Stalled ...

When I went for my 3-month checkup, I'd lost 62 lbs. and my (new) bariatric physician (not my original surgeon) said I was "behind schedule in my weight loss" and needed to pick it up drastically. That was an upsetting conversation because I was so happy to have lost 60+ lbs in 3 months. I left his office feeling totally deflated, and the result was I've worried at almost every weigh-in I'm not "on schedule". Now I'm one week away from my six-month check-up and I've been stalled for two weeks. Nothing I do seems to break this plateau. I'm down 110 lbs from my highest weight ... 98 lbs from surgery. I'm cringing at the thought of going back to my BP and getting another lecture about not being "on schedule" ... it's going to be so demoralizing. Has anyone else been told they're not "on schedule" weight-loss-wise, and anyone got advice on how to break this 2-week plateau? Thanks Myra

i'd like to know what schedule he is talking about. Everyone is different and loses differently. As long as you are following the guidelines and getting exercise you will lose, at your pace. Plateau's come and go, it will break on it's own, just keep motivated and positive

Hello Myra: I am new to this but I think you are doing great! Everything I have read so far indicates that this surgery from complications to the amount of weight lost including the foods you can tolerate are as different as the individual.

Hi Myra You are doing wonderful. Dont let another person put you down for your weight issues. Would you be down that much had you not had surgery. As long as you arent gaining, why are you not a success? Give your surgeon this web site and let him see how real people live. You dont need a schedule, so what if it takes you 10 years to lose 100lbs, thats still losing. Keep your attitude positive and remember, without the surgery you would be up 98lbs plus probably another 50 by now, so your total would really be 148lbs. Use that as a basis and dont worry be happy. Hugs, Sue

Hi Myra, I didn't know that there was a weight loss "schedule" Wow, what does that mean...a schedule according to whom?? 110 pounds oh my, that is awsome!! Who cares what the chart says, you have lost so much!! Ask yourself this question. Do you feel better? can you move easier? are you finding yourself more easily fixing into some new clothes? Why is this doctor so "ubsessed with the scales"? Does he think that if your weight doesn't go down those 2 lbs....does that mean the dr. could had done a better surgery?? Just wondering. I think we all are as different in our weigh loss as we are in our personalites. You ROCK Myra!!! Huggs***Virginia

Hi Myrna, I have the same comments from the NP every month that I go and get weighed in. I have lost 85 lbs in 8 months and they say I am not losing fast enough. It should be 8-15 lbs a month. I only lost 3.5 lbs last month. I have had many major personal issues lately, and I look at it this way, I am still losing and as long as I am not gaining, I am doing good in my opinion. Deanne 11/9/04 Dr. Blackstone 286/201/125

Hi there Deanne, I agree with you. You are doing great by anyone's standards. I never heard of a doctor being so unsupportative..just like the doctors (pre-op) I just don't get it. Is this a contest that I didn't know about...because I NEVER WIN in contests!! What's a SMO girl to do?? Smiles, Virginia

Hi Virginia, and thanks for the support .. (((hugs))) right back!!! The bariatric physician I see now is NOT the surgeon who did my surgery. I am an "adoptee" into WLS his program. He began treating me about 3 weeks after my surgery. I'd had repeated hospitalizations and complications prior to that and was unwilling to return to my original WLSurgeon (who coincidentally retired 8 weeks after my surgery anyway). I give my present BS complete credit for fixing what was wrong with me. I really like him and he's been wonderful with everything except this one conversation. I think that's why it surprised me so and had stuck with me. I guess I'll hear more (or hopefully less) about the "schedule" next Monday when I go back. My nutritionist talks much like most of the responses I've gotten here ... everyone has their own "schedule" ... it's internal and depends on how a person works their program. She pretty much downplayed the "schedule" thing too. For this next week before my checkup, I've decided to have a few days of less solid food, more protein and fluids, more walking and moving and see if this will help with the plateau. Keep fingers crossed! You ROCK too, Virginia!!! Thanks so much!!! Myra

Myra, I don't see how he can tell you you're behind schedule. People lose at different speeds. 98lbs in 6 months?? I can only HOPE I do so well. Please be happy with what you have accomplished. Sending good thoughts your way for your check up. ((hugs)) Danielle

Myra... What your doctor said was ridiculous!!! I went to my surgeon for my 3 month check up... and at 57# lost at that point, he told me I was "average"!! I had lost 21% of my excess body weight at that point! One has to wonder if he is telling you to lose weight faster so that HIS stats could look better! My suggestions to "jumpstart" your weight loss is to make sure you are drinking AT LEAST 100 OZ OF WATER A DAY AND TRY TO GET IN 100 GRAMS OF PROTEIN A DAY!!!!!!!!! Also, limit your carbs to 20 - 30 grams per day.... including fruit and veggies! You WILL NOTICE A DRAMATIC PICK UP IN YOUR LOSS!! Your wls friend Sandy