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Hopped on the scale today excited to see how much I’ve lost (4weeks post op) to discover the scale reads the same as last week. I’m taking in less than 500 calories per day & meeting protein requirements. Was thankful to read from others that this plateau is common around 3weeks. Trying to stay positive but this was 🥲

The bariatric hospital I go to has an online support group. I've attended a few of them. One thing that always comes up Is chicken breast, everyone has problems with it. I've had issues with it lately. I'm not going to mess with it anymore, I can't eat as much of it as I can ground meat. Which allows me to get the protein in that I need.

You definitely have a serious issue, but I don't think it's your weight. Your weight isn't going to kill you, at least not at the size you are right now, but your mental health might. And it certainly is robbing you of the joy in life that you deserve to experience. That's tragic. And unfortunately, surgery or weight loss isn't a cure. Gaining weight can take a toll, both mentally and physically. I understand, because I went from 5'6" and 127 lbs at age 16 to weighing 225 lbs by age 32 and hitting 250 lbs by 49. I tried many diets. I exercised. I worked with a dietician for about 7 years and tried many medications, including Saxenda and Wegovy. I developed high blood pressure and became prediabetic. For 33 years, I gained weight, lost a bit for a while, and kept gaining more. But I also lived a fairly happy life. I got married, bought a house, had two children, started a career I enjoyed, traveled to lots of places I had always wanted to see, learned new hobbies, spent time with friends and loved ones. Was I frustrated that I had to buy clothing in the plus department? Yes. Did I sometimes look in the mirror and feel sad at how I looked? Absolutely. But that wasn't my identity and it didn't dictate what I allowed myself to do or experience. Feeling like your life is destroyed, that life is a cruel joke, and reaching a point where you do not wish to continue living is an extreme and unhealthy reaction to gaining weight. It's a huge red flag that something else is going on with your mental health. That, in my opinion, is way more pressing to take care of right now than reducing the size of your body. I had surgery because I knew it was what I needed for my health. It would clear up physical issues and help me live a longer life with more activity and less pain. I did it because I loved myself and I knew I deserved to get every ounce of joy from life that I could. But a year ago, 80 lbs heavier than now, I loved myself exactly as much as I do today. I don't love myself any more now because I'm thinner, even though I do love how I look. And I love myself now way more than I probably did when I was downright skinny in my youth. There's no magic number on the scale that makes you worth loving. You're worth that at every size, shape, and age. I'm not saying to give up on losing weight or on getting weight loss surgery. If it's important to you, you can find a way. There are some amazing and affordable self-pay surgery options available in Mexico, for example. You could start saving a little bit of money each month now if it feels worth it to you. I hope this won't happen, but if you continue to gain weight, you will eventually qualify for surgery through your health care. In the US, it's at a 35 BMI with comorbidities and at a 40 BMI based on obesity alone. I assume the standards in Canada are similar. But no matter what you do, I would encourage you to find help with your mental health and self-image. You deserve to be happy with who you are and not to have how you feel about yourself be based primarily on something as arbitrary as a number on the scale or the tag inside your jeans.

Surgery was on May 1. Deep into the puree diet. 2 protein shakes a day and I mix up the meals with scrambled eggs, zero sugar yogurt, tuna fish, chicken salad, broth, cream soups, refried beans. Anywhere from a 1/4 to 1/2 cup, I'm learning how to listen to my body and when I feel full. Going back to work the first week of June. Hydration is still a chore but if I focus I can keep the right amount flowing. Once or twice I've had an urge to nap after my noon meal but no pain, nausea or anything like that. Feeling great!

