I Got the Blues

Hey everyone, I was wondering if it is normal not to loose anything in like three days after surgery? I am a week and three days post-op, I lost 11 pounds the first week and over the weekend I have not lost even one pound. Is this normal??? I am drinking my water and getting in most of my protein, and walking, probably more than I should (I have got a wedding to plan for my sister, staying on the go). Can anyone shed some lite on this problem? It is kinda frustrating, I am hoping I did not go through all this just to loose 11 pounds. Thanks and GOD Bless Cynthia

Hi Cynthia, Honey, Don't be blue! Here's the best advice I can give you........ Step away from the scale!!! The scale is NOT your friend right now!!! At this point in time there is very little, if anything you can do to not lose weight. Your body has a lot of adjusting to do, especially so soon post op, so please relax. My husband hid my scale and would only let me weigh every week on the same day for about a month. If you didn't measure yourself before surgery, now is a great time to do it. Soon you'll start losing inches and your weight might not change, but it's your body catching up with itself. That's the time you bring out the old tape measurer and check to see how that's going. You'll be amazed. And before you know it that 11 lbs will be 20, then 30, then 50. So, give your body a chance to adjust to all that it's been through. After a month or two you will start to see a pattern in your weight loss. I would lose pretty regularly for two or three weeks, then nothing for a week or 10 days. That's been the pattern for me for eight months now. Good for you for getting in your water and most of your protein!! As far as the walking, I don't think there's such thing as "too much". You'll know when you've done enough and when it's time to quit. Keep up the good work, and don't worry, you'll see you did the right thing. Hugs to you Susan

Hey Susan, thanks for the encouraging words. My husband keeps telling me the same thing, but I just thought I would loose it faster than I am. I know I have to be patient, but that is a trait the Good Lord did not bless me with. I did measure before my surgery, and it is funny I have lost a total of 4", but gained an inch in my waist. Doesn't make sense, does it? How have you been doin? I am sory I did not get by the hospital, my husband said he talked with your husband in the waiting room. Aparently we were in surger at the same time. Funny huh? Well, guess I will let you go. Talk with you soon. God Bless

You're stomach being larger makes some sense. If you had it done lap, they pump you full of air to be able to see around in there. I knew someone was having their surgery that week, just too drugged to remember. And dang that husband for not telling me he talked to your hubby!!! We sound a lot alike, I was very impatient at first. But look at it this way, when were you ever able to lose 11 lbs and 4 inches in 10 days??? I'm still in my brace, stitches come out on Wednesday, then we'll see what comes after that. I just don't know what the Dr's plan is, but I'm sure he has one. Kind of like God, huh? The IV antibiotics will be done two weeks from today, and that means home health will stop coming too. In my little brain that means I'll be able to start thinking about going back to work the first of June. Better be soon or I'll be in the looney bin! You keep up the good work, it will all happen, I PROMISE!! Susan

Hi Cynthia, Don't be blue! It sounds like you're doing great! And yes, you are perfectly normal...at least in the world of WLS I lost 13 pounds the first week, then not one ounce for the next 3 weeks....talk about frustration. But I kept doing what I knew was right and suddenly I dropped 4lbs. overnight, and I've been steadily dropping a pound or two a week since then. I stall out occasionally, but it usually doesn't last more than a few days. When that happens, I increase my calories and fluids and I start losing again. I say I increase my calories because I have a real hard time getting the required 1000 calories that I should be eating now, I've yet to make it to 1000. If you eat too little your body will go into starvation mode and you won't lose anything. But you're still early out to be worrying about that. As for your waist being bigger, remember you're still swollen inside and they pump you're pumped full of gas and air. Keep measuring once a week. I've been measuring since week three and so far am down about 40inches total. The weeks that I don't lose pounds, I lose inches. Just keep doing what you know is right and the pounds will start coming off, I promise. It will happen, just hang in there! We're here for you when you need us Take care, Denise

Thanks Denise My husband keeps telling me the same thing "it will come off don't worry". I just think he is trying to be supportive. He had this 2 years ago and I saw him drop 20 pounds almost every week. I know that men and women lose at the same rate, but I was just hoping that I was different. Doesn't everyone wish that. But anyway, I guess I completely read over the 1000 calorie thing. When do I have to start that? And where is that in Jo Beth's book? Because I don't see how you can eat 1000 calories in one day. I have been focusing on the sugar free and low fat I have not even paid any attention how much calories I have been getting. Guess I should start looking huhu. Well gotta go, thanks again. Congratulations on your lose (weight I mean). God Bless Cynthia

Its not in the book. You're too early out to be worrying about calories and carbs, JoBeth doesn't tell us to really count them or anything. I e-mailed her about a month ago and asked what amounts, approximately, I should be getting at 3 months out. I had a feeling I wasn't eating enough, that's why I e-mailed her and I was right, I wasn't anywhere close! I'm now 4 months out and she says I should be eating 1000 calories a day, with 500 (50%) (125g)of those calories from carbs (good carbs) and no more than 30% fat with 10% sat. fat. That leaves about 20% for protein. I normally get 30%-40% protein in a typical day and I've never had more than about 80g of carbs. Like I said before, I've yet to make it to 1000 calories, I typically get 500-700 calories a day. I just can't eat enough to get there, but I'm working on it. I track everything on www.fitday.com ...you enter the foods that you've eaten and it will break down everything for you, makes it a lot easier to keep track. Check it out if you get a chance. Having said all of that, you shouldn't be worrying about it at this point. Right now you should concentrate on your fluids, protein, and vitamins. Hope this helps. Take care, Denise

Denie, Thanks for the tip on the food breakdown. I am now 11 wks out and was wondering about my food requirements. Thanks Again