Confused

I have been reading all the advice on this form but I am so confused at how this all works.  In the first 4 weeks I lost 29 lbs which I am so happy with but now 3 weeks later I have only lost 9 more lbs.  I am only eating maybe 1/2 cup of food 2-3 times  a day which is high protein foods no carbs and I am trying to drink at least 1 protein shake a day.  I feel stuffed all the time then sometimes wake up with gas so bad I get sick. I this normal or what am I doing wrong please help.

There is normally a slow down after the first three to four weeks your body is adjusting, it will pick back up again. As far as the gas goes if it is not caused by what you are eating then it is more than likely your bowels adjusting to their new design. Possibly the protein drink you are drinking has real milk in it, sugar or carbs? I use lactaid milk in mine. I did have gas and bowel issues the first month to two months then it all straightened out with probiotics and calcium. 

Eating a 1/2 cup of food two to three times a day is not enough protein. I would increase your protein drinks to at least two a day until you are capable of eating more in a day and start taking probiotics either pills or yogurt. If you are having diarrhea issues I would increase your calcium. 

Your shake may not be agreeing with you. What kind of sweeteners are in it and is whey protein isolate the first ingredient?

--gina

IMHO, the only thing you're doing wrong is worrying about the weight loss slowing down.  This is going to happen several times as you're loving.  It will slow down or downright stop for a few weeks.  When this occurs, it's time to try on new clothes, for your size has definitely changed.  

For the gas this early out, I am guessing dairy may be the culprit.  Whey protein is a dairy byproduct.  Try something else for a few days and see if you notice a difference.

Are you drinking enough water?  You should be trying to get 64 oz. of water in, or as close to it as possible.  Your protein shakes and clear soups count towards that total, too.  

Also, are you taking Nexium or some other acid inhibitor?  I am 6 months out, and still need it daily.    

One more thought - are you getting enough fat in? Fat works as our fiber, and when you have enough fat, the gassy effect gets reduced a bit.  Try to make sure to add butters and olive oils into what you are eating.  

It helps every now and then to have a few carbs.  If you have too few carbs all the time, your body can go into starvation mode.  Try to incorporate some soft veggies, a fork or two of mashed or sweet potatoes, or juicy fruits.  Melons are surprisingly low in carbs, and help give you some fiber to make the stools easier to pass.  

Don't panic if the weight loss has gotten slower - sometimes your body needs a little time to readjust.  And trust your new tool - it will help you lose the weight!

Thanks for all the advice I will check the protein it is slim fast low carb only 2 carbs. and I will get some probiotics and give then a try I love this forum.

You're doing great!  Try not to get frustrated....the first 3 months suck.  Everything you're going through is normal.  Your body just takes a breather to adjust to the rapid weight loss once in a while. 

Agree with all the above suggestions.  Hang in there, try a different protein, there's lots out there.

I couldn't tolerate any of the SF foods and whey after my DS.  I was already lactose intolerant.  I found egg white protein shakes and that helped.  I also had a bad built up of bad bacteria in my guts and needed 2 rounds of Flagyl.  Helped my gas problem.  :)

When I had my DS 4.5 years ago, we were instructed not to worry about shakes so much in the first couple months.  The most important thing is keeping yourself hydrated, preferably with water.  The only way I can drink water is in a water/ice slushee consistency.  Can't stand water otherwise.  If you hate water as much as I do, then focus on artificially sweetened Kool-Aid, reduced calorie, non-acidic juice, iced tea or coffee  (decaf, so you won't get dehydrated), You have newly-configured insides, and it takes time for them to get adjusted.  I really didn't deal with protein shakes too much until I was about where you are now. Don't worry about trying to drink a whole Blender Bottle full...I started at 3-4 ounces and worked up from there. You'll have to learn your "full" point" all over again, at least I did.  It's very different from when you had an unaltered stomach, and your head has to catch up with your new capacity.

Many DSer's develop lactose intolerance as a result of the surgery, which, if you didn't have it before, it will probably resolve.  Lucky me, I was lactose intolerant before surgery, so I will always have it, but I have to say that it's only with certain things now, like ice cream...the fat/sugar combination seems to kick it into high gear.  Whey Protein Isolate solved the issues for me.  Most of the lactose is processed out of it.  Check with your doctor or dietician (provided they are well versed in DS care...otherwise..ask here!)

Focus on soft high protein  easily digestible foods, like shrimp and fish.  You can get a bag of shrimp with about 4 "early DS" servings from Walmart for $5-6 dollars.

So...are you normal?  Well, for DSer's normal is a different place for almost everyone, so I would say yes.  I found that most of what I learned in pre-op class went out the window when my DS was a reality.

Sorta like having a new baby...there are averages..then there's yours!