Question:
I'm on week 4 post-op and I haven't lost a pound!
During weeks 1-2 I lost 20 pounds, but on weeks 3 and 4 I lost nothing, in fact I think I've gained 1-3 pounds. Is that crazy? On the plus side my blood pressure has gone down and I've stopped taking one of my blood pressure medications. I'm having problems getting all of my water in, but I'm getting about 30-40 grams of protein per day. I have 3 mini-meals and 2-3 snacks. I get about 20-30 minutes of walking per day. What's wrong with me??? — vitoria (posted on February 15, 2005)
February 14, 2005
We are very close in dates and from my own experience I have found that
during weeks 1 & 2 you loose a lot purely b/c you are only intaking
about 200 calories and your body is kinda in shock. You are loosing the
extra water weight from surgery and your body is using everything that it
can to repair itself. In weeks 3-4 your body is starting to normal itself
out, adjust hormones and chemicals and trying to maintain presurgical
norms. I am told not to worry that we are both due for a big loss soon.
However, just off of my own research and what my nutritionist put me on
(not sure what your doctor ordered) it seems that you are not getting
nearly enough protein and you already admitted you aren't getting your
water in. Are you counting any milk or noon water (like Crystal Light) into
your "water count" because you can. My nutritionist wants me to
get in about 65-85 g of protein a day! I know there is this big old
complicated formula to figure out how much protein your body MUST HAVE in
order to maintain your current muscle mass so that your body digests it's
fat instead. It has something to do with your current weight and goal
weight. Look to see if you can find it on the net... I know it is published
in the book "Before & After" (WLS book) but I can't find my
copy right now... I am repainting my kitchen and my house is in disarray!
LOL! Good Luck Hun & Brightest Blessings~
— MagickalMom
February 15, 2005
I had my surgery on 1/10/05 (5 wks. ago) & have lost 32 lbs., but only
2 ;bs. in the last 2 weeks. I am worried that I may not be a good loser.
I have started going to Curves this week, so that may start to help me. I
don't get all my protein in, but I do lots of water. Sometimes I think I
may be eating too much, per se. It is minimal what I eat, though---only
low-carb items. I'm anxious to hear what others' experiences have been in
the early weeks.
Angela in Cali
— ANGELAMORFIN
February 15, 2005
nothing..when is the last time you have lost 20 lbs in one month? at this
rate you will be down 240 lbs in one year..besides i'm sure you have tried
dieting in the past--ever remember hitting a plateau?
— fishnrockport
February 15, 2005
You may be like me--I am told that the way I lose weight is odd. From the
first month forward, I only lose weight about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks per month.
This means that I lose a lot very quickly, which is ok, but the wait for
the other 2 1/2-3 weeks can be nerve wracking. It is also really hard on
me because when my body decides to drop 6-10 lbs all of a sudden, I am
exhausted and in pain for a couple of days (I feel it in the center of my
back). I have told me drs about this, but I haven't gotten a great
explanation. The theory that I have, based on the fact that during the
weeks I am not losing weight but am exercising, etc. I sometimes even gain
weight, is that my body may be losing fat, but it is retaining water (I can
also gain 3-5 lbs in a day) which is clearly impossible with my calorie
intake vs my output. The scale moves when my body finally discards all the
water it is retaining. Try to keep a journal and keep track of these
patterns. Sometimes it is frustrating, but it is always interesting.
Either way, don't stop exercising and working to get in your fluids and
protein because if your body is retaining fluid, it will eventually drop
it. Your 10 lbs/wk for the 1st 2 wks with nothing for the next 2 was
actually how I started out. It kept up that way for about 2 more months
and then I started losing a little less per month.
— Heather K.
February 15, 2005
I would say this is very "normal" - all of our bodies are
different, but we have to give ourselves time to catch up to the extreme
weight loss that happens. It will really start being steady but slow from
here out - don't be surprized at 2 to 3 pounds a week.
— tonishappy
February 15, 2005
This is very normal. Your body just went through the big shock of a major
operation. You need to give it a chance to catch its breath and heal. This
is what it is doing right now, healing. While you are waiting for the scale
to move again, try taking your measurements and keep a log of those and
watch how your clothing fits you or does not fit you anymore. STAY AWAY
FROM THE SCALE! Infact put it where you cannot get to it. Why are new POs
so in love with the scale? You would not be asking the last question in
your post if you had put away the scale. What I did was put it out in my
shed. That meant that I would have to go out to my garage to get the shed
key when I wanted to weigh myself. Just the mear fact that it was locked
away kept me from flipping out like you are so soon PO. If you do not have
a shed then give it to someone to keep for you or put it in a storage
locker at your apt. complex.
You are going fine with your meals, snacks and exercise keep up the good
work, but stay away from the scale.
— ChristineB
February 15, 2005
I had a very similar experience with my surgery, almost 3 years ago. For
the first _eight_ weeks I lost -NO- weight. It was horridly discouraging!
Once I was able to eat more than a mouthful every 4 hours though, the
weight started rolling off in large amounts. Your body is in shock from
the drastic change. Give it a chance to acclimate to its new condition.
Once it figures out that you aren't in the middle of a world-wide famine,
it will cooperate very nicely. Good luck!!
— Magda1ene
February 15, 2005
Personally, I think you are doing fine. I do have a few points of advice
to give you. The first being to educate yourself about how the human body
works. For how many years did your body live in a certain way and then all
of the sudden EVERYTHING changed. The body doesn't react to this well.
When you suddenly and drastically lower the amount of calories your body
takes in, it freezes up. It thinks it is starving and takes a bit of time
to adjust. Thus causing your weight to dig its heels in and stay where it
is!
Next, I really don't think you are getting enough protein. I didn't think
it mattered for me, until I started getting the right amount. Once I began
getting AT LEAST 60g per day the weight just began to fall off. We really
do need our protein. Also, I truely believe if you get your adequit amount
of protien in NOW and keep it up, you will minimize your hair loss.
Next, your water is VERY important. Is it really that hard to get it all
in? It helps me to drink out of certain glasses, like 16oz ones. I know
that all day I only need to drink 4 of them. It really helps. Without the
water, your body will hold onto all of its water thus not helping with
weight loss. Also, keeping yourself hydrated could possibly help with
excess skin. The more dehydrated you are the dryer your skin(and
everything else) becomes. Keeping yourself hydrated helps your skin to
stay less dry, thus helping to retain elasticity. Also, please remember
that if you drink andything with caffine or alcohol you must still get in
your 64oz plus some, since these dehydrate you!
Finally, you may just be right on. Sometimes you don't lose right away or
it just seems to be slow. You will learn your own body and how it reacts.
But, the bottom line is that you didn't gain all of your weight at once and
you won't lose it all at once. You really will be fine, just follow your
doctors instructions and keep up your support and you will do just fine!
Have a great day!
Amber
— septembergirl73
February 15, 2005
Thank you all for your feedback, suggestions and support! I will follow
your recommendations (more water and protein)and be patient.
xoxoxo
— vitoria
February 21, 2005
My surgeon says 90-120 grams of protein during our weight loss. After the
window close, then 60. Your way way way to low. No wonder you are not
losing.
— Danmark
Click Here to Return