Question:
I have lost 100lbs as of last week but when I came in to see my nutritionist

today the scale claims that I had gained a 1/2 of a pound back how can that be? I was under the impression that I could not gain but loose at this point I am 6 mths post-op I had the DS surgery. So, please tell me can you gain weight at this point and also I thought that DS patients could not gain back weight I was under the impression we could only plateu. Somebody please help me out on this!    — TANGIE B. (posted on May 29, 2001)

May 29, 2001
Normal people can fluctuate up to 5 pounds a day, depending on a lot of factors. Water retention, whether or not you've urinated or had a bowel movement, and any number of other things can cause your weight to change. A half a pound isn't anything at all to be worried about. Plus, it's very hard to find any two scales that will show you the exact same weight. Please don't bother yourself over 1/2 pound. Your loss so far is great! But also, don't fool yourself that it's impossible to gain, either. While this 1/2 pound isn't anything to be concerned about, <B>any</B> WLS patient can regain lost weight eventually by eating around the surgery. Keep that in mind, and also remember that a slight fluctuation in weight is normal. If you weigh yourself in the morning and then at night, you'll probably notice different numbers.
   — Suzanne B.

May 29, 2001
Wow, your scales were within a 1/2 pound of each other? That's fabulous! Keep up the good work!
   — Allie B.

May 29, 2001
There are any number of reasons for the weight gain. Your nutritionist's scale is probably never going to read the same as your own. Do you weigh naked at home? How about at the nutritionists? Perhaps you're retaining water because of the foods you ate yesterday or because you're about to begin your period. Are you wearing heavier shoes? Even the difference between a t-shirt and a sweater could do it. Jeans and shorts. See, the possibilities are endless. I'm almost 18 months post-op with my DS and remember that my weight would certainly fluctuate on a daily basis, sometimes up, usually down, but if you're going to weigh often, it's just something to get used to. And yes, DS patients CAN gain back weight. Most don't, but it is possible. But really, a half pound, on a scale not your own, is no big deal. The scale at the YMCA shows 3 pounds more than mine at home. I've reached goal and now fluctuate about 8 pounds, depending on what I've been eating and the time of month. You need to look at the bigger picture...do you weigh less than last week? If yes, then you're still losing. :-)
   — Duffy H.

May 29, 2001
If you gained 10 lbs i would really worry. but a 1/2 lb...is nothing it could have been your shoes or just about anything else. Dont worry about it...you will lose.
   — Michelle S.

May 30, 2001
I am sorry but I think its ludicrous to believe that any surgery would make it impossible to have weight gains. The normal person fluctuates all the time depending on water retention, monthly cycles or hormones fluctuations etc. The surgery is a tool and its one that we have to learn to use. People can eat them selves out of any of these surgeries and it was surely no guarantee of success. Now.. I'll say congrats on a 1/2 pound fluctuation being so minimal seems WONDERFUL.
   — [Anonymous]