I agree with @catwoman7’s suggestion for some anti nausea meds. Hope a replacement surgeon is engaged soon. So frustrating. I went through a phase when I found water too heavy to drink.I relied more on green tea & flattened sparkling water & not solely plain water then. Is that how you would describe how you feel before the nausea starts? On the days you struggle with water are you able to drink other flavoured or unflavoured fluids? Were you are big drinker of sweet drinks before you had surgery like sodas? Could there be an underlying craving for sweet drinks again which is why flavoured unsweetened drinks seem tart to you now?? Our brains can work against us sometimes. There are odd days when I don’t get all my fluids in. Life gets busy sometimes or the opportunities to drink more than a few sips at times during the day ate rare. I don’t mind too much when it’s just odd days because I know I’ll reach my goal (or drink even more) the next day & will be back on track again. (Same with protein goals too.)

That's good to know! I was shocked I lost so much in the pre-op phase. It took me 6 months to lose 15lbs from my highest weight this past summer, and then I lost the same amount in 2 weeks. So I imagine my body is reacting to that as well, like what the heck are you doing?! I just got to start soft proteins a few days ago (my doctor skips purees) and my calorie count is increasing as well. I seem to be able to get around 30g protein from food, and I'm still supposed to have 3 protein shakes, so I'm ending up with 90+ grams of protein and 600-650 calories. Pre-op I was at 600-800 calories per day and 80-100 grams protein, so maybe that's more of a sweet spot. Hopefully this will give me a nudge in the right direction!

Quest protein chips are awesome! easy on the go and have 10-20g of protein per bag, protein shakes and protein bars. When you go to the restaurant just eat something grilled and deconstruct the meal. Protein first, veggies then if you have a room a little bit of carbs. You will be walking anywhere from 7-10miles a day! This might be an unpopular opinion but your at Disney! Enjoy it! if your group is eating churros or any of the other yummy things then ask for a bite, you don't need to indulge in the entire churro but in real life we should be able to enjoy everything in moderation. My hubby and I are going to sneak away to a kid-free Disney trip in a couple of months and he loves all the foods, I plan on being able to enjoy bites licks and tastes. I don't go to Disneyland everyday and eat like that like that everyday. I think one of the things I am most excited about is going on every ride and not panicking if I will fit!

This has also been a big concern for me, but my Peruvian family has been very supportive of my decision. My boyfriend is also Peruvian and supportive of this decision, but we plan on visiting Peru when I am 6 months post op (surgery date for June 13th 2024). This will be my first time in Peru since I am from the US and we plan on doing a lot of walking around Lima, Callao as well as touring Huacachina, Ica and Las Ballestas. If you are still active on here do you have any insight now on how your relationship with Peruvian food has changed? I plan on staying as safe as I can abroad so making sure things are cooked thoroughly, no tap water, only peeled fruits/veggies that are thoroughly cleaned. As well as portioning when we do eat out we plan to share dishes, I will try to order vegetarian options when possible, and if I have to/want to order my own plate I will ask for a to go box right off the bat to make sure I dont eat too much due to like you said the massive portion sizes.

So I’m two weeks postop and I know that’s early but I went from 217 to currently being 189. I know everyone’s like you have to give it time “Be patient” but emotionally., i wish that results were more rapid. I’ve been at 189 for three days and I barely eat anything. I enjoyed tomato soup recently, but the creaminess of it, kind of upset my stomach so it just feels like protein shakes are the only thing that will help and sustain me. I guess I’m writing for some support and encouragement that in time I’ll see more changes. The 28 pound difference did make me happy and I want to continue to see changes, but I guess I’m just not being patient enough. Please share some support😔 here.

Hi Sarah! I did not have that fear at first, but I can tell you that if you do not meet your fluid and protein goals you will run yourself into the ground. Trust me! I am 6 weeks post op, and after 2 weeks, I didn't drink my fluids or have my protein. When I took a shower one night, I came VERY close to passing out. The plan is so important (and sometimes really annoying) to follow, but it is for your safety, health, and to achieve the weight loss that you desire. Drinking fluids (all 64 ounces +) will really help your weight loss. I worry about stretching my stomach out later on. Like, if I succumb to mental hunger and have something that I should not have, and I just keep eating it because it tastes good - but I am told it will take a LOT to get it stretched out. I know it will eventually stretch out some, but nothing like it was. Good luck on your journey! I hope the worrying subsides and you are able to heal and start seeing the good things. My first non-scale victory was putting on a pair of jeans I hadn't worn in years and they fit...comfortably. Those are the kinds of things that keep you going. I'm down 38lbs since 4/10 (pre-op diet) and 23lbs since my surgery. I haven't weighed in a bit, so hoping it's more like 25-30lbs since surgery, but as long as it keeps going down, I'm good.

