Not losing weight after gastric sleeve surgery could be a post-operative concern for some patients. Gastric sleeve surgery typically helps patients achieve substantial weight loss for about 18 to 24 months.
Individuals undergoing sleeve operation need to have realistic expectations and follow the post-op diet as well as a healthy lifestyle. A good bariatric surgeon will ensure that their patients understand all of the benefits and risks associated with gastric sleeve surgery.
When people know what to expect before surgery is performed, they can make sensible goals for themselves. If you are concerned about reaching your goal weight, check out the expected weight loss timeline, and discuss your stall with your surgeon or nutritionist. If you cannot get near your ideal weight after two years post-operation, you may consider revising your gastric sleeve to RNY gastric bypass, mini bypass, or duodenal switch.
Myth vs Reality: Losing Weight After Gastric Sleeve
Myth: You will always have substantial weight loss results after undering gastric sleeve surgery. This is not always true.
Reality: Weight loss after gastric sleeve varies for everyone. In rare cases, the sleeve gastrectomy can be less effective for some patients. It is not like getting liposuction which fat is extracted and weight loss is immediate.
Gastric sleeve procedure helps stimulate weight loss by reducing appetite and portion sizes. In fact, it is common to see little to no weight loss in the first few weeks after the surgery, as you are adapting to the procedure. Realistic expectations help patients achieve safe, healthy, and successful long-term weight loss.
Why Am I Not Losing Weight With Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
One issue that a patient may have is the lack of weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery. Here are five common reasons why a patient may not be losing weight after gastric sleeve surgery.
Reason #1: You Are Not Eating Enough Calories
Yes, I know this is a mind stopper. It is hard to believe that not eating enough calories can contribute to not losing weight. After weight loss surgery one of the major hunger hormones; ghrelin is removed so you don’t feel hungry and your stomach has just gone from the size of a flattened football to the size of your thumb. Get high protein products that you actually enjoy.
You have no desire to eat, so you don’t. Many people think, that the less I eat the faster I will lose weight. Unfortunately, not the case for many. When your body is not nourished properly, your body will start burning fat as well as muscle for energy. The more muscle you lose, the harder it is to keep losing weight and the increased chances of stalls or plateaus.
Also, your body begins to think you are starving it, so your body begins to work against you, making it harder to achieve weight loss. It will hold on to every ounce increasing the number and time frame that you experience stalled weight loss.
How many calories you want to aim for depends on how far out you are post-operative. It is helpful not to force the food but to have goals. First, do not stress about your intake. Just be mindful of what you are consuming. You will not focus on calories until you are at least three weeks post-surgery. At three to four weeks assess where you are at and your first target is 800 calories, 1,000, and 1,200 calories.
1200 calories really are the baseline for everyone. Eating below this will slow down weight loss long term. Many of you will need more than this, depending on your individual needs.
Gastric Sleeve Expected Rate of Weight Loss
Reason #2: Lack of Balanced Meal Planning
If you are four or more weeks out, it is important to slowly incorporate more solid proteins and healthy fats into your meal plan. The first step is to make sure you are getting enough protein. You can determine your baseline protein needs by taking your ideal healthy weight and dividing it by 2.2.
For example, if you aim to weigh 150 pounds, you would take 150 divided by 2.2, and your optimum protein would be 68 grams. Remember, this is a general baseline recommendation; for best fat loss results, you may need a higher percentage of protein.
After determining protein needs, look at the overall balance of macronutrients. A common question many people ask is how many grams of protein, fat, and carbohydrates should I have for optimally fat loss. There is no exact number that will work for everyone, so it is important to take these general guidelines and play with the percentages until you find what works best for you.
Daily Macronutrient Goal
Macronutrients make up most of the calories we eat. These major food categories include protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Balancing macros after gastric sleeve could very well fix your weight loss problem and get you back on track with a more “balanced diet.”
After gastric sleeve, we recommend a high-protein macronutrient distribution of 10-35% Carbohydrates, 30-40% Fat, and 35-50% Protein. Also, be sure that your overall total sugar intake is less than 25 grams per day.
Reason #3: Eating Too Many “Slider Foods” (Snacking)
After the operation, many people have difficulty transitioning to whole food-based solids. People often say they can’t eat chicken or any solid protein foods.
