Question:
Hit a Plateaus and frustrated! Help, please?
I am 5 weeks post-op RYN and lost 30 pounds the first 3 weeks. I have not lost any more weight for the past 2 weeks...is this normal? I'm following a very strict diet and exercise program and sticking to what my surgeon ordered, but this no weight loss is very frustrating and depressing to me. Suggestions and comments welcomed. — texasteacher5 (posted on April 16, 2008)
April 16, 2008
Yes, you did just great with that shot gun start, but your body is tring to
hold out. At this stage, just stick to your diet, and try to do a day of
more excersize. Then cut back a day. When you can eat more, adding 200
good calories and then cutting back the next day helps. I am a expert at
Plataues. I lose great for two weeks andthen freeze for two to three
weeks, then radid loss again. I got frustrated too, ut it does not help
you lose. I follow the doctors diet and excersize 1-1/2 hour per day 6
days a week. Best of success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
April 16, 2008
I just had this same problem I am also 5 weeks out. I didn't loose weight
for almost 2 weeks. I contacted the nutrionist and explaned what I was
doing and what I was eating. She said it sounded like I wasnt getting
enough protein because I was also feeling hungry alot. She said I was only
getting 30-35 grams with what I was eating and she said I should be getting
about 55 grams. So she told me to add a protein shake between meals and
after I did that I started loosing.
— mskim
April 16, 2008
Why are you depressed about this loss? I had RNY is May, 2006. By Xmas,
2006 I'd lost 100 pounds. Averaging that out, it's a little less than 1/2
pound per day. You've lost 30 pounds in 21 days, a rate that is close to
what I've had. Heavier people will lose inititially at a fast rate than
people with less weight to lose. Initially you may lose weight at a slower
rate, and may some weeks you may lose more than others. This is a process
and you will not reach your goal in only a few weeks. This process will
take several months if not a year or more. Just follow the instructions of
your surgeon. The first thing you have to learn is to be patient. You
must also realize that you are not the first person to question the rate of
weight loss. There will be some weeks you may not lose weigth, but you may
lose inches off of your body. Depression is not uncommon in the first few
weeks either, since you've lost one of your oldest and best friends--FOOD.
— Dave Chambers
April 16, 2008
Dear Dave - first of all let me say I'm NOT depressed about the amount of
weight I have lost, I think it's great...what concerns me and what I am
unsure of because I'm very new to this procedure, is what I'm doing
normal....that's all, I only wanted to find people who have experienced the
same plateau as me and share their experiences so I would have something to
compare it to, and yes, I know that we are all different and that this
surgery affects us all differently - just looking for some support which I
don't feel I was given by your response - it came across a little harsh.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question.
— texasteacher5
April 16, 2008
Yep. I'm 3 and a half weeks postop and lost only 21 pounds. The first
plateau lasted 6 days and occurred during my 2nd week out of surgery. Then
I lost 2 pounds right afterwards. Then another 5 days at that weight.
Then this morning, down another pound. The body is still trying to adjust
to the weight loss. Just keep to your routine and all will be well. Good
luck!
— C P.
April 16, 2008
Kelly,
First I would like to say congratulations on your success so far. I am not
able to speak as to the normal amounts of weight loss following RNY
specifically as I had LapBand but I do know quite a few people who have.
Plateaus are common.
I would have to say that there are going to be weeks that no matter how
little you eat and how much you exercise, the scales will not budge. One
of the reasons I do not weigh myself in between doctor's visits.
Sometimes a change in the type of exercise- to work different muscles
groups and "surprise" the body will help. Alternate your aerobic
workouts whatever it may be, perhaps add a little weight training. I began
alternating walking with swimming and a recumbent bike and kept a 5# pair
of dumbells beside my chair. I would initially be able to do very little
exercise at a time as I weighed 402# with a BMI of 71 so 2 minutes on the
treadmill was where I started.
Sometimes a change-up in what you're eating and the type of exercise is
just the answer. Surprise your body. Can you avoid the scales a little
bit? I know with all of the hard work you are doing it is challenging- you
want to see the reward.
Also, can you relish in non-scale victories? Someone noticing your
shrinking size? Noticing how loose your clothes are? Being able to walk a
little farther than you were able to a week ago?
Try not to get discouraged and remember sister, we are in this for the long
haul. One hour, one meal, one day at a time. Focus on moving forward
toward your goals and let go of yesterday with a smile on the loser's
bench. Great to have you.
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC
— DawnVic
April 16, 2008
This happens to us all. I was not real heavy and lost 30 as well the first
5 weeks and hit a plateau for two weeks. I then went back to more shakes
and high protien and I have started back down. This was the best thing I
have ever done for myself. My feet and legs don't hurt as much. Kate
— kthlnofarrell
April 16, 2008
I actually had a 30 day plateau a month after my surgery. You really will
get past it. One suggestion for a great protein source is high protein
pudding from GNC or www.instonenutrition.com. 6.4 oz, 100 cals, 20g
protein. Choc, van, banana. Tastes great and is completely portable. I
even keep a can in my car! It is vital to get enough protein for the
healing and weight loss processes. Hang in there - your body will strive
for wellness with sufficient nutrients.
— Beebop11
April 16, 2008
Sounds exactly like what happened to me. Don't give up. I just stuck to
my same routine (keeping in mind those days you would have normally had a
weight gain around "that time of the month", constipation,
etc.... but once again, I did not give up, stuck to everything I was
supposed to including drinking the water, exercising regularly... and after
almost an entire month... my scale started moving again! Keep your chin
up!!!!
— Donna_in_PA
April 17, 2008
I SOOOO understand the plateau. I am Krista, from Marion, Ohio. I had to
lose 97 lbs on the liquid diet before my dr would do my RNY. I achieved a
104 lb weight loss since Aug 07, then had my surgery Feb 08. I lost 25 lbs
quick after surgery, but have been on a plateau for 3+ weeks now... I
understand the frustration and the depression. Questioning myself totally,
my dietician even told me I should be losing 15-20 lbs a mo. OMG that hurt
so bad. Please email me or find me on yahoo under kristacastle... I would
so love to chat with you, only if you are interested. Thanks for your time.
Have a Great Day. Krista
— kristaaxline
April 17, 2008
Hey Kelly, Don't worry at all about this plateau after the first dramatic
weight loss. It happens to everyone especially if yiu did not start out at
a high BMI in the first place. Just keep paying strict attention to the
rules. You may find that you are losing inches without losing weight. Don't
ask me how this happens. I am three 1/2 months out and I have not had
steady loss since the beginning. I'll go a couple weeks (or more) with no
loss and even some gains and then drop 3 pounds. Try to think about an
average 10 pounds a month - that puts you way ahead at the moment. Track
your weight loss on a tracker and you will be surprised at how steady it
really is. I thought I had plateaued for a month but my tracker told me it
was only a couple weeks. Eliminate as many carbs as possible if you haven't
already done that. Calm down and good luck to you.
— jannmyers
April 17, 2008
P.S. There is a really good tracker on www.thedailyplate.com
— jannmyers
April 17, 2008
Kelly, be faithful, your body will respond. A true plateau by definition
is 3 months at the same weight, not 2 weeks. Please dont' worry about
that. It just takes time to lose weight, be faithful to the task, it will
happen. Take care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
April 17, 2008
Hello:
Thank you for asking the question. I had my RNY on March 7, 2008, and I
have lost 28 lbs and not moving. The responses you got were very helpful
for me. Thanks again and good luck!
— sagarmy
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