Question:
First Plateau 3 weeks after surgery is this normal
I had surgery on 12/5 and I have been gaining and losing the same 5 pounds for the last two weeks is this normal? — Kathy P. (posted on January 4, 2002)
January 4, 2002
You may not like my reply but......how could you possibly be at a plateau
at THREE weeks? First of all, put your scale away. Don't even worry about
weighing yourself at this point. Instead, concentrate on eating, drinking
your 64 oz. water and getting the protein in. Don't jump the gun. Give
everything a chance.....chuck the scale and then get on it at the doctor's
office only. That way you won't notice the plateaus. I don't mean any
disrespect, please don't take this the wrong way.
— [Anonymous]
January 4, 2002
YES YOU CAN PLATEAU AT 3 WEEKS. I wish someone had told me this. I
plateaued from week 3 to week 6. Don't give up, keep eating and keep your
measurements. I lost inches tho I was not losing pounds and dropped 2 sizes
when the plateau broke. A lot of people plateau at this point and I think
it is just your body catching up and figuring out what is going on. Don't
stop eating or your body will think you are starving and hold onto the
weight!
— ctyst
January 4, 2002
Hi-
In response to the other person listed here anonomlsly (sp), how can you
write such a response. All of us have witnessed, lived, watched, hated our
bodies responses to trying to loose weight. Trust me - ANYTHING IS
POSSIBLE!!! I platued at 3 1/2 weeks and again many times since then. At 3
months I went into my Doctors office for my check up and had a huge chip on
my shoulder because I had been on a platuea (AGAIN), this time for three
weeks - trust me scale or not, I knew I hadn't lost any weight for that
time. I told him I didn't have this gut filleting surgery for 52 pounds
(my weight loss to that time). He just smiled benignly and said,
"Joanna, you can't fail this, trust me". I left his office
grumbling, thinking how come he's so sure, he doesn't know my body, MY
LUCK, my failures, grumble, grumble....Don't you hate it when they're
right? Two days later I dropped seven pounds. Again, ANYTHING is
possible, just trust in yourself, in the procedure and don't let naysayers
get you down - You've given yourself the mose incredible gift possible.
Congratulations, I'm very, very proud of you (114 gone so far by the way).
The Luckiest Angel
— JOANNA S.
January 4, 2002
I had a couple of big plateaus during the first few months. Scary, but they
passed. Just try to follow the outlines given you by your surgeon, and then
you can be confidant that you are not the cause. At three weeks it would
almost be impossible for it to be something you are doing, so don't worry.
You aren't eating enough calories to maintain your current weight, it will
drop. Hang in there!
— blank first name B.
January 4, 2002
Surgery on 12/6 and I have lost the same 2 lbs for over
a week now........
— lessofme170
January 4, 2002
I had surgery 12/12 and I lost 25 lbs. in 4 days. It's been 19 days since
that drop and I have still remained at a 25 lb. loss. I was getting a
little scared, but then I realized, 25 lb. in one month, let alone within a
week is still an amazing loss! I stopped getting on the scale because it
was frustrating me. I remember the days pre-op when I was ecstatic if the
scale didn't budge. I am losing inches still. I dropped down a jean size
already. You're normal and okay and it will soon start up again. Don't
worry! We didn't put on all the weight in 3 weeks and it won't come off in
3 weeks. :-) Keep up the good work.
— tmrivas
January 4, 2002
I'm so glad you posted this! I had surgery on 12/3 and have been on a
plateau since 3 weeks post op. I'm really hoping it passes soon. Try not
to get freaked out, others have told me its normal. Meredith
— Meredith P.
January 4, 2002
I'm glad you posted also. I had surgery on 12/5 and have been on a plateau
for the last week. I was beginning to think I would be the one person to
fail at this. I lost 24 pounds my first 3 weeks and nothing since. I
guess I won't panic yet.
— Carol R.
January 4, 2002
I dont know how anyone can say you cant be on a plateau at 3 weeks out. I
had a 4 week plateau at 3 weeks out. I was so scared that the surgery had
failed me. And it didnt help to read posts that said " I am 6 months
out and have never had a plateau" then i knew for sure that the
surgery had failed for me. But the plateau broke and I went on to lose and
to plateau many times since. I will be 8 months out on 22nd and have lost
128 pounds. I am currently on a plateau now. One thing about my early
plateau though, I wasnt getting in enough water. I hated water then, and
had to literally force myself to sip that 64 oz a day down my throat. Of
course with this current plateau I upped my water intake to 100 oz with no
break in the plateau yet but it will come. Good luck to you:)
— C. L.
January 4, 2002
I too plateaued at 3 wks have broke it by about 1 lb at 4 wks. I have
absolutely no doubt that this weight will come off at it's own pace if I
eat right, exercise right and follow my doctor's orders. Don't fret. We
can't eat enough yet to mess this up.
— jsuggs
January 5, 2002
I am just 3 weeks post-op on Jan. 8th and have not had a plateau per
se...but, I can tell my weight loss is starting to slow down a little bit
now. Instead of 2 lbs./day...it's like 1 lb/day or every other. I have
done a lot of reading on here about plateaus. Many people have mentioned a
plateau at week 3 or so. The one interesting thing that has struck me in
these posts is that some of those people said that right after their
plateau they lost a huge chunk of weight all at once. There must be some
scientific reason for this to occur...I just don't know what it is. If I
ever get on a long plateau I will try to remember these things and just bet
on the many many people that this surgery has worked for. You alone know
what your eating habits are. if you are doing everything by the book, then
you will do GREAT! As for the scale thing....I find nothing wrong with
weighing yourself...especially early pre-op. It gives me a boost to see
the scale go down and helps me make it through the horrible liquid/puree
stage! If it comes to a point that it is causing you problems and bad
feelings, then you shouldn't weigh so often. Weigh 1x/week or month if
weighing everyday causes you grief. If it doesn't, keep on weighing as
much as you want!
— Karen B.
January 5, 2002
Oh yeah! It's normal... unfortunately. :(
— Danmark
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