I need some support and thoughts here from those with experience

[dancingdebora]

Hi there,

I had my sleeve done Jan 3, so I am almost 6 weeks out. Generally things have been great - no pain, lots of energy, following diet with no problems etc. BUT I am not losing weight right now! I lost about 10lbs from surgery date till three or four weeks out, and now I am STUCK! I don't think this is the 3 week stall cos I am at 6 weeks. And this am I have even gained about a lb ...

I am following my Drs recommendations to a T - lean, dense protein first, veggies after. 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. I am eating sooo healthily - I have never been a processed food person, and the only thing I have "cheated" on is half a cup of coffee ice cream ONCE, about a week ago - I figure you have got to be able to do that occasionally if this is for the long term, right? I walk between an hour and an hour and a half every day, and last week I started a 2/week gym routine. And I do my food diary religiously.

So what am I doing wrong? The only thing I can think of is perhaps my calorie intake is too low? About 850/day. Or the other thing that could be a possibility is that I have let my protein slip to about 65 to 70 grams per day - I was doing 80 - 100 at the beginning. Could this make a difference?

I am by no means complaining about having done the sleeve - I feel great! But I am frustrated - as I am sure for many of you (all?), I have spent my life feeling frustrated about eating well but never losing, or keeping off the weight. I suspect this is just a temporary "rut", but I am feeling a little anxious about this. ANY suggestions or support would be so very appreciated!

Thanks!

[Gvn71]

I don't think you are doing anything wrong. Numbers seem good based on what you put here. Keep doing it. Some weeks you lose, some weeks you don't, but the long term prognosis is that you will lose.

Keep up the good work.

Weight numbers fluctuate some weeks... up 1 or 2 or 3 then down.

Stick to the plan. More protein is always best, if you are not getting as much protein, but still getting the same number of calories the question is: What are you eating that makes up the calories that you lost by reducing protein? If it is carbs, then your body might be burning the carbs instead of your fat.... I found this to be true for me. When I eat healthy my body burns my fat for fuel, when I eat higher carbs I don't see the pounds come off.

Hope this helps!

[simplyseahorse]

Yep, I was going to say the same, and I haven't had the sleeve yet - just think about it though, you are going to have ebbs and flows, and that is ok. Your body is still adjusting to the size of your stomach as well, and your metabolism - so much has changed. It sounds like you are doing great. Just keep doing what you are doing, and it will pick up again according to all of those who have been there before! I want to see your success because it will inspire me when I get my turn in April!

[dancingdebora]

I keep my carbs to 30g or less - that is pretty low isn't it? And none of it is from simple carbs - I really eat no bread, pasta etc, my carbs come from the other foods I eat, and basically no fruit. In the 2 years pre surgery, I lost 36 lb in the first 3 mths by doing low carb, hogh protein, medium fat, and kept it off. But what is a reasonable fat count for the day - for eg. I had 1 oz of feta cheese yesterday and it has 13 g of fat. That seemed like an awful lot of fat for such a small amount of food! I also like to eat 1/4 of avocado a couple of times a week. Am I too high on fat perhaps?

[dancingdebora]

Good luck with it - I DO feel great even if a little frustrated!

[Tamera2]

Hi Debora, from my experience I think the drop you did with your protein maybe the cause of your stall. I’m amazed at six weeks you could consume the recommended about of protein. It took me a little longer. Your doing great with your weightloss and sounds like your living an active lifestyle. You should try bumping up your protein and stay away from sugar and empty calories until your at goal or doing strenuous exercise and will burn the cals. You can have a small amount But be careful not to trigger old habits. I drink a cup of coffee almost everyday but dont put sugar in eat. You can have coffee. Doesn’t seem to be a problem. Good luck and remember your only 6weeks. Your doing well. Its common to need to increase proper calories to get our bodies out of starvation mode.

