Plateau so early?

I went for my one month check up yesterday.  I hadn't lost any more weight in the last 2 weeks (1st 2 weeks 22lbs).  I was a little disappointed.  That doesn't seem like alot to me.  I am going on things I have read from some others.  I have lost 17" overall and I feel better and I can fit in clothes I haven't been able to get into for well over a year.  Is is normal to stall so soon?  Dr. Tom said not to fixate on the number that I was doing great.  He said my body is re-adjusting itself that I had major surgery and this will not be the first time.  That just because the scale didn't move down doesn't mean the inches aren't going down.  I guess I understand that but I am still a little disappointed?  Words of encouragement anyone?  I'm just a little discouraged about it.  Has this happened to anyone else so soon?  Thanks to all for the replies.......Donna

Hi Donna,
I'm happy to hear you're feeling well.  22 lbs. is great!  I haven't had my surgery yet (12 more days!), I just wanted to say that I have seen so many posts like this!  So many people stop losing the third and fourth week out of surgery.  Then I read the rest of the profile and they go on to lose 100 or more pounds.  Since  you have been at a plateau for a couple of weeks, I bet the scale starts to really move now.  Don't get discouraged! Also, remind me that I wrote this to you when I go throught the same thing!  Keep up the great work!   Marcia

Thanks for the encouragement Marcia!  Hopefully it won't happen to you right away like me but if it does I will remind you!   LOL......Big Hugs.....

The beautiful and brilliant Diana Hamlet-Cox explained it thusly:

A "stall" at this point is inevitable, and here is why. 

Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of a diet.

As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a sabertooth tiger. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.

Breathe, and fuggedaboudit for a few days.
 

Hey Donna.. We are at the exact same spot.. I lost 24 in 2 weeks, and since then, the scales haven't tipped at all... I try not to weigh every day but it is a bit discouraging when I am at the gym for a hour every single day and working my butt off but not seeing any progress..
Some of my pants literally fall off of me, and I can tell that my shirts aren't as snug, but I still am starting to wonder if it will ever work for me.
I read about all of these people that lose 100 lbs in a 6 months but I just don't think that will ever happen for me..
People say they can tell a difference, and maybe I am just being impatient, but after going through everything we went through I just want to see some numbers dropping..
Hopefully they will soon..
What all are you eating now? I still don't really have a appetite, and have considered switching back to the liquid diet so I would start dropping the weight again lol..
I also don't get all of my protein in, but I am trying!

I have started solid food now.  I am getting anywhere from 55 - 70 grams protein a day.  Today I got 71.  I am still working on getting the 64oz of water in.  Dr. Tom told me this was normal and that I am doing great I just wanted to hear from people who have actually had the surgery.  I have lost alot of inches so I am happy about that and happy that I feel better already.  I was just curious and needed a little encouragement.

Hey Donna,  hang in there!   I know it must be discouraging, but take to heart what Vicki in a clam shell had to say.   It makes so much sense!   Did you happen to take your measurements in the beginning?   I'd be curious to see what that shows.   I wasn't going to bother with measuring before surgery, but now I am going to do it. 

It seems like over and over people report the same issues, so what Vicki had to say must be true.   Just imagine how much fat it takes to equal a pound of water!!!   Considering that, I think it is fantastic that you haven't gained a pound or two.

Sandra

Sandra,
Do take your measurements and record them.  I am doing mine monthly.  I have lost 17" overall, 4 1/2 in my hips, 4 in my waist, 2 in my chest etc....It is wonderful.  So after I saw the scale didn't move and I was discouraged we checked my measurements and it perked me up......Dr. Sonnanstine told me it was my body re-adjusting itself to my 22lb loss and the surgery so I do understand it is just you know you want to see that scale move alot faster but I know it will come.

Ditto what everyone else has said.  I lost 2 lbs less than you at my first follow up.  It's hard not to compare ourselves to others who are at or near the same surgery dates.  I had to give myself a mental reality check because I can see already that I can easily be a scale freak.  I reminded myself with a question.  When was the last time I lost 20 lbs in two weeks?  Seriously,  when can any of us point and say,  "On my last diet, I was dropping weight at 5 lbs a week".  We don't need to beat ourselves up so quick out of the gate.  Instead, write down what you lost and celebrate it !  That 22 lbs won't be back ever.  Every single pound is a victory in my book.  I think you're doing great!  HUGS - Pat

Thank you so much Pat for the words of encouragement!  And of course you are right.......thanks again......Donna