Is a weight gain normal?

[Quixotic 0]

Hello, all. I was "sleeved" on Nov 18. I lost a lot of weight preceding the surgery (40 lbs) thanks to Phentermine. Then I lost another 15 pounds in the week around the surgery because those Protein drinks (isopure) are only 160 calories each. But once I started in on Soups in phase 2, I just stopped losing and haven't lost a pound in the last two weeks. In fact, I gained 3 pounds. I feel hungry a lot and can eat nearly 2 cups before my body says "stop" (hiccups are the warning). Is that normal? I don't want to overstress my stomach but also expect the surgery to help out in the Portion Control.< /p>

Since I lost so much before, I'm not too worried, but I'll be concerned if I don't start losing again soon. I suspect that the problem is that liquids aren't constrained by the size of the new stomach, so I can eat more before feeling "full." I also suspect that the weight gain is just recovery from the surgery, not a gain in body fat. But I don't know what to expect.

Anyone else able to eat more than they thought a 60ml stomach should hold? Any advice about portions and hunger management? Anyone else gain weight after surgery? How long did it take until you started losing again?

Thanks for your comments.

[laylasmojo 10]

Could you hunger be caused by acid? Are you taking a PPI? If not you should talk to your surgen. As for the amount that you can eat you should try and follow the 4 oz rule allways measure out your food before you eat it and only eat what you measure out. you may not be getting the full feeling because the nerves in your stomach were just cut and are trying to heal right now. Plus liquids dont allways make you feel full which will get better when you get to the puree or mushie stage. Good Luck and try to form new habbits now while you are still fresh out.

[Eureka-C 20]

How long is it taking you to eat two cups. If it is a long time, it could be that as it is liquid your stomach is emtying before you finish. I too have stayed up and down within the sme three pounds for the last 12 days. My nut agrees that it's a combination of too low calories (body is in starvation mode), and losing so fast right after the surgery, and not enough liquids. I am hoping that mushies, healing and time will fix that.

[Dawn 16]

I was sleeved on Nov. 15th and the first week I lost 15 lbs, second week I lost 1lb and 3 week I lost none! As I'm into my 4th week I have now started to see a change on the scale (can't be for sure how much until my official weigh in tomorrow) and what has changed the most for me is eating "real" foods and getting my Protein in! I have finally got 60+ grams of protein in over the last 6 days and at min 40oz of Water (still working on making that more) and I've started to eat more soft veggies and soft meats and soft cheeses!! I have been averaging about 600-700 calories a day where as before it was like 300-400! Just give it time, it will come off!! I know it's frustrating, I've had A LOT of negative thoughts over the past two weeks! LOL

[Quixotic 0]

Could you hunger be caused by acid? Are you taking a PPI? If not you should talk to your surgen. As for the amount that you can eat you should try and follow the 4 oz rule allways measure out your food before you eat it and only eat what you measure out. you may not be getting the full feeling because the nerves in your stomach were just cut and are trying to heal right now. Plus liquids dont allways make you feel full which will get better when you get to the puree or mushie stage. Good Luck and try to form new habbits now while you are still fresh out.

Thanks for those helpful comments. I do take a PPI (Prevacid). But I had no idea that the nerves in the stomach could have been affected, nor that it could affect my sense of feeling full. I'd better be more careful.

[Cinderella 2]

Thanks for all the encouraging information, everyone. I was just feelign a little down myself, as I am in Week 2... and lost 18 pounds in Week one, then gained back 2 pounds in Week 2.

I think it is obviously because I couldn't eat ANYTHING during Week I, even a couple of tiny bites of food was too much... just mostly liquids and a few mushies. Now, Week 2 is here, and I am doing the mushies better, so I am eating something again, but still very little.

My NUT said that you should NEVER drink while you eat, it makes the food slide right through your sleeve. So when you start eating, stop drinking until you're all done.

She also told me not to eat more than 4-6 oz at one meal.. that is all the little tummy can hold these days, she says.

I just know that the weight loss will start up again, once I get a little stabilized on what my diet is.

Good luck, Cinderella

[Quixotic 0]

Thanks for all the encouraging information, everyone. I was just feelign a little down myself, as I am in Week 2... and lost 18 pounds in Week one, then gained back 2 pounds in Week 2.

I think it is obviously because I couldn't eat ANYTHING during Week I, even a couple of tiny bites of food was too much... just mostly liquids and a few mushies. Now, Week 2 is here, and I am doing the mushies better, so I am eating something again, but still very little.

My NUT said that you should NEVER drink while you eat, it makes the food slide right through your sleeve. So when you start eating, stop drinking until you're all done.

She also told me not to eat more than 4-6 oz at one meal.. that is all the little tummy can hold these days, she says.

I just know that the weight loss will start up again, once I get a little stabilized on what my diet is.

Good luck, Cinderella

I think you (and your NUT) are 100% on target.

[kymmi12 0]

Ok ok: .. I'm really worried now because I can sometimes eat alot of food (2 cups) or more ... I have not lost any weight in 37 days . In fact it says I have gained 5 lbs ..(hmmm) I would like to know if a sleeve can be stretched..?? or damaged within 7 months???. I have lost 58 lbs since surgery in April 2010.. But I have been able to manipulate my stomach to eat more .. I think that I will have to address my addiction to the food .. My problem is not just with surgery, its also mental.. I got to jooin a group to deal with food addiction.. I go up and down .. The lowest weight so far is 237.. from 289 ... I feel great but I have stopped exercising all together.. i just do my housework and shop alot. So I get walking from that. and I find that I crave sweets alot. HELP!!!

