I Feel Like A Failure

I had surgery over a month ago and

I have only lost 15 pounds! I feel like I can

eat alot more than I should be able to and

as such, I feel like I did this all for nothing

because I'm falling back into the old routine.

ANY advice?

1) call your program and talk to them about the struggles you are having. A month out, you are probably still on some type of modified diet so not sure what you mean about falling into the old routine. If you are a month out and eating things not on your plan, you should get help from your program. You are still in a healing mode and still need to be cautious.

2) if your program didn't include a mental health portion, consider how you can get some help with the mental aspect of weight loss. It's as important for success.

3) start building your good habits now, today, and they will help you in the long run

4) at a month out, you're still healing so you shouldn't be eating until you feel like you are done...you should eat the amount on your plan - typically some type of protein target and hydration target this early on. While healing, your body needs protein so while programs vary a lot, most of them say protein first, if you're still hungry then vegetables then fruit.

4) reset your expectations, what where you expecting to lose in a month? Was that realistic? Most people come home from the hospital a bit heavier than the went in due to the fluids they put in you, you have to lose to get back to your starting point and then go from there. What was your doctor's expectation in the first month?

5) to help start good habits, come to the daily menu thread, it will give you ideas of what a daily menu looks like at different points post op (not all the options will be good for you, because you are early on).

Good job on the 15 lbs, when was the last time you lost that in a month? Now just keep your progress going...and remember it's your progress, no one else's.

So much this

While we are all told that there is no typical amount that everyone loses after surgery, there really is a typical weight loss pattern. Not everyone is the same, but this is what happens.

Month 1 - 20 pounds

Months 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 - 10 pounds each month

Months 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 - 5 pounds each month

At the end of a year most people have dropped 100 pounds.

You started out losing 5 pounds less than expected. That might just be your body or it might be that you are eating more calories than your body can handle.

You are the person in charge of your eating. Even if you were told that you don't need to track calories and only to get in enough protein, you will be most successful if you track calories.

The first eighteen months after weight loss surgery are the honeymoon period. It is when you will have the least hunger and be able to get full on a small amount of food.

I know that I "can" eat a lot of food. But I know that just because I can eat it, I should not eat it. I would advice you to get a digital food scale, weigh every single thing that you eat and track on My Fitness Pal.

Also get the best smart scale you can afford and track your weight, your body fat, your BMI, your water weight, and your bone density. It is very possible that you are retaining a lot of water, but the smart scale can confirm that for you.

Take advantage of this after surgery honeymoon when your pouch is still small and your body is malabsorbing calories. Lose as much weight as you can while this magic lasts.

You will get better at this and the weight will come off. The habits you learn now are what you will use to keep the weight off for the rest of your life.

I'm 3.5 months post OP and am losing about 3-4 lbs a week. I worry this is too much but I can't make myself eat more than I am. Maybe once or twice a month I will be able to eat what would be considered a normal days intake.

In the last 2 weeks I have begin throwing up after trying and foods with a sauce or I get nauseous after only 2 oz of food...

My doctor says as long as I am feeling ok and getting my protein amd hydration in, it is ok. I do have an ulcer I am hoping heals soon and I do find myself being very tired by about 7pm.

Not sure if there are any tips or tricks that can help me

I'm 3.5 months post OP and am losing about 3-4 lbs a week. I worry this is too much but I can't make myself eat more than I am. Maybe once or twice a month I will be able to eat what would be considered a normal days intake.

In the last 2 weeks I have begin throwing up after trying and foods with a sauce or I get nauseous after only 2 oz of food...

My doctor says as long as I am feeling ok and getting my protein amd hydration in, it is ok. I do have an ulcer I am hoping heals soon and I do find myself being very tired by about 7pm.

Not sure if there are any tips or tricks that can help me

Thank you!

unless you're the size of someone on "My 600 lb Life", losing somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the first month is completely normal. Of course, you will always find some folks who lose more or less than that, but they're outliers. I lost 16 lbs the first month and went on to lose over 200 lbs.

please stick to your program. That is the ticket to success. I agree with the others that it's probably a good idea to check back in with your team to get some eating guidelines (if you don't have those already) and to meet with the therapist. Many of us have worked with therapists to address our eating difficulties and have found it very helpful.