Question:
I'm confused by this whole process. Pre-op and in my days of dieting I found I could

eat 1000 calories and easily lose 2-3 lbs a week. Now that I am eating barely 600 a day (I am 5 weeks post-op) you would think the weight would drip off of me, but of course it hasn't. Why is it so different now? I read lots of posts from people who feel they are losing too slowly, but I honestly didn't pay any attention to them BEFORE my surgery. Now, I am so comforted to know there are so many others sharing my frustration. Tell me, when will the weight start dripping off?? Does it make a difference to get the protein in with fish/chicken rather than with the shakes?    — Kay S. (posted on September 15, 2002)

September 15, 2002
I think you just need to be patient. It has only been 5 weeks and you have already lost 27 lbs!! That's FANTASTIC and certainly beats your 2-3lb average from before. Besides, your body has been through a major trauma with the surgery and it is possible to plateau already. I can totally understand how anxious you are to lose, but you're doing fabulous!! As far as I know there shouldn't be any real difference in getting protein from a shake as opposed to fish/chicken. However, you might want to check and make sure your shakes don't have a lot of carbs in them because that could slow down your weightloss. Also, be sure you're not eating too much pasta at night. You might try avoiding pasta for a week or so and see if you start losing again. Best of luck!!
   — trouble5

September 15, 2002
My nutritionist says that it is always preferable to get your protein from food (preferably animal protein) than from protein supplements (drinks or bars). 97% of the protein from animal sources is absorbed, as opposed to 70-85% of that from vegetable sources. Are you exercising now the way you did in the days of your dieting? Because if you took in 1000 calories a day when your requirements were 1500 calories (typical for a female), then that would only be 1 lb a week loss (500 calorie deficit for 7 days = 3500 calorie deficit = 1 lb lost). Maybe you need to kick up your exercise a bit. Also try dropping the protein drinks to 1 max per day (what my nutritionist recommends) and watching the carbs...JR (open RNY 07/17 -74 lbs)
   — John Rushton

September 15, 2002
Kay, my experience was much the same as your pre-op and (so far) post-op. According to fitday.com, between my low caloric intake and exercise, I should be dropping almost four pounds a week. Post-op, I've lost two+ pounds per week on average, which isn't much different from what I used to lose on Weight Watchers. Dunno why, and I've stopped caring since I've noticed that people simply lose at different rates here, and it's not always explainable by who is "being good" and who "isn't." Regardless of pre-op size, some eat relatively bad foods, rarely exercise, and lose like crazy; some exercise and do "protein first" and lose more slowly; and some get complications even though they've done absolutely everything "right" from day one. One guess for your situation is that your body has gone into "starvation" mode and at present will simply NOT lose at the rate you'd expect given the deficient between the calories you intake and those you expend. (Why some people still lose like mad through that phase is a mystery.) You WILL still lose, though. Plateaus are temporary, even if they last weeks. And your weight loss rate may change over time, as you intake more calories, which may cause your body to leave "starvation" mode and start losing a little quicker. The important thing is, you're losing!
   — Suzy C.

September 15, 2002
I have had the same concerns. Why are the pounds dripping off? I have lost 18 pounds and am three weeks out. My advice is don't scale watch, but use a measutring tape and see how the inches are coming off. I found that even though the pounds aren't melting as quickly as I would like, my clothes are hanging off. I walk five miles a day have rebuilt muscles in my legs. If you are exercising a lot, keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat. Also heavier people will lose faster. The day of my surgery I weighed 248 pounds and was told that I would lose more slowly than someone who might weigh 100 pounds more than I. Hang in there...it will happen.
   — Kelly X.

September 15, 2002
I've always gotten my protein via shakes (doc's orders). I've watched with interest how food focused I am NOT and the difference between my thinking and those who work so hard to get protein via food. The shakes provide a large wad of protein in a small package (4 oz of water), very low calories. So, I can enjoy my salads & other foods that are not as bullky in my pouch.
   — vitalady