i've really liked the actual oats overnight brand i can buy the individual bottles from walmart for 2.98 each, and then i add protein milk on top so the bottles have 29g of protein. the cinnamon roll is amaze.

I had so much pain after my sleeve. I was miserable for the first 2 weeks. I couldn't meet my fluid intake because I couldn't tolerate cold liquids at all. I was living on my pain meds and later tylenol. So I completely feel you on this. If your surgeon already knows how you're doing and says you're fine, then there's not a lot you can do. You can call them back and tell them the same stuff again (emphasize that it was initially managed but now it's not) but I'm guessing they'll tell you the same things they said last time. Sleeping propped up or in a recliner was my saving grace. I, too, am a side sleeper so finding a comfortable position the first 2 weeks was really tough. Also, I was falling asleep all the time in the beginning, so that made it worse. That's normal (sleeping a ton in the beginning) so don't worry about that. The only thing that's not negotiable (in my eyes) is the multivitamin. You absolutely HAVE to have it. If you can't tolerate the one you have, find a liquid one or chewable one in a flavor you might like better. While not preferred, maybe even gummies (they have yummy flavors, and that might help in the beginning). A capsule might also help since they have no flavor at all. Tablets can be rough in the beginning due to size and flavor. If the premade shakes are too much for you at times, try an unflavored protein shake powder. Add it to milk (I personally do almond milk) and then add a non sugar sweetener to taste (I use monk fruit sweetener because I hate Stevia). Protein and fluids are the absolute MOST important things right now (next to the multivitamin). It's ok to not hit the goals in the beginning, but you want to get as close as you can. Instead of regular broth, try different flavors of bone broth (richer taste and higher protein amounts). Try different shake flavors. Taste buds absolutely change after the surgery, so it's normal to not like the flavors you loved pre surgery (that's why you shouldn't stock up before the surgery). I also got a lot of the sugar free water flavoring powders in different flavors (you can get them at any grocery store) which gave me variety when getting in my fluids (I still use them now because I despise plain water).

Ooh and to answer your question, sorry, things I like to have between meals when I’m being good are fruits suck as apple slices, grapes, veggies such as broccoli and carrot chips, raw nuts, nut butter, cheese, Turkey jerkey, boiled eggs, lunch meat, hummus, guacamole, yogurt, and smoothies (but I watch the serving size and frequency because I like strawberry banana). They bave some protein packs at the grocery store that have a protein and fruits and veggies in them to give you some ideas. They are kinda pricey but they are easy enough to make at home.

All the time! There are a few things I eyeball (e.g., salad greens, Skinny Girl salad dressing) or go by the unit (e.g., half a tomato, 2 celery stalks) because the calories are so negligible that even if I'm way off, it won't make a significant difference, but I always weigh out protein portions and even most vegetables, and ingredients in recipes. I'm not super meticulous about tracking every gram of everything I eat anymore, but I actually think using a food scale is easier than eyeballing most of the time.

Its May 6th. So I'm 17 days out. I'm on the pureed foods. It's ok. Srammbled eggs is a nice treat. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm over chocolate flavoured shakes! I'm halfway to my goal weight already. Sounds scary! I'm not actually that worried about the scale: I want to see abs! COVIC is just a distant memory. It's hard to hit the protein target but I'm getting close. I hate pureed food. Thick lentil soup is a go-to food.

