Plateau

Hi everyone. I have a question. I have been stuck at around the same weight for almost two monthes. Any ideas for breaking the plateau? I have been thinking of trying clear liquids or just protein shakes for a couple of days. I also have been cheating with some sweets now an then and am a little worried that I may become a glutton and put my weight back on. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Kristi 248/169/130

Hi Kristi, Just wanted you to know you've got company on this plateau. I had gotten down to 163 a few weeks ago but bounced back a few pounds, and now I'm stuck here too. I wonder if our bodies are trying to hold on to the fat pockets for insulation against the cold? Or maybe these last 30 pounds are stuck deeper inside the muscle tissue and so are harder to melt off? If I find anything that works I'll let you know! Donna 243/166/134

You didn't mention how you were doing on the basics. Our support group talked about this last week. The sweets are a no-no - but you knew that. The advice we were given was get back to basics: Water, Exercise and Protein. Get your water in everyday. At least 64 oz - but more would be better. Exercise, just do it. Move your butt. Weight lifting to buid muscle will increase your metabolism. Protein. If you don't get enough and it's not good quality protein you will not loose weight. The basics are much healthier for you that any sort of 'crash diet' idea. Those are easy to fall back into. But remember, diets have a yo-yo effect. You are looking at lifestyle changes not a fad to loose fast. Here are some articles we were given: Why Protein is Crucial for Fat Loss: Part 1 http://www.theallineed.com/ad-health-3/health-005.htm Part 2 http://www.theallineed.com/ad-health-3/health-006.htm Part 3 http://www.theallineed.com/ad-health-3/health-007.htm I don't have the link for this one so I will cut and paste it here: The Dangers of Soft-Calorie Syndrome by Diana Rosa, MS, MD, CD-N with No Nonsense Nutrition Canton, CT. Many bariatric surgery patients of both pre and post op statuses are concerned with the possibility of re-gaining some or all of the weight that they have initially lost with either the RNY or Lap Banding procedure. This is a legitimate concern considering that appox 15% of all patients undergoing these procedures will indeed "fail" the surgery and regain some or all of the weight they have lost. Weight re-gain will usually begin 12-18 months post-op. Recent research has indicated that maintenance of post-op weight loss is largely dependent on the patient's ability to use their "pouch/tool" effectively, and on the health care teams effectiveness in providing education both pre and post op. This reseach concludes that a key consideration that needs to be stressed in patients education is the effect of food consistence on the onset and length of satiety. Patients will feel full faster, on less food and will stay full longer if they eat "bulkier" or more solid foods. Caloric liquids or soft foods are associated with becoming hungry too soon before their next meal, snacking between meals and ultimately halting a patient's weight loss or even producing weight gain, This is "soft calorie syndrome." So, how do you keep this from occuring? As the previous paragraph suggests, eating small (2-4oz) meals four hours apart that consist of solid foods, with the largest component of the meal being protein, will fill you up and keep you full longer. I am not suggesting that patients rush through the puree and soft food stages of their post op diet. These stage are necessary for recovery: however, by week 6 post op the patient should be starting solid foods and attempting bulkier items cut into small pices. Two months post op it is best to avoid foods that are high calorie liquids such as fruit juice, soups and even protein shakes, You should also aviod soft foods like mashed potato, yogurt, ice cream or any food that will be liquid at room temp. Again, I am not suggesting that you do not use these food in the first one-two months following surgery, but the patient needs to wean themselves from these foods after this time period for optimal weight loss. It is much more desirable to have 2 oz of grilled chicken with 1.5 ozs of veggies, than it is to have 2 oz of turkey in gravy with mashed potato and applesauce. Another technique to optimize post op weight loss is "water loading". It seems that about 6 months post op patients feel that they are becoming hungry earlier and that they are able to eat more at meals. Some of this is normal and to be expected: however, in order to keep weight loss consistent it may be adventageous to drink 3-4 cups of non calorie fluid in the hours after a mean and 1 cup of fluid 15-20 minutes before the next meal. This will help keep you full between meals and help aboid snacking and also reduce your intake at your next meal. You still should not drink with your meals, as this will cause fo0d to empty from the new pouch sooner. Please don't be discouraged. The information in this article is not meant to make you assume that permanent weight loss is unattainable after bariatric surgery. In fact, the opposite is true. The greater your awareness of behavioral or dietary "pit-fall", the more likely you are to achieve your weight loss goals. If you follow advice and protocol given by your surgeon and his healthcare team, success is well within your reach.

Oh Well...here we all are. Our stats just about the same to start and to date. I've lost only 10lbs since the beginning of November. I too have been getting more sweets than I should. I went on all proteins and veggies right after Christmas and got off about 5lbs. I think it's time for that once again. GOOD LUCK breaking this dang thing. Christie 244.5/162/138(may be rethinking this..145 might look better on me)

Kristi... I think John says it all .. I have so far avoided a plautuea .. wl has slowed but not stopped . Just remember that this is a tool and you gotta use it ... Get rid of the sweets ... please .. not only are they bad for you with your weight loss but after months of avoiding them they can cause shock to your system , Get your protein restarted ... Water ... and Exersise ... it is the only way ... I am almost ready for the maintence phase and welcome it ... Great luck to you sweety .. Nat

Hey John Feeney, Would you email your response to me?? I looked up those articles...they really helped!! Thank you so much!! Good luck Kristi!! [email protected] Thanks! Jeannie