Gaining Weight on Pureed Food!

[MarilynJ6354 5]

I have gained back 5 of the 23 lbs I lost, just since being promoted to pureed foods. Tomorrow I am supposed to start on soft foods but I am scared to death. I am pretty sure I will get a fill on the 16th, but I thought I would still be losing at this point. The doctor told me last week that I could advance to my regular workout instead of just the treadmill, which I did. Do you think it's muscle? I have a hard time believing I gained that much weight in a week just in muscle. I am getting scared. Should I go back to liquids until I see him on the 16th? Has anyone else experienced this? I log my food, weight and exercise in livestrong.com so I know I am keeping between 900 & 1200 calories per day.

[Marine mom 3]

it is Water. just like it is the first to lose, it is the first to come back. your purees have more salt, etc. You cannot gain weight on such small calorie intake. while it sucks, it is what it is, and next week it may be gone and then back again.

but, as you lose real weight, the baseline will go down, slowly but surely.

[shadst8 8]

Same thing happened to me--it came back off! I retain Water because of all those creamy Soups that had high sodium contents!

[BetsyB 9]

You've moved from a no-residue diet to one that lingers in your gut--which in and of itself can account for a bit of extra weight.

In addition, you've upped exercise. While it's too soon to be seeing muscle gain, it's very likely that your muscles are holding onto some Fluid. This happens when the muscles cells do not get enough oxygen from the air you breathe. In order to stay well-oxygenated, they revert to lactic acid fermentation--a process that produces oxygen and the metabolic by-product, lactic acid.

When the lactic acid level in your muscle cells increases, the body strives to maintain homeostasis by equalizing this concentration differential. Fluid moves into the cells---causing them to swell.

The body is usually very efficient when it comes to flushing out this fluid, but temporary weight gain can be expected, post-workout.

Keep doing what you're doing---and don't be scared to eat. The weight IS going to come off. In fact, you're losing fat now. It's just that the number on the scale doesn't tell the whole story

[MarilynJ6354 5]

My goodness, where did you learn all of this?! I feel much better now after seeing the responses. By the way, I used to live in Lombard...and I have family in Joliet, Plainfield and Lombard. I miss the casinos!

[Chele6378 0]

I've gain a pound back too...I just moved to pureed. I was just thinking of it as my body is holding on to food now wondering when i'm going to shock it with just liquids again!

[Allison925 1]

Hi MarilynJ6354!

I've always equated any liquid diet to a kind of Jenny-Craig-Syndrome. It's all fine and dandy while you're on it, but humans are not made to survive on Clear Liquids (or prepackaged meals) alone! As soon as you come off of the diet, your body has to reregulate and adjust to not being starved anymore. Your body is just figuring things out right now.

While the pre-op diet is essential, truth be told, it's main function is not to make you lose weight. They put you on liquids in an effort to reduce the fat around your liver, making for an easier surgery (and less chance of complications).

Some of your liquid diet weightloss was Water weight, and with your exercising now and increased food options, the Water weight has just returned. I know it's hard because your band is so new and exciting, but try not to stress about your weight too much right now. Let your body heal, follow your doctor's instructions, and your big weightloss will happen when you're back to real foods and have restriction.

For what it's worth, I think going back to liquids would be a HUGE mistake. The only way for us to loose weight long term is to change our daily habits to something healthy and sustainable. A liquid diet is neither healthly nor sustainable. And you will experience the same weight gain everytime you go back to other foods.

Hang in there! You're on the right path :-) Just try to focus on making good food choices and keep hitting the gym. The rest will fall into place.

Edited February 8, 2010 by Allison925

[Mangofish 1]

Thank you so much for the posts on here. I lost a couple of pounds from a fill about 2 weeks ago. I gained 1 pound but I am pretty sure that's from adding all that salt to my food.

To the OP

Don't give up. The weight will go down but it sounds like you just got banded. You're body is in shock and healing. You're not even suppose to lose weight until you get a fill. To me you are doing great!