[Tamera2]

I keep my carbs to 30g or less - that is pretty low isn't it? And none of it is from simple carbs - I really eat no bread, pasta etc, my carbs come from the other foods I eat, and basically no fruit. In the 2 years pre surgery, I lost 36 lb in the first 3 mths by doing low carb, hogh protein, medium fat, and kept it off. But what is a reasonable fat count for the day - for eg. I had 1 oz of feta cheese yesterday and it has 13 g of fat. That seemed like an awful lot of fat for such a small amount of food! I also like to eat 1/4 of avocado a couple of times a week. Am I too high on fat perhaps?

I don’t think your fat source is the issue. That source is good for you. I think lowering your protein was the issue but it is normal to have some slow weeks. If you look at my numbers you can see what I mean. Its not uncommon to have times you need to make adjustments too. Some fruit is good for us too like apple. It can provide fiber and vitamins. Dont get discouraged.

[Dutchie]

Sometimes we don't loose so much weight, but we do loose inches.
Have you taken your measurements?

[Tamera2]

3D006494-AD88-4E2D-9DC7-788FC6E01E9C.jpegE157C6AF-ECC6-47CE-8565-DD370F004F67.jpeg054E7FED-52F2-4ECC-9E8A-82E8B1BD95E2.jpegD8FBAE18-7E1F-49BF-B1BD-B926AC548074.jpegEA002530-0303-41FD-ABBD-8BF63BD2A2DF.jpeg This is what loosing half of my body wt. looks like and what living the Dream looks like too. This will be you faster than you think. Keep moving forward and don’t beat yourself when things slow down. The weight will continue to come off as long as you exercise and follow a healthy diet. Not uncommon to need to make adjustments along the way. I have multiple times.

[dancingdebora]

YOur weight loss numbers were FANTASTIC! 29lbs and 22lbs the first 2 months! Will this ever happen for me?!

[dancingdebora]

Sometimes we don't loose so much weight, but we do loose inches.
Have you taken your measurements?

I just bought a tape measure today!

[Dutchie]

Great!
You'll see how those fatties melt away, even when you don't see it on the scale.

[DHB]

I had a very similar experience. At 6 weeks I felt like I was never going to lose again. Went on vacation so no scale and didn't want to make everyone miserable so ate what everyone else was eating, just much less and emphasized the protein. I didn't go crazy but I was eating more fats & carbs than previously. Came home and had lost 8 lbs in those 2 weeks--my entire second month's weight loss happened during the vacation weeks. So that told me that my body needed more than protein in order to lose. Still, I got nervous, went back to almost all protein and stalled again. Added in more carbs & fat & immediately started to lose again. Think I'm beginning to figure out the combo my body needs.

My personal plan is to keep up the protein but mix in some good fats and carbs more regularly. I'm trying to get up to 1,000 calories without eating poorly. (I've switched from skim to low fat Fairlife milk & added some PB powder to my shake for starters.) I've also added some good grains (quinoa) and avocado. It seems to be working.

The main thing I've learned on this forum is that there are different ways to do this and you have to figure out what works for you. It may be different than anyone else.

[Tamera2]

I just bought a tape measure today!

Thats great. I noticed inches coming off when there was no difference on the scale.

[Tamera2]

YOur weight loss numbers were FANTASTIC! 29lbs and 22lbs the first 2 months! Will this ever happen for me?!

Thank you, You may have some big numbers or you may have smaller numbers but thats ok too. I only had two months of big numbers then they slowed down and it still adds up to a lot. plus youll have times were the inches will add up too. I started at a higher number than you and the higher the number the faster in the beginning youll loose. Doesn’t mean you won’t succeed. After my first two months it was like 8lbs,10lbs,11lbs,7lbs,12lbs ect. I had surgery 11-3-17 went from 153 to 145 I was sick and only consuming protein drinks then went up to 155 when I started introducing food, then when I could exercise again my weight went back down to 145 with bigger inches lossed then when i first hit 145. Hope Ive been able to help or encourage you. Hang in there your really doing good.