I'm Gaining Weight?!!

Okay, the last 2 days I have transitioned over to "soft" solid food. When I got on the scales last Thursday, they told me that I had lost a total of 18#. Today, they say that I have gained 5?!! What the heck! It's that time of the month and I figured that I might have a slight stall, but gain?! I've been getting in between 40-60oz of water a day (most days 60+oz I did have 1 day at school that I forgot about my water) and I've been trying to get in at least 50 grams of protein a day. The last couple of days have been hard since I've been moving over to solid food. I'm only suppose to have 3 meals a day with no snacks, so getting in all the protein has been a challenge. What have I done wrong?

You still need to get enough protein, try shakes as one of your meals, this can up your protein intake and can help. The transition period is hard, I had trouble with sodium and retaining water, this may be another thing that is happening to you. Make sure you are continuing to get all of your walking and excercise in as well. You will do it, do not let this discourage you. Weigh yourself just once a week and this will keep you from getting discouraged as well. Shelia

Kristen, You just had surgery, am I right? Are you bloated? I was EXTREMELY BLOATED following surgeyr and it took about 2 weeks for it to go down. I remember my first visit to a doctor following the surgery, I had a 10 pound gain due to the air they had pumped into my new pouch. Don't worry, it will come off! -Alyssa

Honey, you have done nothing wrong! For one thing, your body needs time to adjust. You just recently had major surgery and are consuming minuscule amount of calories. Your body has been use to consuming more than 2,000 calorie/day (I'm just guessing)..now it probably gets that in a week.. maybe less. There is no way that you are gaining "real" weight. Your body is in starvation mode...holding on to the weight. Also, do you weigh every day at the same time? Usually it is best to weigh first thing in the morning because you tend to retain water throughout the day, especially if you're not getting amount of proten. If you're weighing obsessively, you'll drive yourself batty. I lost 18lbs the first week after surgery (april 11th) and didn't lose again until May 8th...and I was constantly weighing myself and I drove myself and my husband crazy.... he eventually hid the scales from me only allowing me to weigh every other day. So you'll have stalls and plateaus...it is inevitable and it WILL drive you crazy. But just follow the rules - protein first..you need at least 60 grams, stay around 400-600 calories/day, avoid high carbohydrate foods, drink at least 64 oz. of water, and add some exercise to your daily routine. Hope that helps!

Listen to the girls Kristen. We've all been there. Your body has been dealt a major shock and it isn't quite sure what to do with all of the changes. You know that there is no way you have eaten enough calories to make you gain 5 pounds. Once you finish your cycle you will probably see a major drop on the scales. Just keep doing what you know you need to do, walk, drink your water, take your vitamins, and get in your protein. Pretty soon you will be wondering what you were all upset about. You are doing very well to get in the amount of water you are this early out. Most of us have found that we need between 4 & 6 mini meals spread throughout the day instead of 3 meals. I know that even at 14 months out, it's impossible for me to get my protein in just 3 meals. I just can't eat enough at a meal to get the protein that way. I have to have my protein shakes and high protein yogurt and pudding. Your doctor is probably afraid of encouraging "grazing" habits. But, if your meals and snacks are planned, it's not grazing.