Question:
My 1st plateau...What can I do to get over the hump?

IM SHOCKED, DISAPPOINTED, FRUSTRATED AND...UGGGHHHHH!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE I DIDNT LOOSE A SINGLE POUND THE PAST 1.5WKS! I EVEN STARTED EXERCISING! I DONT KNOW WHAT TO SAY -- I HAVE AN IDEA THE MAIN REASON IS MY EATING HABITS AND THE AMOUNT OF NUTRIENTS IM TAKING IN...I REALLY CONFUSED ABOUT THIS AND MY SURGEON IS JUST THAT...A SURGEON. HE REALLY HAS NO TRUE OPINION ON PROTEIN (BELIEVES IT SHOULD COME THRU FOOD). I MAY NEED A REFERRAL TO AN NUTRIONIST TO HELP ME OUT. PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS ON WHERE I SHOULD START, REGARDING CALORIC AND PROTEIN INTAKE, EXAMPLES OF DIET PLANS, AND GOOD-TASTING PROTEIN DRINKS (im latose intolerant) OR NON-TASTING POWDERS, PLEASE! PLEASE! EMAIL ME @ [email protected]. I NEED YOUR HELP!!    — Alicia C. (posted on January 13, 2003)

January 13, 2003
Alicia - You think that you should have "LOST MORE WEIGHT BY NOW"...Please let me say...Go easy on yourself and Congratulations on your weight loss. I am only 8 months out, but one very important piece of advise I can give you is PLEASE DON'T start getting discouraged already (I know that is easier said than done). The weight loss will slow down if not come to a screeching halt for weeks or months at a time and you need to know that YOU ARE DOING everything right or you will make yourself crazy !! Keep your eye on the BIG PICTURE. Like: * 43 pounds (whatever your weight loss is) in 2 months (in whatever time frame) is AMAZING - have you ever done that before? * You may be losing inches instead of pounds - so make sure you are keeping your measurements. I try and only weigh on Sundays and do my measurements on my monthly anniversary. * What did your surgeon say was "AVERAGE weight loss" - keep in mind that EVERYONE is different - don't compare to anyone else - but the surgeons generally have an AVERAGE in mind. Mine said 10 months to 1 year to lose 100-120 pounds. SO I set very REALISTIC GOALS so that I would not be really disappointed....25 pounds by my 6 week check up 50 by the end of summer, 75 by Christmas and 120 by my 1 year. He also said that some patients will lose 20 pounds a month for the 1st 3 months and then slow to 10-15 pounds a month for the next 3 and then could slow to 5 a month. EVERYONE is different!! But this does give you some Idea. * I have only lost 15 pounds in the last 2 months :( BUT I have lost 115 pounds in only 8 months :) (Remember the BIG PICTURE !!) Are you part of a support group? Exercise is very important, but at first will cause you not to lose anyweight. I live in Jacksonville also...if you ever need to talk just email me [email protected]
   — Sharon H.

January 13, 2003
I HAVE TRIED BOOST PROTEIN DRINK FOUND IN THE PHARMACY DEPT. IT IS GREAT. THE VANILLA TASTE LIKE A VANILLA SHAKE WHEN YOU DRINK IT VERY COLD. IT ALSO COMES IN STRAWBERRY AND CHOCOLATE.
   — PAMELA B.

January 14, 2003
Well, then you are just going to have to plan to be "shocked, disappointed and frustrated" a few more times over the next year as I hate to break it to ya, but plateaus happen. Please go to the history portion of this web site to look up plateaus and read away. We all get them and they last varying amounts of time. Just keep doing what you know is right: lots of protein, low or no carb and sugars, lots of water, no drinking right before and right after eating, vitamins and exercise. The plateau will go away and you'll start dropping again.
   — Cindy R.

February 9, 2003
I became lactose intolerant after surgery. I am getting used to "Dairy Ease" by Land O Lakes. I mix it with Protein 95 from GNC (choc/van/straw/banana) I drink a banana shake every morning which is 32 grams of protein total. It's okay and it does kick start the day for me. I too am at a plateau, 6 lbs for a whole month!!! yuck.
   — Trisha W.