Question:
I am 3 weeks P.O and only lost 15lbs

I had surgery on Feb.23 and I have only lost 15 lbs... I am getting discouraged and I worry that I am eating too much. But I know I'm not eating near as much as I was before surgery. Please tell me I am going to start loosing. I saw my Dr on my post op visit and he said..."12 lbs..O.K but,should have been a little more, What have you been eating?" I told him mostly soups (watered down) and SF carnation instant breakfast,and water. Any suggestions?    — WannaBSlim (posted on March 16, 2006)

March 16, 2006
Melissa, are you getting in your excercise? And enough protien? Are you eating small portions several times a day? And are you getting your water in? I haven't had the surgery yet but I've learned that these are all very important. Also, your starting BMI is 40, so you're going to lose slower than someone who started with a higher BMI. Just don't get discouraged; make sure you're excercising and you're eating enough. You could always ask your doctor what he thinks you should be doing differently if he doesn't think your weight is coming off fast enough. Good luck to you. :)
   — kjoy

March 16, 2006
Hey Melissa: go look at my profile...I started with a BMI of 40 and lost at a seemingly very slow rate but it really wasn't very long at all until I hit my personal goal then actually went below it. Some months you will lose more quickly than others but just keep following your rules and it will happen quickly enough.
   — scbabe

March 16, 2006
Hey kiddo don't get discouraged!! Do me a favor and try another protein supplement other than Carnation Instant Breakfast. I don't have one to check the label on but I bet it's extremely high in carbs. My favorite protein drink is EAS brand low carb protein drink called AdvantEdge. Chocolate is my favorite. It's sold at the grocery and drug stores. It has only 100 calories 1 net carb and no sugar . It is filling and tastes better than many others I tried. Try to drink low sodium clear soups, no "cream of" anything soups! even if you water them down they are full of fat. I tolerated red beans and pintos well at 4 weeks and they are high in protein. I added a packaged ham seasoning that contains no fat and some other spices to taste. Try not to eat anything high in carbs and you will have to lose at least 8-10 lbs a month or more. Talk to a dietician if you haven't already and I'm sure she'll be adding scrambled eggs and low fat yogurt and other high protein foods to your list soon. The first month is really hard to get your "footing" diet wise. Sugar free jello got me through some rough times and yet now I don't want to even look at a cup of jello!!!
   — jcrefasi

March 17, 2006
The more slowly you lose, the more permanent the weight loss, or so they say. Have you ever been on a diet where you lost 5 pounds a week? :) Guess how much that is in six months? I think you could live with that... You will have plateaus, sometimes even for a couple of months at a time, while your body adjusts to the rapid weight loss. Just remember to get in all your vitamins and protein or your intestine will "regrow" and there is a much higher chance of regain when you are two years and beyond post-op. Nobody ever told me THAT part that I will start to reabsorb all the bad stuff again...
   — j_coulter

March 17, 2006
OK....WHEN have you EVER lost 15 pounds in three weeks??!! I have to say that you have NOTHING to complain about. You have to remember, this is a process. Nothing is going to happen overnight. Take those 15 pounds and run with it! Those pounds will add up. There will be times when you lose nothing, but it is completely normal. Just remember...one month at a time! Water....water...water...EXERCISE!
   — RebeccaH

March 17, 2006
I understand your frustration, but its important to remember that everyone's body and metabolism is different, so everyone is going to lose at a different pace. Keep following your doctor's regimen, exercise as much as you can, and you will lose over time.
   — ShantiPrema