Gastric Sleeve Failed

[ShineyFox73]

I am very frustrated I was a successful lapband patient but the band ate a hole in my stomach. I had to have removal and in the two year healing process I went from 180 to 283 lbs. After a long process I had the Gastic Sleeve in February 2016. I got to 265 within three months and then it all stopped. I walk two to three miles a day eat about a cup at mealtime. I feel full fast yet in a year I've lost nothing more. Two of my friends had this done around the same time and look wonderful. I just want to cry. Has anyone else experienced this? I don't understand why I just have sat at a weight for nine months.

[Ann2]

I'm going to guess (?) that you're grazing between meals on slider/slurry foods and/or also drinking calorie-laden liquids -- thereby taking in too many calories.

Are you tracking your food and drink intake? Do you know how many calories you're eating and drinking every day?

I've read from posts by those who convert from a lapband to a sleeve that a failed lapband teaches patients to "eat around the band," (by grazing on slider/slurry foods -- highly processed foods that don't challenge the sleeve and that avoid your sleeve's restriction). That might (?) also be going on.

Or not.

[ShineyFox73]

Nope not a grazer at all. I track all my food and drink only water or protein. My hubby has celiac disease so no wheat or carbs. My only downfall is peanut butter it's my guilty sin. Yet with tracking I eat 1200 to 1300 calories a day. I walk 2.3 miles a day. I have been watching tracking foods the past couple of months. Some days I'm full for hours. Other days I'm starving but stick it out.
The band I never ate around I had great restriction and success. I was goal weight for three years then I got sick and had pain. I drink only water or coconut milk because I have a soy allergy and milk products make me feel urpy. I just want to make this work I really want this.

[Luna354]

You're getting in 1200-1300 calories a day but eating 1 cup at a time.
What are you eating in a typical day? It's hard to say without having all of the information. A Piece of the puzzle is missing.

[Kindle]

You may need to decrease your calories. There are a lot of WLS patients that can't lose at 1200 calories. That may be your maintenance point. Are you getting at least 80g protein and 100+ ounces of water every day? You say you don't eat carbs, so maybe you should. In a nutshell you need to do something different....the hard part is figuring out what. Also, Have you had your hormone levels checked, including thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, etc?

[ShineyFox73]

Thank you for input here is what I had today. I had coffee with coconut milk at 5 am. At 8 am protein drink chocolate synthrax with peanut butter powder made with my milk. Lunch/snack banana 10:30 am. At 2 pm a small apple with peanut butter. Then at 5 a broiled pork chop with a salad.
I walked only 2 miles today.
I have not had hormones checked but I am 43.

[Kindle]

You didn't mention how much water and it doesn't seem like nearly enough protein. You previously posted you don't eat carbs, but you listed a lot of high carb foods on your menu. Maybe even more carbs than protein. Ann....you're the number cruncher, I'm just a gestimator

[RehabNurse]

Here is this blurb from the Texas Bariatric Specialists website page:
http://texasbariatricspecialists.com...ery-revisions/

Many patients don’t realize that after a revision, weight loss is generally slower, and the percentage of excess weight lost sustained is slightly lower than what is experienced after a primary weight loss surgery procedure.

In essence, revisions often lose much more slowly than virgin sleeves because you have already experienced the metabolic shock of bariatric surgery in the past.

Also, based on the foods you listed, the protein intake seems terribly insufficient while the carbs (apples, bananas) and liquid calories (milk, protein shakes, peanut butter) seem to be a bit much. Strive for 80 to 100 grams of protein per day from real food sources such as lean meats and legumes.

[Ann2]

I can't tell how many calories you're eating because a lot of portion sizes are omitted. But it is clear that what you're doing is not working. And yes, you're eating a lot of starchy fruits. I'd be eating dense protein 3 times a day.

I'll also warn you that peanut butter is treacherous. A level tablespoon is almost 100 calories. Most people take a heaping tablespoon or 2 or 3 heaping tablespoons -- and there's 600 calories right there.

BTW, I don't know if you're drinking actual coconut milk from actual coconuts at 400 calories for 8 ounces which is mostly coconut fat or some ersatz milk product branded as coconut milk.

I have to think that anyone at your current weight who's regularly eating no more than 1200 - 1300 cals a day would normally lose weight. I still think you're taking in more than you think. But without more detailed info, I'm stumped.

Have you seen your surgeon and, if so, how does she or he explain this and what has he/she advised?

I know you're frustrated. Time to see your doc.

[Luna354]

You haven't said your portion sizes. But it sounds like you're getting a lot of carbs and little protein.
Have you had your surgeon or nutritionist review?

[Sandra3]

You received great advice so far from our friends here.
But I'm just curious : did you contact your surgeon/team? did you have post-op visits? see a nutritionist? it's been one year now so why wait for so long. Not losing after three months only, even if it's a revision it seems to me that something is wrong. either it's too many calories for your BMR or there is other issues (thyroid/hormone unbalance, or you're taking a medication/stress that stopped your weight loss?). Whatever it is, if it was me I would see a doctor and at least have a blood test done asap. Take care.

[Katrina]

I'd definitely stay away from the coconut milk and peanut butter. Both of those are crazy fattening. I feed them to my kid to try to help her gain weight.

[sraebaer]

I'd cut out the fruit, peanut butter, and coconut milk. Try to stick to dense proteins and veggies along with water for a while. The dense proteins (meat, fish, eggs, nuts) really fill you up. Good luck, sorry you are feeling frustrated. Maybe a visit back to your surgeon would help?

[Fatbgone]

I'm not sure about you, but I got some good advice from those who have replied here. Once in a great while I'll have a tablespoon of peanut butter, but it is not good for my weight loss goals.
I try hard to get in my protein in the form of lean meats and nuts. I eat vegetables and drink water. I cannot eat fruit because of the way my body metabolizes it. And 43 is not too young to have hormone issues. Mine started at 42.

[lil_lisa]

As far as I can tell, sleevers are sposed to live on protein and vegies and water for the most part, and when you are at maintenance can put in some fruit and carbs. But thats hard to do. But yes I'd watch the peanut butter. The nutritionist at our place said eat more protein like meats cause they fill you longer. And some say stay away from milk, just drink water. Exercise sounds good for u, but maybe try something different if you aren't losing, like weights 3 times a week to build up muscle, muscle burns fat. Those are the things I've heard, so good luck with those.