Rx Weight Loss Meds Post-op?

[LAJ23 70]

I'm almost 10 months post-op and am down about 80# give or take, which is 30# from my goal. I was stuck at about 163 for several months and am still struggling to get enough Protein in. I've been in contact with my RD and she suggested smaller, more frequent meals to try to get closer to my daily protein goal. The problem is, I'm finding that since following this routine, I'm gaining weight and am now up to 169. I reached out to her again, and she is now suggesting adding a low-dose Rx med to the mix. I'm not sure how I feel about this. She wants me to eat more small, frequent, protein-packed meals yet is suggesting an appetite suppressant? Doesn't make sense to me. I've tried things like Builders Bars and can't finish one in one sitting. I've added Unjury Protein Powder to things like cottage cheese, yogurt & salsa, but that's only 22g - IF I can get the whole scoop in one day. I snack on stuff like string cheese (9g protein), but it's not enough. I walk 2 miles daily and am taking up swimming next week. I'm starting to feel like I'm never going to get over this hump. Anyone else ever been in this conundrum? On the bright side, my hair has stopped falling out and is growing back!

[lizonaplane 1,612]

1) I know some surgeons use weight loss meds like phentermine after surgery. Topamax is another option (I take it for Migraine prevention but I have been taking it for 20+ years so I have no idea if it has helped me lose weight). Whether this is the right answer for you is a conversation with your PCP and surgeon.

2) Have you tried Protein Water? How short are you on protein? Are you tracking your calories/macros/water intake? Can you snack on things that are high protein but lower in fat than cheese, like tuna, egg whites, deli meat?

Good luck!

[LAJ23 70]

1 hour ago, lizonaplane said:

I was on Topomax for Migraines as well (many years ago), but it caused severe, painful tingling in my feet and hands, so I had to stop. Didn't cause me to lose any weight.

To be a little more clear, my diet does include hard-boiled eggs daily (also suggested by the RD), tuna, salmon, chicken (I'm sooooo chickened-out!), and low sodium deli meat (like turkey). I also love plain bell peppers (sprinkle them with Protein powder) and other veggies & fruits. I eat almost no carbs (bread, Pasta, rice, etc.) so I just don't get it. I try to diversify while staying within the realm of the post-op diet. I've tried a couple of protein waters but didn't care for the flavor. I drink at least 3, 33oz bottles of Smart Water a day and occasionally drink Fairlife milk.

1) I know some surgeons use weight loss meds like phentermine after surgery. Topamax is another option (I take it for Migraine prevention but I have been taking it for 20+ years so I have no idea if it has helped me lose weight). Whether this is the right answer for you is a conversation with your PCP and surgeon.

2) Have you tried Protein Water? How short are you on protein? Are you tracking your calories/macros/water intake? Can you snack on things that are high protein but lower in fat than cheese, like tuna, egg whites, deli meat?

Good luck!

[SummerTimeGirl 582]

I've never tried the Unjury brand Protein powder that you say you don't always get a full scoop of so I don't know how big their portion size is but, have you tried any other brands? I know Genepro's, for example, 1 scoop of protein is way smaller (and has better absorption than many others) than others and packs more protein. In fact I know many other patients who just mix the one scoop, and some do two, to a few ounces of Water or flavored water and down it as sort of a shot, just to get it in and over with for the day. Maybe you just need to sample some others?

[LAJ23 70]

5 minutes ago, SummerTimeGirl said:

Unjury is what my doctor's office told me to take and they were super specific about it. In fact, I even posted a while back that the nutritionist basically made me order it online during a virtual visit with her. It's medical-grade and highly absorbable and it's a pretty big scoop and tastes like yeast (to me anyway). Yuck.

I've never tried the Unjury brand Protein Powder that you say you don't always get a full scoop of so I don't know how big their portion size is but, have you tried any other brands? I know Genepro's, for example, 1 scoop of Protein is way smaller (and has better absorption than many others) than others and packs more Protein. In fact I know many other patients who just mix the one scoop, and some do two, to a few ounces of Water or flavored water and down it as sort of a shot, just to get it in and over with for the day. Maybe you just need to sample some others?

[SummerTimeGirl 582]

I mean, it's up to you but, IF IT WERE ME, as long as the nutritional values were the same or close (or better) to what your docs/nutritionists are suggesting/requiring, I'd still check out some others. But that's just me. Especially if it will help you out in the long run.

Edited June 4, 2021 by SummerTimeGirl

[Arabesque 7,197]

The closer you are to goal, the more slowly you lose but in saying that you may have reached your balance & are in maintenance. That is the calories you are consuming are equal to the calories you are burning. To lose more you either have to consume less or increase your activity.

Whatever weight you end up at has to be sustainable. Many bariatric patients end up at a weight that is higher than what they may have initially wanted. But they’re at a weight they can maintain while still enjoying & living the healthy & happy life they want.

It’s fine to eat several smaller meals across a day or graze on three meals as long as caloric intake is constant. It just has to work for you. I eat three meals and about 4 nutritious Snacks every day because I can’t physically consume enough in three meals to maintain - my restriction kicks in & I can’t eat any more. My total caloric intake sits at about 1200 calories a day.

Another path you could look at is Dr Matt Weiner’s videos & books about resetting your basal metabolic rate which could enable you to lose more if you are interested. The intent is to reset your metabolism to run faster so your body burns more calories just to function.

I guess the big questions are do you want to have to take appetite suppressants for the rest of your life to maintain at a lower weight? Do you want to live your life consuming fewer calories &/or maintaining a higher activity level to stay at a lower weight? You may say yes to either of these questions & that’s fine. It’s your decision.

Congrats on your weight loss & good luck whatever you decide.