Over time they develop a food aversion to solid proteins. When this happens they end up choosing what I call slider foods. These are foods that are easy to go down like yogurts, potatoes, tomato or cream soups, ice cream, etc…
These types of foods lack balance and substance which cause you to feel hungrier faster and many times have more simple processed carbohydrates than lean proteins and fats. Look at your overall intake of foods, and if you are predominately eating “slider-based” foods, this may be affecting your weight loss.
Reason #4: Exercising Too Much Too Soon
Once you make the decision to have bariatric surgery, you are focused and ready to have this extra weight gone. You are eager to experience the fast results that you have read about in many cases after having weight loss surgery. With this eagerness, you are ready to hit the gym and start running.
Believe it or not, if you are not eating enough calories and you start an exercise program, you may be hindering your weight loss. Walking post-surgery is always encouraged and helps you in many ways. Outside of a walking program, you want to make sure you are healed before starting any other forms of exercise.
The general recommendation is to wait six to eight weeks post-op before starting an exercise routine. You also want to make sure you are eating your baseline calories before going into extreme exercise.
If you are not eating a minimum of 800 calories I would stick to a walking regimen. Focus on increasing your calories at a minimum of 800 to 1200 and once your calories are in check then incorporate an exercise routine.
Reason #5: I Don’t Like to Lift Weights
Although I tell people you can never out-exercise a bad diet, and that diet is at least 80% and exercises being 20% – it still impacts the efficiency and the rate at which you burn fat. This does not mean just running on the treadmill. Building lean muscle increases your metabolism because it takes more calories to maintain muscle.
The more lean muscle you have, the faster you burn calories. If you are six to eight weeks out and you are eating a proper amount of calories resistance training may be the thing you are missing to take you to that next level of fat loss.
If you do not know anything about resistance training to build muscle it may be beneficial to hire a personal trainer for a few sessions to create a plan for you. If you do not like going to the gym, you can create a home workout. If you are reading this and thinking, “I don’t want to get bulky;” trust me, you won’t. It takes a lot of work and a consistently balanced meal plan to build muscle.
Overall you want to be patient with the process. You did not gain the weight overnight and although for many this is rapid weight loss it will not come off overnight either. Stalls or plateaus are a normal part of the process.
Considerations
For many of you, you are weighing yourselves daily or every few days and if you don’t see the scale change you are quick to say, “I’m not losing weight”. Give yourselves a few weeks for your body to adjust and process the fat that has been utilized. Patience is a crucial part of this process.
It is important to remember that each one of you is a unique individual with specific needs. There are general guidelines that can steer you in the direction of the optimal fat loss but there are many factors that can affect the rate at which you burn calories and fat.
Be mindfull that over time you will need to tweak this information to make it work specifically for you. There is no specific diet that is perfect for everyone.
Sometimes patients are discouraged when they aren’t losing weight as fast as another patient. Note that everybody works differently and there are many differences that affect the weight loss rate. Consult with your bariatric nutritionist if you have any specific issues related to your rate of weight loss after your surgical procedure.
Gastric Sleeve Revision
If none of the above seems to be the reason for not losing weight, then the primary surgery may not have been the right one for you. Revisions can be made with a second surgery to make the stomach pouch even smaller or you may need a different type of bariatric procedure to fit your needs.
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy can be easily converted to RNY Gastric Bypass, Mini Gastric Bypass, or Duodenal Switch. A professional surgeon from Mexico Bariatric Center® will work directly with the patient to ensure the safety and effectiveness of a conversional operation.
Quick Fix: Balanced Meal Plan
For optimal fat loss, macronutrients will vary for each person. Ranges will be between 10 – 35% carbohydrates, 30 -40% fat, and 35 – 50% fat for most individuals. These are general ranges to start with.
Soft Solid Phase Meal Plans:
Until you can eat six to eight ounces at one meal, you will have to eat six or more small meals throughout the day. Between three and four weeks most people can eat around three ounces at one meal. These sample meal plans are based on 3 oz. at each meal. If you can not eat three ounces you can increase the number of meals per day. You can not force the food but it is important to work at getting proper nourishment.
