Plateau Update

For anyone interested in the continuing saga of my now almost 4 month long plataeu, here's the latest. I met with the bariatrician of my WLS program today. For anyone who might not know, a bariatrician is a physician who specializes in the treatment of obesity. This doctor is the one who screens us into the program for medical suitability. My hope in making an appt with him was that he could look at the big picture for me - exercise, nutrition, everything, and figure out where my problem is. He was terrific. Baffled, I think, but terrific. He understands completely my total frustration at the situation. He said based on my eating and the amount of exercise I get he would have expected me to be on the far leading edge of the weight loss bell curve, not mired in the middle. He wants time to review things and think about it, but he thinks the issue might be with my exercise, as have I for some time. I may be doing too much weight lifting to be losing weight. He also said that some people come upon a floor of weight loss that they simply can't get past. He doesn't think I'm at my floor yet, but I got the impression that he thinks I'm getting close to where my personal biology is not going to let me go any further. His goal for me is to lose another 25lbs, which would put me at a BMI of 30. This WLS program's goal is always BMI of 30. BMI of 30 would be 195lbs for me, which is just not anywhere I want to be. I could accept 180 given how muscular I am, but I'd really love to get to 170. I think that's realistic, but he seemed less optimistic. In any event, my 6 month follow up with the surgeon and nutritionist is on 9/22. They will be apprised of my situation before my appt. After I meet with them and they get whatever information they need from me, they're going to have a team meeting on the 27th with the exercise physiologist to talk about my case and come up with recommendations on how to get my loss started again. He's really baffled, says this long of a plateau so soon after surgery is quite atypical. He did also say that losing 56lbs in 10 weeks for someone starting at my size is also quite atypical, and that averaged over 6 months my loss is dead on where I should be. But, he knows that info doesn't change my frustration and depression over not having lost at least since May 31. Boy, am I glad I kept all that info on my profile! On the upside, he said he never would have recognized me from the picture they take when someone signs up for the program. They're big into the "before" picture stuff. LOL. He said I look like a completely different person. I really should post some pics on my profile. My body is so much more compact and muscular than it was, and I love all the muscles. I hope whatever changes they have me make in the gym don't make me lose this bulk and definition I've gotten. But I guess if it does, I can always go back to muscle building when I've stopped losing the weight. I should also add (like this post isn't long enough) that I realized today what a toll this plateau has taken on me emotionally. After the appt, I had what can only be described as a total adrenaline crash. I am completely, totally exhausted. So much so that I'm blowing off the gym tonight with absolutely no guilt or regrets. I'm so glad I had this appt and that someone with knowlege now is on board with the problem and is committed to helping me find a solution. So, thanks to all who have posted or emailed their support to me. You have no idea how much I've appreciated that. It's helped me hang on during what has been an excrutiatingly difficult time for me. I'll post again when something new happens. Mary Ellen p.s. - if this plateau ever breaks, I'm changing my screen name to something more positive, like Yippee Girl! LMAO

Mary Ellen, Thanks for posting this. I have been at 180lbs for about a month and was getting depressed because I am training for a marathon so you would think the weight would be coming off and not at a stand still. I think your dr may have a point because I too go to the gym to lift weights and was wondering if that was hindering the weight loss. I hope they figure out what the problem is and that your plateau breaks soon...keep us in the loop with info! Hugs, Michelle www.active.com/donate/tntwpawv/michelleuschock

hi Mary Ellen- funny, I came here looking specifically for you and here is your update! I too am still stalled. In fact I met with my DR the other day and low and behold, I have lost exactly 4 lbs in the last 3 1/2 months. My surgery was on 3/1. I was wearing pants and shoes at my last weigh in and yesterday I was in shorts and no shoes. ( So no real loss there) I am just completely baffled as are they. The only thing I can figure is that I am not doing enough protien. My hair is extremely thin and it had been ridiculously thick preop. I am choking down yet another protien supplement daily bringing my supplemental protien up around 60 grams. I'm so damn frustrated i could just cry. Funny thing is.. I was seeing my dr about a 1 1/2 inch mass they found in my breast. I was more upset with my lack of wt loss and actually seeing it documented by a medical professional than the scare of the mass. My high bp is gone, I am working out to the point of excess and feel pretty darn good. But I would not have had my guts rearranged if I had known that I was going to lose a measly 50 lbs. I am scared that if that is it, then what about the 10-20% regain that most post ops get?? Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and let you know that you are not alone.

Hi Amy! I'm so glad to see your post, but so sorry you're still stuck too! I had hoped I hadn't read anything from you because you blew the plateau and were losing like crazy. I hope the breast mass turns out to be nothing. They usually are, so I hope the odds hold for you. And I understand completely how you feel about how you wouldn't have done this surgery for a measly 50lbs. You know, our BMIs are almost identical now, probably were when we started. I really think my plateau has a lot to do with the gym because I always lose a bunch of weight when I have to miss the gym for a few days,t hen I gain it back immediately as soon as I go back to the gym. I forget, but I think you're doing a lot of weight training too, is that right? And getting smaller and way firmer but just not losing pounds? That's what's happening with me. I can't wait to hear back from the team about what they think I need to do. I'm going to email the WLS program's exercise physiologist with my exact programs so she'll know what I'm doing and they can figure out if that's where I'm going wrong. I'll be happy to share any info I get from them with you, ok? In the meantime, hang in there. Believe me, I know how hard it is, but we WILL bust these damned plateaus! Take care, and good luck. Mary Ellen

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I am working out like crazy, mostly cardio. I do a class called Rep Reebok that is repetative wt lifting. I have yet to start an actual wt lift program. My size really hasnt changed all that much during my stall. I'm seeing a tiny bit more room in my pants but not enough to get excited about. The good news is that I didnt gain tho!! Feel free to email me directly! I'd love to chat more with you! Amy ([email protected])

How frustrating! Wow. Glad you are seeking help with this long plateau. Sounds like you are doing everything right, your body just doesn't want to cooperate. And if I were you, I'd change my screen name now. Remember, your OUTLOOK is your OUTCOME. Keep us posted!! We are rooting for you 100%!! Trisha -98 lbs

Hi Mary Ellen, Even though my date was April 1, I look at March postings every so often and am I glad I did. I have been stalled and struggling at the 50 pound mark. I feel like I must be doing something wrong. I've think I've tried everything from increasing my water , protein and exercise to "plateau buster" eating all to no avail. My daughter who had the surgery after me has lost more weight than I have and eats more and exercises less. I dread seeing my surgeon for my 6 month visit cause she is a "no nonsense" kind of doctor and I know she will think I am screwing up. I walk 2-3 miles a day and sometimes get an extra mile in the evening but I go back and forth with the same 2 or 3 pounds. It is so frustrating. Keep us posted! Jackie