Gastric bypass 15 years ago. Got down to 155, weight ballooned to 232. Recently having some problems, advice?

Question

Gastric bypass 15 years ago; got down to 155. Weight 3 or 4 years; went through menopause at age 49. Weight ballooned to 232. January started exercising 30 minutes daily; watching what I ate. Want To lose 33 lbs by August; steadily lost 1 lb/week. A couple of weeks ago I noticed I can’t finish meals and having hard time getting 1592 calories daily. Questions: 1) Why am I feeling full after eating a fraction of the food I used to eat? 2) Is it possible that my pouch is shrinking? 3) Should I supplement with protein shakes? 4) Should I not worry about the calories and just eat what I can?

Ali Solmaz, MD · Answer

It sounds like your body is going through some changes, and given your history with gastric bypass, there are a few possible explanations for your recent decrease in appetite and ability to eat as much.
Feeling Full Sooner – This could be due to hormonal changes, delayed gastric emptying, or even some degree of scar tissue or narrowing (stricture) at your pouch’s outlet. Since you’ve been actively working on weight loss and adjusting your diet, your body may be responding with changes in satiety signals.
Pouch Shrinking – While your pouch itself doesn’t physically shrink, its functionality can change over time. If you've been eating smaller portions consistently, your stomach’s ability to stretch may have diminished, making you feel full with less food. Another possibility is a mild stricture, which could be limiting food passage.
Protein Shakes – If you’re struggling to meet your protein needs, then yes, supplementing with a high-quality protein shake can help ensure you're getting enough nutrients. Prioritize protein over total calorie count, as muscle maintenance and overall health are more important than hitting an arbitrary calorie goal.
Calories vs. Listening to Hunger Cues – Your body is telling you that it needs less food right now, so rather than forcing yourself to eat 1,592 calories, focus on quality. If you're getting enough protein, fiber, and hydration, don’t stress about hitting an exact number. Keep an eye on energy levels, hydration, and any signs of malnutrition.
If this fullness persists or worsens, consider getting checked for possible issues like a stricture, ulcer, or other gastric complications.

Ariel Ortiz, MD, FACS · Answer

Good for you, monitoring what you eat, being more active are all positive things, you are probably more focused on protein intake, which can make you feel full sooner and longer.  You may have re-set your pouch.  If you had stretched it a little when you were off track, and hopefully you have been able to re-set it a bit.  You can search for pouch re-set programs online which focuses on liquids only for a few days, then adding soft foods, and getting your focus back on healthy choices.  There are revision surgeries available for after a bypass, but hopefully you are on your way back to a healthy weight!

Pablo Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello,
I recommend that you go to your certified doctor or nutritionist so you can find guidance and answers to what diet is best for you., it depends in your metabolisms and how your body reacts to different types of diet plans, talk to your doctor to find the best solution for you. 
Here are a few quick tips:
1.Try to avoid artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners can be 300x (if not more) sweetener than real sugar.
2.Rest. When the body is tired it looks for energy (it is trying to do us a favor) and it knows the the quickest way for energy to get into the body is via sugar. Ever notice that when you are tired you crave processed carbs and/or sweets? This is why. The next time you feel like you need to rest, do yourself a favor and rest.
3. Add more natural sweet food. This one is especially true for my dieters and low carb peeps. When we have a diet very low in carbohydrates and sugar we tend to want sweets. By simply adding some nutritious sweet foods to your day you can cut that craving way back. Some great examples are sweet potatoes, squash, brown rice, oats, and carrots. An idea of a yummy snack might be carob chips and coconut with nuts mix.
4. Protein. If you find yourself craving sugar, just take note of how much protein you have been eating. If it seems high, try cutting back. If it seems low, experiment with adding some more in. I’m telling you, being interested in ourselves is one of the best ways to figure out what our bodies need.
5. Add non-food sweetness. It can be a simple as a phone call with a dear friend, a walk, a girls night out, a great book, etc. The options are endless, but the key component is that you remember to keep yourself on the top of your own list.
I hope these tips help you! :)
Best Regards

Gastric bypass 15 years ago. Got down to 155, weight ballooned to 232. Recently having some problems, advice?

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Gastric bypass 15 years ago. Got down to 155, weight ballooned to 232. Recently having some problems, advice?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Gastric Bypass

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.