Example one:
Provides 831 calories, 80 grams protein, 45 grams carbs, 34 grams fat (40% protein, 22% carbohydrates, 38% fat):
Meal 1:
2 eggs (3 ounces)- Meal 2:
½ cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1 TBSP Barlean’s Omega Swirl - Meal 3:
Canned Salmon (3 ounces)
2 TBSP Salad Dressing: Asian Toasted Almond - Meal 4:
Protein Smoothie:
Protein Powder providing 20 – 26 grams of protein
6 ounces Fairlife Whole Milk (lactose is removed and has an extra enzyme added)
½ small banana
- By adding 1 TBSP of natural peanut butter to your smoothie and adding one more meal of a ¼ of an avocado, you increase your calories to 1000. (84 g. protein, 51 g. CHO, 48 g. fat. 35% protein, 21% carbohydrates, 44% fat).
Example two:
Provides 898 calories, 89.3 grams protein (37%), 50.7 grams carbohydrates (21%) and 45.6 g. of fat (42%)
- Meal 1:
¼ cup oatmeal
6 ounces Fairlife whole milk
¼ cup pumpkin puree
Cinnamon to taste - Meal 2:
½ cup 4% cottage cheese
2 TBSP sun-dried tomatoes
1 tsp. basil - Meal 3:
3 ounces of tuna fish
1 TBSP real mayo
salt, pepper, seasoning to taste - Meal 4:
Protein Smoothie with protein powder 20 – 26 grams protein
6 ounces Fairlife Whole milk
Meal Plans Based on One Month and Beyond:
Meal plans based on 4 to 6 ounces of food per meal and 1200 calories
Example 1:
Provides 1,209 calories, 112 grams of protein (36%), 73 grams carbohydrates (23%), 58 grams fat (41%)
- Meal 1:
2 eggs
1-ounce cheddar cheese
2 TBSP black bean and corn salsa
1 small tortilla - Meal 2:
Chicken salad:
2.5 ounces (½ can) of white shredded chicken
¼ avocado
salt, pepper, and seasoning of choice
8 crackers of choice - Meal 3:
3 ounces grilled salmon
½ cup green beans
1 tsp olive oil
seasonings of choice - Meal 4:
Protein smoothie:
protein powder with 26 grams of protein
6 ounces Fairlife whole milk
¾ cup of frozen mixed berries
Related:
Wow thanks this is really helpful. My dietician hasn’t said any of this to me and i’ve been stuck for a year. I found an app that helps you keep to the plan above *bariastic* but your article is great to help you realise where you are going wrong. 1 week into this plan and i’ve lost 4lbs :-) – only another 42 to go!
How long ago did u have ur surgery? I’ve been having some Bad Luck or Bad Choices…So, this eating method is worth it and you’ve seen 4 lbs gone in a week? Then I’m gonna try it! What are you doing for exercise, if I may ask? Thanks for chatting…Britt
What is the app you are using?
I need this it been a year. I’m a truck driver and I don’t get to exercise till weekend
Me too. The dr keeps saying add food but it’s hard to get that in my head. He wants me to do 1500 cal/day.
1’st let me say I AM NOT A DOCTOR!! But I do have some personal experience with where you’re coming from. You are right when you said about your head, it’s in your head that food is the enemy and we all know on here WE ARE OUR OWN WORST ENEMY!! Food is concerned.. So please,please listen to your doctor so we can all be on this earth for as long as possible.. P.s think of this too, would you want your great grandkids to ask about You someday and be told you “ ate ourselves to death?” I can think of much cooler ways to go! ✌?
I’ve been stuck for 6 months now. I only lost the first 6 months now nothing. What did u do?
I’ve found this interesting and useful. Although having had my sleeve fitted May last i have stalled a few times but continue to lose weight slowly.
Ihad my skeeve opp on 18/01/17 so far i have lost 5st1lb works out at 71lbs total put on about 6lbs but my weight loss has slowed right down but i need to up on my water intake aswell as protien/veg as im down from size 24/26 to 16/18 just another 3sts to go
I had my baby 4 months ago but I gained 50 lbs it is so hard to lose this weight I had my sleeve done 3/15/14….I need help any suggestions??
I am eight months out, and have been stalled for a little while. I could never eat what you put on the one month and beyond meal plan. I would be puking :( i could maybe manage the two eggs, but nothing else for meal 1. I could eat the chicken salad from meal 2 but no crackers. I can only eat at most 1/2 cup per meal. Is this a problem?
