Question:
I'm 6 weeks POST-OP... last 4 weeks I've lost only 7 pounds, WHY?

The first 2 weeks I dropped 20 pounds... but the last 4 weeks I hit a starvation mode plateau and only lost 7 pounds. Is this normal? Will I start to lose eventually? If so... when? this is frustrating.    — Carol *. (posted on March 8, 2001)

March 8, 2001
For some this is normal it was for me...seems I hit a platue every time I would drop weight i hit a platue I have found walking helps me to break the platues and not weighing .. make better choices on foods up the proteins and no sugars relax it will come off...smiles
   — Kathleen M.

March 8, 2001
Hi, I'm 6 weeks post op, same thing has been happening to me. For one to two weeks, nothing, then a couple or few pounds will drop. It is maddening, especially since I'm only doing 2 protein drinks (60 grams) without sugar, no milk, and only eating a few bites of other foods, no bread or sugar! It is true that I'm not exercising, but I feel like I should still lose SOMETHING! Everyone says it will fall off, guess we will have to just wait and see. I'm biting the bullet and joining a gym on Saturday with my sister. Then, if it doesn't "fall off" I'll be very angry and want a refund!!! Oh yes, I keep reading to increase the protein drinks to 3, drink more water, and exercise! Well, when I had the surgery I was told it would be a tool, but I didn't think it would be so hard to work with! I feel like I did on starvation diets, the thousands I went on! Good luck,
   — Tina C.

March 8, 2001
I am 3 weeks post op and feel the same. I am not excercising yet, very tired alot and sleep alot. I feel like a failure. The CIB is awful and the yogurt and cottage cheese all seem like fat foods to me. This looks like a long tough road right now. I thought it would be a great assistant to have this surgery, but am afraid I just screwed it up somehow.
   — Nancy Z.

March 8, 2001
Relax, your weight loss will pick-up, you are only in the beginning stages and your body is still healing!! I worried in the beginning too, but here's my stats. Pre-op I was 302lbs (Surgery 8.16.99), as of today 3.9.01 I am 150lbs. Give yourself time it won't happen overnight but it will happen have no doubt :)
   — Carrie G.

March 8, 2001
I too had problems at 6 weeks post-op. It must have something to do with your bodies adjusting to the weight loss and trying to retain water in the extra spaces. Check your measurements because I lost inches even though the scales didn't show it. Since then I loose only a couple of pounds then plateau. I started walking and biking to help break the plateaus. I have really lost inches, and the scales still hardly move.
   — acluff

March 9, 2001
I am experiencing the same frustration and I am really really disappointed. I had my 6 week checkup yesterday - I started at 323 and Ive only lost 27 - My surgeon looked at me and told me - I just dont understand what's going on. I have called the dietician in his office and at the hospital. At the hospital they cant figure it out - at his office they said to eat more meals and cut out one protein drink - I wish someone would give me a definitive answer! I have 3 protein drinks a day and one very very small meal. THe dietician said bariatric patients rarely go into starvation mode so that shouldnt be it. I also walk 5 times a week - now im up to one mile. (the Dr said i might be building muscle - but i aint buying that one) I really dont know what to do - it seems so unfair - so many people are losing so much more at my starting weight. I am determined to figure out what to do - if anyone wants to discuss further email me privately @ [email protected]. Good Luck to us all.
   — Anna B.

March 9, 2001
It is certainly true that you can be building muscle, losing fat and not losing pounds. Been there. I am two years post-op, weighed 380, now at 180. I leveled out several times and continued to lose inches. Even after I stopped losing at 180, I changed another size. Relax, follow the rules and enjoy the ride. My favorite advice is to not miss the joy of the journey by only being able to see the end of the trip. You will never again experience the excitement of this kind of weight loss, enjoy it.
   — judyinaustin

March 9, 2001
There is nothing wrong with your weight loss so far! Everybody is different and loses at a different rate. Everybody that has WLS (or drastically reduces their calories for any length of time) will go into starvation mode at some point. That was what our bodies were made to do in times of famine. Are you eating four or five small meals a day and only using protein drinks as insurance for meeting your protein needs? Are you taking two chewable vitamins a day, every day? Are you taking any extra vitamins like calcium, iron or B12? Your body needs enough vitamins or it only makes the starvation mode last longer. People (and some doctors) are under the false impression that if someone isn't losing weight they need to cut calories and increase exercise. This isn't always the case, especially after WLS. Keep in mind that you will lose weight for two years so even though you think you're losing too slowly figure out what your average weight loss is and how much that translates to over two years. Also keep in mind that the slower you lose weight the less likely you are to lose hair (provided you are getting in all your vitamins and protein every day). When I was five or six weeks postop my weight loss was around 30 lbs and I started around 400 lbs. I've had several times where my weight loss has slowed or stopped altogether but it has always picked back up again (I am 11 months postop and down 126 lbs). The first six weeks you should be concentrating on healing your body, not weight loss. I know it's frustrating but your weight loss will pick up again.
   — Kellie L.