Question:
Is it normal to have a 3 month plateau? I'm losing SO slow, getting depressed.

   — Connie B. (posted on January 22, 2004)

January 22, 2004
Connie, I had my RNY-distal on 7/29/03. I am also just about 6 months and have been on a plateau since 11/03. I have really upped my exercise and protein but have only lost a few pounds. It dropped off so fast the first 4 months that it seems like it's going now at a snails pace. I really think this is normal though from what I have read. We just need to hang in there and do everything we can to do the right things and not get too discouraged. Good luck to you, Joan
   — Joan R.

January 22, 2004
try going to fitday.com and seeing exactly what your eating.. how many calories your taking in. If you are taking in between 1000 and 1200 calories it sounds like you need to up the protein and water and walk. I m so sorry this is so hard to see others drop fast and then know your doing what you can but its so slow. Please try fitday.com I just started using it myself and was amazed that when I thought i was doing good on not many calories intake I was mistaken and thats why my weight was stalling... good luck!
   — WLS_Deb

January 22, 2004
I know you may see that I am pre-op and think...what does she know. All I can say is that I have been coming to this site for almost 3 years and I see this question all the time. Best advice...take a deep breath and relax. If you are doing everything you should be doing you will lose more weight. I know you want instant gratification that some others seem to experience but what I have learned from the countless questions and stories from others is that everyone is different. Chances are you will lose more weight, but even if you don't...minus 66#...Wow! I can only dream of life 66# less. Focus on the positive...you have already had success and I am sure the best is yet to come!!!!
   — Sara A

January 22, 2004
Hey Connie. I can honestly say I am right there with you. I had surgery on March 26, 2003 and in 3-4 have lost 87lb and then stopped cold. I have been losing and gaining the same 5lbs since then. I got so down that I quit caring about my eating and stopped going to the gym. Even on days I had done alright no weight ever came off. I watched calories, tried Atkins-type eating, and all protein. By Novemember I totally felt like a failure, and wished I had never had this done. I quit updating my profile because I was so ashamed and embarrased. I finally realized that nobody could make this happen except me. Not the surgeon, not my family, and not any of these great people on this site. I had to do it, and I had to determine if I was worth it. I could sit on my a@# and boo-hoo, or I could use this gift that I have been given. I have gone back to high-protein eating, and have joined the Y.M.C.A I'm still not perfect, in fact I am having a bad day today; but I am allowing it... I'm not perfect. I know another day is coming and I can do this. So what I wasn't one of those that lost all my weight in 6-9 months, oh well! I still have the rest of my life to do this in and 87lbs is nothing to be ashamed about at all. I can do many things I couldn't last March. I am thankful. I think those of us who are slow losers or have problems just dropping weight are kinda... not pushed-to-the-wayside, but not heard from as much. We tend to hide and are not as vocal, and that is terrible. We should not be ashamed, but hold our heads up and tell each other that we CAN and WILL do this no matter what. I found a yahoo group that deals with this problem. It is run by someone from here. Here name is Rona. It is for those 6 months out at least, but you can still lurk if you are under that. It is "GetBOT". I am still new, and shy and admitting my mistakes and weaknesses, but they seem like a very supportive bunch of folks. Remember you are not alone, not in the slightest. Do some soul-searching, keep your head up, and keep going! Sorry so long. Take care, Kim
   — Kim K.

January 22, 2004
Connie, I just read your profile. Thanks for keeping it updated, it was helpful. First off, you are not on a plateau. You have lost 10 pounds in 3 months- a plateau would be losing NO weight for months. Your losing slowly and there are things you can do to ratchet it up a bit. You admitted to eating too many carbs, drinking Hawaiin Punch lite (calories!!), and slacking off the exercise. You didn't share what you are eating. Here is what I would suggest you try: try eating small frequent meals, a few ounces of mostly protein foods every 3 hours or so or whenever hungry. Switch to all water-no caloried or carbonated or caffeinated liquids. Get back on a regular exercise program-heart pumping cardio is the best. Cut out or cut down on the snacking-carbs/sugar etc. I think that will work to help ratchet it up. 66 pounds in 5 1/2 months is good so don't beat yourself up. I know its hard not to get impatient and want to see 100 pounds come off every month-LOL-but keep at it, keep your spirits up and it will happen.
   — Cindy R.

January 22, 2004
"I don't think I've been doing that bad" <p>This statement to me, by someone who is only 5-1/2 months PO, tells the story. You know in your heart you are not doing what you should be. Cut the carbs way down, push the good proteins and push the water. For me pushing the water always gets my weight moving again. In my opinion at 5-1/2 months you should really be towing the mark and following your plan to a T. The early months are your best losing opportunities. You will continue to lose, but you need to set some rules or limits for yourself and get a reasonable exercise program going. Unfortunately we still have to do a ton of work after this surgery and make right choices for the rest of our lives. I realize that doesn't happen every meal but it needs to happen the majority of your meals. <p>Like others have said, 66 lbs is a good loss and one you should be proud of. Get refocused, track your food on fitday, because it can be huge eye opener, and write an exercise routine and keep to it. Weight loss doesn't have to control your life but adopting a healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life is key. You can do it!!!
   — zoedogcbr