This is WORSE than a stall! Frustrated...

[Introvert 53]

I'm one month and almost one week postop and am losing maybe 1/2 pound per week. First week I lost 20 second week 4, then nothing. I was just cleared to exercise at one month and still no change. I don't understand how most have lost 30-40 by now and I'm struggling. Struggling to get in Water. I keep a water bottle with me and sip ALL day but can get about 40 oz only. I was instructed to eat 3 meals a day no grazing but how can I get in the calories if I eat all the Protein possible before filling up. I've resorted to Peanut Butter and ice cream for the last week. NOTHING'S coming off. What am I doing wrong? I could've just dieted and did better than this. At my last appt. I was told I lost 9 pounds fat, gained 2 muscle and gained 6 water, but lost only 1 on the scale... I don't wanna be 253 pounds of muscle! I'm open for ANY suggestions right about now... My highest weight was 278.

[finediva 979]

Peanut Butter and ice cream? Really? My only suggestion would be to stop eating peanut butter and ice cream. I haven't lost anything in 2 1/2 weeks. I am sticking to the program. I have no choice. No judgement here. All the best.

[Kindle 8,667]

Are you drinking Protein shakes? Even at 10 months out, this is how I meet Protein and Fluid goals. I make a smoothie every morning and drink it late morning/early afternoon. I've got at least 8 different Protein powder flavors to choose from and then add even more variety with fruit, PB2, Torani syrups and Mio Water drops. My smoothies are 24-32oz liquid, 25-40g protein (depending on what type of Protein Powder a I use and whether it's made with milk or water) and 5-10g Fiber. So I'm killing 3 birds with one stone (fluids, protein, fiber) and easily meeting the other 1/2 of my goals through high protein food, tea, coffee, Water and juice.

You need to Try and figure out how to drink and eat more. I had only lost 17 pounds at 6 weeks postop, then gained 3 pounds and sat there for a month. That was when In was sick from a medication I was taking. As soon as I stopped the medication, I ate and drank at least twice as much and dropped 8 pounds in 1 week! Slow but steady loss (with just a couple. 2-3 week stalls) ever since. Good luck.

PS. go ahead and eat 5-6 tiny, healthy meals/day if you have to....I do. It's better than Peanut Butter and ice cream.

[TheCurvyJones 721]

You lost 24 lbs in the first two weeks. There is typically a pause during weeks 3 or 4, where your body tries to figure out WTF JUST HAPPENED?

Your loss is fine..trust me! Almost 2 yrs out, your post is extremely common. You're doing great! I didn't hit 30lbs down till around week 12. I'm 102 lbs down now. The sleeve works, give it time.

Stay the course, concentrate on Protein grams, exercise minutes and ounces of Water. You're one month out and doing just fine. Some of us are steady and plodding, some drop a HUGE amount right out of the gate. There was no way you were going to lose 20 lbs every week.

Also, it's WAY TOO EARLY for off plan eating. Get back on track!

Edit: As far as Water, do your best. Work up to 64+ oz of water. At 2 yrs out, I just barely make 64oz of water. Don't stress, just keep moving. Do what you have to do to get it down... I pour it into a cup and use a straw because a bottle just doesn't work for me.

As far as meals.....3 meals a day isn't going to cut it. Think of your 60+ grams of Protein as a goal to hit, then exceed. You may need to supplement with Protein shakes... get some samples, find one you can live with. I like premier because there's 30 grams of protein in one of those suckers. Drink one in the morning and you have a leg up. You will get full, FAST, but the sleeve is designed for the body to need fuel every 2 to 3 hours. I don't understand docs and NUTs telling people 3 meals a day? How do they expect people to hit protein goals on that? Meh.

Do what you have to do. There's not enough protein in ice cream and that sugar WILL stall you.

Edited September 24, 2014 by TheCurvyJones

[Introvert 53]

I was only eating the PB & ice cream to get the calories in... But I'll lay off now. Maybe I need help with the shakes. I mix 8 oz of light apple juice frozen berries two scoops of Protein (20g) and Calcium scoops. Equals about 12 oz.

and am stuffed halfway thru. Is it bad to drink some regular juices or must it always be sugar free? I can't tolerate ANY artificial sweeteners. How about Protein Bars as a meal?

[TheCurvyJones 721]

I don't like bars because they taste terrible and they don't help me lose. I can maintain on them but I see no loss.

I'd cut that shake in half or more. our sleeves can only hold 4-6oz at a time. 6oz would be max capacity. So take that shake and divide it by 2 and maybe increase the amount of Protein you're using. 12 oz in one sitting is too much to take in, no wonder you're full. I'd do 4-6 oz shakes about 2 hours apart.

I LOVE fruit but the sugar drives my body crazy so I know nothing about how good it is to have real fruit juice. I know there is a lot of sugar in it though. How soon until you can have solids? It will be much easier when you can eat actual food.

PB is a good fat and there is Protein in it.