[Quixotic 0]

Ok ok: .. I'm really worried now because I can sometimes eat alot of food (2 cups) or more ... I have not lost any weight in 37 days . In fact it says I have gained 5 lbs ..(hmmm) I would like to know if a sleeve can be stretched..?? or damaged within 7 months???. I have lost 58 lbs since surgery in April 2010.. But I have been able to manipulate my stomach to eat more .. I think that I will have to address my addiction to the food .. My problem is not just with surgery, its also mental.. I got to jooin a group to deal with food addiction.. I go up and down .. The lowest weight so far is 237.. from 289 ... I feel great but I have stopped exercising all together.. i just do my housework and shop alot. So I get walking from that. and I find that I crave sweets alot. HELP!!!

Hang in there. I had a weight gain, too, and worried about my sleeve being too big. In fact, that was my initial post. In my case, it turned out to be the type foods I was eating. I've seen the term "Sliders" used for foods that can leak around the sleeve, allowing more than the usual capacity to be eaten. If you are eating that sort of food - liquids or soupy, soft foods - you may defeat the size of your new stomach. I could eat a ton of yogurt and frozen berries, for example, without feeling filled up.

Also, if you are eating foods high in fat (cream, especially), starch (like potatoes) or sugar (Fruit drinks, for example), you can defeat your new stomach. You can't go back to french fries and expect the weight loss to continue. But if you stick with low fat Proteins (eggs are not low fat - about 75% of the calories in an egg is from fat) - try for things like chicken breast without skin, white fish, egg whites, whey Protein isolate, etc. and lots of low starch vegetables, you may find that you fill up on much less food.

I've heard that you can stretch your stomach if you keep drinking soft drinks. The air will expand the stomach (not to mention the sugar in the drink).

Lastly, and this isn't scientific, I've read and suspect it's true that if you wash your food down with drinks, it may also allow you to eat more.

Exercise is something that I've found is key. Housework isn't enough (and housework won't help calm your nerves, as walking will). I used to think walking was boring, but that was before I got a Kindle and could read while I worked out on the elliptical or treadmill. Now it's just part of my routine to do 45 minutes a day, every day, while reading a book. Good luck. Don't give up on yourself!

[cielle 0]

I lost 12 pounds my first week and for the next 2.5 weeks lost 3 pounds, gained 4, lost 1 pound, gained 2, etc. Then right before my 1 month check, I lost 10 pounds practically overnight. That was on Tuesday. No idea why it's coming off like that for me, but I guess that as long as it keeps coming off, I'm ok with it.

[Lostnthewind 0]

I am not sure if I should have started a new post, so please forgive me if I have done this wrong.

I was sleeved on 12/18. I didn't lose anything during the two weeks before surgery that I was on the high Protein low carb diet. I am on a liquid only diet and have managed to gain 1.5 pounds. I see everyone reporting all of their loss and I wonder if I have done the right thing or if I am going to fail this diet too.

Diet is consisting of chicken broth, crystal light, sf Jello, sf popsickles and Protein Water. I have the worst heartburn so I am trying to be super careful about things that might set it off as well as what I ought to be eating.

I had the surgery in Cancun - absolutely beautiful- and was in the hospital for almost 3 full days. Pain is manageable and I still feel more than a bit bloated. I am hoping (praying) that when the bloating subsides so will some of the weight.

Thanks so much,

Lost.

[MINI-Me 196]

I am not sure if I should have started a new post, so please forgive me if I have done this wrong.

I was sleeved on 12/18. I didn't lose anything during the two weeks before surgery that I was on the high Protein low carb diet. I am on a liquid only diet and have managed to gain 1.5 pounds. I see everyone reporting all of their loss and I wonder if I have done the right thing or if I am going to fail this diet too.

Diet is consisting of chicken broth, crystal light, sf Jello, sf popsickles and Protein Water. I have the worst heartburn so I am trying to be super careful about things that might set it off as well as what I ought to be eating.

I had the surgery in Cancun - absolutely beautiful- and was in the hospital for almost 3 full days. Pain is manageable and I still feel more than a bit bloated. I am hoping (praying) that when the bloating subsides so will some of the weight.

Thanks so much,

Lost.

Your "gain" is most likely Fluid retention after surgery. I'm sure you were pumped with fluids in your 3 day stay to avoid dehydration. Were you given a prescription for the heartburn? Most doctors put you on a PPI for the first 6 months. If you don't have a script or a way to get one, try one of the over the counter medications - it really will help!

Congratulations on your surgery.

[Lostnthewind 0]

Your "gain" is most likely Fluid retention after surgery. I'm sure you were pumped with fluids in your 3 day stay to avoid dehydration. Were you given a prescription for the heartburn? Most doctors put you on a PPI for the first 6 months. If you don't have a script or a way to get one, try one of the over the counter medications - it really will help!

Congratulations on your surgery.

I don't have a prescription but I am sure I can talk to my regular dr and get one. Until that happens, I will pick up something over the counter. Last night was miserable.

Thanks for the advise.

[MINI-Me 196]

I don't have a prescription but I am sure I can talk to my regular dr and get one. Until that happens, I will pick up something over the counter. Last night was miserable.

Thanks for the advise.

Glad to help out. Hope tonight is better for you.