Help!

Hello all, I'm 3 weeks out, and I've lost about 20 pounds so far. Today I weighed myself, I do this once a week, and I gained 1/2 a pound. I've been walking every day, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting in my protein. I've been eating plenty of foods like tuna, cottage cheese, yogurt, a little mashed potato, etc. I've been a little constipated as well, but taking care of that. Why am I not losing any more weight?? What am I doing wrong? Shelley Rath

Shelly, I'm sure you're not doing anything wrong as long as your following your dr's instructions. After I was able to start on soft foods two weeks after my surgery I gained 2 lbs and kept them for over a week. Your body is just adjusting. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water or fluids. Also, too much cheese can "bind" you up. Try unsweetened applesauce to help with that. You could always try mixing some unflavored or vanilla flavored protein powder with it.. I've never been constipated, but rarely have a bowel movement more than once every couple and sometimes three days. Keep up the good work!!! Janie Lap RNY 4/14/2004 272/179/140?

Shelley....don't despair!!!! 1/2lb is nothing. That could be some extra water weight or if you are getting close to that time of the month, it could be that. Now, if you gain like 10 lbs, then I would reexamine your diet and exercise. I'm sure you are doing everything right! I know when it's "that time of the month" I gain about 5 lbs. Congrats to you and keep up the great work!!! Stacy Wis. 259/125 and at goal!

Hi Shelley, This is pretty common. You aren't doing anything wrong, the body sends out some pretty strange signals! Are you eating 3 meals per day or 6? Cheese will bind you up so have to be careful with that also. You are doing great, keep up the great work. Carolyn

Hiya Shelley....You are doing fine, and I don't think you are doing anything wrong! Like everyone else said your body just needs to catch up and tends to take a break! You will see this often along the way! So hang in there, it will pass and you will see the weightloss again soon. Have a great day, Janet Schmidt

Shelley, Sorry that I didn't respond to your post earlier. What everyone said is so true - you can put on a little weight when it is getting towards that time of the month. (When I have PMS, I won't go near a scale!) Also, there is just times that your loss will stall because your body needs time to adjust. I remember that at about 4 weeks out, I was on a plateau for 2 weeks! I was at the doctor a lot for check-up appointments and didn't see any loss and was really discouraged, then it just kicked back into gear. My personal opinion is that my body kicked into "starvation mode" and quit burning the calories that it needed to burn for loss. It's great if you are getting in your fluids and protein! Keep doing what you are doing and add exercise when you feel up to it. Your body will adjust and you will do wonderfully!! God bless, Andrea