Question:
I feel like I have failed.

Why, an I feeling so down like this, i cant lose any more weight it seens like I have gain 2 to 4 lbs. why, I dont know what to do any more. I just cry all the time now. I am 4 months out. Seems like I have been on this plateau for a months now. what gives. Please help anyone, please. Jennie    — zydeko47 (posted on September 2, 2008)

September 2, 2008
My answer to this question is always this: go back to basics. go back to liquids. retrain your body. mix up your exercise program. your body gets used to routine (even if you are active). change things up. mix things around. start from liquids and retrain. good luck.
   — jammerz

September 2, 2008
You know, I had a plateau awhile back that lasted 3 whole weeks, but it did pass. I have also had several one-week plateaus. Also, I notice sometimes I'll lose 2 or 3 pounds, then the next week, gain a pound or 2 back, then the next week lose 2, and so on........ but, in the end, when it all adds up over time, you'll find you're losing weight overall........ You really, really need to put the scale in the closet, and make a ritual of having a specially designated day, one day per week, that you weigh yourself and write the weight down with the date. Do not weigh yourself more than once a week. As you record your weight on a piece of paper, or in your computer, watch how it changes.... it may go up a pound, but in the long run, you'll see it going down......... Keep eating meat, fish, tuna, eggs, beans, low-fat cheese, vegetables. Stay away from bread, crackers, rice, potatoes, cereal, oatmeal. Fiber Once cereal is ok in reasonable amounts. Fruit once in awhile. I honestly think you're doing better than you realize. Think how many people want this surgery and don't have insurance, or can't get approved; we are very fortunate. But the weight loss takes time...... but, that's ok. The time will pass by soon enough, and you'll find yourself at your one-year surgery annivwersary, much thinner and healthier, (I look forward to my 1-year anniversary too!). I am keeping a record of my weekly weight, and it shows me I am losing, on "average" 2 pounds a week, or about 8 pounds per month. Sometimes it's 6 or 7 a month, sometimes 10. Now, that may seem slow, but it's not. That is great, and "it adds up", it really adds up. That's 100 pounds in a year at that rate....... Some people lose more than that, some lose less. I am calculating I will have lost more than 100 pounds when I hit one year, why? Because for the 1st month or 2, most people, including me, lose more than 8 pounds per month, so when you calculate everything, it is likely to lose more like 120 pounds or 130 in one year. You know, I have started writing-down what I eat and drink every day, to help me identify what I am eating, how often, and how many calories. I don't keep the piece of paper, I just write it down throughout the day, then I throw it away. But, I have been aiming for between 800-1,000 calories per day. I check the food labels for calories, or I "guess" as best I can. You might want to try that.... Also, I really think, if you feel like you're not doing ok, you should go see your surgeon for a check-up, touch base with him, communicate with him, and see what he thinks.... Same thing with a Nutritionist; you probably saw one before sugery. Make an appointment and do a follow-up visit with the Nutritionist. Go over what you're eating and drinking every day, and make sure it's on-track. If you feel depressed, may be you should consider asking your Doctor to prescribe an anti-depressant medication. There is no shame in that, girl, I have taken them before at different times in my life. Sometimes after people have WLS, they get depressed even though they feel this should be a time of great happiness. Some people get depressed, and there is no shame in that.,... your body is going through a lot of changes metabolically, and sometimes people feel depressed. Anyway, hang in there, and feel soooooooooo proud of your surgery, and your weight loss of 50 pounds, 50 pounds is alot, and you will lose more, a lot more, you'll see. But be patient, as it comes off 1 pound at a time, but 1 pound adds up!!!
   — Gina S.

September 2, 2008
1. Ask your primary doctor for an antidepressant. 2. Find a buddy to walk with- DAILY for 30- to 50 minutes.
   — nancycarle

September 2, 2008
when you are having those plateaus- and darn near everyone does- a true plateau is 6-8 weeks, with no weight loss BUT ---memorize this---when you plateau no weight loss- continue to measure yourself- you are losing inches, a true plateau is not losing wt or inches. if u are exercising u have to remember to increase calorie intake, because you are burning fat and if you stay at 4-600 cals, there is nothing to burn. good luck Cindi 3.24.04 230# maintaining loss over 3 yrs and loving it
   — DollyDoodles

September 2, 2008
Jeanie, Everyone has these plateaus...You are not alone. You have to remember that your body is an amazing machine. It is wired for survival. No mater what you do to it, it finds a way to function and compensate for bad times...Right now, your body thinks you are starving and it's fighting for your life...Think if you were lost in the woods somewhere with little food...It's amazing what little you can survive on for a LONG time...You body would adjust to that experience the same exact way...Just because you WANT to lose weight, doesn't mean you body has the mental capacity to understand that...It doesn't get this whole thing at all! Those plateaus are a totally natural. 1-5 lbs gain during this time is often water weight and not weight gain. You might have eaten something salty or you are not getting enough waer and your body is storing it for you! DRINK water! Flush out your liver and kidneys and get rid of that fat and toxins that you are losing! It goes somewhere and the more water you drink the cleaner and more effective your organs can get rid of that "stuff" and not retain water for you. Give yourself a break...You are doing fine...And you're not even half way thru yet...You are not a failure...You body is taking care of you as it is supposed to do! Hugs!
   — .Anita R.

September 5, 2008
Hey, Jennie. I'm pre-op and I read about these plateaus and weight gains so often from other bypass and sleeve recipients that it gave me cause for pause. Surgery is so drastic. Why go through this if I still have to struggle afterward? But the truth is surgery was never promised to be a cure-all. It's only a TOOL to help you help yourself. If you look at it that way and start pay attention to calorie intake, you'll recognize why your weight reduction has slowed down or stopped. In the end, it's still a number's game. Figure how many calories it takes to maintain your IDEAL weight. Never exceed that number, and your weight will continue to drop---regardless of how gradually---until you reach your goal, and then you will maintain that for the rest of your life. You can do it! Meanwhile, relax and enjoy the process.
   — AlmaRene