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I'm really discouraged [emoji20]. My SW was 255, after 2 week liquid diet I only lost 5 pounds to 250lbs. Right then I told myself that the surgery isn't going to work if 2 weeks of only liquids takes off 5 pounds. I decided that I tried everything else and might as well go through with it. Released from hospital at 247. Weighed myself at home next day and was 243lbs. My home scale has always been a bit lower than hospital scale by 3 or so pounds as I weigh nude. Today a week later weigh 241. Lose and gain like this is common for me with doing Keto. I can lose 14lbs in two weeks doing Keto, just couldn't commit and keep it off. All of this to say, I fear I've done this for nothing. I'm having 2 Boost shakes (240 cal each), 1 Priemere Protien clear waters (90 cal), 3 x16.9 Oz bottles of water, and 2 cups of low sodium chicken broth. I am walking 20 minutes a day. Has anyone else experienced minimal loss and a gain within the first week? I'm starting to think I've made an irreversible mistake. Thanks for taking the time to read this [emoji4] Sent from my SM-A716U using BariatricPal mobile app

Great job on the loss!

Sounds like all is going well for you. Well done on our weight loss so far.

I hate to be the bearer of what you may consider to be bad news, but a large percentage of those who have weight loss surgery experience a stall or stalls. The first stall can typically happen within the first few weeks, google 'three week stall weight loss surgery' and you will find a lot of info about it. A couple of things to remember you won't be alone in experiencing a stall, most of us have been through it and it not an out of the ordinary event even when eating low calories. If you adhere to your post op guidelines you will get through the stall, it may be a week or two (or even longer) but eventually scale weight will catch up with your body changes. Remember you want to lose fat not just weight. Scale weight doesn't always reflect fat loss. Get out the tape measure, start capturing body measurements. Also look to non scale goals and measures to capture your success in fat loss, health and fitness improvements. How far you can walk or swim, improvements in blood tests for cholesterol, fatty liver etc. Improvements in blood pressure etc etc, clothing sizes reducing and so forth.

You’re doing so well. Congratulations. But I do understand that lethargy that comes when you’ve been so vigilant. Our will power & focus starts to waver & it all just seems to be too hard. I think most of us experience it at some time. As @GummyBearQueen suggested reflecting on your non scale victories can help regain your focus. Are you moving about more easily? Has your health started to improve? Have you dropped clothing sizes? Is it easier to bathe or do your hair? I loved looking at the graph of my weight loss. Watching that line going in a downwards direction was often more motivating than looking at a number on the scales every day. Also reminding yourself why you made your decision to have the surgery helps. Set yourself some staged goals (every time you lose another 20lbs, walk 3 kms, ...) & reward yourself with a new haircut or colour, a spa day, a new accessory or jewellery, etc. when you achieve them. How we feel when we’re full or hungry is different after surgery. One of my learnings was the difference between feeling full & having eaten enough. You don’t necessarily need to be full to have had bough to eat. I still ask myself do I need this bite or just want it. It was a bit of a come to Jesus moment for me. Seems like you’re meeting your water goals, increasing your activity & if you’re meeting your protein goals, you’re already ahead of the game. To begin you are really focussed on your food intake. You’re learning to eat in new ways & it does take a lot of effort to ensure you’re doing the right thing for your plan & for you. I’d like to say in time you won’t be consumed by what you eat (bad pun) but it does get easier. I know what foods I can eat & what ones my tummy doesn’t like all that much (like oily fish or char grilled meats). I’ve worked out what foods I don’t want to eat anymore (processed carbs) & what foods/drinks I’m happy to have less frequently (alcohol) or those I’ll have only on very rare occasions (desserts, cakes, etc.) I used to worry about how much I thought about food but then I realised I used to think a lot about food before surgery. Before surgery I was always thinking about what I could eat & when I could eat again. Now I think about good food choices, the nutritional benefits of a food & if I really need to eat. But it is so worth it.

