New to board and hit a plateau

Hi all, I'm new to the board and had my RNY - Laproscopic surgery on 3/21. :-) I weighed 235 pre-op and have lost 26-27 lbs so far but for the past week have flip/flopped every day. I lose a pound one day, gain a pound the next, lose a 1.5 lbs the next day and then gain 2 lbs the next. I just keep hovering at 26-27 lbs. :-S It's getting really depressing. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. The muscle spasms are almost gone so I should be able to really start exercising -- well when it stops raining in a few days. The muscle spasms were the worse and I'm happy that they are not bothing me as much any more. I've had only 2 bouts of nausea and vomiting so I consider myself very lucky. I've been drinking my protein powder shake - well almost every morning. It gives me lots of energy and I can tell the days when I don't drink it -- I feel so sluggish. At least it tastes like a chocolate milk shake. Thank you all for the advice and support. --Lori

Hi Lori, I had surgery on March 21st too! I started at 243 and am at 218 right now. Congrats to you on your terrific weightloss so far! That's awesome! I had a two week plateau that started at the beginning of my 2nd week post-op. I had lost 20 pounds already when it started, then I didn't lose another thing until Wednesday of last week. Since then I have lost about a pound per day. I am hoping it continues for a while. During the time that I wasn't losing weight, I did lose inches. So make sure that you take measurements so that you can have that to hang onto during the inevitable stalls. Like so many others told me when I complained about my plateau, we didn't gain all this weight overnight - so it's no going away overnight either. I had just increased my exercise and upped my protein and calorie intake to hit the 600 calorie mark that my doc recommended when I started losing again. I am also making sure to measure everything and record every little thing that goes in my mouth so that I know I am not getting too much or too little. You will lose again if you are following the rules that your surgeon outlined, I am sure. Make sure to get plenty of water everyday too! Good luck, Robin

Lori don't panic this is so normal it will move again trust me this is my second go round and platues happens but it will pass don't get disgusted you'll see Tema

This has been happening to me to and a few days ago I started moving again! I had my surgery in the 23rd! Since the plateu I have lost about 4 lbs in about five days...I did increase my water and my protein! rita

Rita, Sounds like you are doing great! Are you eating 'real' protein yet and how many grams are you trying to get in? And how much water? i am about a week behind you and I am fighting days with a bouncing scale. I am now 3 weeks out and wonder if it would help to just get to more solid protein with less carbs. I am taking in about 80 grams of protein and 70 to 80 of water and walking about a mile every day at lunch. thanks! Becky H 238/223/130

Lori I haven't had my surgery yet- so not sure about amount of weight loss- but 26 lbs in a month sounds awesome to me!!! My question is-- what shake do you use that tastes like a chocolate milk shake?? Thanks Jackie

Hi Jackie, It's Proti-zyme Extra Strength - Dutch Chocolate. (The French vanilla is not good) I mix it with milk (I use Lactaid because I'm lactose intolerant) in a blender. I also sometimes put smoothie tofu and that bumps the protein up to 44 grams for 12 oz which can take me 1 1/2 hours to drink -- believe me I'm full afterward. It has only 82 calories and it's absorbs in the jejumum so you absorb the protein better (according to the manufactures label)/ It's the best tasting protein powder I have tried and I have tried ALOT. Isopure drinks aren't bad either -- I like the grape - taste like a flat grape soda. Hope that helps and that you find a protein powder you like. --Lori

I had surgery on 3/15 and I lost 34 lbs in the first two weeks then I only lost 4.5 lbs the next two weeks. I was kinda upset but still happy that I had lost 38.5 lbs in a month. My surgeon said it was because I had been dehydrated and that makes it seem like you had lost alot of weight...but now I am properly hydrated so it seems like i haven't lost much weight in the past weeks. But I can see the differences and I can feel them. I think looking at the total weight loss is important to keep perspective. Weighing yourself everyday is a bad idea. Some days you may be retaining water, dehydrated, constipated, gaining muscle, etc. Weighing once a week or every other week can give you a more accurate idea of whats going on. Just remember you are doing great and everyone loses at a different rate but YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT! Keep up the good work and keep positive! ~Christal/dionysus_star

Hi Lori, My LAP RNY was 3/27 and I have lost 23lbs as of last Tuesday. I only weigh myself once a week (every Tuesday) because I know I will just get frustrated if I do it every day. Just remember if you aren't losing pounds you may be losing inches. Did you measure yourself prior to surgery? I plan on measuring once a month on my surgiversary. I'm kinda glad I'm not losing quickly and my body takes these rest breaks cause it gives the skin a chance to catch up. I hope to not have too much flapping about. Make sure you are getting most or all of your protein and calories in. Remember, NOT eating enough can cause a stall too. Fluid intake is also very important. Remember that fat is water soluable and we need to keep hydrated. Best of Luck, DeeD