no weight loss this week and on purees

Hello,
I am very happy that the first 13 days post-op I lost a pound a day just about. I knew that would not last. My question is how come I haven't lost any weight in 4 days when I am eating what my NUT told me too which is 3 shakes and 3 meals (4 tablespoons of puree). The total calories is 500-700 a day according to my sample menus from the NUT. I have stuck to them with out any cheating or rushing foods. My only slip was that I accidentally took 3 sips of water with a straw. Is it normal not to lose in the puree stage? 
I know there was a similar post earlier this week or last week but I couldn't find it to see what everyone said. I know I even replied to the post.

 It is perfectly normal.  I had some of the same concerns post-op.  The difference in between you and I is that I only lost 2 whole pounds for the first month after surgery.  I talked to my doctor about it and he said it was perfectly normal.  You body is still healing and probably holding on to everything you are putting in your body in order to heal properly.  Somebody once told me too, and I can't remember who to give them the credit, that when you are on liquids you have nothing in the "chute".  You just urinate out your wastes for the most part.  When you start on food, your "chute" starts filling up adding to your weight.  Please do not worry.  I know I spend a lot of time freaking out about no weight loss.  Then all of a sudden it started to come off.  I will not lose for a week and then I will begin losing again.  Just stay strong because this too will pass!

I'm not sure I believe the "chute" theory. According to a bariatric nutritionist I talked with recently, nutrients are absorbed the same whether they're in liquid or solid form.

Thanks!

I feel your pain, but losing a pound a day for 13 days is extraordinary. Your body's probably in a panic now, thinking it's going to starve to death, and doing its best to conserve every single calorie you consume.

I don't think this brief stall is necessarily due to your starting purees, and I've found that my band eating, weight management and lifestyle are a lot harder when I'm on liquids than on purees or solid food, because liquids don't do much to stimulate the vagus nerves in the stomach that are responsible for sending satiety messages to the brain.

At one point as a new post-op, I was indignant at not losing weight for what seemed like forever (maybe 7 days?). Eventually I realized that I was using the same reward-punishment system that had failed so completely during my pre-op dieting days. When I was able to accept that I was going to eating this way not just for the duration of a "diet" but for the rest of my life, the reward focus shifted from the specific (weight loss) to the general (better health and quality of life).

However wise the preceding paragraph may sound, I would like to publicly state that if anyone ever discovers a way to predict or control weight loss rates, I want to hear about it immediately, because even after 4 years, it's still a danged mystery to me!

Hang in there!
Jean

I am glad that you realised that 1lb a day wouldn't last!  We dont lose smoothly, never look at daily totals, look at weekly or better still monthly figures. So in 17 days you have lost 13lbs! Not surprising your body is panicking! (And by the way, in response to another poster, I have always been told a calorie is a calorie whether in liquid or solid form, otherrwise we could drink alcohol non-stop and be very drunk but gain no weight!)

The following explanation is courtesy of Diana Cox.

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.

 Good info Kate.  Maybe that is why I lose in spurts.  I will go a week or two with out any loss and than bang I am down 4-5 pounds.  I will take it any way I can get it.  Thank you for clarifying the liquid thing too.  Another member of OH told me that at a time I was frustrated with my weight loss.  It made sense at the time that as we build up more fecal matter in our intestines we will weigh more.  

The glycogen thing only really applies to the initial weight loss. But there are so many factors affecting us day by day; hydration levels, faecal matter, as you say. It is never smooth.

While losing,, I weighed ever day, charted every week but only really took notice of the months. It always averaged out over time! I think It is really important ( was for me anyway ) to get beyond the diet mentality of worrying over every pound. Who care how it goes, as long as it does go.

It is only impatience that makes us agonise over how quickly it goes. This is not short term! So much more pleasant for those who post to say they are happy with their 50lbs in a year loss. And when you look back, it won't seem long. I took me 15 months and that is such a very short part of my life!

 I agree.  I do weigh everyday too.  There are a lot of days I get frustrated.  However, I am to the point now that the scale is keeping me honest.  I LOVE my weight loss so far.  I would like to lose more, but if this is as low as I get I feel better.  That is the important thing.  I feel great, more energy, and I am exercising more than I ever have.  I did this to get healthy and live a long life for my daughter.  I feel I am already reaching that goal from the changes I have made 10 weeks out.

Thanks everyone, I know this is a process and will take time and a lot of it. I knew I would see many weeks with no weight loss. I just thought it would be later week 4 or week 6 when I went back to solids. So when it happened so soon I worried a bit. Thanks!