Question:
I've plateaued after only 2 1/2 weeks! Is this strange?
I lost 30lbs in the first 2 1/2 weeks, and not a pound sence and I am 4 weeks post op. While I know my weight loss was more than typical for the first two weeks, so does that have something to do with this plateau maybe? I'm having the "I'm the only one gastic bypass isnt going to work for, in the world" feeling and am really going through a mental beating with this plateau. I dont exspect to loose at the rate I was but something would be nice, just to keep hope up. If any one has advise on this I would love to hear! How long will this last? and will it fix its self? — reagan H. (posted on May 17, 2005)
May 16, 2005
In a word, no it is not strange. It has happened to most of us. Your body
is just taking a break and getting used to the reduction of calories and
the shock of having major surgery. Do not be so hard on yourself, you will
get back into the loosing mode. A true plateau is when you stop loosing
weight AND inches for 30 days straight. Just keep on doing what you are
doing and the loss will start again soon. It may take 2-3 weeks
— ChristineB
May 17, 2005
I'm 7 weeks post op. The EXACT SAME THING happened to me. I'm not sure
you've stopped losing you're body has just slowed down. I think it tries to
slow down your metabolism.
So what I did is start to excersize. At first I just got on a treadmill
and walked for 20 min at a really slow speed..then 30 min..up to an hour.
Never going very fast al all. Then I would walk slow..speed up for 5
min..slow down..back and forth..never too fast as to hurt, but enought to
feel like I was doing something. I also did the excersize when I first got
up before I ate. I felt then I was forcing my body to use the fat stores as
energy. The weight loss started again. There were other major benefits as
well: I wasn't so cold all the time. I had way more energy. I slept better
at night. I felt happier.
I also started keeping track of everything I ate on the website fitday.
There I was able to make healthier choices for my foods, and keep track of
what I was putting into my body. I started to learn about what foods are
high in bad stuff. What food choices I could make to give my body the fuel
it needed. I actually started to wake up hungry. WHICH IS AN AWESOME SIGN..
it means my metabolism is going, my body needs the fuel. It also prepares
me for when I do lose my weight, I need to learn how to eat healthy NOW! So
when I'm down I don't gain it all back. Now is the perfect time to meet
those destructive eating habits head-on!
I read the puch rules on the internet and started putting those into
place. I try to eat three meals a day with little snacking. I drink TONS of
water way more than 8 glasses. The only snacks I allow myself is if I see
on the fitday thing that I haven't eaten enough. I am usually between
600-800 calories.
I try to have my protien shake once a day. (mine has 40g protein and no
carbs, From GNC) I try to keep my carbs between 40-50grams and keep my fats
low too. I stay away from high glucose index carbs like potatoes and corn.
(Read the book 'before and after' she has a list of the high glucose index
carbs and good carbs.) I stay away from refined things and I stop eating
two-three hours before I go to bed.
Your weightloss is actually better than mine. I lost 15lbs the first week
and then nothing.... (actually I was still losing about 2lbs per week, but
after the first quick loos that seemed like nothing). I have decided not to
weigh myself weekly any longer but monthly. I think I will lose about
15-20lbs this month. I have heard at this stage your body goes all over
with the water weight. Water is heavy. So you could be losing fat and still
look like you are gaining even.
So Keep doing the right things... it will work!!!! I think everyone goes
through this early. Your body is in shock and is trying to stabalize..don't
let it!!!
Bettyanne
— bettya
May 17, 2005
It is not a true plateau unless it lasts at least 4 weeks. But at this
early out most of us stopped losing pounds but kept losing inches. It is
VERY common and you should not worry.
— TheresaC
May 17, 2005
What is happening to you has happened to most of us, and yes as a new
post-op it freaks us out. Your body is basically in shock, it doesn't know
what is happening. I did the exact same thing and mine last about 10 days
then the scale showed 6 lbs. gone overnight. Don't get discouraged enjoy
this awesome journey. It will happen for you just like everyone else.
Good Luck!
— cajungirl
May 18, 2005
I am also 2 1/2 wks post op and I dropped 41 lbs and now nothing so I would
say this is normal. I am starting to exercise more and make sure I drink
lots of water. I heard those are the 2 key things to do. Good luck with
your weight loss and I am sure you will start again soon.
Stormy :wave:
346/305/151
— Stormy71
May 18, 2005
Hon,
This is not a problem. With the gastric bypass you can't help but lose
weight. It will start again, and make sure you are following the diet to a
T and exercising. It is very important to exercise. I hope this helps.
— Angelfirewithwings
May 18, 2005
I am about five months post. Will add my words of wisdom to the rest.
What you are experiencing happens to me just about monthly. I do
everything right (mostly), but sometimes the scale will not move for 10
days, then it starts again. I remember the first time panicking, but I
have meade friends that told me that they had experienced the same, and
that no, "I would not be the only person in the world that WLS did not
work for". Take heed, we know how you feel. I started out at 214, am
now 162. Because I am considered a lightweight (not to me), my weightloss
is slower. I keep track of my loss on my calendar, and also use
fitday.com. In this way, you see your progress over time. My best to you.
Congratulations on the wonderful thirty pounds gone forever!
— lindarodham6
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