Question:
Is a 7 week long plateau normal at 5 months post op?

I'm almost 5 months post op, 5'3", started out at 308 and am down to the 240's and have been losing and gaining the same 7 pounds for the past 7 weeks. Im getting highly frustrated. Ive increased my activity, upped my protein and have been making sure that I get my vitamin's, stay as much away from sugar as possible, no breads or starches. I eat my vegies and eat protein bar's along side my meals. I only eating between 600 and 800 calories a day...so I just don't get it. Im doing everything I think I should, I've even started lifting weights and I go for a walk during my lunch break every day, powerwalking around a track. Is this normal? Should I try and call my Doctor? Help...I'm losing my mind...if not my weight!    — Lisa M. (posted on April 7, 2002)

April 7, 2002
I am at 5 months post-op myself and I have not lost any weight in the last week. I usually lose 2 to 4 pounds a week. I consume around 800 calories a day as well, but I don't exersice faithfully. It is possible that you are building muscle from exercising. Muscles weigh more then fat, so this could be why you aren't loosing weight right now, but you are probably loosing inches, since muscles are lean and more compact then fat. It sounds to me as if you are doing all of the right things, so I would say stay the course and your plateau will break eventually.
   — Susan M.

April 8, 2002
Hang in there! You're doing all the right things! You might need to add a few more calories to your diet. Especially with the increase in exercise, your body may be in starvation mode and holding on to every calorie it can find. Add maybe 200 more calories and make sure you get in that water. I know, I've been there. I typically don't lose anything for 3 weeks at a time and then lose my whole month's worth in one week. You're doing great!
   — Brenda H.