@RRenaeL23, I can hardly believe what a badass you are! (And I mean that in a "wow you're awesome" way.) Walking 2 miles already? That is really great and I am so happy for you. Keep up the great work! I also need to start working on my muscles - for me it's core, arms, and legs (well, now that I think about it, that's pretty much everything, right?). @Greekmom4, I have never heard of the foamies, but I certainly don't want it! Hope that doesn't come back for you. Today I had a NSV because I'm wearing a fitted sweatshirt that I love but haven't work for a long time because it was tight across my middle. Not anymore: now it's just right. My middle is still far too thick, but at least the sweatshirt doesn't showcase it, LOL. I am starting to see little indications of weight loss; just flashes, but they're there. I don't know what my body dysmorphia will do going forward. When I've lost weight before, I've just felt like everyone else looked bigger to me, I didn't look smaller. But I currently don't recognize myself in pictures because in the mirror, my mind tells me I'm not as big as I really am. (I learned at Jenny Craig that's why we should take pictures, because your mind can't bend them.) On paper, I've now lost 36 pounds from my highest pre-surgery, but I certainly don't see that much weight loss (I'm only 5 feet tall, so that's a lot on my frame). I guess that's a function of how much I have yet to lose, but also they say I'll be the last one to see it. I'm now to the regular diet phase, although there is a lot I haven't tried yet. Ground beef and turkey seem to be fine, but I tried some pork chop which was a big mistake. I think I may get much more of my protein from plant sources (beans, etc.) going forward, which is fine with me. Today we got a whole bunch of groceries to make a list of recipes I'm going to try (hubby is the cook at our house). My sister's vegetarian and sent them to me, so they're all veggie. I'm slowly learning to branch out. Since I am eating 1/2 cup at a time, I've been just having protein, but I started craving veggies and fruit. I saw something that talked about having "a few bites" of things, so I'm incorporating that. I can have up to 3/4 cup now, so I have a bit of room to add some veggies and a little fruit. TMI ALERT: I am eating more beans than I ever have, so maybe that's it, but is anyone else producing a surprising amount of gas? I thought giving up carbonation (which was a massive sacrifice for this former Diet Coke addict) would mean a lessening, but DANG.

I thought puree tuna was pretty gross. Purée egg salad on the other hand wasn’t bad at all. I have also puréed veggies witb good luck and I just added some unflavored protein powder. The canned fruit with cherries came out with hard chunks so I suggest sticking with pears or peaches. Meats just didn’t taste so great puréed. Maybe they would be alright pulsed on the chop setting towards the end of puree with permission but I am not there yet. see the NP Wednesday and plan to as of I can do that. I also puréed a whole container of fresh salsa and put it back into the jar and I have been using that to season my scrambled egg beaters and my purée refried beans. I may not use it all but my hubby likes it hot so it would’ve gone to waste anyways since I’m eating so little and it doesn’t have preservatives. The ricotta bake is my favorite. Just keep in mind if you are off the pain meds and still struggle with constipation adding fiber to your diet will help. I got permission to puree overnight oats and they are really good. Just watch the sugar content because of possible dumping. I tried a few bites of everything and waited like an hour the first time I tried anything before I finished it.

I will say every program is different and every body is different. My plan accounts for snacks of some kind, albeit healthy ones - providing usually around 5 "meals" a day. The main goals are protein and water and typically carbs and fats work themselves out. That being said, I would say to meet with a dietician/nutritionist to provide better guidance. Maybe weighing/tracking out the food is best not just the plate itself. (You may very well be doing that, i'm just throwing that in). It could be also not actually eating enough to fuel the body as it was used to another way of eating for that stretch of time you were off program. The amount of sodium in what you're eating can play a role. A variety of things could be at play. I don't see anything wrong with the foods you have shown, however I see there are a lack of greens of some sort. A bit more fiber could help not only keep you full, but also keep you regular. Don't be afraid of carbs, they aren't all bad, fruits and vegetables add a lot of micronutrients. Just as with all things in moderation. You did not mention what you drink throughout the day - which may or may not also add to the non budging scale. Back to basics should help (but gosh not an all liquid diet) - protein and water goals and the order of protein, veg, then carb as plate priority. Best of luck, friend.