[Kindle 8,667]

I do eat a Protein bar or whole grain bar for lunch M-F because I don't get a lunch break at work. I snack on my Protein smoothie, protein or whole grain bar, mixed nuts and Jerky all day instead of eating an actual " meal" for Breakfast and lunch.

And I couldn't stand artificial sweeteners, either. I drank diluted 100% fruit juice and regular (not low cal) Vitamin Water and Lifewater. I even put a little fruit juice in some of my protein smoothies to help mask the artificial taste. Herbal Decaf teas also helped me get my fluids in. I drink them both hot and cold, over ice. No sugar or artificial sweeteners.

So stick with healthy food choices and make whatever adjustments you need to fit your life. This isn't a one size fits all thing, there's lots of ways to succeed...just be patient and enjoy the ride.

[Introvert 53]

Thanks Kindle, I was beginning to think I was alone with the artificial sweeteners thing. I kinda count the sugar

in those drinks as calories eaten. I guess I just have to be patient. @ TheCurvyJones, how does the sugar make your body crazy?

[Jordan861 124]

I was only eating the PB & ice cream to get the calories in... But I'll lay off now. Maybe I need help with the shakes. I mix 8 oz of light apple juice frozen berries two scoops of Protein (20g) and Calcium scoops. Equals about 12 oz.

and am stuffed halfway thru. Is it bad to drink some regular juices or must it always be sugar free? I can't tolerate ANY artificial sweeteners. How about protein bars as a meal?

I use GNC protein powder - 1 scoop in 1/2 cup skim milk - that is 24 grams of protein in 4 oz - just the right size so it doesn't make you feel bloated. Also GNC carries Isopure Protein Water - 40 grams of protein in 20 oz of water - and only like 110 calories. Think protein and water - don't concentrate on calories.

[TheCurvyJones 721]

Thanks Kindle, I was beginning to think I was alone with the artificial sweeteners thing. I kinda count the sugar

in those drinks as calories eaten. I guess I just have to be patient. @ TheCurvyJones, how does the sugar make your body crazy?

I am pre-diabetic, so sugar affects me differently. Mostly, I feel like I need a nap after I eat fruit. It feels the same to me as if I ate a cupcake or a snickers bar. HUGE RUSH and then I need to sleep for 3 hours. I don't, though, have an issue with artificial sweetners. You've gotta do what you've gotta do to make it.

Overrall, you're doing great. Just clean up your eating a bit and don't stress about what you're not doing. No one is perfect and we all have different abilities and, once you're further along you'll find it much easier to hit those daily milestones. ALSO the weight will keep coming off.

[AvaFern 3,516]

I use two scales and both are within a pound of the doctor's office scale. A few days a week I use an Ironman scale which was super expensive and it has a lot of fun measurements that it can do (bone density, fat%, Water %, and about 7 other things). The other few days a week when I am somewhere else in the mornings I use the BalanceFrom scale that I bought on Amazon for $25. I actually like the cheap scale better because it doesn't change your weight by a few ounces if you weigh yourself a few times around the same time.

Ultimately, as long as you're using the same scale, you should be able to tell how much you're losing regardless of what the doctor's office scale says. If you go from 200 to 195 on the doc's scale or 195 to 190 on your scale, you're still down 5 pounds.

[AvaFern 3,516]

I use two scales and both are within a pound of the doctor's office scale. A few days a week I use an Ironman scale which was super expensive and it has a lot of fun measurements that it can do (bone density, fat%, Water %, and about 7 other things). The other few days a week when I am somewhere else in the mornings I use the BalanceFrom scale that I bought on Amazon for $25. I actually like the cheap scale better because it doesn't change your weight by a few ounces if you weigh yourself a few times around the same time.

Ultimately, as long as you're using the same scale, you should be able to tell how much you're losing regardless of what the doctor's office scale says. If you go from 200 to 195 on the doc's scale or 195 to 190 on your scale, you're still down 5 pounds.

Sorry!!! I posted this post into the wrong forum, please ignore me!

[jelmore8312000 114]

I'm one month and almost one week postop and am losing maybe 1/2 pound per week. First week I lost 20 second week 4, then nothing. I was just cleared to exercise at one month and still no change. I don't understand how most have lost 30-40 by now and I'm struggling. Struggling to get in Water. I keep a water bottle with me and sip ALL day but can get about 40 oz only. I was instructed to eat 3 meals a day no grazing but how can I get in the calories if I eat all the Protein possible before filling up. I've resorted to Peanut Butter and ice cream for the last week. NOTHING'S coming off. What am I doing wrong? I could've just dieted and did better than this. At my last appt. I was told I lost 9 pounds fat, gained 2 muscle and gained 6 water, but lost only 1 on the scale... I don't wanna be 253 pounds of muscle! I'm open for ANY suggestions right about now... My highest weight was 278.

sound like my story same beginning weight. Trust me dont panic it will start to move again just follow your doc orders