somehow know others are going through the same thing helps (though it sucks for all of us!). THX!

Hi all - So Ive lost 20 lbs in the past 2.5 weeks, but now I havent seen the scale budge in 3-4 days. I guess this is the 3 week stall I keep reading about. Anyone else experiencing this?

Thank you so much for the feedback. Very comforting know this is all normal. Really helpful info!

Thanks so much for the reassurance! Hard to tell what's normal when this is such a strange process. Really appreciate the feedback!

When was your surgery? I am 2 days out and have similar issues. How much are you walking? Have you been able to pass bowel?

Hi all, VSG completed on Monday 7/26, Wondering if you all could help me figure out what pain levels and challenges are normal. I am finding: 1. Very hard to sit up from bed, or stand from chair - feels like my entire stomach is "dropping" and causes pain at incisions 2. No bowel movements since pre-surgery. Feel full of gas. Difficult to pass gas. 3. Swollen/stiff neck 4. Painful stomach spasms: both randomly and every time I drink anything (even small sips). 5. Gurgling and painful hiccups but not gas expulsion or belching. Is this all normal? Thanks all!