Hi- I had my ESG done around the same date as you and hoping to hear an update. I live in San Diego so opted to have it done in Mexico. But I’m wondering if that was the wrong choice. I feel very little restriction 6 weeks out. I can eat a significant amount of food before a sudden full feeling comes on. I have no issues meeting protein or water goals. I can comfortably drink a protein shake in a minute.. I’ve had 10lbs weight loss and no weight loss since starting solid foods.

You CAN probably do it, but doing extreme diets like that is usually discouraged because it pulls us back into "diet mentality", which is not helpful. Better to go back to the basics - protein first, then non-starchy vegetables, and then if you still have room, "good" carbs (e.g. fruit, whole grains, beans, etc). You don't need to go all the way back to what we were eating for the first few weeks after surgery, but instead, how you were eating once you were a few months out.

Hello all, I am in the same boat, I have regained 50 of my 98, it had been slow at first and now the last year it has been 15 pounds in one year. I never got my hunger back, for years I barely ate and loved it. What I didn't love was only pooping every fifth day. My Ferritin levels were super high, (I think it was related) My surgery was 2018 in Feb, so I am in my 7th year post-op. I'm considering trying Ozempic / Wegovy. I know my metabolism was completely shut down. I was struggling with reactive hypoglycemia, which I think I have under control. I am working on eating as much protein daily as possible and also getting any fluids in, (not soda). I am going to read as many posts as I can in order to seek out others who are in the same boat thanks Dawn Marie

Thank you all! I've been doing one for breakfast typically as I was under in calorie goal and it had been stalling me. I've actually finally started dropping weight again. I'm typically hitting 1100-1300 now and am doing one protein shake and one to two meals consisting of a protein (steak, chicken, or eggs) and vegetables and sometimes more carbs (1/2 bagel).

It is a brain game for sure on those road trips. There are a lot of protein snacks that are good. My last road trip I took Quest Protein Chips with me, they hit the spot for a snack. As far as restaurant eating, and there isn't a healthy option, most restaurants will give you a burger wrapped in lettuce, or a grilled chicken sandwich and hold the bread/mayo etc. There are ways to eat healthy on a trip even going to McDonalds. I typically will find a sit down place if I need to eat lunch/dinner etc, even if it means driving another hour to the next town. Gives me time to get that leg stretch in and find something that I can eat that won't break my weight loss goals. I will say I was super worried about hunting last year, we always eat all the junk non stop, and meals aren't exactly great. I was able to keep everything under control, only junk I had were chicharrónes, and some sugar free jerky. I kept a protein shake with me every day as some days we hunt through meals.

I was never given calories either. Just the 60g protein & that I should be eating about a cup of food by 6 months. I due random checks of calories for my own interest & I was barely eating 900 calories but as @ShoppGirl said there are many factors that influence how many calories you need. Factors like age, gender, height, activity levels, etc. I too suggest getting in contact with your team. They know you best & can advise you better for your needs, Stalls happen & can happen several times. Though we usually say they last 1-3 weeks, it’s not unusual for them to last longer. Out of curiosity do you track your food & know your calorie & macro intake? What are your portion sizes like? Remember too, your portions sizes & number of calories you need do increase as you progress. For example at 18 months I was eating about 1300 to maintain & now at almost 5 years I eat about 1600 to maintain the same weight. And my portions are around 3-4ozs protein & a good cup or more of steamed vegetables.

Hi, all. I am just over a month out and losing okay. I've lost 27 pounds. I'm having trouble advancing to the soft foods, in particular meats. I must have a repeat upper GI and possible endoscopy to see what could be going on. My doctor said he's worried about either an esophageal stricture at the stomach or an ulceration. Fun times. I'm sooo tired of protein shakes! I guess that shakes in some quantity will be a part of my life for a while though. I'm so glad to hear that you, Pamela and Lorna Nicole are doing well.