Question:
Is it normal to hit a plateau this early?

I had my surgery(lap rny) on October 31st of this year. The first 2 weeks, I lost 36 pounds and the third week managed to gain 5 lbs over the weekend but then lost that by the following Tuesday, I haven't lost a pound since. Is it normal to hit a plateau so early, I haven't been out 4 weeks yet? True, I haven't been eating correctly, I've only been getting in 1 meal a day because I'm not hungry and have no desire to eat, I haven't been drinking enough fluids because I just can't seem to get in all 64 oz and as far as exercise goes, I've been walking a mile a day, sometimes 2. I'm frustrated because nothing about this surgery is what I expected. I had no pain which I'm happy about and recovery has been good. I've been having dizzy spells of which I did tell my doctor about. I'm taking my calcium and multi but haven't started the iron or b12 yet. Any advice or suggestions are welcomed. At this point, I don't know what to do.    — PAWLLA L. (posted on November 30, 2007)

November 29, 2007
I am 3 months post lap band surgery and have lost 40 pounds thus far. I too am very pleased with the pain free process. I was told the weight loss would not be as dramatic as gastric bypass and average weight loss varies. I think a plateau is normal for any diet. I don't have much patience, I guess. I can eat very little soft foods and be full. My mind is what tells me I am still hungry. That is when I have problems. I do not like to throw up.
   — antbob40

November 29, 2007
Please be patient. Your body is still getting used to the new plumbing. The desire to eat will return. Honest. But as for plateauing, dont worry about it. It has only been a month and you are down 30 pounds. That is pretty good. It is a VERY long road and will take time. You didnt get into this condition in a day. Best wishes, Chris
   — CChappell

November 29, 2007
You need to make sure you are having the amount of protien you need or you will not lose. This happened to me also. Once I had the correct amount then I just started dropping the pounds. I too was not hungry but you have to force yourself.
   — dawnraad

November 29, 2007
It is normal. I did the same thing about the same time. I lost nothing for about a week and a half and then bam lost 3 lbs. Don't fret about that. What you do need to make sure you are doing is getting enough to eat and drink. I had dizzy spells and I was told it can be caused from not enough fluids and/or protien. I can't tolerate protein drinks so it was hard for me to get my protein in at first. I still don't get enough, but I try and make sure all my meals have mostly protein. Try and eat a little more, even if you aren't hungry. If we don't have something in our system out bodies will think we are trying to starve it and will go into starvation mode and you won't burn as many calories. 36 lbs is awesome, you are doing great. Don't worry about the plateau, it is totally normal and you will kick it back up into overdrive soon! Good luck!! Julie
   — juliebelle0402

November 29, 2007
You're about three weeks ahead of me-- my surgery was on November 19. I read your post and said to myself: " She's sliding down the slippery slope". The lab band is not magic; it's a tool that can be tremendously helpful, but you MUST eat at least 60 grams of protein, take vitamins and minerals and enough WATER to flush the fat out of you for it to work. Your health is at stake here-- you can't starve yourself of nutrients and expect your body systems to stay good. It's no wonder that you're getting dizzy. My Dr. made it clear to me that these were my requirements for the system to work. In the words of somebody-- " If you keep doing what you've always done, your going to keep getting what you've always gotten". Losing weight is still going to be a challenge, lap band or not. I wish you success and joy! Flora
   — MusigalF

November 29, 2007
You need to get in your protein, it is Vital at this point! Your dizziness comes from not getting in enough water/fluids each day. Increase those and I'll bet the dizziness disappears! Good luck and God bless!
   — crystalsno

November 30, 2007
You are doing great! Don't expect to lose like a gastric patient - Look what has happened to Carly Wilson - she gained almost all her weight back after gastric bypass because she never learned to eat correctly. The band helps us learn that. Eventually you will learn that your mind is a powerful tool and works together with the band to keep us in line. I am 5 months out, down 50 pounds, but I am still learning to live with the band. I still want the bad foods, but I know that if I try to eat like I used to, I will feel miserable. You will get there. It takes a lot of time and band adjustments to get things just right. As far as fluids go, I ALWAYS have a big glass of diluted crystal light with me - with lots and lots of ice. I cannot drink a lot all at once, so I sip alot and by days end I have my fluids in. I was also discouraged and had the same feelings that the surgery results were not what I expected, but I am so happy with my weight loss and am continually taking my clothes in! Remember it takes time - I am only now feeling that I have control of things and I also know that the lap band will control my will power for me. It's hard to be patient, but 36 lbs is way beyond expectations, so count your blessings and keep walkin'. I have a hard time with protein too, but I eat Edge bars or other bars that have 15+ grams of protein in them. Watch the bars though because some of them advertise like 40 grams of protein but also contain about 300+ calories and sugar. Keep it up! You WILL succeed!
   — beckiemclarty

November 30, 2007
You are doing great! Don't expect to lose like a gastric patient - Look what has happened to Carly Wilson - she gained almost all her weight back after gastric bypass because she never learned to eat correctly. The band helps us learn that. Eventually you will learn that your mind is a powerful tool and works together with the band to keep us in line. I am 5 months out, down 50 pounds, but I am still learning to live with the band. I still want the bad foods, but I know that if I try to eat like I used to, I will feel miserable. You will get there. It takes a lot of time and band adjustments to get things just right. As far as fluids go, I ALWAYS have a big glass of diluted crystal light with me - with lots and lots of ice. I cannot drink a lot all at once, so I sip alot and by days end I have my fluids in. I was also discouraged and had the same feelings that the surgery results were not what I expected, but I am so happy with my weight loss and am continually taking my clothes in! Remember it takes time - I am only now feeling that I have control of things and I also know that the lap band will control my will power for me. It's hard to be patient, but 36 lbs is way beyond expectations, so count your blessings and keep walkin'. I have a hard time with protein too, but I eat Edge bars or other bars that have 15+ grams of protein in them. Watch the bars though because some of them advertise like 40 grams of protein but also contain about 300+ calories and sugar. Keep it up! You WILL succeed!
   — beckiemclarty

November 30, 2007
Thanks for all of the great advice and suggestions but most everyone is assuming I had the lap band and I didn't I had the lap. rny - gastric bypass, sorry if I confused you by just putting lap. rny. Thanks again.
   — PAWLLA L.

