Still stalled - and hungry. Where's the magic weight loss i was promised?

[justhere4theshow 462]

Sleeve patients continue to lose weight as far out as 2 years. It is not necessarily faster in the beginning at all for lower BMI patients. You are absolutely going to have to slow down a bit...you're giving your body too much to deal with right now. I know you love to exercise, but you have to eat more when you work out so much. My weight loss has been slower also, but the further out I get from surgery, I am losing more and more. I had to stop expecting a certain rate of loss, and just let it happen. Follow your program and do what you have to do, but suspend your expectations for a while and just let your body do what it needs to do. This takes time, especially for sleevers. Be patient, be diligent in your efforts but don't kill yourself, and relax. You will lose the weight. (I'm not sure how you ended up overweight to begin with) Keep posting and let us know how you're doing. My best to you.

[pr_pitbullgrl 1,039]

@@Seastars i eat fruit but just not at night and i would go full fat on your cheeses and everything tbh. this is what worked for me. have bacon and steaks and all that. just to get it moving again. you'll find what works for you i'm sure you're on the right track! keep it up

Edited August 1, 2016 by pr_pitbullgrl

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

Question: Are you serious about having expected "magic" or is that a jest?

Of course that's a jest. But I didn't think I would have to go nuts with cardio, or feel (and ignore) hunger pangs, in order to lose. I thought it would be easier and more successful than other diets I'd tried.

You'll find that quite a few people expect magic despite being told it doesn't work that way. They tend to hear or know only what they choose even when no one ever spoke of it. I'm glad you're not one of them.

If you do cardio and strength training, in that order, they will help the weight loss along. They'll be good in many other ways, too.

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@Seastars i eat fruit but just not at night and i would go full fat on your cheeses and everything tbh. this is what worked for me. have bacon and steaks and all that. just to get it moving again. you'll find what works for you i'm sure you're on the right track! keep it up

At 6 weeks out - I'd be careful with having steak and bacon.

[Christinamo7 4,042]

@@Seastars i eat fruit but just not at night and i would go full fat on your cheeses and everything tbh. this is what worked for me. have bacon and steaks and all that. just to get it moving again. you'll find what works for you i'm sure you're on the right track! keep it up

At 6 weeks out - I'd be careful with having steak and bacon.

I was cleared for all foods at 4 weeks - and then tip toed into trying different things. Was a relief that steak didn't upset my tummy at about the six week mark - but we are all different and the healing process varies.

[Bee healthy 29]

@@Djmohr I was feeling defeated today and then came across your thoughtful response and advice for @seastars. It made good sense and I am glad I came across it. Thanks!

[Djmohr 6,965]

@@Seastars

I think you are doing a tremendous job and I tend to agree with your nut given everything that you have told us. Honestly the best thing you can do is get off the scale and continue your plan but ask about reflux because that really could be having an impact your feeling of hunger.

I commend you on your exercise routine. I am unfortunately disabled and yet I try hard to swim, walk and do PT exercises. I am young, only 53 but have severe arthritis of the spine. I have so much energy after losing all of my weight that I seriously want to get back to my hour cardio routine per day. Unfortuntely my back just wont let me......the good news about all of this is this increased energy and want to do more.

I am hoping and praying that with time this nerve pain from my previous back surgery will go away sooner vs. later.

I tell you all this because I swear I would love to be right next to you exercising.

You are going to do great! I know it based on your eating and exercise routine. You just have to be patient and let it happen for you.

All that exercise should help with lose skin too. I have lost 151lbs and I look like a sharpei dog! LOL all except for my arms which I had Brachioplasty 2 1/2 weeks ago and my cute little muscular arms look fabulous although still a bit swollen and bruised.

[pr_pitbullgrl 1,039]

Ooh she's right. I don't know y I thought u were six months out not six weeks. She's right I couldn't eat steak for a long time.

[Seastars 175]

Thank you so much, guys. Your encouragement and advice means a lot.