Jessice. I actually just had my sleeve one wk ago today so I’m very new to this, but my dr is HUGE on protein so maybe if you work to get at least 100g everyday that will kick start you again :)
Same half cup of food about 3-4 times a day on a good day 10 months out 130lb lost if you find your self at a weight stall Try mic injection for 6 weeks
What’s that mic injection?
Hi what are mid injections plz?
Mid injections are a form of Vitamin B12 supplement. It is recommended that you only take it if your B12 numbers are low.
The meals sound big I’m 4 months out and I can’t even eat 2 eggs 1 in a good day I’ve lost 40 pounds and only have 35 more to go but I don’t think I’m eating enough.
Thank you, I sincerely appreciate the information provided
So, I’m about 15 months post op , been in a stall for about 3 months now, no one ever said to eat more calories!!! I’ve been watching calories and carbs very carefully so I think I’ll try that!!
I had my surgery on 3/07/17, is it normal to start slowing down in the weight loss. I am about 3 weeks out.
This question would be best answered by a member of our staff who can best assess your situation. If you’d like to speak to a representative about this question, feel free to call us at 855-768-7247
I am 8 months post op and have stalled I eat protein and walk like crazy usually two hB eggs some food variations cottage cheese with fruit protein balance nuts fruit and one meat meal at dinner don’t know my calorie intake so I’m gonna try this is there such a thing as too much protein also does age play a factor into this equation ? Thanks
I’m 70 and the dr says to eat 1500 cal/day and he said he told his mother the same thing. So no, I don’t think age matters. Protein won’t hurt you as long as you drink lots and lots of water.
I had gastric sleeve 7/23/19 and have been at the Same weight for 3 weeks maybe because I’m only eating about 4 to 5 sugar free popsilckela a day work 50 hours a week and can only sleep trying to go to the gym but only about and hour and I’m so tired it is hard think I’m pushing my self to hard .
Yes I had my surgery march 9 and have only lost 6kg. That was mainly in the first two weeks. Really struggling!
Have you gone back to your dietician.
Maybe a refresh of eating plan.
Hope you start loosing again.
Me too! i am 7 weeks out and the only weight i have lost is in the liquid only stage, I am eating lots of fresh salad and vegetables and avoid bread and other complex carbs but I just stay the same weight!
Frustrated.com!
L
Hello. I know this thread has been about 6 years ago but I found it while researching, it said you didn’t lose any weight weeks after surgery, I’m experiencing the same . I lost weight during my pre op and 2 weeks post op no weight loss at all. I just want to ask did it get better? Did you eventually start to lose weight after your surgery? If yes what did you do or change and how soon did it happen? Thanks
For those who have stalled i have been told you can reboot your weightloss by going back to the optifast preop diet :) might be worth trying
Do you have the optifast preop diet. I cant found mines
Yip I stalled wk 3 but then started losing alot after 4th week
This has really helped me figure out why I am not losing weight. I had gastric sleeve surgery 3/6/17 only lost 34 give or take
A pound or two. I’m only eating under 300 calories on a good day. Greek yogurt,tuna and cream soups are Al I eat. I have my protein shakes once a day. I have to change this routine. The eating part isn’t easy can I get my calories in protein shakes?
I was only 78 kgs when I had my sleeve surgery (almost a month now)..I lost so far around 7 kgs..but I am losing weight reallyyyyyyy slow. To be honest, sometimes I’m cheating with little bit of nuts or something sweet. do u think such small portion of whatever wrong I am eating is the reason why I am not losing weight so quickly?
I loved reading this article. Very interesting read! I’ve lost 112 lbs and counting so far! I had my RNY Dec-19-2016 in Toronto, Ontario. I am 4 Mos post-op and have been pretty successful at losing my weight. I do struggle daily with my food/protein & water intake as well as exhaustion and severe constipation. At this point I’m eating between 400-500 calories daily. I know this is extremely low but I am working slowly on my food & water intake. Also I’m just never hungry for the first time in my life! I do set timers on my cell phone to remind me to eat though which helps alot.
I was sleeved on 12/21/16. Im down right at 40lbs….. I feel like i should be smaller…
I had my surgery 12-16-15 only list 45. I haven’t lost any stuck st 207 my lowest 198 but gain weight this last two month?
I had my surgery on the same day as you. I lost about 80 pounds the first year now I’m stalling. I noticed that when I focus on eating more I lose but most days I forget to eat and when I do eat I eat too fast and vomit. So I think mentally, I have to plan my meals and set an alarm. Then I have to slow down and focus on chewing,
Is eating peanuts a bad thing? It helps me poop!!