November 30, 2007
I had RNY 4 years ago. Your body is telling you, you are hungry that is why you are getting dizzy spells. I lost 30 pounds the first month. Try not to weigh your self everyday. It will make you crazy. The surgery was nothing that I expected either. I did not have pain and was not able to eat or drink like the Dr thought I should. You will over time. Try to get in as much protien as you can. Try some shakes or maybe a protien bar. It used to take me all day to eat the protien bar. 4 years later I have lost 110 pounds, gained 18 pounds, had a tummy tuck, lip and new boobies and am at a happy weight. 5 months from now you will not believe that it is really you in the mirror. Stop torturing yourself with that scale. Take care!
   — Carlyn M.

November 30, 2007
IF you are not compliant, then stalls are perfectly normal-- of course, none of us lose the same amount of weight every day and some will have a week or so when the scale doesn't seem to move. To maximize your weight loss you need to boost your protein intake. Although most of us that early have to force ourselves to eat, the fact that you are having your vitamins this early is probably contributing to your minimal appetite (remember- your pouch is still somewhat swollen so anything that goes in is goig to be very filling). Regarding exercise, although it is very important for long-term health, and the activity is a great alternative to eating, given how little you are consuming, and that fact that you are dizzy, is probably an indication that your body isn't getting in enough calories or nutrients to effectively exercise.
   — SteveColarossi

November 30, 2007
Congrats to you! You are dizzy from not getting in enough water & nutrients. Your JOB right not is to do what you know you are supposed to do; get in your water & protein. Whether you are hungry or have no desire to eat is completely irrelevant. You know what you are supposed to be doing. If you do not get in enough water you will get dehydrated. This makes you dizzy and your kidneys will not like you. You need the fluids to flush the nasties out of your blood. If you do not get in enough protein you are playing with death. You can damage your HEART and LIVER. This is not about what you "desire". It is about what you have to do. I can tell you that everyone here loves you and wants to see you succeed. You have GOT to get your liquids and protein in. If you are a female, it is imperative that you also start getting in your iron and b12 so you do not become anemic. (I can tell you that now, 6 months after the lap RNY, is the FIRST time in my life I have NOT been anemic thanks to finally doing the right thing.) WE LOVE YOU ! GOOD LUCK!!!
   — MAG

November 30, 2007
Hello Yes that is very normal to happen the same thing happen to me I;m almost 5yrs out gastricbypass I was not hungry either so also thought if I ate less would lose more ...lol WRONG we have got to to lose after I started eatting more then the weight started to come off again I ate 6xs a day 3 small meals and 3 snackes and dranks lots of fluids I was not able to stand any of the protein drinks I got mine from foodsbut also always remember we are all different and will lose different you have done great so far congrats on the weight loss keep up the great work Hugggsss Beth
   — Beth67Mathis

December 1, 2007
Hi Pawlla, thanks for writing. Patience and endurance is the name of the game. Everyone loses differently, you have to find satisfaction in the race not the conclusion. I lost about 2 pounds every week with good diet and walking up to 5 miles a day, my friend wasn't as diligent, and lost, stopped, lost, stopped. Everyone is different, and no matter how you lose it is frustrating. Those who lose a little at a time want more, those who stop and go don't like that route. Let your body lead the way, you just keep doing right and enjoy the ride. Being thankful along the way will keep your spirits up. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

December 1, 2007
It is normal to plateau, fairly early, I had surgery September 12th, and was plateaued at about 3 weeks. I understand that yoy don't feel like eating but you really do need to eat 3 meals a day and make sure that you are getting all of your water. I also had issues with being dizzy but it has gotten much better since I started making sure I am getting enough water. I am now drinking about 100 oz of water a day. One of the biggest issues is if you don't eat enough your body goes into starvation mode and will slow down your metabolism, even more. So make sure you are following the eating plan that you were given by your dr. Right now your hunger feelings are not a good indication of when to eat. I know that I don't get hungry but if I don't eat I don't lose weight, and get dizzy. I have to eat meals based on the clock. So make sure you are eating as you should.
   — Radgalut

December 2, 2007
I'm four weeks out from my RNY (11/6) and have lost 40 lbs so far. I've found that one must stick to the diet plan - 3 meals a day; focus on minimum amount of protein (mine is 51 gms per day); milk between meals; 64+ ozs of liquids per day; and exercise. Be inventive on meals by using different seasonings to flavor. Consider using a powdered or liquid protein supp if normal meals don't meet protein needs. I started my multi-vitamin 10 days after surgery and weekly B12 supp/calcium 24 days after surgery. Stay in touch with your surgery staff to note concerns/difficulties. Work with support gps to get suggestions from peers. Don't get discouraged - it WILL work for you! Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!
   — Jerry Ervin

December 5, 2007
this happened to me also. my surgery was three years ago oct. 27. i still have periods where i loose nothing or i gain up to 5 pounds. all you can do is hang in there and let your body do it's thing. this does usually pass. if it is really bothering, call the doctor and see what is suggested.
   — kankan

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