Question:
I am almost 10 mos post-op RNY & am on a wicked plateau how can I get off of it?

I am almost 10 months post-op RNY & to date have lost almost 130 lbs. which I am thrilled with, don't get me wrong. I hate to admit this but I have been VERY lucky with this surgery!! I really have not done a thing that I should be doing & have still lost this amount of weight!! I don't exercise, pretty much eat what I want (in smaller quantities of course), I don't drink NEARLY the amount of water I should be drinking (but at least I do drink some water & no longer drink regular or diet pop for that matter), I don't take protein. I've tried all different kinds of protein & can't stand it! Anyhow, I don't condone this of course, and am not partically proud of that fact but it is was it is. I have been on this wicked plateau for a few months & want to lose another 35 lbs. or so. I know this may sound like a crazy and stupid question but how do I get off of this plateau? I feel like I haven't been doing what I really should for a while that I've "lost sight" of what I should be doing. Do you understand where I am coming from? I have noticed that lately I feel more hungry than I have ever been. Does this happen? Is it normal? How do you control this long term post-op as opposed to what you did before when the hunger starts to come back? Please help, I feel like I will never get to my goal weight!!    — Allison T. (posted on January 29, 2003)

January 29, 2003
Allsion, the best way to break a plateau is to change your routine. If you're eating 3 meals a day, eat 5-6 small meals instead. If you're eatimg a lot of carbs, obviously, protein shakes will help tremendously. I would suggest going to vitalady.com and ordering samples to try to find one you like. I was on a plateau for a year, thought that was where my body wanted to be, finally gave up my oatmeal for breakfast, had a protein shake made with water only, a whole banana (yes, a whole one) in the blender, a little sf pudding and ice instead, and dropped 20 pounds over about 3 months. I'm 3 1/2 years out, too, so it's very doable. Good luck.
   — Leslie F.

January 29, 2003
I hope this doesn't upset you, but read through your question. You have already answered yourself. You said that you are not getting in enough fluids, you are not exercising, and you are not getting in your protein. You can't lose weight if you aren't getting in enough fluids. You need the protein and exercise to increase you BMR or metabolism. If you are not getting in the protein you BMR will slow to just about nothing which causes plateaus, protein also curbs hunger. Your just falling back into those same old habits. Remember this is a tool. In order to be successful you need to use it correctly. If you don't like protein shakes email me I will give you a ton of recipes for them. Read my profile I have a lot more details.
   — Linda A.

January 30, 2003
I have to agree with Linda that you have answered your own question. The answer is in doing the things that you have not done to date. We reach a certain point where the weightloss slows or stops and from there we have to work the tool to get the rest of the way. I also hit a major plateau at around 10 months and bounced back and forth between 2 pounds forever it seemed. But 3 weeks ago, I decided to buckle down, and upped the water, and added another workout (from 3 days a week to 4), cut down the snacking a little bit, and added 1 protein shake a day. Well, I have already lost 2 pounds and am sure more will follow. Do you remember the basics? You have to eat lots of protein -find supplements you like and get that protein up to 75 or more grams a day. Lower those carbs and lower the sugar. Eat small frequent meals. Lots of water and EXERCISE. I'm telling you, exercise is the key. It does work. As far as feeling hungry, that will happen. But many will tell you, the more protien you eat and the less carbs you eat, the less hungry you feel. You've done wonderful so far but now if you want to get the rest of the way, you gotta work at it a little. I also hope thatyou are taking vitamins/calcium. Don't mess with your health. You may feel fine today but if you don't supplement the nutritional and vitamin needs the surgery denies us, you will end up with lifelong problems.
   — Cindy R.