3 week post op blues

[eJean 6]

So I’m 3 weeks post-op with a gastric sleeve. My first disappointment was when the week before my surgery my doctor told me I wasn’t a strong enough candidate for bypass. Ok, fine. But then he wouldn’t tell me how much of my stomach was removed, he didn’t give me incremental goal weights or a final goal weight. 11 days post surgery I had already lost 14lbs, (beg wt on 1/24 was 270lbs, date of surgery 232lbs). I’m trying not to be obsessive about my weight so I’m weighing in every 10-14 days. That being said, I’m already feeling like I’m stalling in my weight loss and even worried about gaining already.
Is this a normal feeling? I’m trying to get all my Protein but usually fall short. I’m on “soft foods” but can barely get down a 1/4 of a cup of food. The rest of my intake is liquid. Has anyone else had these feelings? Should I bite the bullet and go weigh in? Thank you in advance for any tidbits and opinions.

[Elizabeth Miller 8]

I’m nearing the 3weeks myself. I had an issue with puréed food for a few days when I first started the puréed diet. I had to go a few bites every 2 hours and compensate it with 1 1/2 oz of Protein Shake. Now my system is saying it’s fine it’s even had non puréed (but highly chewed) chilli just fine. I suggest trying around. I still can’t handle chicken very well but I can beef and fish. Remember every body is different. Do not be afraid to ask your team the question either. My doctor didn’t tell me the actual amount they removed either just an estimate of 2/3rds before the surgery.

[eJean 6]

My PA that I followed up with gave me a chart with a wide range of weights and said I’d be good if I stuck between the green weights and red weights😂. So far I’ve been lucky with all the foods I’ve tried. But some days my body only wants liquid. Like today!

[Arabesque 7,332]

First, congratulations on your surgery. No, it’s not uncommon to start having doubts, worries, be a bit emotional about things. This is a big thing. Something you have never gone edits so and have absolutely nothing to base these new experiences and emotional reactions you’re having upon.

With a sleeve, about 75% of your tummy is removed. This differs person to person & depends upon the size of your tummy. Larger tummy, more is removed. I actually got an internal photo of my tummy being removed (it’s not framed up on my wall 😄).

It is impossible for you to regain if you’re following your plan and the volume of food/calories you’re consuming. A very common occurrence, which almost every one experiences, is called the three week stall. Around the three week mark (could be earlier or later than then) your weight loss will stall. It may last from 1-3 weeks. It’s very normal & just your body taking a moment to adjust to the changes and reassess your new needs (metabolic rate, digestive hormones, etc.). You will start losing again.

Because there is no hard and fast rule as to your rate of loss, surgeons don’t tend to set weight loss goals - interim or final. There are just lots of averages around how much you may lose and how long it may take. Your surgeon may have spoken to you about how much weight you may lose by a certain time but it’s no guarantee of what will happen but just an idea of what might happen. They may ask how much you’d like to lose and then advise if it is possible or not. Whether it is possible or not is based on stats (averages).

Don’t worry about not meeting your Fluid or Protein goals in the first weeks. It’s not easy in the beginning. As long as you’re making an effort and aren’t too far off. You’ll notice you get closer and closer and some days will be easier & others will be a real struggle. A quarter cup of food seems like nothing to begin but is again not unusual. My advice was 1/4 - 1/3 cup from purée to about a cup at 6 months. If you’re struggling eating soft food you may need to go back a stage for a few days & that ‘s okay. Sometimes we’re ( our tummies) just aren’t ready & healed enough yet to tolerate the more & more dense food as you progress to each new stage. Often weeks 3 & 4 are purées and then soft foods in weeks 5 & 6 but plans do differ.

Trust me, it does get better and easier in time.

[eJean 6]

Thank you so much! All the reading before surgery can’t prepare you for the actual process. But you’ve help to relax my brain about it. 💚