My oh my I’ll have to try that. I too have trouble in this way.
This is really useful , I had my surgery on March 9th I struggle with fluids and protein daily . I exercise walking, bicycle . I will try these meal plans I don’t want to fail . thank you again
I had my gastric sleeve operation on 2-28-2017 and have only lost 20 lbs. so far and it’s now June 27th.
i’m thinking about going on the pre-op diet so I can lose weight faster as I lost 13 lbs. in 3 weeks on that diet.
I fell into eating snacks or sliders since I couldn’t eat meat because it made me feel sick when I tried to. I hope this
will do the trick and get me back to losing weight again.
I meant to say that I had the operation on 3-28-2017, so it’s been 3 months now and only a 20 lb. weight loss.
Hi Deborah, I had my surgery on Nov 15, 2017 so I am just 2 months out and like you,have only lost 18 pounds so far ?. I know you wrote this back in June last year and was wondering if you were able to get out of the “stall” and started losing weight? And if so,what did you do to get back on track? Thanks, Dee
Hey there would u please tell me if u lost weight. I have been for 5 months and all i lost is 10 kgs please lemme know what did u do to lose nore weight thank you
Hey shad , me 2 it’s been 5 months no n I’ve only lost 10kg , have ya lost more after that ?
I had my gastric sleeve on November 7th 2022 I’m only down 13 lb I’m going to try the reset and hope it works have you had any more success with your surgery?
Its very slow for me too, and i see others losing over 100
Lbs in 6 months, and i get discourages
Its been slow for me too. I get discouraged when i see others lose over 100 lbs in few months
This article has been very useful and I am going to try it. I had my surgery on 6/14/17 and I am down 23lbs, and have been faithfully exercising faithfully since July 8 and have not lost any further weight. I am getting about 800 to 1000 calories a day and I am getting about 60 grams of protein. However I am going to try the different protein options like egg and tuna which I have not been eating. Most of my protein is liquid, I drink Isopure protein drinks and then the protein shakes; will try to add more solid proteins. Thanks again for this article, I was beginning to feel like a failure again.
Thank u for the article.. I had gastric sleeve done on 6/2/17.. I have been at a stall for 3 weeks and have only lost 25 pounds so far.. I also was feeling like a failure.. I go to the gym in the am and do a light workout with weights and walk at night..
Stalls are normal fight the urge to give up stay the course and ignore the scale. Good advice I could give myself :) . But just keep fighting this isn’t easy even with a sleeve don’t be discouraged if you stick to the program you will get where you want to go. It took your whole life to gain the weight. Your body is a wonderful machine built to fight loosing weight for it interprets as a threat (eating less). It’s doing its job, do yours and stay the course results will come with your staying the course.
Thank you for this comment. It has really encouraged me. It’s very difficult for me in particular because I have a friend who had the sleeve a few months before me and she is near her goal weight…me, not so much. I have to learn not to compare myself to her, because it has made me feel like this isn’t working for me. Granted, I’ve lost 53 pounds post-op, but its moving extremely slow. I have to remember your words that my body is doing its job, and I have to do mine and stay on the course and I will see the results.
My nutritionist gave me guidelines when I first started the process, 7 months before surgery. I still follow the same guidelines now. 1/2 cup protein(74 to 94 grams), 1/2 cup veggies(1 time a day,fruit) and 1/4 starch. I can only eat maybe 6 bites of solid food at one time. I eat 5 to 6 times a day and I still can’t eat very many carbs like bread or tortillas or even potatoes.
Hi i thought tortillas and crackers was a no no
I am really having a hard time losing and at 9 months out I only have 40 lbs off. This dies is so easy to follow. Thank you.
I am 2 years and 6 months out I lost most of my 140 lbs in that first 7 months it gradually slowed and I stall about every 20lbs. I stuck strictly to the diet I was given and credit that and excercise with my success. I never reached my goal weight of 200 lbs but I’m so far away from where I started 15 lbs seems trivial even though I’d like to get there. Remember the sleeve is a tool not the solution. Losing weight is still the same eating less and burning more. I saw the period diet and the first several months after the sleeve as a tool to break bad habits built over 42 years. I would never want to discourage anyone from having the surgery but in the end it’s still about hard work and determination and eating less. I do think as you get towards your goal weight the harder it gets and the more that building lean muscle and paying strict attention to macronutrients in your food all the more important as the weight loss becomes more difficult. Good luck to all who are searching for the solutions to their weight loss and fight on to those already on this journey.
