New Here. . and worried!

Hi Everyone.   I just had my sleeve surgery on 10/09/14.  I didn't do a pre surgery diet, and  prior to surgery I weighed 205.  8 days after surgery I weighed 189.  I am worried because since 8 days after surgery,  I have not lost anything. .. in fact I have been bouncing between 189-191.  I am doing everything by the book,  getting my water, getting in athe least 80 grams of protien per day,  taking all my vitamins,  and exercising.  I called my dr today and they basically said stop weighing myself.   I tried not to let it bother me,  but as the days go on I'm feeling desperate!   Did I really just have surgery and change my whole life for 15 pounds ?!?!!?  My Dr's office also said they don't think this is normal.   I have read about the 3 week stall,  but how about a 1 week stall?  Someone please tell me they'very been here!

Completely normal.  It's called the 3 week stall but basically it's in the first month stall.  For me I lost like 16 lbs in the first week and 4 lbs the next week and I was thrilled.  Then nothing for a few weeks.  Just the body catching up.  There are scientific explanations but just know that this too shall pass.

Being a lightweight you may feel like you aren't losing as much as others but keep in mind it is percentages not pounds.

A person with 80 lbs to lose that loses 16 lbs has lost 20% of their excess weight.  A person with 150 lbs to lose needs to lose 30 lbs to lose 20% of their excess weight.  Don't hold me to those numbers since math is not my strong suit but I think they are right.

As a lightweight you are more likely to reach your goal and even go below so even though it seems like it takes forever in a few years from now it will all be a distant memory, along with the excess weight.

Yeah, we hang so much emotion on that darn scale.  Toss it if you can.  Don't let that tell you how good you are doing.  Look at protein, water, what you are eating, that you are staying on track and the rest will follow.  Some folks never stall and some folks lose in stair steps, a bunch and nothing, a bunch and nothing.  You could have any kind of pattern which you will discover as the journey continues but for now, look at everything you are doing right, not at the number.  You will be fine and it will work for you.

Welcome to the LW Board and congratulations on your surgery!!

I can't add much to what has been said, except try not to let it rule your life.  You will lose more if you stay on your program and a year from now you will be so happy!!!  Just give it some time.

Good luck and let us know if we can help you.  A good habit to start is posting your meals on Menus and Miles each day.  It really helps with accountability later on when you get to maintenance.

Linda

Thanks ladies!   The support on this board has been nice. ..it makes me feel less alone :)  Today is my first day back at work and so far, it's going well!  I do have a question. . When you work out, do you try to replace those calories? 

I didn't exercise for several months after surgery, but that's just me.  Don't try to do too much too soon as you did have major surgery!  As far as replacing calories - no.. I don't replace them as I'm usually trying to lose weight and not just tone up.  Listen to your body - that's the key during this time!

I just stuck to my program.  I didn't eat more or less when I was working out.  I just walked in the beginning, then added Curves.  Once I was well healed I ended up having knee replacement.  Losing weight made it better but not ok.  Then it was rehab for the knee.  These days I just appreciate the calories burned and don't replace them.

I was on vacation for 9 days and I just found this post.  It's almost a month since your WLS.  How are you doing now?

Did you take your measurements?  It is surprising how many inches we lose during a stall. I don't know what the reason is but it really does happen. I steadily lost but I didn't lose big numbers like you did in a week. After the pre-diet and then the restriction your body is probably just taking a rest.

Hi Roz!  I have taken measurements!   Yesterday was exactly 4 weeks from surgery and I've lost about 18 inches.  Today I am feeling like a failure.   I don't know why, but it really hit me hard this morning that I have only lost 3 lbs in the last 3 weeks. ..  I am following the plan,  but I don't feel like I'm doing as well as I should be!

Wow!  I was guesstimating on my measurements.  I just added and in 4 weeks I have lost 21.875 inches...that's nothing to sneeze at!