Bummin out

Ok friends, I need some encouragement. I know I should not be a slave to the scale, but I figure since I will be getting on the scale every morning for the rest of my life, I want to start now. Not getting on the scale is what helped me be in denial for so long. I am 16 days PO and had my first follow up last friday. The good news is that I lost 23 lbs in 10 days. However, the scale has not budged since last Friday. Isn't it too soon to be hitting a stall like this? Logically I tell myself that I *must lose weight since I am consuming so few calories. Sometimes I wonder if I am eating enough. Then I read everyone's food log and I am comparable to what you all are eating. I guess I just need to know if this has happened to anyone else so soon after surgery. I am getting so frustrated, and terrified that this is it for me. Anyone?

My own theory is that you shouldn't weigh yourself every day-- the human body naturally fluctuates a few pounds so weighing yourself every day is probably capturing these natural ups and downs. Secondly, you need to assess why you would want to weigh yourself every day--- to reward yourself if you get a "good" result, to give up trying for the day if you get a "bad" result. Certainly, there are other ways to keep yourself honest, whether by planning and measuring everything you eat or keeping an truthful food journal that you review every day. Thirdly, for a woman to lose 23 pounds in ten days is a great accomplishment-- try to enjoy the success you've had and the courage you've shown yourself without stressing that you may be stalled. Fourth, it is possible that your weight loss will stall if you are not consuming enough calories as the body may go into starvation mode (which is why it is critical to try to get in as much protein as possible and as few carbs as possible as that balances is so inefficient for the body that it has no choice but to burn its own fat for the fuel it needs). Lastly, although we all compare ourselves to others, we are all truly unique-- no two people will lose their excess weight in exactly the same way as no two people live identical lives with identical phsyiologies. So try to consider how the control you've shown over your eating makes you feel and do try to appreciate all you've done to help yourself live a long and healthy life.

Bravo Steve! You said it all very well. DON"T STRESS OVER THE SCALE! It WILL happen. Enjoy the process. There is so much change going on in your body and your life at this point, just try to enjoy it and notice the small things that are happening . I've been there. The scale was very frustrating to me in the beginning so therefore I try to stay away for lengths of time. Weekly or even every other week is much better for me. I also stayed away from the message board for a little bit at one point because I was constantly comparing myself to everone else's success and it was bringing me down. Everyone here is fantastic but I was doing it to myself, so the answer for me was to just focus on me for awhile and see all the little pleasures of my changing life other than just the scale. Best of luck to you. It will happen. Carolyn

Jessica -- I think just about everyone who has had this surgery has come onto the board with this same question. I know I had the exact same problem. I think a few weeks after the surgery your body goes into adjustment mode & you lose nothing for a couple of weeks, think it's all over & you're the one it won't work for, etc., etc., etc. ... well, it won't last for long. You're totally normal & the scale will move again soon. Keep doing what you're doing & you'll be fine. Hang in there!! Kathy F.

Jessica, Hang in there and don't look at the scale too much! I felt best when I didn't touch it and knew the surgery had to be working. Once I started stepping on it everyday it was so frustrating! One day I would be down 3-4 lbs, the next day up 4-5. I wanted to scream. The best thing to do is just eat right and know everything is fine. If you really want to keep track beyond Dr visits, just weigh yourself once a week, then when you step on the scale you will see bigger numbers and feel great! Carmen

No way..... not to early to stall at all. The same exact thing happened to me. The key for me was jump starting the loss again with water and exercise. I know you're early post-op so you may not be able to do much exercise, but even a small walk would help. Your body is in shock and going through a lot of changes. Don't worry, it will start again. I'm 6 months post-op and I've lost 115 pounds. It will happen for you too. Just keep the faith

... I, ladies and gents, weight myself every day. Now it's a habit, a nasty one at that. But I don't let it dictate my day. if it says I gained a pound or two, so be it...chances are it's not fat, just a fluctuation. BUT if it's a loss, it's a loss, not a fluctuation! OK, confession is good for the soul! Have a great weekend!!

Deb -- Hope we're not rained out tonight!!! Notice how good I've been this week????? XO Kathy

Thank you all for your replies. I know that I am doing what I am supposed to, even tracking my protein and calories on fitday, so I will do as you all suggest and trust in the process. As for my getting on the scale, I understand that I shouldn't be a slave to it, and honestly, my motives are nothing more than curiousity. Is it frustrating at times? Sure. Will I use it as an excuse to not do well? No. I have a window of opportunity for the next 6-12 months and plan to utilize it to the fullest. I definitely think I am having an issue with the fluids and will step that up today to see if it makes a difference. Thanks again to all *****sponded. I really appreciate having a place to come and know that I am not unique.