I’m sorry you’re having a difficult time. The surgery, dietary changes, etc. seem to stir up a lot of emotions & sometimes we need support to work our way through them. It is likely anxiety that is driving your desire for food, your poor sleep patterns, emotions, etc. Finding a therapist or counsellor to talk to will be very beneficial. The surgery can help you lose weight but you have to be in the right emotional place to understand how & why you eat & to make the changes to take full advantage of the surgery. We do lose at our own rate. Some more slowly, some more quickly. Both are right because every pound you lose is a win. Your 13lbs loss is great. I lost about 7kgs (about 15lbs) in my first 4 weeks so pretty similar.

You are doing great loss wise- but water is CRITICAL! You really need to be getting in a MINIMUM of 64 oz, and realistically more. It does take focus, especially as you are getting used to it, but I find when I drink enough water my weight loss picks up. I also find I just feel better - my joints and energy. Best of luck!

It did control my diabetes very well and I think it is an excellent drug for diabetics. The cost will likely be prohibitive for weight loss. Even with insurance it cost me a lot of money.

55 lbs in six weeks is amazing. I'd lost 28 lbs by the end of month 2 (I just checked my records). I don't know what I was at six weeks out since I only put my weight in my spreadsheet once a month (on my surgery date), but since I was 28 lbs by eight weeks out, I would have been less than that by six weeks out - maybe 23 or 24 lbs lost by then. And I was no light weight - I started out at 373 lbs. Not sure what you were expecting, but 55 lbs in six weeks is an amazing loss! also, stalls are very common - most of us have several of them on our journeys. When you hit one, just stick to your program, stay off the scale for a few days if you need to, and know that it will break and you'll be on your way again.

Gosh, all of the above advice is amazing and I agree with it! I will add: -Make a decision on who you will tell about the surgery. It’s your private health information and you are under no obligation to tell anyone, unless you want to. -Have a plan for how to react to people who comment on weight loss. The first time someone said I looked wonderful (while giving me a once over), it took me by surprise. (And comments are another discussion…everyone feels differently being noticed.) -Prepare for eating differently around others (colleagues, family/friends). Will you bring your own food if there is a lunch provided at work? Will you change what you cook for family holidays? -Get your household on board with reducing treats in the house. If they won’t, ask them to keep treats in places that you don’t see easily. (as someone else wrote, you may mourn some of the foods that you should no longer eat… Sometimes it’s best not to be reminded of them) -If you do the Family cooking, start preparing recipes that are healthy for the sleeve (for example, High protein and no added sugar). At least with my family, if they want something else, they have to cook it themselves. 😀

You lost 55 pounds in six weeks (down 125 pounds total) and you’re questioning your decision? That’s an amazing weight loss already! Remember, the less you weigh, the slower the weight comes off. I definitely understand being obsessed with the scale but I encourage you to focus on NSVs also. And think about long-term goals. I know it’s going to take me about a year to lose 115 pounds, so I am taking it day by day. I recommend working with a bariatric therapist or seeking behavioral strategies from Overeaters Anonymous or a mindful eating program to learn to stop eating when full. It can be really tough especially when you love the food you’re eating. But, this is a journey and a battle and we have so many resources to help us. Good luck!

the usual recommended amount for weight training is 2-3 days a week, with a day or two in between, so you're fine. it may be different during the rapid weight loss period (as in you may lose weight regardless since you're in the honeymoon stage), but for normal-weight people, or others who are at a stable weight, often when you start weight training you can gain up to 5 lbs because a) muscle is dense and b) muscle holds water, but you usually look the same - if not thinner - because a pound of muscle takes up less space than a pound of fat. And then eventually, you'll lose that slight bump up in weight - if not more - because having more muscle increases your metabolism a bit. but again, with you still in the honeymoon stage, you'll probably continue to lose weight regardless.

I discovered that I actually wasn’t happy sitting alone in my bedroom eating a family sized bag of candy and chips every Saturday night. Crazy. Seriously though, I am impressed at my own ability to follow through and persevere. The whole process isn’t easy, from insurance to surgery to recovery and then weight loss. But it’s nice to feel accomplished and have reached a goal that I set.

