Need Help and Advice

[rusnj 16]

Hi All,

I am almost 4 months post-op and have lost only 34lbs. I hit stalls quite frequently and have been in a stall for past 3 weeks now. Is this normal since this is very discouraging.

Also, I am pretty conscious of what I eat and restrict my diet to around 700-800calories per my NUTs advice but I am always hungry. I crave sweets and carbs which I never did before my Sleeve. Again, is this normal....

Please HELP

[snapy17 39]

Hi All,
I am almost 4 months post-op and have lost only 34lbs. I hit stalls quite frequently and have been in a stall for past 3 weeks now. Is this normal since this is very discouraging.
Also, I am pretty conscious of what I eat and restrict my diet to around 700-800calories per my NUTs advice but I am always hungry. I crave sweets and carbs which I never did before my Sleeve. Again, is this normal....
Please HELP

I feel your pain. I have lost 50 lbs in 4 months & compared to everyone hete that is slow. I too go through frequent stalls but my stalls come with 1-2 lbs of weight gain. I have identified my issues to be lack of Consistent excercise. I need 1 hour 5 days a week instead I'm only doing 30 min 3 days a week. I need to stay under 50 Gms of carbs daily instead I am at 75 Gms of carbs any given day.
Are you in a similar pattern ???
If so make small changes & see if it helps !!

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[Introversion 1,876]

You used the word "restrict" and I suspect that's the issue. Since you should no longer be on a diet, severe restriction of food needs to be done away with. The more you restrict, the more you crave. Restriction is a relic of the dieters' mentality.

My dietitian did not have me restricting calories ever. I reached my goal weight and have maintained my 100+ pound weight loss.

Here's the method to the madness: those who eat enough Protein will naturally keep their calories low and metabolic rate high without tracking or counting. Protein has a very high thermic effect and the body must devote considerable time and energy digesting it. This revs up the metabolism.

I increased my calories incrementally. By 4 months out I was eating 1000 kcals. At 6 months I was up to 1200 kcals. By 9 months I ate 1500 kcals, and at 12 months out I was up to 1700-1800 kcals a day. I am now 2+ years out and maintain my 118-pound body on 2000 kcals daily, though I don't closely count.

The incremental increases in food intake preserved my metabolic rate and I am reaping the rewards today. I eat about 120 grams of protein a day. I don't count carbs or fat grams.

So my advice would be...1) stay off the scale for a few months; 2) consume 80+ grams of protein per day, preferably meats and eggs, and 3) gradually increase your food intake.

Good luck to you! By the way, I'd lost 41 pounds at 4 months out. Not everyone is a rapid responder to bariatric surgery. What really matters is the long run, a.k.a. your ability to maintain the weight loss without regaining.

Edited June 4, 2017 by Introversion

[DaleCruse 756]

Really good advice from Introversion here.

To the original poster, don't worry about what other people lose. Don't worry about "normal". You can't control either of those. Control what you can control, which is what you put in your mouth & how much you move. Travel your own path, not someone else's. Good luck!

[Newme17 3,444]

Ditto what @Introversion and @DaleCruse says!!!

[rusnj 16]

Thank you All the responders. Really appreciate your responses.

I hope my journey is like yours Introversion.

Snapy17, it seems like I fit the pattern. I have to exercise more regularly.

DaleCruse and Newme17, thanks for boosting the morale.

[Pam_2-06-2017 375]

I'm 4 months out and have lost 41 pounds. I haven't been too concerned about how much I have lost how fast. This is my personal journey and as long as the numbers are going in the right direction I don't really care how long it takes. I only really count my Protein. I make sure I get 60-100g a day and my Water. Beyond that I'm not too concerned. I do track everything I eat and try to limit carbs but I do not deny myself. I make an effort to not eat grains and sugar but I am not militant about it. I average about 1000 calories a day. This is intentionally up from 800 that I naturally eat. I intentionally increased my cal intake because I felt that I may be getting too few at this point in my journey. I have also increased my activity level so the extra 200 has helped my energy. The point is try different things and see what works for you. This is a marathon not a sprint. I'm in it for the long haul.

Note: this is a very different attitude I had when I first had surgery. I was very strict while I was healing and building self control. It has become pretty easy for me to not eat something if it is not good for me or I feel like I've had enough for the day. This control is an amazing feeling and it makes me feel proud for the work I've done.

Take care

[travelergirl 142]

If you are always hungry look at your fat. Healthy fats are good to help us feel satisfied. Look to add some dairy, nuts, nut butters (check to make sure no added sugar). They make a big difference.

I find that when I have been at the low end of calories my body can slow down on weight loss. Adding back some calories gets me losing again.
Also, I like to change up my activity...if I've been on treadmill try a zumba class...or switch to some circuit training with weights. Surprise your body.
This is a marathon not a sprint so keep moving forward and stay focused on goal. You can do it.

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