surgery disappointment

Hi everyone....I am about almost 3 week post-op...and Ihave been so far from 282 to 268. I feel like I am not really moving. Is this slow pace of weight loss normal?? or am I making too much of this??? when will I start losing aloy? what can I do to speed up the process? what kinds of foods and exercises do you suggest??? I had the VBG is it possible for these surgeries to fail???

Hi Lakeea, Just take a deep breath and relax. You are doing fine!!!! It is very common for the body to hold onto the fat in the early stages following surgery. it is in shock and it just takes time for your body to learn to burn the stored fat for fuel. The weight will come off, but it does come off at different rates for different people. But remember this...u lost 14 pounds in only 3 weeks!!! What diet does that? Just try to stay positive and everything will just fall into place. At 3 weeks post-op you are probably eating pureed foods...I suggest soups, chili, eggs, tuna fish, cottage cheese, yogurt, and anything else your surgeon has cleared you to eat. At this point exercise should not involve any resistance training, so basically walking and any type of cardiovascular exercise is where you should start. Once you are cleared to lift weights you should start a program for that as well since building lean muscle keeps the metabolism up. Good luck to you!!! Hugs, Sara 356/278/175

Hi Lakeea!! Happy Valentine's Day. I also had the vbg and was a little disappointed when I didn't see the weight coming off as fast as I thought it should. But I think you're doing great, I only lost 10 lbs my first 2-3 weeks out. I ate chili, cream of wheat, broth and jello. I also had a lot of Atkins shakes, I did notice that when I was able to drink more fluids, and was getting all 110 ounces of my water in, I started losing a little more weight. I know it's easier said than done, but try to be patient and stay hopeful. You'll do great =) You're doing great now. Keep up the good work ~Jae 275/204/175

Definitely Do not panic! If you're like me you're probably thinking, "am I going to be the one person this doesn't work for?" At 3 weeks out I was eating solid food, but I could not eat much. I started walking the day after I came home from the hospital and have walked at least a mile 5 days out of the week since surgery (give or take a few lazy days!). Anyway, my surgeon told me to eat what I had normally eaten just less of it. He said your best bet is meat and some vegetables, but I also ate pasta, refried beans, soups, etc... I would eat a homemade hamburger patty (well, part of it) with melted cheese on top and some BBQ sauce. Now, I know everyone can't handle this kind of stuff so I'd be careful with that. THe only thing I really avoid is bread that isn't toasted. Sometimes I can get some bread down without feeling uncomfortable, and sometimes I can't. Honestly, I think if you avoid snacking and get some walking in each day (this gets easier and easier) than you can't help but lose weight. Hang in there...you're doing great!!! I would go without losing and then all of a sudden be down 4 pounds so don't worry about it. Natalie 281/199/125

Lakeea, Hang in there. I am 3 1/2 years post op vbg and I remember feeling disappointed and wondering what the heck I was thinking. I did`nt weigh until I was 2 months out. I had my surgery July 18th and I went and bought a new scale Sept. 11, 2001. An easy date to remember because I was standing in line at a Tueday Morning Store and listening to people talk about what they heard on the radio. Anyway, In those early days, I had oatmeal for breakfast, I hate to admit this, but for lunch I had baby food meat and applesauce, and for dinner I had the meat portion of a lean cusine. I usually could`nt eat very much of it. The chicken entrees always made me throw up. I ended up losing 113 lbs. After the 8th month,I could eat a little more and never lost the last 25 lbs. But I was a happy camper anyway. Felt soooo good! Take advantage of these first few months and eat mostly protein, drink lots of water, and walk as much as possible. Good luck.

LAKEEA I SET A GOAL OF 4LBS./WEEK. I ACHIEVED IT BUT IT WAS HARD. I NEVER USE TO WALK MUCH AT ALL BUT AFTER SURGERY I WAS SOOO EXCITED THAT 1/4 OF A MILE DIDN'T KILL ME ANYMORE THAT I STARTED WALKING 3 MILES A DAY. THE WEIGHT JUST FELL OFF. I WAS BUYING NEW PANTS EVERY WEEK. THANK GOODNESS FOR WALMART.. I WAS DOWN 90LBS BY 6MONTHS POST OP. JUST REMEMBER IF YOU BURN MORE THAN YOU TAKE IN THE WEIGHT HAS TO COME OFF. GOOD LUCK K.E