Too few complications

[Gru]

Hi everyone.

I'm about 2 months post surgery and so far I've lost 45 lbs, which has been great. But over the last month I've only lost about a pound every other week. For the first month I stuck to liquids, and then mushed foods and I did fine. If I ate too much my stomach told me that's enough. I had a meal and was satisfied for hours. When I started on solids I took it slowly, but within about a week my stomach seems to tolerate everything maybe better than it should.

I'll eat about a 1/3 sized meal and within an hour my stomach is back to it's old self and telling me I need snacks. I know as long as I'm losing, it's fine, but I'm concerned that won't last and I'll be back to my old self and gaining weight again.

After the surgery I'm not able to eat like I could before, but at the same time I don't feel like it's restricting me that much either. I thought my appetite would go down as well, but it hasn't.

Ultimately I think I'm going to have to succeed where I failed before and just somehow retrain my brain to stop the snacking. Like I've heard before, the surgery is a tool to help you, but I still need to do the work. Any tips or experiences would be helpful. Thanks

[AnnieG]

Hi everyone.

I'm about 2 months post surgery and so far I've lost 45 lbs, which has been great. But over the last month I've only lost about a pound every other week. For the first month I stuck to liquids, and then mushed foods and I did fine. If I ate too much my stomach told me that's enough. I had a meal and was satisfied for hours. When I started on solids I took it slowly, but within about a week my stomach seems to tolerate everything maybe better than it should.

I'll eat about a 1/3 sized meal and within an hour my stomach is back to it's old self and telling me I need snacks. I know as long as I'm losing, it's fine, but I'm concerned that won't last and I'll be back to my old self and gaining weight again.

After the surgery I'm not able to eat like I could before, but at the same time I don't feel like it's restricting me that much either. I thought my appetite would go down as well, but it hasn't.

Ultimately I think I'm going to have to succeed where I failed before and just somehow retrain my brain to stop the snacking. Like I've heard before, the surgery is a tool to help you, but I still need to do the work. Any tips or experiences would be helpful. Thanks

Oh brain retraining is such a challenge! My "guidelines" said that I should be at 3 meals a day; well, talking to the nutrionist, she said no, I could do smaller and more frequent as suited me personally.

That said, the best thing for me is to keep on hand, ready to grab HEALTHY & appropriate choices. And pushing my liquids (ugh) and making sure I get enough sleep. It's all about your body trying to find equilibrium.

[Luna354]

Your sleeve is a tool, but you have to control the tool. Theoretically, you could snack all day long with a sleeve and not lose weight. But sticking to 3 small meals and a snack is the way to go with limited portions.

Early on the feeling of hunger is often either head hunger or stomach acid. Are you taking anything for acid?

Lastly, weight loss varies. You've lost a lot so far! Your pace will change all the time. Don't get discouraged. If you are doing everything you're supposed to be doing, it will come off.

[jerzeygirl]

It's not your stomach telling you that you "need snacks" it's the old brain thinking pattern. Drink liquids, go for a walk, save a bit of food for a "smaller meal." Try not to concentrate on the word or the foods of "snacks" this is a slippery slope and it can get you into trouble quickly. Remember, snacks before surgery used to represent as bags of chips, pizza, etc. now a snack is a cheese stick, yogurt, frozen ice pop s/f, s/f pudding, etc. Change up your old way of thinking about food and the first year (the honeymoon phase) is when you can retrain the thinking pattern, adapt new healthy habits, and lose most of your unwanted weight.

Continued success!

[DHB]

I sometimes feel hungry soon after a meal (1-2 hours) and I am trying to be disciplined about drinking a large glass of water when that occurs. I'm amazed that the hunger seems to disappear most of the time. Someone on this forum (maybe Ann2?) wrote about our signals for thirst & hunger getting confused after surgery. At the time I didn't really buy it since I thought I understood the difference, but I as usual, she was right. See if it works for you.

[Christie13]

What are you eating? Are you eating solid proteins first and then veggies? Or are you filling up on carbs? I know if I eat a solid piece of meat I can eat less and it will keep me full for much longer than crackers will. I will say 45 lbs is a lot in 2 months. Usually the weight loss does not slow to 1 lb every other week until you are close to goal. I don't think restriction is most likely your issue but rather what you are eating possibly. And I know that when my weight loss slowed I was actually eating too little. Just a thought. Good luck.

[Gru]

For breakfast, cream of wheat (still eating since my creamed food days) sometimes a lite yoplait. For lunch, a small chili from Wendy's or a turkey pita wrap. For dinner, I'll have some Baked Ricota (like cheese pizza with no crust) or fish or a little of what the rest of the family is having. I do have snacks with carbs too. I know that's probably where I need to change something, and I should have more fruits & veggies.

I am finally seeing some movement though and am now at 50 lbs down I'm very happy about that!

[sraebaer]

You can stop the snacking, that is a recipe for disaster so early on. If you are hungry, have a healthy snack. A few carrots dipped in hummus will fill you up quickly. Or a small handful of almonds. Or some of a protein drink.

Now is not the time for any junk food. You can do it!

[AnnieG]

You can stop the snacking, that is a recipe for disaster so early on. If you are hungry, have a healthy snack. A few carrots dipped in hummus will fill you up quickly. Or a small handful of almonds. Or some of a protein drink.

Now is not the time for any junk food. You can do it!

I agree that snacking is not a good habit to restart! Almonds are wonderful and require lots of chewing so that helps me. I do my protein first ALWAYS. Then the dense carbs (vegetables) and if there is any room left (not usually) I do a "fun" carb, like mountain grain bread, 1/4-1/2 piece. Plain.

My exception is a small bowl of Scottish steel cut oatmeals (1/2 C) mixed with Premier Protein Powder, for breakfast. But that's about it at 5 months.

And Ann2/Dale are correct that sometimes you are thirsty, not hungry. And for me, sometimes I need a quick sit down or nap. (But I'm old)