Thanks for the reply’s everyone. But it’s more curiosity than anything. I see a lot of shorter people on here and not really height testimonies. I know everyone is different and their bodies and using your tool as best as possible with eating right and exercise. I’m new to all this .. scared but determined. Just nice and encouraging to here EVERYONES testimony about there weight loss esp in height bc I am a tall obese woman.

That is similar to what I started doing around 2 months post-op. Idk that it helped with loose skin, but it definitely seemed to help with weight loss. Also, I look toned and fit. I actually had a stranger on a plane the other day say I was “ripped” and asked if I do cross fit. The stranger also happened to be a very attractive man in my age group. Lol! Best NSV yet! 😊

I am 3.5 months post op sleeve and started back to the gym for weight training. I am thinking of going 3 times per week with 1-2 days in between workout days. I walk 60 minutes daily and will keep that up on non gym days. Probably will walk 30 minutes on gym days. Does that seem to be enough weight training to make a difference? Looking to tone up and fill in loose skin in problem areas while continuing to lose weight in honeymoon phase. Will the weight training slow down my weight loss?

rate of weight loss is affected by so many factors that's it's kind of pointless to compare (and comparing can stress you out if you're a slower loser, but there's nothing wrong with being a slower loser!! I was one of that crowd and ended up losing all of my excess weight). Yes - height is one of the factors, but so are age, gender, starting BMI, genetics, metabolic rate, body composition (your percentage of fat vs muscle vs bone vs water), activity level, how closely you stick to your clinic's food plan, yada yada yada. About all you have control over is your activity level and how closely you stick to your program. If you do well with those, and your weight is generally trending downward, you're golden!

The closer you are to goal, the more slowly you lose but in saying that you may have reached your balance & are in maintenance. That is the calories you are consuming are equal to the calories you are burning. To lose more you either have to consume less or increase your activity. Whatever weight you end up at has to be sustainable. Many bariatric patients end up at a weight that is higher than what they may have initially wanted. But they’re at a weight they can maintain while still enjoying & living the healthy & happy life they want. It’s fine to eat several smaller meals across a day or graze on three meals as long as caloric intake is constant. It just has to work for you. I eat three meals and about 4 nutritious snacks every day because I can’t physically consume enough in three meals to maintain - my restriction kicks in & I can’t eat any more. My total caloric intake sits at about 1200 calories a day. Another path you could look at is Dr Matt Weiner’s videos & books about resetting your basal metabolic rate which could enable you to lose more if you are interested. The intent is to reset your metabolism to run faster so your body burns more calories just to function. I guess the big questions are do you want to have to take appetite suppressants for the rest of your life to maintain at a lower weight? Do you want to live your life consuming fewer calories &/or maintaining a higher activity level to stay at a lower weight? You may say yes to either of these questions & that’s fine. It’s your decision. Congrats on your weight loss & good luck whatever you decide.

That's interesting. I haven't noticed body hair loss but my menstrual cycle has been lighter and shorter... like when im on birth control. I'm not on birth control now so I was also wondering if I was experiencing some kind of hormonal shift after surgery as well.

that's really odd. Those who give you a goal (and not all do) often give you one that's right around the average weight loss (which is about 70% of excess weight - which, statistically anyway, is about where you'd expect to end up). There are definitely people who make it to a normal BMI, but my surgeon said only about 10-15% of his patients do, and the statistics I've read appear to back that up. Your surgeon giving you that number as a goal seems unrealistic. Possible, of course, but not terribly realistic.

