Question:
Anyone else hit 2 plateaus within 3 months of surgery?
Apparently, my body thinks it needs time to "adjust." I am frustrated. I have changed nothing I am doing, and am losing slowly anyway, but I got on the scale today and had gained 1.5lbs in two days!!!! I am 14 weeks post op as of tomorrow and factoring in the gain have only lost 44 lbs. I was not a big eater pre-op but managed to lose 15 lbs in the 2 months prior to surgery. I am wondering, hmm, was this surgery really worth it? First, I have been following my surgeon's instructions for the most part, I'd be lying if I said I didn't slip once or twice and have carbs. But, c'mon! I lost weight in the 2 months before surgery and I ate carbs then. This is my second plateau. My last one lasted 3 weeks from week 7 to week 10. I have been eating mainly protein and some veggies with an occasional piece of fruit. I also have been drinking my water, everyday and until the last couple of weeks, when it wasn't convenient, have been walking. I don't know if I am necessarily asking for advice, but maybe mostly I am just frustrated here. Anyone else going through this? — Diana M. (posted on June 6, 2002)
June 5, 2002
Hi Diana, read my profile, I plateau a lot also. Don't give up!
— Marie A.
June 5, 2002
I experienced my first plateau at 3 weeks post-op RNY and then about every
3 weeks after that. At first, I was really discouraged because I was such
a slow loser, compared to my daughter who had had her RNY two months
earlier. Then I made peace with the fact that lots of things influence the
rate of weight loss: age, gender, hormones, previous dieting history,
exercise, etc... The older we are, the slower our metabolisms
are....females lose weight at a slower rate than men....if we have yo-yoed
up and down with our weight for years, then our body is going to be more
reluctant to turn loose of it again.....many of us can't begin to really
exercise until we lose those first 50-100 pounds (especially if we have
existing joint problems). I was also a "scale junkie"
immediately after surgery. I would weigh several times a day...when I got
up, after going to the bathroom, after eating, at bedtime....and I realized
that all this obsessive weighing was only making me crazy. I put my scales
in the closet and only weighed once a month, on my new
"birth-day", then I was pleasantly surprised each month instead
of being frantic about my plateaus. I am now 27 months post-op, and have
been at goal for about six months. Just follow your surgeon's post-op
instructions to the letter, have faith in the process, and don't let
yourself get discouraged. The journey may be a little slow, but it's still
the best trip you will ever have taken!
— Diana T.
June 6, 2002
Thanks for posting this question! I'm also one of the slow losers and I
plateau often. It seems that my weight loss pattern is like a staircase,
luckily it's going down. After reading Diana Thompson's response, I
realized that I am doing the same thing she was. I weigh myself everyday
and was so upset this week because I gained about 2 pounds. I exercise 3 -
5 times a week (30 mins. treadmill and 20 minutes weight training) and try
to watch what I eat. It's time for me to stay away from the scales and
only weigh myself on my new "birthday". Don't get frustrated,
you're not alone! There are so many good people here to offer support.
Hang in there, it will get better.
— Jean B.
June 6, 2002
Diana, many of us go thru the plateaus. I am on one now, at 4 months
post-op that has lasted for 2 weeks now. At week 3 I was on one for 2
weeks, and have had a few others thrown in there since. And yes, I have
gained and lost the same 2 pounds over a two week period too. Some of us
just lose that way. But hang in there, continue to eat well, try not to
weigh every day (I should take my own advice!), and drink your water and it
WILL eventually move downwards. I, too, am envious of those that seem to
lose 20+ a month easily, but if its not to be, then it isn't. As long as
the scale continues to move down!!
— Cindy R.
June 10, 2002
Thanks to everyone for your answers and support. I walked a tremendous
amount this weekend, (went to Six Flags in Dallas). I managed to lose 3
lbs. I don't weigh everyday, so I don't have that problem. And, I drink at
minimum, 64 oz of water a day. I am just wondering why some of us don't
lose fast? I have one additional question, any slow losers out there
continue losing the same amount each month even past the magic 6-8 month
weight loss window? If so, then that gives me hope that I will be able to
meet goal weight.
— Diana M.
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