Help - I stopped Losing

I had my surgery on May 21st. Weighed 250; Gained 18 pounds of fluid while in the hospital. As of July 5th, I was 215. Today, July 16th, I am 214. I AM FREAKING OUT B/C I HAVE NOT LOST ANYTHING IN 11 DAYS!! Plese somebody help me. Is this normal. I am on Stage 4; pureed foods. About 2oz of protein (ground turkey or tuna) 3x a day. My snacks are with either jello or sugar free ice pops or sugar free fudge pop at night. My water intake is anywhere from 44-66 oz of crystal light. Plus 3-4 cups of coffeee. I just started exercising 35 minutes 2x a week. I feel like a failure and I don't want to bother my doctor b/c I have had such a hard time following the rules. Over the 4th of July weekend, I had alcohol. Crystal light and vodka. I know it is bad but I am weak. Do you think that is effecting the loss? What do I do? I am SO BUMMED.

First of all, you're doing fine. Everyone reaches a point early in their weight loss where it stops for a couple of weeks. I went for 2 weeks with no loss early on & was freaking out, but after coming here and reading others' stories, I realized it happens to just about everyone. I think you need to relax. And don't be afraid to call your doctor -- after all, you just paid him a bunch of money, he owes you! I know caffeine isn't the best thing and it might be a bit early for alcohol, but it doesn't sound like you've done anything so bad that you can't adjust & do great. I also started out at 250-ish ... 252, to be exact. I lost at about the same rate you're losing, and I'm down 85 lbs now, so don't give up hope. Call the dr. for reassurance more than anything. And be good to yourself ... Kathy F.

Kathy and Christine C: Thank You very much for your help. What you say makes a lot of sense. The alcohol was only one day the 4th. (honestly I wouldn't of had any but my $*&*$$ ex showed up and I couldn't deal!!) ANYWAYS, I will stay off the scale and continue to monitor and weigh everything correctly. Thank you for your support. I guess I look at the other people who are like losing 5 pounds a week and I get frustrated and jealous. I can't wait to break 200. I have not been below 200 since I was 18!! I am very happy to have come to the board this morning. AS I WAS SO BUMMED, I WAS READY TO THROW IT IN. I will double up on my water and hopefully flu**** out. I have to remember to be postive.

Aww JoJo, you are so much like me, it is almost scary. I too have to try and remain positive because of my issues with eating and getting sick. Sounds like you are on the right track, too. PS. I can understand the ex and making you drink! I AM THERE TOO! *big hugs* You are doing everything right. Now I gotta tell myself that!!! Tara

Unless you are downing alcohol everyday, that probably has nothing to do with it. I had my surgery 3 days before you and was obsessed with the scale. It wasn't moving. It's that old say about a watched pot doesn't boil or whatever it is. I finally stopped getting on the dumb scale everyday because it was freaking me out. I got on it today and was down again. I also went back to see what I weighed this time last month and was surprised to see I've lost 10# even though I thought the scale wasn't moving! So STOP watching the scale and just try to eat what you are supposed to and eventually you will start to lose again! Lots of luck! Christine

Jojo, Kathy F and Christine are soooo right. Relax, take some deep breathes and stay away from that scale!!! You will have some weeks especially in the first couple of months where you won't lose much of anything and then you will lose 5-6 pounds in a week. I had 3- 3week periods like that in the first couple of months. I too was wild but was assured that it was normal. I have to admit that now I weigh myself every morning but I am not obsessed with it anymore. I am back on a plateau of sorts right now and I realize that this is bound to happen and it will pass. Just keep following your doctor's program. I would suggest limiting the caffine though as you aren't really drinking enough fluids to chance becoming dehydrated. Your fluid intake should increase as you go but the minimum should be 64 oz. I know I don't feel well if I don't get in at least 86 oz but that is me. You are doing great. Make sure you do your measurements because that will show you some inches gone when you aren't losing the pounds. Linda

Hi JoJo, Don't be bummed, live everyone else said you're right on target. I know when I was a few months out I wouldn't lose for 2-3 weeks and then drop 5-8 pounds. One thing I noticed was I would drop INCHES when I wasn't dropping pounds. I don't mind weighting anything as long as the inches keep dropping! Hang in there, your doing fine. And everyone slips off the horse now and then...just remember to climb back on. -Deb