Question:
Starvation/Hibernation Mode- How Long Will It Last?

I know I have read about the dreaded four week plateau. Well, maybe not exactly a plateau, but isn't this the time that your body realizes what you've done and says "Whoa"? I haven't lost so much as a 1/2 lb. in 5 days and that is very weird, considering how well I was doing. I know that there is a period that your body thinks it's starving and holds on to everything, but how long does this usually last?    — Kathy S. (posted on February 23, 2003)

February 22, 2003
Hi, the only time your body goes into starvation mode is when you are not eating enough! This is not an automatic thing that happens to everyone. Try to eat what your doc/nutritionist has told you to in the amts they say and this will prevent it. Also as far as breaking plateaus, up your water, protein and exercise and stay faithful to your eating program.
   — Delores S.

February 23, 2003
Many people do go through an early post-op plateau, but it is nothing to be alarmed about. It will not last long. If you have recently had the surgery and didn't do your measurements before, do it now. Often when the scale isn't moving, you are losing inches and it's really helpful to see that when you get down about not 'losing' anything.
   — garw

February 23, 2003
I just went through this...between week 6 and week 7 I didn't lost a pound...then the next two weeks I lost 14 pds!!! I just kept on track, made sure I was getting my water, protein, supps and walking and stayed off the scale for the whole two weeks. Now, when I weighed and saw the huge weight loss I couldn't stop jabbering about it ;-) Are you feeling different and can see a change in your clothes? Sometimes you are not losing pounds on the scale but building muscle which weighs more than fat. So I'd say you're OK, you are doing well...just avg out your weight loss total over the period of weeks and pat yourself on the back. Now at 9 weeks, I've lost 50 pounds, even with one week of no loss!
   — Susan F.

February 23, 2003
It usually hits most post-ops at about the 3-4 week post-op time frame and can last from a week to a month. My first one was 10 days long. Your right, your body is just trying to figure out where the weight went to...it will adjust and continue to lose again.
   — Cindy R.

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