Question:
Could this be the beginning of a REAL plateau??

First off, I'm not freaking out, just curious...Is it common to gain & lose weight during a plateau?? I am almost 4 months post op, and have been gaining & losing the same 1 - 1 1/2 lbs. for a the past week. I just wonder if this is the beginning of a real plateau. I say "REAL" because I thought that I have had a couple teeny ones before, but this I believe could be the real deal, lol. So, do all of you experts think this is what is happening?? Did any of you gain & lose weight during one?? What helped you the most to get past it?? I drink water out the wazoo, and I already know I need to up my exercise & protein, so what else could help?? Thanks for your input!! Have a good day!! :o) ~ Cat    — Cat S. (posted on July 28, 2003)

July 28, 2003
One week does not make a plateau. What time of the month is it? Are you premenstrual? All of that hormonal stuff plays a big role and there are plenty of women post op who only lose a couple of weeks during each month. I generally have 1 or 2 not great weeks followed by 2 or 3 great weeks. You say you are drinking a ton but what are you eating? If you are eating a bunch of carbs maybe you can cut way back for a few days and that should kick start you. Good luck. :)
   — Carol S.

July 28, 2003
Not sure what you're eating, but generally just a week without a loss really isn't a plateau. But examine what you're eating. Have your carbs and fat intake increased? Are you getting in enough protein? How's your exercise levels? Generally when I'm really stuck (haven't lost in 2-3 weeks), upping my exercise, water and protein generally breaks the stalemate and I see some results.
   — Cathy S.

July 28, 2003
Hi Cat, we are in the same boat. I am 5'8 and started at 279. My surgery date was April 3. I have lost between 61-63 lbs. I weight everyday, I know a big no-no. I fluctuate all the time a pound or two, up and down. I am sort of stuck right now at about 216. Next week I will probably fluctuate around 214. Don't feel alone. We should keep in touch on our progress.
   — blank first name B.

July 28, 2003
HI Cat! My surgery was March 28, 2003 and OH boy do you sound like me right now. I have been going up and down the same 2-3 lbs for about two weeks now. I exercise every day and I try very hard to get in my protein every day about 80 grams, however, I do have a few bad days when I only get in 40-60. I guess, what I'm trying to say is It could be some sort of adjustment phase for our systems - not exactly a plateau. Just keep up your good habits and try to not get too frustrated- our bodies have been retaining fat and calories for so long - WLS just confused the heck out of our metabolism and it is trying to fight back. We'll break through this and win the battle. Hang in there and keep up the good work! It will pay off soon. GOOD LUCK!
   — lyndaleigh

July 28, 2003
POSTER HERE!! Ok..more info...I am not pre-menstrual...I KNOW that one week does NOT make it a plateau..I said I think IT COULD BE the BEGINNING OF ONE. The point to my question was about the "gain & lose" thing thats going on. I was just really wanting to know if anyone else had gained a pound or two, lost it, then gained it back, and so on, and so on. And if they did, was that the beginning of a plateau for them, and if so, what did they do. I don't count carbs, and won't, but I'm not a carb munching freak either, lol. I just want others input, tell me what YOU did in this kind of situation. I said in my post that I needed to up the exercise & protein, so I know that already, lol. Hope this fills in the blanks a bit, lol. ~ Cat
   — Cat S.

July 28, 2003
I gain and lose all the time and it is tied to my menstrual cycle. Starting around 5-6 months out I developed a pattern when I would lose a chunk during the week of and week after my period. The other weeks I gain and lose the same 1-4 pounds, like clockwork. I'm almost 16 months out now and have the same pattern going, though I don't lose quite as big chunks the weeks I lose anymore. But after gaining and losing for the past 2 weeks, I've now lost 5 again in the past 2, so it still is working... Since I chart my weight weekly, I noticed the pattern early on and didn't get too freaked out about it. I've never had any real plateaus outside this pattern.
   — Melissa F.

July 28, 2003
I go up and down constantly...and I can't really pinpoint one particular cause. Shoot I've even found I gain and Loose throughout the day. I've weighted less at bedtime on occassion. It's just weird. I don't do anything about it. I will if it's constant (a week or longer) or if it were more than 3 to 5 pounds. Otherwise I'll just keep plugging along.
   — [Deactivated Member]