Question:
I am 3 weeks post-op and at a weight loss stand still.

After one week I put 5 pounds back on and then lost it again after a few days, stopped loosing for 4 days then lost a couple more pounds and now I haven't lost a thing for a week. What is going on and what can I do to start loosing again?    — Kkatmiller (posted on February 22, 2007)

February 22, 2007
KELLY,FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY WELCOME TO THE LOOSERS BENCH .DON'T BE ALARMED THIS IS NORMAL IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ON AND OFF THOUGHOUT THE WEIGHT LOSS PERIOD JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE DRINKING YOUR WATER AND EATING RIGHT AND THE WEIGHT IS GOING TO COME OFF.IT HAPPENS TO ME ALL THE TIME I'LL BE AT A STAND STILL AND THEN OUT OF NOWHERE I'LL LOSE 7-10 POUNDS.
   — awebster

February 22, 2007
You should lose about a pound a day for the first week and then slow down to an average of 3-5 lbs per week IF you are following your nutritionists instructions to the letter! That means eating exactly 2 oz of food 3 times a day and having 2 milk based protein shakes plus drinking all of your water! That's it, simple! If you eat more or less it will not come off! I have been losing consistantly for 16 weeks and it's an average of 3 lbs a week. Slow and steady, you can do it!
   — Sheri A.

February 22, 2007
Kelly, First off congratulations on changing your life. Secondly don't get discouraged at the up and down changes so early in your journey. For one thing after surgery we have a lot of fluid to deal with from all the IVs. Keep working the program and you will see the results you want. Don't be surprised if down the line you have times you don't see a loss from time to time. It happens to everyone. Hang in there. If you are following the program the weight will come off. Have fun with those boys.
   — njkbutton

February 22, 2007
Kelly, thanks for your question. I looked on your profile, and it says there that you have lost 18 pounds, and you seem to want to lose about 90 all together. Congratulations on your surgery and welcome to the losers club girl! Now, on to your concern. I am not sure what your total weight loss is because it conflicts with your page, but my instincts tell me a few things. From what you have said in your page and in your question, I think you are weighing yourself WAY WAY too much. I only weighed once a week, same time each week, but that may not be enough for you. When you weigh daily or more than that you play with your head, and look for great results daily. It just doesn't happen that way. I lost about 120 pounds all together, but most of it was just 1 to 3 pounds a week every week. So looking at it daily would have been a disaster. Now that I fit a size 4/6, I don't get on the scale at all as long as my clothes fit. My weight could be up or down, but as long as my clothes fit, I don't want the stress of the numbers. The numbers can rule our life, and cause weight gain by discouragement. The other thing I notice is the desire you had to eat so much of the food for the super bowl. I would think that at this early stage that the smell of food or more than a bite or two would provoke a different reaction. I don't know how much you are able to eat, but it sounds to me like your mind is already trying to trick you into eating more than you should. It is a head issue you have to tackle if you want to lose the weight. My advice to you is first to put yourself on a weekly schedule for weighing, quit looking for daily weight loss/gain. Stick with basics, you are only out a few weeks, protein, water, exercise. It should be that simple. Beef up the exercise as you can, and hammer in on the water and protein. Teach your brain who is boss when it comes to food. Ever been stubborn before? Now is the time to be stubborn with food. The great thing about food is that we choose what we put in our mouths. Now is the time to choose carefully, and learn from those choices. Obesity is a head issue with a body consquence. Surgery helps with the body consequence, but if you don't deal with the head issues, the body will not change (overall). Find books, support group, and doctor support. These all can help, but the choices of what goes in your mouth is yours. And the anxiety level is also yours to choose. You may want to weigh all the time, but honestly, it is counter productive. Best to you, take care. Patricia P
   — Patricia P

February 23, 2007
It's called, hitting a "Plateau" and it will happen every now and again. The first thing to do is NOT PANIC! The second thing to do is to look at your fluid and protein intake. Are you hitting your targets? Three, are you taking your vitamins. Four, are you walking/exercising? If all of these are on track, don't worry - it's a plateau....keep doing what you are doing and like another poster said....all of a sudden you will be down 5-10 lbs. Also, I agree with another poster - I also weight myself once a week - every Sunday night before taking a shower. This way I am not constantly "watching my weight" - it's a number! That's it. Remember, the most important thing is that you are doing things the right way (healthly choices) and that you are comfortable and happy with you. The rest will fall into place. Good luck. My journey began on 2/15/07 - I am eight days post-op and doing so well. I go to support group 1-2x a week to share and learn and talk to great people on OH. It's been a positive experience.
   — jammerz

February 23, 2007
Kelly, Don't Panic1 I am 4 weeks post op. I lost 20 in 2 weeks then only 7 in the next 2 weeks. Stop getting on the scale if it's gonna mess with your head. Eat right, drink lots of water and reach your daily protein goals. Try to take walks.Your body is in starvation mode. Simply taking walks and increasing your activity will jump start your metabolisom. Good luck and know that you are never alone in this new life. Karen
   — Karen K.

February 25, 2007
That is how I lost. I never lost fast, but I lost fairly steadily, with a few plateaus.
   — Novashannon