Question:
When will plateau break?????????

I am 10 weeks post opt and have lost 55 pounds, but the problem is that for the last 3 weeks I have not lost an ounce and I do not understand why??????? I am doing nothing different and it is very frustrating.......Please help me to understand what is going on and why????? And will I start losing again..........Thanks in advance for any and all help........Dianepic    — dianepic (posted on May 19, 2008)

May 19, 2008
I am in the same boat you are. I will be at 10 weeks post op this Wednesday and have not lost anything in a few weeks. I have been stuck at -51 pounds since the first of May. I am still exercising and of course eating very little. Makes no sense to me either. Is frustrating.
   — Tammy Cardwell

May 19, 2008
I did the same thing and when I went to my PCP she said I was in starvation mode. My body quit responding and I needed to eat more. She suggested adding some (forbidden) carbs that I could get down. (I hadn't been able to get much meat or anything down before). I did that and immediately began loosing again. As I have been able to eat more meat and veggies I have significantly reduced the number of carbs I eat. (We can't eat that much any way!) and I am now 5 mo. out and have lost 81 lbs. I am not recommending this method, it is just what worked for me. C. Garber
   — Caroline Garber

May 19, 2008
Plateaus are the problem. You body is fighting off starvation, so it will not release the fat. It will give up usually in three weeks. I have had them hold on for nearly 4 weeks. Don't worry, just change your routine some. Eat something different, skip exercising one day, or do twice as much exercise. Eat a little more than usually and then as soon as weight starts to come off, cut back. Do eat too much for two many days that you gain. Best of success to you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

May 19, 2008
Don't worry too much untill it's been about 6 or 7 weeks. !0 weeks must be the typical plateau period. I am also 10 weeks out...my surgery was 2/27 and I've only lost about 42 lbs. I was told at support a plateau can last up to 10 weeks. For me it's been a little over 3 weeks. I work out every day and haven't changed the way I eat but I'm considering going back on protein shakes and see if there is a difference. Good luck to you, you've done very well so far.
   — deebunny38

May 19, 2008
You have lost an incredible amount of weight so far and your body is fighting to keep you from starving. It doesn't know that this is what you want...It only knows its job is to keep you from starving...3 weeks is a long plateau and it should break any second. My suggestion is to add a little more protein so that you are feeding your muscles and burning your fat. Someone said that carbs will help...then try that too...but in my experience, upping the protein helped tremendously. I never thought to up the carbs. That's always my personal last choice, but, I'm not a nutrutionist or doctor...Just a 4 year WLS person, maintaining my weight for 4yr 4mos. The advice is still the same...eat a little bit more calories and that should get you moving the scale again...
   — .Anita R.

May 19, 2008
I am not a RNY Patient but am a Lap-Band Patient.......when we hit platue like you are describing .....we have been told that our bodies are compacting......in otherwords trying to play catch up to the rapid weight loss......If you measured all your body before surgery you can go back now and re-measure during this no losing time and find you may not be losing pounds but you will continue to lose inches...at least that the way it has worked for us and I see no reason why it wouldn't do the same......you are going to have these bumps in the road every so often....but your body is saying ...Wait I need to catch up...so be patient and it will start coming off aagain....you might also add a bit more protein and liquids...that's a big key to losing. Hope this helps some. Also a tip to all....If you get stuck that tight hurting feeling between your breast......get you some small cans of pineapple juice and keep them everwhere you might be...you house...your car...work.....when you get that hurting feeling.....take tiny sips of the pineapple juice ( it must be room temperature.....and must be small sip.....you should feel some relief....it will either take it down or bring it up and you will feel better.....Never Drink anything else as it will compact the food and hurt worse......works for most ...hope it works for you. Pam / Ft Worth Bandster Bites Silverware [email protected]
   — pphillips4720aol.com

May 19, 2008
Hi! I went thru the exact same thing. see my blog. I got so frustrated during these plateaus...but eventually the lbs just start to fall off again. It passes. YOu've lost somuch weight in such a short timeframe. Let you body catchup. One thing I can remember is that I ate more during that time and that kicked started it. Congrats on the 55lbs gone...and continued loss in the future.
   — hatda

May 19, 2008
I'm so glad I wasn't the only one. I had my surgery Oct. 31st last year and lost weight in November but didn't lose a pound in December but as soon as January rolled around, I was off to losing again and have lost 90 pounds now. My doctor said it was not unusual to hit a plateau so early in the losing process but I was sure disappointed at the time. Now I'm losing at a regular pace and I'm so happy with my progress. Don't fret too much oover it, you'll start up again.
   — PAWLLA L.

May 19, 2008
First off, weight loss is not always a straight line loss. Some times there are plateaus. Some times there are gains. There are a few possibilities that you need to consider. The first is: Are you retaining water? The second is: are you getting enough protein and exercise. In the FIRST scenario: the issue will probably resolve itself given time. In a few days or a week or so, you will lose the water and lose the weight. The SECOND is actually a GOOD thing if it is occurring! If the SECOND scenario is the case, what is happening is that the protein that you consume is being turned into lean muscle mass on your body by the exercise. Lean muscle weighs more than FAT per cubic inch so you can't measure your progress by the SCALE at this stage of your weight loss but you CAN with a MEASURING TAPE! If you are NOT dropping pounds but ARE dropping INCHES, you are GAINING Muscle! MORE MUSCLE means LESS FAT! The lean muscle mass will help to ACCELERATE your weight loss! There is the possibility of a THIRD option that I did NOT mention before. If one of the FIRST two are not your problem then the THIRD option is likely. The THIRD option is that your body's Metabolism SET Point could have readjusted itself to starvation mode. This IS possible. In your case it also sounds likely. You may want to get the advice of a physician or go to a nutritionist. A nutritionist will be able to tell you just how many CARBOHYDRATES you can consume per day and how OFTEN you need to eat them to MAXIMIZE your weight loss. He or she will also tell you how much PROTEIN to consume to maximize your lean muscle mass. You may want to do this in ANY case. It COULD help to MAXIMIZE your weight loss potential and make your weight loss journey a quicker, safer, and more enjoyable one. I hope this helps, Hugh
   — hubarlow

May 19, 2008
When I hit a plateau I have to remember PEW P~Protein E~Exersize W~Water This always works for me. I just up them for a while and it works and the plateau is broken. I wish you luck on it.
   — Brenda R.

May 20, 2008
Hi Diane. I am very sympathetic to your plight. I know this feels like a plateau and it is most frustrating, but it is not a plateau. By definition a plateau is 90 days or 30 months with no weight loss. Sometimes I think anxiety and frustration play a part it our body responding to what it needs to do. 55 pounds is great! Congratulations on your hard work. Take a look at what you are doing, your body may need just a bit of rest. If you are over exercising, your body may be telling you that, if you need to bump it up, don't forget to bump up the water as well. Your body knows what it needs, and sometimes it just needs a break. Do yourself a favor and inventory your food and exercise and water and see if you need a change in routine or method. Only you know the full details. Find a way to relax a little, especially about weight loss, and know that it will pick up again if you are consistent and patient. Wishing you well, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

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