Thank you! I am 2 weeks out and have lost 21 lbs. But I am struggling to eat as the desire is not there. But I am usually getting my 60 protein and 64 oz of water by drinking 2 gnc lean shakes a day. Also able to eat chicken salad and other ground foods. I think I struggle most with time management of my meals and stop drinking. With 3 little ones I lose track of time. But this article gives me a plan and ideals to keet things moving.
This is all to confusing for me. I have my gastric sleeve on the 7th of September, and I was told that I would lose weight rapidly, then I would hit a plateau/wall. The weight will resume, but not as fast as when you first were surgery out. I want to lose 80lbs to get to my weight loss goal of 150, I am 5’6 and I weigh 230 lbs. I do know that my Dr. did tell me that I will need to eat 60-80 grams of protein a day, for about a month
Hello all. I’m not a posting kind of guy, but in the spirit of sharing and in appreciation of what you have all shared, here it goes. Currently POSTOP day 13. Down 21 pounds and holding that for past 4 days. I’m not worried. That fits with everything I see here. Calories are at 650 a day, +/-. On nothing but liquids and thick liquids. Orgain Protein Shakes, Muscle Milk Protein Shakes, and some organic canned soups that I puree to a thick liquid (add a little broth to some to thin it out more). I’m using a brand called Amy’s Kitchen. A 3/4 cup serving of the Chili has 13G protein, Lentil Soup, has 7G. Both with very low sugar content. I expected actually to “stick” a some weight because my body is “starving” – at least by my body’s standard it is ;-) I’ll transition to soft solids this weekend. I’d expect another loss of maybe 5 pounds over the soft solids period. For this to work for me, I need to keep my perspective and, as Rodney pointed out, use the sleeve as a TOOL. I read labels now. And, I have to say, my mind feels sharper and more alert and just better all around than it has for a long time. Probably because before this, my food pyramid was SUGAR, WHITE FLOUR, and FAT! That has changed. Worst thing so far – those chewable vitamins. I have taken exactly two scripted pain pills since leaving the hotel after surgery. One for the flight home and one the next day. Other than that, I’ve taken maybe 4 Tylenol total. Incisions healing nicely. Worst damage was a blown IV site that was and is still pretty sore. Warm compresses are fixing that. So far, I am very pleased with the results, the process and I have no regrets about my decision to do it.
for admin
What Does a Bariatric Balanced Meal Plan Look Like?
For optimal fat loss, macronutrients will vary for each person. Ranges will be between 10 – 35% carbohydrates, 30 -40% fat and 35 – 50% fat for most individuals. These are general ranges to start with. One of these should read “protein “
I agree. I noticed the same thing.
Thanks this information was VERY HELPFUL..IM GOING TO EAT BETTER.
What is the best protein to drink once on a regular diet?
Sleeved 10/2/2017 HW:290 SW:260 CW:248 GW:140 H:5’5 1 month out and only lost 12 pounds so far I have got to pick it up but I have been eating a few chips here and there like 3-4 and it’s hard to get all the calories in when I am so busy only been eating like twice a day and having a premier protein shake but if you think about it if you wanna to lose 100 pounds in a year you just need to lose 10 pounds a month and that’s easily over 100 but gastric bypass allows for more weight loss I can eat pretty much anything just not a lot.
Hi i had my sleeve done on 27/10/17 I’m in my 3week and i have put on 0.8kg i didn’t know what in doing wrong
I had mine a week ago. Considering that I have been in a liquid diet since 12/22/17, I haven’t lost any weight. I feel so discouraged.
I am 10 days post op. Had a Gastric sleeve. Following everything 100 %. I only lost 2 lbs. Talk about discouraging. I wonder what is going on ???????
Did you ever find out what went wrong? I am two weeks post op from the RNY and I’ve gained almost 5 pounds. So discouraged right now. I have only lost 6 pounds since surgery.
