Question:
4 weeks post op plateau

I am very frustrated. I am 4 weeks post op and lost 29 pounds the first 2 weeks, 1 pound week 3 and gained 3 pounds week 4. I have maintained this gain for several days. I am only eating 300-400 calories a day - do protien first, am still not able to get enough water in, and have not had a period since the week before my surgery. Can it be because I am still not drinking enough water? Can it be because I have not had a period? I am not able to drink anything with aspertame in it - it makes me sick, so I have to pretty well stick with water and only getting about 30 ounces (and that is a major undertaking). Has anyone else experienced this? Any help or support would be greatly appreciated! At this point I am wondering if what I did was the right thing? Thanks - Jill    — J G. (posted on June 23, 2003)

June 23, 2003
Hi Jill. Congratulations on your loss so far. It is very common to have a plateau this soon post-op. Your body is changing so rapidly that it needs time to adjust. Just keep doing what your surgeon / nutritionist advise for you and you will do fine. About your period, this is also very common to get it right away or not at all for a little bit. If you are sure you aren't pregnant, there's most likely nothing to worry about.
   — Yolanda J.

June 23, 2003
Jill, First you definitely need to drink alot more water or liquids. Water is how you flush the fat & impurities out of your body. If you don't drink enough, you will get dehydrated. Dehydration can be dangerous causing heart problems, disorientation, irritability and a host of other complications. My mother-in-law didn't drink enough after her surgery 8 weeks ago and ended up back in the hospital with IV's for 4 days. She also had "buyers remorse" until she started drinking more. Once the dehydration was "in check", she felt much much better and started losing again. As for your weight loss, reading your post is like reading my post 8 weeks ago. Everyone on AMOS assured me that I would lose, and I have so hang in there. Everybody loses at a different rate. 29lbs in 2 weeks is alot of weight and you should be proud. It's 29lbs you don't have to lose again. The rest will come off, some months fast, some months slow. It's more than I lost the first month. I had surgery 12 weeks ago. I am down 40lbs and every bit of it was slow, but I lost 3 dress sizes. I lose weight only one week every month, and I plateau for 3 weeks each month. Best wishes -
   — M B.

June 23, 2003
Hi Jill, I am 6 weeks post op (as of tomorrow) and concur with every other poster so far. I was on that dreaded plateau at 4 weeks myself and just broke it. I upped my calories a bit ( was getting 300-400 also) and now I'm able to drink water (friut 2o which has splenda, no aspartame) up to 80 ounces a day. I'm also doing one high protien shake a day too, which seems to have helped a lot. Believe me, upping the calories a bit makes a difference in your energy levels and your weight loss. I probably am getting anywhere between 500-600 per day now. The first 4 weeks, I threw up a lot and that's better now. I've lost about 40 pounds in my six weeks. God bless!
   — Happy I.

June 23, 2003
You're not alone. I'm 5 1/2 weeks post-op and have been on a plateau week 3 and 4 and now 5 too. Keep your chin up 'cause this too shall pass. We'll get there at our own pace. *smile*
   — adeas

June 23, 2003
I also have been afflicted with the dreadful plateau. I upped the calories I was taking in by adding an Atkins Bar once daily or two Morning Start bars by Atkins. High in protein and fiber to help with regularity. The berry Fruit H2O is great. I buy it at KMart or Albertsons--Sam's Club carries it as well (near me). Add to the exercise you are getting and start carrying around the dreaded water bottle and use it. All of these strategies will help with your weight loss. Good luck. And remember, this too shall pass.
   — Margaret S.

June 23, 2003
I was very fortunate that my dietitian told me to expect a platuea at weeks three and four, maybe even week five, and may include some weight gain. She said it is very natural, and happens to almost everyone at this point, no matter what they're doing. It is your body's way of adjusting to the major changes you just put it through. Since I knew to expect it I wasn't surprised or disappointed. It does break within a couple of weeks. As others have said, you should probably up your calorie intake if you can (I doubt you're getting enough protein on those few calories), and definitely up your liquid intake. Both of those are important long-term. You do not want to get dehydrated at this point. And, relax. Everything is fine; the weight will continue to come off.
   — Vespa R.

June 23, 2003
Take your time, eventually you WILL be able to get more water in. I had the same EXACT problem and am doing very well now. Now (3 months po) I can drink about 100 oz and eat/drink about 100g protein. That's what jump-started my plateau, which was much worse than yours. You're doing terrific! Everything in baby steps. Keep up the good work and remember the turtle won the race!
   — msmaryk