how long does the plateau last

Hi all,

I had my surgery on September 10, I am sticking to the diet like a champ. I eat my protein first and then most of the time I can not eat any more so while I LOVE fruits and veggie I do not get them in the way I would like. If I see I am not going to get my protein in I drink a protein drink. But I have not lost a single pound in well over 2 &1/2 weeks. I go for my second post op visit on Monday. Did anyone else experience this dry spell? gets a little frustrating that I am doing everything they say to do. Exercising no less then 30 minutes every day and sometimes an hour. Getting in my 64 ounces of water. and I have never eaten more than 700 calories in a day. There it is. Thanks for letting me vent, and I appreciate all advice. Blessings, Rev Teres

Stalls/plateaus happen & they blow big time, but its normal. The body does what it does & sometimes there's nothing you can do but sit back & wait for it to figure itself out. You're only a little more than a month out, so your body is probably still in healing mode. Take measurements, the scale is just 1 indicator of weight loss & it can drive you crazy sometimes. Stick with your Dr.s plan for you & the weight will come off. Also try not to compare yourself to other people. Everyone is different & lose at different rates, so there's no general time when a stall lasts or breaks, its different for everyone.

For me I lose in a stair step pattern. I'll lose for a bit, then hover at the same weight, usually within a pound or 2, then I'll lose again. Be patient, you've got this! Peace to you.

I lost weight the first week after surgery, then stalled for three weeks. Although it really sucked, I have been losing a few pounds a week since! Hang in there it will pass.

I lost very little right after surgery. Figured it was swelling and the body being confused. Hit a three week stall about a month out and have read of other whose stalls lasted longer. Eventually the body seems to figure it out. I have lost more during month three than earlier and I am eating and exercising the same as I was during months one and two. Just follow the plan, try not to let the frustration get to you and it will happen.

I only weight once a week - any more and the natural variation (of pee, poop, and hydration level) drives me crazy. So if you lost a whole bunch in the time leading up to your stall, you may want to weigh less often. For me, I follow the surgeon's rules and eventually the weight will come off, so my process, not the scale is the focus. It sounds as though you are able to do this also. A NUT once told me that when you stay on process, but the scale does not move, that those pounds are "In The Bank," and the loss will show up sooner (or later), but don't forget that you have already earned them.

I weigh in on Sundays - oh, I get to weigh today, and take my weekly nasal vit-B! I take measurements on the first Sunday of the month, so I'll wait a few more weeks to see what my body fat is.

For some reason, my date of surgery doesn't show up - 12/22/14, so I'm about 10 months out and down 120+ pounds. I never lost 30 pounds in a month, like a friend of mine did - the lucky duck. But I just lost 10-15 each month and it adds up - I am proof. The first 6 weeks was the worst and you are almost through that. Congrats!!

Make sure that you are doing weight training to replace lost muscle mass - cardio does not do it. Of the weight that you lose, 10-20 will be muscle mass - even on the best, most balanced diet. Only weight training rebuilds muscles. I use a trainer.

My surgeon had to clear me for weight lifting -- I think I waited about 3 months.

Hi! I had my surgery the day before you and am in the same situation - this is week 3 of my stall. My surgeon warned this would happen, and I'm just sticking to plan trying to ride it out. It definitely is frustrating, but have faith!

It's not really a plateau until you've gone AT LEAST four weeks without losing either pounds OR inches. It's perfectly normal to not lose weight every day, or even every week Throw your scales away---you'll be happier, and youi'll still lose weight at exactly the same rate. The only difference will be in how you feel about your weight loss.