Question:
Plateau nightmare!!! help
June 9th will be 4 weeks since I had Bypass Surgery and I was so excited I lost 19 lbs in te first 9 days. I thought this was going to be a breeze!!! Boy was I wrong...I walk 3miles a day and don't eat much everyday and I haven't lost much of anything in the last 2 weeks. I am so depressed. I am so concerned about going back to work as I don't think my co-workers will be able to see a difference in my appearance. Help.. what should I do?? — Tonja S. (posted on June 8, 2003)
June 8, 2003
I lost 27 lbs the 1st month than nothing for 7 weeks. Ive now lost 61 lbs
since the day of surgery, 5 mos tomorrow. hang in there it will move again.
I had to get on here and read so much to help me not to freak out. a ton of
people have hit the plateau, it sounds like your doing the right stuff,
water exercise don't worry about your co-workers they will notice in a
short time. your body has to adjust think about what you use to eat and
what you eat now. its starving and has to take some time to get use to the
changes. good luck. your doing great.
— Joan W.
June 8, 2003
I know how you feel. I will be 4 weeks post op on Wednesday, June 11 and
so far am only down 21 pounds. I think we tend to read about the people
that loose so fast. My doctor said I am right on target and to just keep
it up...expecially the exercise. I think the one thing many of us are
learning as I look at all these questions today,is that the weight does not
melt off and this is a "diet for life". I know I got caught up
in the glammer end of it and had no idea of what it all would take. I go
through some major depressing moments as now my social life is so limited.
Is it worth it? I'll tell you in a few more months. Right now we just
need to keep "pressing forward".
— Sharon B.
June 8, 2003
I experienced my first plateau at 10 weeks out .. didnt lose anything
for 10 days .. I kept doing what a was soupose to be doing an tonight
weighed and had lost 6 lbs since I had weighed on Friday . Its true what
they say you lose alot and then you lose in inches while your body plays
catch up. Just eat like you should drink and walk and dont worry ..the
weight WILL come off .. just give your body time to adjust to all of the
new changes . Let your tape measure be your friend when the scales are not
. Love Euthie In SC
— ruthie
June 8, 2003
I have been pretty fortunate in avoiding long plateaus (my longest has been
about 4 days), but they are still maddening even for those of us lucky to
be faster losers. You seem to working very hard at the program and you got
some great advice from Sharon (who, by the way, has the best kernel of
wisdom in her profile when she declares that "the brain is the worst
enemy"). What I can offer is what has seemed to work for me: (1)
during a plateau, I will go at least 2 days with no more than 10-15 carbs
(which means no juice or fruit those days) while pushing in at least 60-80
grams of protein, (2) I never have two days in a row during which I would
consume more than 50 grams of carbs and I almost never consume less than 40
grams of protein a day.
But, the most important advice is what you've already been given: work on
establishing those lifelong good habits that will promote health (like
walking regularly), don't weigh yourself everyday and know inside of you
that you've made tremendous progress and are on the road to a second chance
at a long and healthy life. Enjoy your successes!
— SteveColarossi
June 8, 2003
hang in there!~!
look long and hard at your activity level and food intake. oh and be sure
you are taking in enough fluids.
i was back to work at 2 weeks post (- several pounds) my coworkers made a
fuss and told me i looked great. but i was not into the fuss.
let go of caring what others think, you did the surgery for one person,
YUORSELF!!
so feel good about it and your will walk taller and smile. that alone is a
blessing. good luck!
— nan K.
June 8, 2003
You said you "don't eat much everyday". That could be your
problem. If you exercise a lot and don't get in enough calories your body
will go into starvation mode and hold onto the weight. Increase your
calories with more protein and drink at least 64 oz of water a day. Before
you know it the pounds will start coming off again.
— LLinderman
June 9, 2003
I have to agree with Linda (below). I'm not sure about later on post-op,
but at your stage the body goes into starvation mode quickly. I'll be 8 wks
out in a couple days and can't believe how little (if anything) I lose if I
don't eat enough. It's been an adjustment to say the least. You MUST eat to
lose.
Good luck!
— Diane S.
June 9, 2003
Most post-ops hit that first mini plateau at about 3 weeks post-op. It can
last from a week to a month or more, but then will pick up again. Don't
get depressed, its normal. As the others have said, try to eat all you can
so that your body has those calories to burn. The less you eat, the more
the body will slow the weight loss-strange, but true! The other very
important component to loss is the water-the more the better the loss.
— Cindy R.
June 9, 2003
It is common to slow down temporarily around the 4 week mark with the
weight loss. Be patient,it will pass. Make sure you have someone take a
picture of you each week or at least once a month. I bet you will be
surprised at your progress as the camera...and others see you! Stick with
it!
— Lisa D.
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