Its been 3 weeks since my op and i haven’t lost any weight but i have put on .8kg I’m following everything that they say to eat and drink and still failing
A drink of water can make me feel full. So I don’t drink with meals. Other times I don’t want to eat and know that I have to. Occasionally fall back on protein drink but not often I have now shed 14 kilos 5 weeks post operation and specialist says this is normal. Start back at hydrotherapy this week first time since Operation and am looking forward to it.
Figured I would ‘weigh in’ (pun intended). Had my sleeve on 11/1/16 and I’m currently down 170lbs. It can be a very daunting journey and mine isn’t over yet either, still trying to lose about 26…. But technically in 13lbs lower than the “norm” for my starting weight, so i try not to get too discouraged. There have been LOTS of plauteas and more than my share of tears along the way. Remember that this whole process is different for every last one of us, so everything is a guideline/ suggestion and not the only answer to the problem. Wishing everyone lots of luck!
“Patients is a very important part of this process.” Pretty sure you meant patience.
I had my sleeve operation on 1/5/18 but began the pre-op liquid diet on 12/22/17 until now. I have not lost any weight. I feel so discouraged. I don’t understand why I haven’t lost any weight after being in a liquid diet for so long.
Hi Patty—I was sleeved about 18 months ago and have only lost 50 pounds. I still need to loose 50 more. Just wondering if you were making progress on your journey. I find it hate to locate people who aren’t loosing. I feel so much like a failure.
Yes it is a challenge As Is “Life in General” Right???
It Is A “TOOL”Just like a Hammer…
You can TEARDOWN a HOUSE with one OR
BUILD A BRAND NEW ONE!!!!!!
I am only 2 months out and I’ve only lost 22 pounds I’m really struggling and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong with my diet I’m trying hard to eat all my proteins and increase my calories I’m only walking for exercise feels like a real failure I don’t know what to do differently I just did not expect it to be like this
I feel your pain I feel so frustrated I feel like I should have just not gotten the surgery
Whoa thank you, this article was great and so helpful.
Whoa thank you, this article was great and so helpful. My surgery is in 3 weeks time and I’ve been really stressing about how I will maintain weight loss after surgery. This has always been a problem for me – lose weight, gain it back times 10. Even though im getting surgery done, I still have a huge fear of regaining the weight. I had planned to do some really intense training and clean eating after surgery. I now realise the goals I had in mind are slightly unrealistic and unsustainable. I will be re-evaluating after this article. Thanks again :)
I had my surgery in May 2017 and have lost 86lbs so far with another 11 to go to hit my target. Trouble I’m having is that I have stopped loosing and I’ve had really bad dizziness and feeling lightheaded like I’m going to faint. I’ve had this for about 3 weeks. Doctor doing blood tests next week but wondering if anyone else has had this? My GP is convinced it’s aomethung to do with my op and has told me to go to see my surgeon.
Hello to everyone, my name is Isa and I am planned for sleeve in a month’s time. I am 38 years old, 1.64 and I weight 105 kgs. Have had other hormonal problems like Hashimoto’s and the vast majority of my weight is around my legs and lower body. I would like to ask if you experience weight loss at the points where you have more fat, or not? And also… I have asked several times my Doctor to tell me the life expectancy with cutting my stomach 80% down, but he never replied to me. Thank you in advance.
I am 12 days out and I’m at the same weight, it is frustrating but trying to keep my head up. 3/11/18
Are you drinking enough water? You have got to get your fluid in. Don’t get discouraged, keep doing what you learned and it will work. I had my sleeve 1-26-15. I’m still not at goal but that’s my fault. I keep falling back into bad habits like eating too much in the evening. I lost 80 pounds originally over the first year and gained back 10. I’m back on track now and losing again.
Hi Lois, i have not yet had my first appt but i did go to the seminar. I was hoping my future surgery would help me STOP Eating in the evenings. How do you feel when you eat at night?
I had my surgery8/31/16,I started at 274 and loss 50 lbs. at my one year checkup ( 224). I expected to lose a lot more. They said to keep calories at 1000-1500 ,I been at around 1400 or less. I know I haven’t stretched my pouch. I do exercise at least 3 times a week,and walk outside. I’m 67 years old feeling discouraged am I eating to much? How do I get over this plateau?
Hi Cathy, how are you doing?
