Frustrated & Scared

Scotty · March 4, 2005

14 days since my op and I am still on liquids. I've mentioned this before, but I am now getting really worried. My calorie intake is between 500 and 700 a day max. I lost 10lbs very quickly post op, but nothing, nada, not an ounce for 8 days now. How can this be?

I am really scared that this is the way it's going to be and I'll never lose any more weight and all this will have been for nothing.

I'm drinking loads of Water, so it's not that. I'm even getting exercise. And it's definitely the least amount of carbs I've ever consumed.

I know it's early days and this period isn't about weight loss, but I feel like a freak. It isn't normal. Is it?

Alexandra · March 4, 2005

It isn't normal. Is it?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. It is NORMAL to stop losing or even bounce back a few pounds after the initial drop of weight. IT IS NORMAL!!!

Sorry for yelling but it's SO important to hear. The initial drop of weight, if you have one, sends your body into a sort of shock and pretty soon the dropping of weight will just stop even if you have changed absolutely nothing. Especially if you're really only taking in less than 1000 calories a day, your body thinks you're starving it and will rebel. Quite naturally!

Please don't worry, and do start taking in more calories. You use up more calories than that just getting out of bed in the morning! Your weight will again start to drop, but you need to think more about nutrition and healing than the numbers.

RELAX!! You're absolutely, perfectly, 100% NORMAL.

the best me · March 4, 2005

Whew! I, for one, am certainly relieved for you! (Good Job, Alex!)

Ya, your body is holding on to every little thing, it's in starvation mode, it's freaking out, thinking you'll never feed it again, it won't let go! I don't know what, exactly, to suggest you eat but definately bump up the calories. Then watch...my bet is you drop another 10! Don't worry yet! Your'e doing great! Hey, did you ever tell your mom/mum? Point me to the right thread if I missed it...

BigT · March 4, 2005

Hey Scotty,

We are real similar in weights, I go in for my band on Monday. From everything I have researched, the first weeks weeks your body is still in recovery from surgery. It tends to hold onto the Water you are taking in. It also may be getting and using your fat stores while you are building muscle--especially if you did not regularly exercise previous to your surgery. Muscle weighs more then fat- so that can be part of the non-weight loss. Try and be sure to take in adequate amounts of Protein, if your doc allows that at the food stage you are in. There are lots of good Protein shakes and drinks. Your body needs Protein to repair itself from the surgery and from everytime you exercise. If you aren't taking in enough protein the body will break down itself and sacrifice itself to repair itself in other areas-this is not good in the long term. It also keeps the calorie stingy mode locked on since the body thinks it cannot repair itself so it needs to hoard everything you do give it. For a guy your size--my size-- I figure that I should have at least 1200 calories a day after surgery with the bulk of that (50%) coming from protein once I can start the Proteins (week 3 post op -I beleive). Being a large guy we have lots of muscles just to support our frame and weight let alone move and exercise. Those muscle need food to work!

Don't worry about losing weight the first month-some do, some don't-just concentrate on establishing good eating habits and exercise habits and things will work out.

T

New Hope · March 4, 2005

Miss Scotty, please whip up some of those delicous Soup recipes you have. Anything that will tempt you to eat. Congratulations on the weight loss, but please concentrate on healing right now. You have your band and it's waiting for you. Meanwhile, work on getting enough fluids in.

Kristi74 · March 4, 2005

Scotty, I am in the same boat right now. I lost a quick 25 pounds, and the last 2 to 3 weeks, I havn't lost anything. I was starting to get worried, but everyone says this is normal. It is very frustrating! I get my first fill today, so I hope the weight starts to come back off. Keep a positive out look, I know it's hard, I wanted to put my head in the oven!!!

goodlife · March 4, 2005

I'm not banded....and I totally understand and even predicted what the answers to this question would be....and I guess maybe Alexandra's answer kinda summed part of of my question up for me too...but as I'm still trying to wrap my mind around all of this...I do have a question..kinda technical in nature. With your stomach capacity so severely diminished....it seems like a body couldn't help but lose weight...by virtue of the pouch alone it seems that simply the way decreased amount of food you can eat would assure a weight loss....is it not this way because if you are not restricted then even though your stomach capacity (pouch) is much much smaller than it used to be...the opening from your pouch into the rest of your stomach is big enough that the food just passes right through?? I sure hope I'm not offending anyone with my questions...I'm really just trying to understand.

BTW....this is the third day since I've called the Dr's office and noone has STILL called me back...gggrrrr

Alexandra · March 4, 2005

Tinkerbell, you are absolutely not offending anyone with your questions!!!

The answer to your question is yes. Because our stomachs are not altered in any way by the implantation of the band they still work normally. If you find that you don't have restriction, there's nothing holding you back from consuming as many calories as before. That is, too many for weight loss. Your stomach capacity isn't really diminished if you have no restriction to speak of.

Surgery itself often results in swelling and a post-op period of restriction, but that doesn't usually stay beyond a few weeks. After that point, for most people, an adjustment is necessary to tighten the band and create restriction. And it's that restriction making it hard to eat too much, too fast, or too often. Voila! Weight loss.

Scotty · March 4, 2005

Thank you all! You are all so wonderful...and Alex, I knew the answer - just needed to see the answer written down.

My first day on soft food today. I just ate some pureed chicken with lowfat creme fraiche, lemon and spices. I also managed two tablespoons mashed potato - it was so delicious. One thing I've noticed is that when I eat I feel OK, then about five minutes later I feel uncomfortably full. All part of the learning process I suppose.

This will make all the American's laugh...I'm going to have spotted dick and custard tonight!

Love to you all!

Alexandra · March 4, 2005

One thing I've noticed is that when I eat I feel OK, then about five minutes later I feel uncomfortably full.

I have exactly the same response, Scotty. My fullness-ometer has always been three steps (23 steps, more like) behind my brain, and that hasn't really changed post-banding. I have had to learn to stop and take a step back before I feel full, because three minutes later I really DO feel full and one more bite would have done me in.

As you say, it's all part of the learning curve of banding. Enjoy your spotted Dick!! (Which is what, exactly?)

Scotty · March 4, 2005

Spotted Dick - for those that are interested - is a traditional English dessert. It's a sort of sweet, wet sponge with currants in it. I blended a little with some custard. It was delicious!

I reckon I've doubled my calorie intake tonight!

Thanks again for the support guys!! Happy weekend!

HarleyNana · March 4, 2005

Scotty, I went through that too, I think it was because my body was saying, hold onto anything, fat included, she's not giving us enough to eat. When I switched to mushies I had a good weight loss after that. I call it your body trying to protect you by storing fuel of any type.

the best me · March 4, 2005

Spotted dick sounds a bit like a very fancy twinkie, yummmm! Enjoy!

TrishS · March 4, 2005

It is great to know that our bodies do, do that and store up that fat... now its not to be worried about why we arent loseing weight at first... Good Luck with everything and Kepp your head up high, your going to do great!