Question:
I am 10 months post op

Hi All, I am 10 months post op and I am stuck at this darn weight. I have had plateaus before but this one is the longest. I have 11 pounds to go to reach my personal goal of 145 and I just can't seem to get out of this rut. I exercise at least 3 times a week and I get in my protein. I have upped my water intake stating today which has always been a big problem for me. I just can't drink if I am not thirsty. Anyway I need soem help or suggestions on what I can do to get out of this rut. Would eating the same foods continuously make you plateau? If so then I am in trouble. If it were not for peanuts and string cheese I don't know what I would do. I also drink protein shakes during the day too. Please help me get to my goal...I have passed my doctor's goal of 160 and people tell me I am thin enough but I want to reach that number. Do you think I am done losing and my body is happy where it is at? Anyway thanks for listening to me whine, I just needed some support and feedback.    — Bonnie C. (posted on September 15, 2003)

September 15, 2003
Bonnie~I am at the same place you are...today is my 10 month anniversary and my weight hasnt moved in like 1.5 months...its so dishearting. I want to loose another 29 lbs and I'd be happy, my surgeon never set a goal weight for me. Good luck to you! OPEN RNY 11/15/02 -131 lbs!
   — sandrac131

September 15, 2003
Hi there. I could have posted this same question. I am 10 months and stuck too! I've lost 136 lbs to date and have 20 more to my personal goal (passed my Dr.'s goal a while back) I've been stuck for a month or so now. I know I need to do something 'drastic' to make a change im my daily habits so that the weight will start coming off again. My habits are very good now. I just am not seeing any movement. I have a post op friend that recommended I go back through the phases of diet as thought I was a new post op, one week per phase. I'm thinking about this as an idea. SO, I would do a week of liquids, a week of puree, a week of soft foods and then back to normal. I WANT to , I just can't seem to muster the 'courage' to go back there. Perhaps this is an idea you can try. Anyway- I wanted you to know you're not alone, and I wish you luck with your last few lbs.
   — LMCLILLY

September 15, 2003
How many calories are you eating (do you know for sure -- if not, record what you eat on fitday.com for awhile, so you know). Of those, how's your protein gram/carb gram ratio? And what are you doing for exercise ... it may be time to do something a bit more vigorous than you've been doing. Also, not to pick on any particular food, but peanuts can really add up in terms of calories. If it's just a handful a day, no biggie, but if it's several handfuls, you might be surprised at how much that adds up to. <P>Having said all that, some people continue to lose slowly for several more months at your stage, which may be mean you'll get to goal without looking at any of those factors/changes. Unless you feel you've lost control over food (which it doesn't look like you have), I wouldn't recommend drastic, fad-diet types of approaches to get rid of the last 11 pounds ... we didn't have surgery to go back on that hellish diet cycle yet again. Just try to see what little adjustments you can make, and live with in the long run, to get where you want to be. Good luck!
   — Suzy C.

September 15, 2003
I've been stuck since mid-May! Someone suggested I stop all exercise for two weeks to see if I can re-start my body losing again. I am too chicken to try it - afraid I will get lazy and not want to get back to it. Currently walk 45-60 minutes every evening with a big dog, and do a weight circuit (45min) every other day with increasing weights.
   — koogy

September 15, 2003
I could have written this very post! I am at 10 months and stuck 9pounds from goal. I am trying to watch protein and water and hopefully by my 1 year I will be at goal. Maybe we should all motivate each other. Wendy
   — Wendy H.

September 19, 2003
I am also 10 months postop. I had a horrible plateau from April to August, was stuck in a 4 lb range, drove me soooo nuts. then due to "busy" ness and lack of funds, I could not buy my Designer Whey, so I stopped drinking protein shakes and had to eat real food for breakfast, etc....and lo and behold I lost 10 lbs. Now I am stuck again, but inches are falling off. I am currently at 185, and want to lose 30-40 more. I bought a "little black dress" last night, size 16, but it fit great and I got it on clearance. This is a personal milestone for me, I am tickled pink. I have never seen size 16 in my whole 21 years of marriage, my husband is thrilled...but now I am setting a new milestone, to lose the 30-40 lbs to goal. So, what I am saying is, and I have heard this from other postops, if you plateau badly, then change the routine, either up your calories, or lower them, or eat more protein, or less, or cut out shakes (which was the key for me). Good luck to us all.
   — DarlinIYQ