Almost 5 weeks post-op weight loss has stopped

I started at 317 with a BMI of 61.  My first 2 weeks I lost 29 lbs.  The last 3 weeks I have been losing the same 3 pounds over and over.  One week I will be up 3 pounds then next week back down the same 3 pounds.  This is extremely frustrating.  I'm getting in at least 48 oz of water a day, and close to 50 grams of protein a day give or take.  I have been walking every day and yet for the last 3 weeks no loss.  Is this surgery not going to work for me?  I feel like I've made a big mistake, rearranging my insides for nothing.  I emailed my Nut and she said don't change anything.  That a true plateau is when you stop losing for over a month.  But, that still doesn't satisfy me knowing I have so much to lose.  Will my weight loss ever pick back up?  Anyone else who started out over 300 lbs experience this stall for this long? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Tracy, It is completely normal to have a stall this soon after your surgery.  ( I use the term "stall" when my weight stays the same for 2-4 weeks; I use "plateau" for times when my weight remains stable for 2-3 months.)  Your body is confused about what's going on in terms of energy intake (calories), exercise, fluids, etc.  Your metabolism and body are adjusting to the "new" you.   Your nut is right - just keep doing what you are doing.  Get in those fluids, work hard to get in the recommended amount of protein, and keep walking.  Your weight will start to drop again, trust me!  Try to stay focused on the long term (you have lost 29 pounds in 5 weeks!), instead of the day-to-day variances.   You will succeed!  Best of luck on your continuing journey -  Kellie Lap RNY 10/25/2005 396/208/165?

Thanks so much for the support.  Sometimes I feel like I made the biggest mistake of my life doing this surgery.  Since I'm not eating all the good ole fatten foods that I see everyone around me eating and I'm still not losing weight.  I sure hope it picks back up.  I'm so scared I'm gonna be one of those who this surgery doesn't work for.  I go see my Nut on 5/30 so I'm hoping by then maybe my weight loss will have started again. 

It's perfectly normal - it happened to me at 3 weeks out (and it has happened to everyone else I have talked to). I lost 28 pounds, then nothing at all for an entire month! I just stopped getting on the scale, then one day I decided to weigh myself and couldn't believe it, I had lost 25 more pounds. It has been pretty steady since then, with a few small stalls. Just think of it this way - for years your body has been use to eating lots of food. All of a sudden you stop eating all that food and your body doesn't know what to do, so it starts to hold on to anything it can. that's all it is, your body is trying to catch up and adjust. Once it does you should be fine.Just be patient and don't get too stressed about it, it's just part of the process.

It is just so hard staying of the scale.  Because the first 2 weeks everytime I got on there it was down.  Now everytime I get on there its the same or more.  I knew posting this would give me some encouragement to keep doing the right things and not resort back to the bad eating habits.  Thanks for the encouraging words.  I really needed them. 

it has not stopped.  it just took a short break.  it will restart any day now.

Well I think its been on break long enough!..lol  Wish I got breaks like that at work.  I sure hope it starts back soon.  Before I go crazy...lol

Hi Tracy, Have no fear it will start again.  You are stalled.  It happens to everyone.  I lost 86 lbs. my first 2 months and then stopped for a full month.  I was so upset.  My surgeon put it to me and it made sesne, you didn't gain that weight overnight so don't expect to wake up 125 lbs.  I am 11 month post op and just had a 2 month platau.  My best advise.  Throw the scale away and use your clothing as a means of measurement. Good luck. Jeanne

I also had a one month-long stall, at which point I was close to becoming homicidal!    After one month, a bunch of weight fell off almost immediately. I know it sucks, but be patient, and things will start shifting again soon. Kix

My story is very similar to yours - I started out at 315 and lost about 30 pounds in the first 2 -3 weeks, then NOTHING for a very long 3-4 weeks.  I mean NOTHING!  However, I was losing inches.  I had started measuring myself once a week and it has helped tremendously.  I only drop pounds about every other week.  I am now down 56 pounds which is great.  It is not as fast as some of the others, but I am in a size 24 down from a 30.  I can even wear some 22 skirts and tops.  So, don't feel discouraged, know that your body has to play catch up every now and then!