Question:
Help! I've stopped losing!What am I doing wrong?

I was 7 weeks post-op yesterday and have 30lbs. But I have not lost a pound in over 2 weeks. I take my vitamins and never go anywhere without water or tea in hand. Today for breakfast I had 1/2 scrambled egg and 1 slice of bacon. For lunch I had one half slice of pizza with low fat cheese. For dinner I had 2 oz. broiled hamburger and 2 oz. green beans. When I got hungry this afternoon I had a cup of sugar free hot chocolate. Sugar has not crossed my lips once since my surgery. Any suggestions? Please help!    — Judy G. (posted on February 20, 2001)

February 19, 2001
Plateaus are a natural and normal part of the WLS process. Your body needs periods to play "catch-up" with the rapid weight loss it is experiencing. These plateaus will probably occur regularly and frequently during your weight loss. Don't panic...be patient...when they pass you will be pleasantly surprised with the weight loss that you see. Increasing your water intake and protein intake seems to help many post-ops "break" the plateau. My personal advice...and what worked for me...is to put your scales away or weigh only once a month. If you become obsessed with weighing every day and fretting over the inevitable plateaus, it will only make you crazy :-) Trust this surgery, and know that you WILL lose the weight...relax and enjoy this wonderful journey!
   — Diana T.

February 19, 2001
First congrats on your weightloss. Second stay away from the scale. Third you are not going to lose weight everyday or everyweek. I am 10 months post op and I lost weight every three weeks. I would drop 10lbs every three weeks. Then I wouldn't lose until another three weeks. Everyone is different in how they lose weight. Don't get discourage. It sounds like you are doing every right. Are you getting enough protein and water? Are you exercising or walking? Your body has to settle into the new weight.
   — [Anonymous]

February 19, 2001
Hi! I have no advice but I certainly can understand your frustration. I am 4 weeks postop tommorow and I lost 21 pounds the first 2 weeks and I think one pound in the last 2 weeks. At this rate I will never lose 170 pounds! I have 2 3oz protein shakes a day and 1-2 meals of 3 ounces. For example yesterday I had 2 shakes - 64 oz of water, for lunch 2 ounces of tuna and 1/2 english muffin and for dinner 2 ounces of soup, 2 teaspoons of rice and 1 ounce of roasted chicken. I dont care how many people have gone through this - its totally different when its you and so early after the surgery - i wonder if this is it? if im pregnant? who knows. Anyway - I wish you the best and email me if you want to speak further. PS. I have increased my walking and water to see if it would break - no luck so far!
   — Anna B.

February 20, 2001
You are doing everything right. Have you taken your measurements? If not, do so now. Plateaus are normal. If they last longer than a month, you may need to make some adjustments, but 2 to 3+ week long periods of no weight loss is perfectly normal. I've lost 103 pounds in 10+ months and am near goal weight. I've had many, many such plateau periods during my loss -- even early on. Don't panic, don't compare to other people, some of whom have yet to have such plateaus. I've found that with my plateaus, my body had time to 'shrink' and I won't need a tummy tuck, butt lift, boob job, or any such thing. Try to weigh only once a week, or longer if you can. If the pounds aren't coming off, I guarantee you the inches are! Keep a log of monthly weight and monthly measurements. You'll be happy and healthy! Best wishes.
   — Cindy H.

February 20, 2001
Try to keep in mind that your body is built to sustain itself in times of famine. If you don't get enough nutrition your body will think it's starving to death and will slow down metabolism to conserve energy. Are you taking in enough calories?
   — Kellie L.

February 22, 2001
Call me crazy but the way I break a plateau is by INCREASING my calories. Don't get excited!! I only take in about an extra 200 a day until the plateau breaks and then go back to normal. If your body thinks you're starving then it goes into "self preservation" mode and you stop losing. This may not work for everyone but it's been very effective for me. Also, give yourself a break - plateaus happen to everyone so don't worry. You've just proven that you're completely normal!! Best wishes!!
   — ronascott