From frustrated to PI**ED!!!

So I went back to work 3 days ago. Pretty tired by the end of my shifts but doable. It's taken some strategies to pack for dinner and shakes etc. I am officially 2 weeks post-op. Woke up this morning and I am UP! 2 pounds! Seriously WTF? I had RNY and I am 1 month out from starting the optifast to 2 weeks post-op and I have only lost about 17 pounds! I don't feel constipated but the last BM was 5 days ago. What am I doing wrong? Am I being impatient? I see so many people saying the weight literally falls off of them but I am not seeing it. Is it possible that I have advanced my diet too quickly? I had a really bad time finding a protein powder that didn't make me feel sick. I am now using unflavoured in a combo of milk and yogurt. I am also eating canned tuna in water about 1.5oz with 1/4 cup cottage cheese. I can also eat chicken (same amount as fish) I'm not struggling with hunger at all. Any suggestions? I'm so angry I could scream! Thanks Chris

Take a deep breath!  Weight fluctuates....period.  I usually gain a pound or two  right before I drop a big chunk.  Your body will accumulate fluids in order to burn the fat.  It's COMMON to gain a little before you drop weight.  You've lost 17 pounds in four weeks. That's more than four pounds a week.  That is a GREAT loss.  The weight will not come off in a straight line, it's more like a "stair step".  You will lose some and then stay the same or gain a little , then you'll lose a little more, rinse and repeat.  Just keep following your program and you WILL lose the weight.  It doesn't happen overnight.  It takes time and a great deal of dedication to following the rules.  If the scale not moving upsets you, stay off of it for awhile.  I weigh everyday, but I don't get upset if my weight fluctuates a little.  I keep track of the fluctuations so I can pinpoint why they happen.  Anger is a waste of emotion.  Concentrate on determination.

If you read back, you will see as many people asking why they haven't lost weight in the first month as you will see people saying they have! Reassure yoursekf by searching the board. 

This is a life long journey and if you get this upset so soon you are going to have issues staying on track and being successful long term. This is normal, your body can take up to 3 months to adjust from major surgery.  Stick with your plan of success and take it one day at a time.  I had 9 weeks (YES YOU READ IT RIGHT) 9 weeks where I did not lose a stinking pound.  I KNEW I was doing all the right things and stayed the course.  Once I started losing again it never stopped.

Ask yourself what the scale would say if you had not had surgery?  I don't think it would show you had lost 17 pounds.  Also, try this....it really helped me.  Create a WLS bucket list.  I sat down and started listing all the things I have always wanted to do and couldn't or wouldn't because of my weight.  Whenever I hit a slow down I would pull out that list and see what I had already done (rode a bike after 30 years) and get excited about all the other adventures that were ahead if I stayed the course and hit goal.

We look forward to your updated!

It is frustrating when you are doing all the right things and the scale #'s don't reflect that... but it really is very normal... and well... it's going to happen a lot during this journey... sometimes for weeks! Nothing. No scale movement. Take measurements, look at photos those tell a story too... and as you get farther out what you can do that was an effort before will too :) So it's easier said then done but something to strive for is to concentrate on the healthy lifestyle changes you are making and not the scale (put it out of sight, weigh at the Dr or once a week) the weight will go at it's own pace... slow, fast, it's different for everyone but the day after that magic GOALLLLLLL # appears on the scale... nothing happens... just more of those healthy post WLS choices for life. Trust me... it becomes less frustrating when you remember there is no finish line :)

Best to you!

~Michelle "Shelly"

5 days with no BM is a big problem. Make sure you're drinking enough and you'll probably need some sort of laxitive-- call your surgeon's office for advice on what to take.

Every person/surgery/body is different; people with more to lose generally lose weight faster at first. Stop comparing yourself now, because it only gets worse down the line!

Similarly, every post-op diet is different. If YOUR surgeon said tuna is OK at two weeks out, then go for it, but you need to follow your specific instructions and call if you have any questions or concerns.

Are you eating the tuna and the cottage cheese at the same time? That's close to half a cup, which is probably more than a new pouch can hold. Since you can't feel restriction at first, make sure to carefully weigh what you eat at each meal.

I am a beginner, my RNY was 02/18.  But.  I don't even bother getting on the scale more than once per week.  I know this is a process.  I know I'm doing what I am supposed to do.  I test new things to eat.  If they don't feel good, I add it to a mental checklist.  I'll try again in a few days.  What's important to me is jus****ching what I eat.   Hang in there!  You might be losing inches.  My doctor told me for the first couple of months your body might "shut down" because you are in "starvation mode".  He said after the first couple of months that should pass.  So far I have only lost 8 pounds.  (From 02/18 till today).  But i'm not worried. I know the weight will come off in time.  He also said to eat lots of protein.  One I HIGHLY recommend that in my opinion is actually delicious is called Wonderslim.  I personally like chocolate.  BUt there are all kinds of flavors of shakes and they have other products as well.  I have liked all the products I have tasted from them.  In fact I enjoy my chocolate protein shake.  I wish you the best of luck and hang in there!