[Djmohr 6,965]

I was able to eat steak (beef tenderloin only) at 3 months but I had to be very careful about chewing. Even ground beef took a long time but now I have no problem. Pork for me has always been a problem, I still struggle but will eat pork tenderloin or sometimes pulled pork if it is not too dry.

chicken and fish from the beginning, shrimp I had a hard time with for quite a while. I want to say somewhere around 4 or 5 months post op.

And eggs, I still cannot do.

[Dr. Gail Altschuler MD 33]

So many great responses, especially those reminding you that it may take a bit to find the best approach for you and for your body to kick into weight loss gear. A couple of suggestions.

1. Try planning your meals primarily solid Protein and vegetables. Eat slowly and chew your food really well. Enjoy Water a half hour before and an hour after meals, but eat your meals pretty dry. The sleeve is a restrictive surgery and liquids may not be giving you the sensation of fullness you're looking for to feel satisfied.

2. Aim for 1000 calories of carefully planned meals, Protein and vegetables, only small amounts of complex carbs or fruit to start. Avoid liquid calories unless you can only manage a shake in a hurry.

3. Physical activity is really healthy and almost essential for maintenance, but it has a limited effect for weight loss. The focus should be on the food you eat. It's not necessary to exercise 3 hours a day or push yourself to the limit. If you do that to the extreme, you're body may think you're starving and go into high gear to hold on to your weight.

4. Trust your body and the process. You'll learn what works for you. Sometimes it just takes a bit longer to figure it out. Take care. Dr. Gail

[pr_pitbullgrl 1,039]

I was able to eat steak (beef tenderloin only) at 3 months but I had to be very careful about chewing. Even ground beef took a long time but now I have no problem. Pork for me has always been a problem, I still struggle but will eat pork tenderloin or sometimes pulled pork if it is not too dry.

chicken and fish from the beginning, shrimp I had a hard time with for quite a while. I want to say somewhere around 4 or 5 months post op.

And eggs, I still cannot do.

i eat eggs like they're going out of style lol.

[Djmohr 6,965]

@@pr_pitbullgrl

I wish I could I miss them. I used to love poached eggs the best and ate them almost every morning for Breakfast. Now, I gag and they weigh really heavy in my stomach. I keep trying thinking maybe but the answer is always no way!

That important to understand too. Just because something don't work today doesn't mean it won't tomorrow so if there is a food you want to eat keep trying. I had a heck of a time with raw salad vegetables especially lettuce. It was nearly 6 months before I could tolerate them.

There are also times when a food doesn't bother me and then the next week it doesn't work.

[anewmee 16]

it must be really frustrating for you. I wonder if 1200 cal is a tad too much? I also thought maybe ( and I really have no idea so this is just a thought) that does losing the 21 pounds prior have anything to do with it as in could your metabolism have dropped possibly?

I suppose though that most sleevers and banders would lose quite a bit prior because of the shake diets?

[Seastars 175]

I like these tips! Dr. Gail, I do think I'm over-relying on shakes. I still have at least 2 per day. (Pre-surgery, I was similarly reliant on Protein bars - at least one per day.).

Pre-surgery I was mostly vegetarian, with some low-fat dairy, eggs and fish a couple of times a week. I ate a LOT of legumes and whole grains, and some nuts, for my Protein. Unfortunately, those are high in carbs (part of why I got obese) so I've had to cut them out except as a treat. Fish is my main "solid" protein source now, at least once per day. I try to eat chicken and turkey but am getting a little burned out on it. Ditto cottage cheese. So all that is to say: (1) my body may be adjusting to a new, low-Fiber part of dieting along with the low-carb part. (2) since I'm still relying on shakes to meet my protein goals, I might not feel as satisfied - mentally at least. Maybe adding more fat will help.

What are some good,non-red-meat fat sources? I do get some from oily fish. I have my 2% cottage cheese (higher fat, harder cheeses are not tolerated now). I could add more eggs. I used to (pre surgery) have ground flaxseed and olive oil on popcorn - nearly every day - but I know popcorn is out for sleeve patients, and nuts and hummus have too many carbs. I had a little avocado yesterday. I haven't reacted well to salad dressing, so that's out.