Need some support re: hunger and weight loss - ThinnerTimes

Olusha · 11-05-2006, 02:26 PM

I'll be three weeks out on Wednesday (it seems like forever) and I'm just a bit concerned about a couple of things.

1. I haven't lost any weight for a week. I lost 20 lbs. the first two weeks and I've stayed exactly the same for the last week. I saw on other threads that it's normal to hit a plateau around this time, but for an entire week? Is THAT normal?

My surgeon didn't really say how many calories I should be eating during this phase, but I can't seem to get down more than about a cup of actual food per day. I seem to only be getting 300-350 calories a day or so, including protein shakes.

I think part of it is that when I do eat, I stay full for so long and another part is that I'm scared of eating too much so I never eat more than 1/4 of a cup at a time unless it's yogurt.

What should I be shooting for? Should I deliberately eat higher calorie foods just so I can get the energy? I've been needing a nap every day and sleeping longer at night.

2. My mom had the surgery in Feb. and she's worried because I am actually getting hungry. She said she didn't feel hungry EVER at this stage and she thought something was "going on" because I said I was hungry last night.

Is it normal for me to feel hungry at times only this far out? I never felt hungry for the first 2 weeks, but I definitely do now.

Thanks for answering, I'm not in a total panic mode, but I'm starting to get very concerned.

LisaBoston · 11-05-2006, 02:50 PM

The hunger you are feeling, may be thirst...are you getting in all your fluids? Is it head hunger?

Also, from the calories you listed, I would say, that you are not getting enough. I don't loose weight unless I eat enough food (after 2 months post op).

Depends on what instructions you were given, but with protein drinks, you should be getting in more calories than 500. My protein drinks are 110 calories per cup, so really I was getting in 200-300 from protein drinks, then added in food from there. Cream soup worked really well for me as it was added protein with the milk.

I would say 1/4 cup at this stage is relatively normal. I counted the protein drinks as liquids, not meals, thus my 3 meals were real food.

I paniced many times in the first 3 months over quantity of food, types of food and I seemed to worry that I would be the only one the surgery didn't work on. Not the case...but GBP really plays games with your head and I had to learn to not listen to it...

In time, it does get much better and much easier. I had issues at 6 months out as you can eat WAY more food then...but compared to what I ate pre-op, its really nothing!

Olusha · 11-05-2006, 03:33 PM

I can only seem to swing one protein drink a day and I'm mixing it with skim milk, so it's not that many calories. Then I add 90 calories for a yogurt, maybe 50 or so for some beans with cheese or creamed cauliflower or cottage cheese and I'm done for...

I'm drinking about 48 oz. of liquid a day (including the shakes) but because I'm trying not to drink after I eat for an hour, that really limits the time that I can drink! It's driving me nuts.

jeezy · 11-05-2006, 03:33 PM

Hey Olusha!
You and I had the same surgery date & I'm going thru exactly what you are. I've lost 20lbs in the first week & nothing so far and its been over 3 weeks. I was very surprised the end of the 2nd week to see that I weighed the same as I did 1-week post op. But I really wouldn't worry about it Olusha. I think its just an internal body adjustment, because we aren't eating NEARLY as much as we did pre-op and our bodies are like "Whats going on" pretty much.

Don't worry we will lose in time. Besides, its a good thing not to be dropping pounds like crazy because it gives us time to firm up underneath right!

I also feel hungry now and then. You're burning off more than your taking in so you're going to feel hungry more often. I would eat breakfast & an hour or so later I'd want something to eat again. But, the quantity is so diminished that I DO NOT worry about overeating LOL. Remember your body still requires fuel to function so listen to your body!

Olusha · 11-05-2006, 03:34 PM

And yeah, now that I've been the same weight for a week, I really did think "wow, what if I'm the only person this doesn't work on!" I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that. It sounds crazy, doesn't it?!

Olusha · 11-05-2006, 03:36 PM

Thanks Janelle! Ok, let's keep in touch and note when we each start losing again! lol

My mom is like, "Wow, I was losing 2 lbs. a day at 3 wks. out!" and looking at me like I'm sneaking ice cream or something!

jeezy · 11-05-2006, 03:40 PM

Yeah that not being able to drink x time before and after a meal is a real pain. I can't drink 1/2 hr before and after. And I still need to get more fluids in. I know i'm not. My doc said that I should be drinking 3-4 gatorade sized bottles a day!

I mean there are only sooo many hours in the day and at least a 1/4 of it is sleeping. and you need to get your protein in and vits in and this & that in. LORD its a pain. What an adjustment

Olusha · 11-06-2006, 10:14 AM

I thought for sure that today would be the day, but nope! I just feel like crying...I'm definitely in the "what the hell did I do to myself?" phase and I didn't think that would happen to me.

I'm promising myself that I won't weigh again for another week. If I'm still stuck at that point, I'm calling the doctor.

jeezy · 11-06-2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olusha

I thought for sure that today would be the day, but nope! I just feel like crying...I'm definitely in the "what the hell did I do to myself?" phase and I didn't think that would happen to me.

I'm promising myself that I won't weigh again for another week. If I'm still stuck at that point, I'm calling the doctor.

WOMAN! Don't make me come out there! Stop weighing yourself. stop stop stop! You're driving ME MAD! LMAO. You seriously need to pack up that scale, put it IN a closet & forget about it! You're becoming obsessed. Don't beat yourself up! YOU WILL LOSE just remember that! *smooches*

coptergirl · 11-06-2006, 10:33 AM

Whatyou are going through is normal, hon. Your body needs to adjust. I felt no hunger for the first 2 weeks ot so as I was adjusting, and then I plateued at 3 weeks and got my appetite back - just not as big as it was before, but I was craving food.

It sure helps to have someone close to you preceed you on the journey, but each persons journey is different and each persons body is different. Allow your mom to share her experiences, but don't compare yourself to her or anyone else as we are all different