What am I doing wrong?

[scoutsmom 17]

So...I had my surgery on 25 October and I've lost FIVE POUNDS in ELEVEN DAYS. My surgery weight was 233. I lost 9 pounds on the pre-op diet and they said my liver looked fabulous. I could honestly lose more weight at almost any diet and have more energy. My surgeon has a 3-week post-op liquid diet but at 2 weeks I can add Soup and pudding. I am beginning to think I am not getting enough calories. I am walking at least 2 miles a day and drinking at least 48 ounces of Water plus 2 Protein Shakes and broth. I'm not so much frustrated, but disappointed. I feel like this is a huge sacrifice and I'm not seeing any results. In the past 11 days I have had under 400 calories a day and almost nothing to show for it.

On Thursday I called the nutritionist and I told her I was hungry and she gave some very unhelpful tips like "you can have broth and decaffeinated tea" (thanks, I can read so I already know that) and said I could have 3-4 shakes a day but I can barely stomach the 2 I do drink. I have tried different brands, but I'm so over them.

Please tell me your stories about how you also didn't lose weight...and then you did!

[kandywolf 161]

Congratulations on what you have lost. My first 2 weeks my scale didn’t move. Remember swelling at this point is alot. My surgeon said to be patient. (I look prego)


SW:350 (11/2015)
BSW:260 (10/17/17)
CW:248 (1st official weigh in post op)
GW:175

[scoutsmom 17]

Thank you!

[BDME 138]

It does kind of sound like you’re not intaking enough. 3 weeks liquid it kind of rough. I was on full liquids ( puréed Soups, Jello, yogurt, Protein shakes) 24 hours after surgery and for the next 3 weeks I could have all of the above plus moist tuna, and puréed meats ( I skipped those cuz bleh) I just got cleared to eat regular food and I am rejoicing. You seem to be active. I’m not expert but my gut is telling me you’re not intaking enough for your body to burn off. Congrats on your weight loss tho! Every pound counts

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

I am nearly the same for wt loss at 13 days post-op. I lost 10 on pre-op liquids and 5 at my 1 week post-op weigh-in. I too am not taking in much nutrition, ab 400 calories, ab 45gr Protein and 40oz Water. I intend to increase my protein and water as much as I can, but it is hard to do. We have to hang in there and keep going.

I am consuming some pureed cottage cheese, pureed tuna and avocado, and ricotta bake - small small amounts. As well as a shake and some Isopure clear Protein Drink.

And sf chocolate pudding did not sit well at all - so that is off my list - who knows why.

Your hunger could be acid reflux. I am def NOT hungry, could care less about food - but not fond of passing out either lol.

[Helen123 4]

I understand from previous surgery that the preop diet is low in carbs so you lose glycogen which holds Water, and as you start to eat again you regain the water you lost but are still losing fat.

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[scoutsmom 17]

Thank you for your thoughtful replies and advice!

BDME, I love that you skipped pureed meats because bleh...my thoughts exactly I am so confused about why different doctors have such drastically different pre- and post-op plans.

Sosewsue61, I am DEFINITELY hungry. Not starving, but I'm hungry. I certainly hoped to be one of the lucky ones who was not hungry, but that didn't happen. It still could as my stomach heals and the hunger hormones are regulated. It's difficult to realize that the way I feel now--physically and emotionally--will not last forever and everything will evolve. Hopefully on Wednesday I will be free to eat cottage cheese and tuna. Again, the huge differences between surgeon is confusing.

Helen123, that is so interesting and I certainly didn't know that. Thanks for telling me!

[Brandeis 401]

It'll come off. Most programs advise you not to weigh yourself outside of post-op checkins with doctors. we all weigh ourselves anyway. lol. but it'll be better once you're able to walk/run/whatever exercise you do, to get your metabolism moving, and believe it or not, once you're able to eat MORE you might start losing more.

As I see it, though, as long as the scale is moving in the right overall direction, don't stress it.

[Worried2017 11]

If you walking 2 miles a day, There is your answer. You are burning fat and replacing it with muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat. I will congratulate you, im post op vgs 13days and i struggle to move, im very weak and light headed. Im on full liquids now and same as you, im hungry all the time! Best wishes and be patient, i believe your are going to see great results soon

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[travelergirl 142]

You aren't doing anything wrong. Our bodies are traumatized by the surgery. There is a lot of healing going on.
My DR had me at 60 g Protein and 60 oz liquids. If you don't like the Protein Shakes have you tried the protein waters? They come in various flavors. You can buy some pre mixed or you can buy powder to mix in.
I've found that my weight loss can be slow and then boom I'll get some big drops. I'm 5 months post op and have lost 47 lbs since surgery. I lost 51 lbs on my own before surgery, so I'm at 98 lbs down total and so close to that 100 lb mark! It is slower than i thought it would be, but the physical changes are amazing. I feel great. And I'm getting into smaller and smaller sizes.
HW 377
SW 326
CW 279

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[JeffN 106]

First thing first follow your DR.'s food plan. Just because someone else is on another program does not mean you can be as well. People forget that each DR has their suture strategy and techniques some heal faster than others but can also have different side effects. SO FOLLOW YOUR DR's PLAN not someone in some forum.

Second great job on the weight loss. Each person will lose more or less than the next. You did not wake up one day and was overweight. It took time, and like Gas Prices which always goes up overnight but comes down over months, your weight will do the same.

At the stage you are in your concern should be staying hydrated. I try to drink over 120oz of Water but if you can get in 64 that is great. You will find that once you move into soft foods things will change for you.

Once you move into soft foods that is when you should start watching and monitoring your daily calorie intake. I eat about 1000 - 900 calories per day regardless of what exercise I do for the day.

You need to count every calorie that goes into your mouth. I use a product called "Lose it" on my iPhone it has a vast database of most foods, and you can use the barcode feature to add foods as well. Studies have shown people that count their calories do better at losing weight because most people who say they eat 1200 calories per day consume over 1000 more than they thought.

Hang in there your body will fight you; let's face it junk food tastes excellent that why we ate it, to begin with, but after awhile of eating healthy I promise you that bag of chips and pizza will taste like metal.