Question:
How come I stopped losing after 11 days out?

I had my surgery lap rny 04-04-03. I have had no complications, am very good about getting in water and proteins, However I have only lost 14 lbs, and it was all lost within 11 days of the surgery. I have not lost a single pound since? I walk 2 miles a day. I am getting very depressed! Has anyone had this happen and if so did you get past it? Or does this mean I am done losing? I did not go to this extreme to lose 15 pounds! How can I pick up the pace here?    — Melissa S. (posted on April 23, 2003)

April 23, 2003
I understand. I only lost 17 my first month. I have found that I will go 3 weeks without losing and then drop 10 in a couple of days, then I'll go 3 weeks without losing and frop another 10 in a couple of days. It does get frustrating. But WE WILL MAKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   — Jazi in N FL W.

April 23, 2003
My first question would be, did you lose weight prior to surgery? If so, then you lost that initial water loss that many experience. I lost 43 pounds pre-op. I lost 12 pounds the first month. Talk about depressing. I have continued to lose 7-12 pounds a month. I have lost a total of 162 pounds and I am wearing a size 4-6 and do not want to lose much, if any more. I weigh 143 and my goal was 134. I am 2 years post op. I plateaued at weights I held for a period of time as I went up the scales. 170 was a killer for me to get below. I guess my point is, have faith, it will come off. You might be one that has to wait longer than others but if you know you are following all the directions of your physician, just keep on track. And, by the way, if you can, get rid of the scales and only weigh once a week or in the doctors office. I personally was no mentally able to do that but I sure wish I could have. Try to be a slave to happiness, good nutrition, and health but not the scales. Good luck
   — smummert

April 24, 2003
My first and only piece of advice to you is THROW OUT THAT SCALE!!! Then don't buy another one until you are around 4 to 6 months out. We go thru so many start and stop WL stages that you're only going to depress yourself every time that needle doesn't move.
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 24, 2003
I concur. Throw out the scale. I did and am much happier. I find my losses in my clothes and measuring every few weeks. The scale will make you miserable unless you're one of the lucky ones who just lose and lose (I know a man who weighs every day but he is always losing gobs of weight and has yet to plateau at a few months out). But it sounds like you're not that lucky and plateaus are going t happen and if it is going to make you crazy, then get rid of the scale.
   — susanje