Should I be worried?

I am now 4 weeks post op. I lost 10lbs in the first week. I now have lost 5 more in the last 3 weeks. I am concerned I am not losing enough? My diet is now soft solids and have been taking in 600 to 700 calories per day meeting my 80gm protein requirement per MD and my 48 oz water requirement. Is this too soon to plateau? I was having problems with fatigue, so I did not restart exercise until this week. ( recumbent elliptical and weight training). Any thoughts? Should I be concerned? My RD says I am on track. I see the surgeon end of the week.

Age 61, HW 322, SW 272, CW 256

48 ounces of liquid is much too low - you should be aiming for a minimum of 64 ounces a day and more is probably better.

Does your plan allow you to do more than walk at the moment? Most of us are only cleared for walking until 6 weeks post-op. Ellipticals can cause torsion in the suture area and we often have weight restrictions for lifting. Check with your team about this.

Most people see a stall or slow down when solid foods are introduced. So it's totally common. This is also normally when your body goes through a bit of "OMG WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME" and digs its heels in. Don't worry - if you stick to your eating plan you will lose the weight.

Thank you so much for your reply! I was cleared by my surgical team on week 2 to restart my recumbent elliptical. Had been very fatigued so I did not restart until this week. Due to a severe arthritic knee, walking is an ineffective exercise for me due to limping. The elliptical I can do without pain. 48 oz fluid requirement was what my team recommended as the minimum amount. Getting more in is a struggle but can try to increase, but fear spending even more of my life in the bathroom, LOL. I will keep the faith and keep on my plan. Thanks.

Ah, a recumbent elliptical doesn't have the same issue of torsion assuming you're not using the arms.

Your minimum fluid intake should be 64 ounces, regardless of what your team says. Hydration is your number one job right now. Once you've mastered hydration you can work on reaching your protein goals which should be 60-80 grams per day.

I have the same concern. I had my surgey 9/20/17 and lost 10lbs pre-op and only 10 lbs total in the last 4 weeks. I am eating soft foods (less restrictive because I was not tolerating the protein shakes the first few weeks and was very dehydrated) but usually around 1200 calories and still feel hungry. I am usually getting my protein but the water has been harder for me to get in. I am feeling like even the surgery won't work for me! I see my surgeon on Oct 28th.

Are you on an acid reducer? Acid tends to mimic hunger and that may be why you still feel hungry after eating 1200 cal a day. I think you'll find here that most people stuck to approx. 800 calories during the active losing phase. I'm 3.5 years post op and in maintenance and I maintain on 1200 cals a day. There's no way I could have lost consuming that much. My surgeon wanted me between 800-900 cals a day for my first year. What is your protein and fluid consumption?

I am not on an acid reducer right now. I was for the first few days but the doctor had me stop all meds the first week when I was having so many issues keeping anything down and I haven't been back in yet. Maybe she'll have me start it again and that will help. I'm only getting about 36-45oz of water. 60+ protein. I'll try taking in less calories this week. Thank you so much!!!

Try to get your water up over 64 oz a day. 36 is too low and may also be why you're holding onto weight. I try to get 90-120 a day (although i realize that I'm 3.5 years post surgery and it's easier to get it in) Good luck!!!

1200 calories a day is very high for weight loss - especially if you say you're "usually getting in your protein." At this point, you should be primarily eating protein and if you're unable to reach your goal AND eating 1200 calories a day, this means you're eating a lot of things that aren't protein.

Work on getting your liquids in - experiment and find something you'll tolerate like hot tea, warm broth, crystal light... liquid is liquid. Work on getting your protein in.

And definitely ask about a PPI if you're not taking one as acid often mimics hunger at this point. As does dehydration.

Everybody is different. Some people lose a LOT of weight in the first few weeks. Others lose more slowly. Keep working your plan and things will happen slowly but surely.

Search the forums for "three week stall." This is VERY common! Your body is adjusting to the surgery and your new calorie intake, and things do slow considerably.