Questions for Post Ops!!!

Okay two questions: Has anyone hit a plateau at their two week mark after surgery? How can you only have 400 or less calories and gain weight??? I've been on an almost 4 day plateau. I keep going up to 235.5 and the lowest 234.0 for four days. Today I finally broke a little and went to 233.5. Help!!! Second, has anyone lost skin. I mean real skin. Daily I am shedding skin. Not just in the shower, which I use a wash cloth around my tummy and the little plastic loofa thing everywhere else. But I'll feel itchy and skin will come off. Thanks ::hugs:: Cyndi

Yes! I dropped 25 lbs. immediately and then quit for the past week. I'm 3 weeks post op and getting fustrated. Lisa

Hi - I've been feeling a bit frustrated for the past few days and just went to weight myself, hoping for that boost. Nope - I lost only a half pound since a week ago. Reading some of the posts from surgery groups ahead of us it seems that if there are too few calories (or water) the body goes into starvation mode and holds onto weight as a protective measure. That would explain why we're not losing after so few calories. It does also reinforce the need for protein. Exercise may have something to do with it. Overall I am still slow and watching TV more than I ever did; 10 hours of sleep is crucial for me. Regarding the skin, I am definately itchy but attributing it to the winter temps..so far! Be well, ~Tiffany

Thanks Tiffany! I was actually wondering about the survival mode thing... I know that happens from previous diets. That is why I am going to try to do better with protein and water. It is just a HUGE relief to know I am not alone! I guess that is the point of the message boards and support groups, huh? I'm itchy and scaley, too. My family Dr. told me to start lotioning up. He said it's pretty normal. I had some issues with the bandages they used, I still have some red marks and those bandages have been off for a week and a half. I don't know if I am allergic to a certain kind of tape or bandaid? {{{HUGS}}} Thanks for easing my mind a little, Angela

If the rash is at the incision site, I would call the doctor. I am allergic to the glue they used and was given a steroid cream to control the allergic reaction at each of my incision sites. Sharon

hi Cyndi! I cant answer about the plateau right now since I am only a week post op. But i know that I did ask the nurse when in the hospital about the flaking skin and she said to make sure and lotion up and its more than likely due to lack of hydration. So make sure you are drinking as much fluid as you can. Here in Minnesota I attribute it to the cold weather and how my skin always is flaky in the winter if I dont use lotion. Hope this helps! -Sue 242/???/130

Yes Cyndi I think we are all going through similiar things. We can't let this discourage us! I keep going up and down on the scale myself. I know how hard it is to get in all tha****er and protein. Let's all try and relax...I'm sure this is normal. Let's concentrate on our liquids and our protein. I for one am pledging not to weigh again untill Monday...this madness should be stopped!!! I also have quite a bit of very dry skin. Using baby oil and that helps considerbly. 324/308/304/303/308 Since surgery I have been all over the place!!! We will be fine!!! Deb

Hi Cyndi, I haven't weighed myself in a while, I shall do that tonight. I notice that clothes I couldn't wear before are fitting me now. No shedding of the skin, I was losing hair earlier on but I'm okay now. Hang in there your doing just fine. Carly

First the dry skin. Yes, lack of hydration is one thing, but how much fat are we all getting now compared to what we use to get? Me, none. My hair doesn't get oily anymore. My head always itches, as well as the rest of my torso. I bought Dove shampoo, it hasn't helped. I have added a small amount of fats back to my diet, as we do need fat to live. Not alot, just a small amount, I hope this helps. Lotions will help very short term. You need a medicated lotion that actually relieves the itch. Then as for the sluffing skin, the best way to deal with it is in the shower. With in the first few minutes of getting wet, with no soap, start to lightly scratch your body with your fingernails. You will exfoliate the dead skin this way. If you wait too long, the skin is too hydrated and it wont work. Also, when you are done showering, scrub your body with the towel, you will also continue to remove skin that way. I know it sounds gross, but it will only need to be done a couple of times and then the skin will stop coming off. Then the itching will stop also. Once the skin stops coming off, use a body lotion you put on in the shower, this has the best chance of absorbing into the skin. The other lotions just sit on the skin. This should help in about 3 or 5 days. As for the not loosing. We all need to step away from the scales. Have you all take body measurments? When the pounds don't show it, I am told the measurements will. But only do it at the most once a week. If you do have to weigh everyday, only take the weekly total or maybe biweekly total to heart. From what I have heard, yes, 24 lbs the first month or more can be lost, but it might not be seen till almost 6 weeks out. I've heard of no one seeing it in 14 days. I keep telling myself this, because I am a daily weigher. I also have a great support group around me that tells me they can see the weight loss already and how great I look, no matter what any tool is telling me. We are too soon out to be freaking out. This is at least a year long process, we aren't even a month out yet. Keep the faith, loose the fear, we are all loosers now right?

Step away from the scale Don't let it start to rule your life It will make you crazy I very smart person told me, Only weigh yourself once a week if that much. I am trying to wait until I go to the doctor's office. How I am feeling the the the way my clothes are hanging off me is a good indication: Regards and hugs, Ronna