A protein shake can do the trick before or after weight loss surgery, or any other time you need a boost of protein beyond what you can get from your foods. How do you find one that has the amount of protein you need, tastes great, and is low enough in carbohydrates to be good for any weight loss diet? Stop looking, because BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein is a match! BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein delivers 25 grams of high-quality whey protein in each scoop. It is made with real Dutch-process cocoa or classic vanilla and it tastes rich and creamy, but it has only 1 gram of sugar. The total carb count is 1 carbohydrate, meaning this shake can be part of your low-carb or keto diet. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein Highlights: 110 calories 25 grams of protein from Grass-Fed Whey 1 gram of carbohydrates 500 million CFU Bacillus Coagulans Patented Aminogen® protein-digesting enzyme 10% of the daily value for calcium Suitable for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, gastric band, and BPD-DS patients Suitable for pre-op and post-op liquid, pureed (mushy), semi-solid, and solid foods diets Gluten-Free Lactose-Free Non-GMO Each tub of BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein contains 15 servings. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein has other advantages. It contains patented Aminogen®, an enzymatic blend to support the digestion of protein. Plus, the shake has 500 million CFU of Bacillus coagulans, a probiotic which can promote a healthier gut environment. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein can be used anytime. Start the day off with a low-sugar burst of protein for breakfast, or have a quick shake for a snack or small meal later. Just mix a scoop with water or your favorite beverage, such as milk for extra protein, or almond milk for creaminess. With BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein, you can get the protein you need to tide you over, without taking in excessive carbs. What exactly is Aminogen® and how is it beneficial? Aminogen® is a special patented protein-digesting enzyme blend that can help you get the most out of your whey protein while eliminating any bloating or constipation. The addition of Aminogen® to whey protein, such as is done in BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein, is scientifically proven to improve digestion and retention of protein within the body. Another benefit of Aminogen® is that it reduces some of the gas, bloating, cramping, and constipation that can occur when some people eat a higher protein diet and include whey protein products. As some people know, this protein “gassiness” is not a pleasant side effect, so Aminogen® is a sought-after addition. Overall, Aminogen® is a valuable component to whey protein products, like BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein. It can help you digest and absorb more amino acids, which will then assist you in building and repairing your precious hard-earned lean body muscle. Available online at The BariatricPal Store https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-clean-whey-protein

Yep, like everyone has said, it's definitely a thing. I'm about 7 weeks post op, surgery was 4/15, and for the last 2-3 weeks, I experienced zero weight loss. I'd been following my diet religiously, exercising etc. About 3 days ago the scale finally moved, but instead of seeing a 3-4lb difference like I was in the beginning, I'm only dropping one pound at a time. But, this is fine with me, as long as things are moving! Trust me, I know it's disheartening, and you're wondering how it could be physically possible to not lose weight while eating so little. You may think you're "doing it wrong" or the surgery didn't work (lol), but in actuality, your body is finally done purging the glycogen and water stores and is now using fat for energy. After your body makes that adjustment, the weight loss will continue.

I've commented on other posts on this topic. Most days I drink 120 oz. or more. I do not work in AC so I drink 2 52 oz. mugs at work each day plus whatever "extra" I drink. I find myself peeing less frequently than before weight loss (I am a believer in that I now have less pressure on my bladder.) There is less urge. But when there is an urge, I void what seems to be a lot.

1) I know some surgeons use weight loss meds like phentermine after surgery. Topamax is another option (I take it for migraine prevention but I have been taking it for 20+ years so I have no idea if it has helped me lose weight). Whether this is the right answer for you is a conversation with your PCP and surgeon. 2) Have you tried protein water? How short are you on protein? Are you tracking your calories/macros/water intake? Can you snack on things that are high protein but lower in fat than cheese, like tuna, egg whites, deli meat? Good luck!

I'm almost 10 months post-op and am down about 80# give or take, which is 30# from my goal. I was stuck at about 163 for several months and am still struggling to get enough protein in. I've been in contact with my RD and she suggested smaller, more frequent meals to try to get closer to my daily protein goal. The problem is, I'm finding that since following this routine, I'm gaining weight and am now up to 169. I reached out to her again, and she is now suggesting adding a low-dose Rx med to the mix. I'm not sure how I feel about this. She wants me to eat more small, frequent, protein-packed meals yet is suggesting an appetite suppressant? Doesn't make sense to me. I've tried things like Builders Bars and can't finish one in one sitting. I've added Unjury Protein Powder to things like cottage cheese, yogurt & salsa, but that's only 22g - IF I can get the whole scoop in one day. I snack on stuff like string cheese (9g protein), but it's not enough. I walk 2 miles daily and am taking up swimming next week. I'm starting to feel like I'm never going to get over this hump. Anyone else ever been in this conundrum? On the bright side, my hair has stopped falling out and is growing back!