I need a little advice

[80sbabe 17]

Hey I’m 5 1/2 weeks post-op My progress has been stalled I’m wondering if I’m getting enough calories in I’m only averaging about 400 to 600 a day how do I get more calories in because I’m sure this is the reason why I’m stalling so soon in my journey I’m so lost my bariatric team is pretty much nonexistent because of the COVID-19 stuff that’s going on.

[New&Improved 1,780]

What exactly are you eating

[80sbabe 17]

I'm drinking two Protein Shakes a day and I've been eating chicken and eggs mostly sometimes I’ll have tuna. I'm only allowed to have 2 ounces of Protein at a time. And in between meals I’m supposed to have fruit and yogurt.

[Sammi_Katt 303]

I stalled for about three weeks when I was at the same spot you are. Stalls happen; you just have to power through them. I know they're frustrating, though.

Are you exercising? Maybe up the amount you walk in a day? I am also surprised they're telling you to have fruit; my nutritionist said to not introduce fruit back until six months in, and I am only just now getting it back in.

Just hang in there. It's tough, but try not to focus on the scale. Do you weigh yourself every single day, or once a week? If you do every day, maybe focus on just doing once a week for now.

[80sbabe 17]

Yes I’ve been exercising since my second week I weigh myself once a week I just find it weird that I didn’t have a problem losing weight before surgery while working out and dieting but since surgery it’s been a bit difficult for me to lose weight I know this is a process and I have to trust it thank you so much for the advice.

[80sbabe 17]

Thanks 😊

[catwoman7 11,232]

I swear surgeons need to tell their patients about "the three week stall". Probably 99% of us experience this. It's not always the third week, sometimes it's the second - or fourth - or fifth - but suffice it to say, pretty much EVERYBODY has their first major stall within the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. Just follow your surgeon's food plan and your weight loss WILL start up again. This stall usually lasts 1-2 weeks - although I've heard of it lasting 3.5 weeks in a few people. Just so you can see how ridiculously common this is, I did a search on this site for you. 17,500+ posts on the three week stall:

https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=three week stall

Edited July 22, 2020 by catwoman7

[80sbabe 17]

Thanks so much Catwoman7

[New&Improved 1,780]

Not everyone goes through those stalls by yes it is common

[catwoman7 11,232]

1 hour ago, MsMocie said:

I have been thinking about this, because 85% of the questions from people recently WLSed is 1) Hair loss, 2) stalls at 2-5 weeks out (and patients weighing themselves every day) + stalls at 3-4 months. These things should be addressed before surgery and in an information package out of hospital.

I've been helping lead the pre-op groups at my clinic for the last three years (well, until COVID hit, that is). I always tell them about the stalls (esp the three-week one, since that always freaks people out), the Hair loss, and I show them the picture I've often posted of myself here on BP from before my plastic surgery (most of them are obsessed with worry about the idea of having excess skin - and it's easier to just show them a picture than explain that for most of us, it's pretty easy to hide in clothes if plastic surgery isn't an option. I think seeing that picture reassures them). Anyway, I have a whole list of other things I talk about, too (like how most of us deal with chronic Constipation, and how vomiting is actually easier after surgery, and how important it is to track your food intake), but I know the hair loss, loose skin, and the stalls are the most important things I need to discuss (at least from me - there's a dietitian, health psychologist, an exercise person, and a PA on the team that co-lead the classes, too). So yes - I totally agree that clinics should address these things. They come up CONSTANTLY on the online forums I'm on, so I know most clinics and hospitals don't mention them, sadly...