No weight loss at all- ever?!?

Maybe it is ...

There used to be many more of those kinds of discussions. Don is still on the men's board. I can give him a heads-up . . .

JB really needs to tighten those tethers.

Well jeez, don't tell her!

Are you seeing a therapist (experienced with bariatric patients)? The tone of your email sounds like you're obsessing over exercise, and incredibly soon after major surgery. I've had many surgeries with general anesthesia and my surgeons always limited my exercise for 6-12 weeks afterwards. Losing weight and maintaining it long term is a marathon not a sprint. I worry that if you don't get results in the timeframe you expect, even if unreasonable, that you will self sabotage. The main goal should be developing habits that you can maintain for many many years. Please make sure you're working on the mental side to facilitate lasting change.

Thanks for all the comments!

I was exercising this heavily before surgery as well, so I am afraid I am not building as much muscle as some might think! I definitely clarified with my surgeon my specific exercise plan and he basically said I could do anything as long as it didn't hurt. I made him give me a specific time frame because I knew if I stopped my routine I would never get back to it. My surgeon was even encouraging me to get started on some weight training as well but I haven't figured out specifically what kind of routine I can get into and stay motivated with. I actually am familiar with the research on weight loss not coming from exercise, but calorie intake, so that isn't my main goal.

I am exercising so much because I recently saw some people who had injuries and now can't do anything. I didn't want to be disabled just because I was fat. I kind of vowed to take advantage of my mobility. I also had a weird knee arthritis problem that I am trying to control. So far the exercise has been good for my knee.

I am no longer taking my Victoza. My surgeon stopped all diabetes meds in the hospital.

I am not seeing a therapist right now, and I don't necessarily feel that I need to quite yet although I do appreciate the suggestion. It is distressing to undergo major surgery and permanently change my eating habits... and feel like I am not eating anything... And not lose weight. I really did think the process was guaranteed the first couple of months, and it was only later when people failed to lose enough weight or started regaining.

Here is my sample diet

Breakfast:

1/4 cup canned Indian chickpeas partially pureed (no sugar) OR a medium (which is 1.5 oz) scrambled egg cooked with Pam and a small sprinkling of cheddar cheese

And

A slice of kabocha squash with a half a light laughing cow cheese and a spoonful of salsa microwaved

Lunch:

1/4 cup pureed ham+low-fat cottage cheese with mustard OR 1/4 cup deli ends chicken breast pureed with hot sauce and fat free greek yogurt

AND

1/4 cup canned green beans

Dinner:

1/4 cup finely pulled pork without bbq sauce

AND

3 sauteed zucchini "coins". I used a tbsp of butter to cook 2 large zucchini.

Throughout the day I have commonly had 15 calories worth of diet cranberry juice (this is in 24 oz). I also have a protein shake made with 6 oz skim milk plus a prepackaged protein shake (usually Premier or Atkins). If I ever run short on the quarter cup of an item in my meal I will allow myself lowfat ricotta mixed with sugar free butterscotch pudding to "complete"the quarter cup rather than make something new. I have had "no sugar added" applesauce twice, but I usually prefer savory food instead of sweet. I also don't believe this would be a problem if I am not eating for hunger and am just eating a set meal. Long term if I get too hungry after applesauce it could be problematic I suppose. My surgeon doesn't want me eating mashed potatoes so I don't!. I am not snacking at all. Just the 3 meals a day. My calcium chewables have 5 calories each (3 a day).

I do have some chicken sausages and chili lime chicken burgers ready to go in the freezer for when my meat purees run out. Based on the package size I plan to eat half a chicken burger at a time. I also have a package of soy chorizo that looks good. Any problems with these? Every time I buy food now it lasts a while!

Thanks for all the help and quick responses.

I am going to be truly honest with you. I cannot believe what you are eating at three weeks out. What did your surgeon send you home with regards to what you should be eating at 3 weeks? The majority of people are not eating any type of vegetables and most can't handle any pork, beef, or chicken even pureed so soon after surgery.

You had major surgery and if your not careful you can do damage to your insides. If your surgeon is saying you can start weight training I would really question them. I couldn't lift anything over 10lbs for 6-8weeks. Who was your surgeon?

Just be careful it seems to me you are exercising to much and some of the stuff you are eating to me seems to soon.

Hi there,

You have a lot of good advice here. I find the most frustrating part about bariatric surgery is the lack of consistency in information given to patients. There are so many different opinions, each different as per surgeon or bariatric center. This is what I did..I read many posts and found people that were very successful and similar to my situation (not that it is a guarantee you will react as they did). I am 49 years old and 5'2". I want to lose about 225 pounds. This is what I realized. Track everything that goes in your mouth, keep carbs under 30, 20 if you can. At the beginning I ate under 400 calories, then at 4 months under 500. I am 6 months out now and eat 600-650. Exercise at the beginning I just swam, now I am walking, 1/2 hour 3-5 times per week. My only suggestion is to try and shake things up. I am not suggesting you go against your surgeon but if it were me I would do my own research and listen to those who are successful on this board. Even at this low of calories I only lose 2-3 pounds per week at 6 months out. Maybe track a day of food for you and just see what it comes out as. Give you something to experiment with.

It's worth a try. Food is 80% of the success. I plan to work out and do weights and all that fun stuff closer to goal but I am working there slowly. Good luck, I'm sure this to shall pass :)

The following is for you to read and decide if applicable or not: In pre-WLS class, it was stated we have the probability for developing a transfer addiction that can impede a happy, healthy lifestyle. Possible transfer addictions can be smoking, alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping, exercise, sex, and more.

Given that you lost so much weight prior to surgery, I'm not surprised that you were in a stall immediately after surgery. Probably just bad timing. It doesn't mean you'll lose any less over the next year.

Since your ability to eat is so restricted immediately post-op, you probably weren't getting enough protein. I find my stalls often break when I add a bit more protein. I'm not suggesting that you should do anything different from what your medical team recommended; I'm just trying to explain what might be happening with your body. Your post-op diet is designed to first allow your stomach to heal, and then gradually add more food, especially protein. Once you're on solid foods, you'll be able to meet your protein needs more easily.

Another tip: Are you getting enough fluids? With all the exercise you're doing, you may need far more than the 2 liters typically recommended. As I understand i****er is necessary for weight loss. I find I only lose weight if I'm getting enough protein AND fluids.