Question:
what is normal

Im 7 weeks out after an open RNY I have lost about 30lbs now, but it seems like I'm stuck and haven't lost anything in a week or a week and a half, is there something in addition to exercise I can do a food that is helpful for reducing when your stuck at a plateau. Part of me worries that maybe this is it for me and I wont lose anymore weight, that I went through a major operation and this is going to be the last of my weight loss success, maybe having failed at diets so many times in the past sets my thinking in this sort of pattern, but I would like to hear from other recent post-ops on how much you've lost, is the amount I've lost normal? How do any post-ops boost their metabolism to get the scale going down again???? Any responses/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Diana Duffy    — Diana D. (posted on June 2, 2000)

June 2, 2000
Yep, you're about due for a plateau. Actually, you are fortunate to have gotten this far without one. I had my 1st plateau at 2 weeks and another at 6 weeks. I know exactly how you feel, I too thought the weight loss would stop. You will hop on that scale soon and loose 2 to 3 times the weight you usually loose in a week. You're gonna do great...
   — DOROTHY A.

June 2, 2000
I agree wholeheartedly with everything that Michelle has said. My daughter (in January) and I (in March) both had lap RNY surgery and we characteristically have had plateau periods every 2-3 weeks that have lasted as long as 2-3 weeks. However, she has lost 100 lbs and I have lost 55 lbs to date. It was frustrating and a little frightening the first times it happened, but now we just take it in stride...and only weigh once a month. If you get obsessively fixated on the scales, it will only increase your anxiety. Just trust in the process and enjoy watching those inches fall away. You're doing great...best wishes!
   — Diana T.

June 3, 2000
Diana: I feel the same way. I had surgery 4/4/00 and have lost 32 pounds. I started at 275 and now weigh243. I get frustrated too. My neighbor is losing 5 or 7 pounds a week. But, she did start out about 60 pounds heavier than me. I met someone else who is losing slower like us, and she had lost even slower! But, I did discover than she started off at around 247. How much did you start at? I think the lower the starting weight, the slower the weight loss is NORMALLY. I feel like I live on plateaus for 1 and 1/2 to 2 weeks then only lose maybe 2 pounds. I did lose 4 pounds in 7 days one week. I guess I should be grateful to have lost 12 pounds in the hospital!
   — Cindy H.

June 3, 2000
I had open RNY-Distal on 4/4/00. I lots 29 pounds in the first 6 weeks and then I hit a plateau, it last 14 days then all of a sudden I dropped 7 lbs. Just keep up your program get all your protein, water and exercise in. T was like the rest of the post I felt I had done something wrong or was not doing enough. The weight will come off...just hand in there.
   — ann A.

June 4, 2000
How much protein supplement are you getting in? Made with water? No milk, no sugar, no grazing, no drinking with meals--doing all that? Drinking LOTS of water? If you're getting 60g of protein supp a day now, you can add another 30g dose for about 2 weeks, add another glass of water and when you start moving again, drop back to 60g of supp. Never drop back on the water!
   — vitalady