Question:
I am 5 weeks post op- today. I am, or was down 32 lbs.

But for the last couple of days I haven't lost anything. I know- put the scale away. Anyway, this morning I weighed and I seemed to have gained a couple of pounds. What is going on? I seem to be craving cheese and crackers, my protein I assume. Could that have made me gain?? Now what? Help!    — Cindy K. (posted on February 20, 2001)

February 20, 2001
I too have this problem....my kind of flucuates (sp?) Anyway, I try to pay attention...does it seem to go up after you eat more salt? (Crackers)...is it perhaps nearing "that time of the month"? Mine would go up like 2-3 lbs, stay there fora while, and then go down 5. Also, when you do weigh yourself, make sure things are consistent...same time of day..same pattern (for example - first thing in a.m., after bathroom, before breakfast). I find that I sometimes gain 6-7 lbs during the day, and by morning it's gone....I'm not quite sure where it goes...I'm just glad it does.
   — tlg6056

February 20, 2001
Your body will need to catch up with the loss of lbs. Also you maybe starting your cycle, that always seems to throw me off. Try not to worry, and you already know that you are going to be told to stay away from the scale- I won't do that because I know how I am, but give yourself a break- try on clothes that tells us more then the scale does. That is really how I measure now by the way my old clothes fit. Best of luck to you and take care!
   — [Anonymous]

February 20, 2001
How long do you think your body can take breaking down a pound a day before it need to take a rest? You've lost almost a pound a day and you think you haven't lost enough? I lost less than that my first two months! You must not be weighing yourself enough. Are you sure you're doing it every four hours?
   — [Anonymous]

February 20, 2001
I want to thank you all that posted to my question. I appreciate the support and compassion. I am not sure if "anonymous" was try to be funny or just plain mean- that I do not appreciate. Anonymous- you have to understand ( why you don't, I don't know) that being obese and having this surgery is scary. We have put alot of thought and research into this surgery, not mentioning our lives. I do not want to sabotage it in any way. I would have thought that for someone who has had the surgery, you of all people would understand this type of concern. Thanks again to those of you who posted supportive and understanding answers to my question. I do feel alot better. Thanks, Cindy
   — Cindy K.

February 20, 2001
I guess I need to clarify which anonymous I was referring to in my post. I was referring to the one who asked if I was weighing myself every four hours, not the Anonymous who was helpful in pointing out some reasons for the weight gain. Thanks again! Cindy
   — Cindy K.

February 20, 2001
Cindy, I understand exactly what you are going thru. I also am on a 2 week plateau which will not break after only 4 weeks of surgery (I crave everything including cheese and crackers) I drink my protein and walk and the only thing I can think of is that I do have Carbs - or im pregnant! Its not explainable otherwise! Anyway if you want to talk more email me. I know the common advice is hang in there it will break but its very different when its happening to you! PS I also thought Anonymous (weighing every 4 hours) was a rude and insensitive post.
   — Anna B.

February 20, 2001
Cindy, First, congratulations on your great start on your weight loss! Try not to panic over the weight flucuations, they are very very normal and to be expected. Everyone's weight varies by time of day and day to day. One suggestion I read about weighing was to weigh DAILY, BUT use average weekly weights to measure your progress. (I'm a strong believer in weighing every day, myself - it keeps me honest with myself.) Anyway, weigh each morning at the same time, after bathroom, no clothes, before breakfast. Write down your weight. Then at the end of the week, average the weights for that week. If you weighed 7 times, add up the seven numbers and divide by seven (use the calculator..save your brain!). If you weighed less than 7 times, just add up as many weights as you have and then divide by the number of weights. Then, compare your "average" weight for the week with your "average" weight for the preceeding week. This should give you the "trend". You'll be able to see those numbers going down over all. I think that one of the people who responded perhaps misunderstood your concerns right now. I don't believe that you are concerned that you haven't lost "enough" weight; I think that like most of us, you've noticed a change and are hoping to heck that it isn't a new trend (the scale going up instead of down). Your concern about this is universal in this community of post ops, believe me. Eat the cheese, but skip the crackers if you can; the longer you can keep those type of carb snacks out of your post op life, the better - they are the type of food that can go down "too easily" later and haunt you. Crackers don't have anything "good" for your body in them. Try to nourish your body with your food choices whenever possible. You're doing GREAT!!! It will work for you if you work it!
   — BethVBG

February 20, 2001
Cindy...I'm 5 weeks postop too....you've got me beat I've only lost 28lbs(what are we saying "ONLY" 28lsbs)...I force myself to only look at the scale once a week...and in fact I've been adjusting so much to my new life that I haven't even gotten excited at the weight loss yet....as for the crackers and cheese...Have a bite or 2...I refuse to deny myself, I have to learn to live with this and if it means having a little cheese and crackers than that is what I will have...good luck
   — Debora H.

February 20, 2001
I know exactly how you feel!! I went through a long plateau at 5 weeks. My doctor was a bit unsympathetic and went so far as to tell me that the only reason for a plateau was "eating too much". NOT SO!! His kind nurse explained to me that he had people who really did eat to much so if you didn't have weight loss he'd tell you this as a scare tactic. I have found that if I get stuck on a plateau I will start losing again if I INCREASE my calories by about 200 calories a day until I start losing again. This may not work for everyone but it works for me. I also find that if I exercise TOO MUCH and eat TOO LITTLE I will retain or even gain weight. This is the body's means of protecting itself from starvation. I guess it boils down to finding a balance in all things. There are some days when a small piece of candy or a few extra pretzels mean the difference in sanity or going completely nuts. If cheese and crackers will give you peace of mind then have some cheese and 2 or 3 crackers. The trick is to not have a pound of cheese and a box of crackers. :) I think you're doing just great. What you are experiencing is completely normal - the fears and concerns. We just have to find a way to get control over food and that doesn't happen overnight. I'm almost 4 months post op and have lost 55 pounds. I want to lose another 45 pounds and with each additional pound I seem to learn something new. Don't give up - you deserve to be happy!!! Good Luck!!
   — ronascott

February 20, 2001
Today, 2/21 is my 1 month anniversary! I lost 23lbs in the first 3 weeks and then nothing for 5 days. I started walking on my treadmill, real slow, but 40 minutes 3 days ago and have lost 1lb a day for 3 days. My doctor also said the throw away the scale, or at least not weigh in every day, but I can't help it! I would not worry about it. Over the long run we will be down about 100 lbs this year!
   — Jacki Z.

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