What am I doing wrong because I've only lost 13lbs at 2 months post-op?

Question

My highest weight wast 231lbs. Same as surgery weight. I lost 13lbs in a month after surgery. Gained 2. 1 week later lost those 2lbs. Nearly 3 weeks now and nothing’s happening. I track my food daily getting 500-700 cals in a day. Mostly protein. (no beef or pork) 1 premier protein drink, under 20g of carbs. Haven’t had any junk foods. When I snack it’s light string cheese or a protein shake. I pretty much eat eggs, meats and cheese. Not to fond of sweets. What do I need to do?

Pablo Garcia, MD · Answer

Each process is different and not all patients have a massive weight loss in the first months. for what you write you are taking your process to the letter.If you feel that you are having a slow process consult your nutritionist or main surgeon to assist you and can give you guidance to improve.To maintain a positive mind: 1. Remember your goal, what is your objective. 2. Never look back, fresh start when needed it 3. Small Goals. Just live day by day. TODAY I'LL DO MY TRAIN ROUTINE. TODAY I'LL EAT HEALTHY. 4. Look for support groups. Its known that you'll have better results.
Here are a few quick tips.
1.Try to avoid artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners can be 300x (if not more) sweeteners 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.Don't be discouraged ,

Ali Solmaz, MD · Answer

Experiencing slow weight loss after bariatric surgery can be frustrating, especially when you’re following all the recommended guidelines. At two months post-op, your body is still adjusting, and weight loss patterns can vary from person to person. It’s common to experience stalls, especially after an initial rapid drop in the first few weeks.
Since you are tracking your food and consuming 500-700 calories per day, primarily from protein sources, your intake appears to be within the normal range for early post-op stages. However, your body might be holding onto weight due to metabolic adaptation, water retention, or changes in muscle mass. The slight gain and plateau you experienced could be your body adjusting to the drastic changes in food intake and metabolism.
If you are not getting enough fluids, your body might be retaining water, which can mask fat loss on the scale. Ensuring proper hydration and incorporating more movement, even light exercise or walking, could help break through the stall. Your body also needs a balance of nutrients, so incorporating non-starchy vegetables and adjusting protein sources could improve overall metabolism and digestion.
It’s important to remember that weight loss is not always linear, and stalls are common in the first few months post-surgery. If the stall continues for an extended period despite staying on track, checking in with your surgeon or a bariatric dietitian may help determine if any adjustments are needed. Lab work may also be helpful to rule out underlying issues like hormonal imbalances or deficiencies that could be affecting your progress.

Alejandro Lopez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, I would recommend having a little patience. This procedure helps in a longer time frame, so if some weeks you loose less than others it´s probably not that significant.
Just keep tracking your calories and you will be fine.

What am I doing wrong because I've only lost 13lbs at 2 months post-op?

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What am I doing wrong because I've only lost 13lbs at 2 months post-op?

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