I had my sleeve 1-26-15 and lost 80 pounds over the first year. I haven’t reached my goal YET, but I will get there. I still feel and look like a new person so I try not to get so down on myself. I have to watch picking up bad habits again in my food choices, so part of my problem is me. Remember to drink your water! That is so important. If you’re having problems talk to your Bariatric team, they are there to help you. They want you to succeed. Thanks for this article, it certainly is another option to look at .
This is exactly how I feel too Lois. I feel & look like a new person after dropping 70lbs and I am very happy at this weight. But I haven’t reached my goal and that hangs over me everyday. I went through a lot of mental anguish before finally decided to have the sleeve and I really want to lose another 25 more lbs . I have to buckle down and make it happen.
what is the magic soup recipe
I am 20 days post-op gastric sleeve. I lost 18 pounds at my first doctor’s appointment. Since then, I have not lost anything. Is this normal? Very frustrated. Getting about 50 grams of protein and 50 oz of liquids. Next week I will be going into soft foods. Should I expect to lose next week?
I had my surgery about a month ago I lost about 56 lb but after that it just totally stopped I’m doing everything or doctor who suggested it and my weight still has not come down in about 3 days.
I had my surgery in April of 2018 and lost about 100lbs. But now I have gained 8lbs back and I’m not eating that mush food. Nothing has changed in the last 2wks.
I had my surgery on 10/25/18. I one big realization is that I need to listen to my wife more and do more research. This article will help me a great deal , especially when talking to my Dr. and Nutritionostl
I had my sleeve surgery on 10/25/18, I lost 54 pounds so far. My problem I think, I’m eating everything without complications and I exercise approx. on the average of 600 minutes per week, I have stalled and can’t figure it out-HELP!
I had my surgery done oct.8 2018. I have lost only 80 pounds and I’M so frustrated. I’m still 200 pounds . I try to work out as much as I can. I haven’t drank my shakes like I’m supposed to but for 2 months no weight loss, it’s driving me crazy. I get dizzy a lot and don’t know why. It’ seems the only good part is I’m not diabetic anymore.
I’m 7months out lost 70lbs the first 5 months and have not moved the last 2 months
I have added weight lifting to my routine to tighten up the flabby skin so that may be why. It is frustrating though, you just have to make sure u drink ur water and get enough calories. I think that may be my problem because I’m not hungry. It still don’t eat bread, rice, pasta or drink alcohol. Oh well hopefully the scales start going down again. Best of luck.
;Wow thanks so much for this information. No one has told me any of this. I had my surgery Nov3 2018 I have lost almost 70lbs. Now I’m not losing at all. Have not gained Thank God!
However I have not been exercising so I know that’s part of my problem. And Not eating enough calories. This has been very helpful for me thanks again. I want to lose 1bout 80 more pounds. I weigh 290.
I had my surgery in oct 2018 i haven’t loss any weight and i m always hungry. I can eat a full meal even like burger or a full steak dinner at keg. Always hungry i spent 18000 on this Surgury and it doesn’t work so frustrated an stressed out.
Baritastic is an app that is awesome for tracking and helps you to see just what you are doing right or wrong.. great info here
Im 8 weeks post op gastric sleeve, and i find this very difficult to acheive as far as caloric intake. I can eat 1 egg and maybe 2 crackers for breakfast, lunch is most of the time like a burger patty with maybe some lettuce, dinner will be a bit of chicken salad and maybe 5 ounces of protein shake for late snack.. i cant do as much as theyre asking, and when i actually counted calories, i was around the 600 mark so i stopped counting because i felt horrible seeing the amount i was taking in, and not being able to eat as much as i “should” … im just not seeing how im supposed to get to 1200 without eating the wrong foods.. like if we are eating healthy choices how is the calorie intake supposed to technically be so high??????? FYI: im allergic to seafood.
This is not a requirement for patients, if you are unable to eat this amount, you should not force yourself to eat more as this may cause nausea, vomiting, or pain. Eat what feels comfortable for your stomach. Instead of “slider” foods like crackers, I would recommend more nutrient-dense foods such as healthy fats (avocados, nuts, seeds), grains (quinoa, brown rice, Ezekiel bread), and fruits and veggies to pair with your protein. These foods are going to provide your body with essential nutrients and prevent malnutrition that can result in unwanted side effects such as hair loss. Remember to go at your own pace, never compare your journey to others, and be proud of how far you’ve come!
Has anyone who had sleeve surgery experienced heat intolerance, or memory loss?