Question:
It has been 4 weeks and not lost one pound. What do I do and why is this happening?

I had my surgery on August 26, 2002 and the first two weeks lost 30lbs. The next week I only lost 2lbs and nothing since. I have at least 50 grams of protein and mainly eat protein foods. I drink at least 50 ounce of water a day, as well. What am I doing wrong. When I went to see my doctor on October 1st his scale said I only lost 24lbs and he tells me its good and says see you in 2 months.    — amuseall (posted on October 8, 2002)

October 8, 2002
Hi there... I have a friend who had her WLS about the same time as you and experienced the SAME EXACT thing! Her scale didn't budge for about one month. She was doing everything she was supposed to be doing, also! It was very frustrating for her too. Basically her body went into starvation mode. It didn't want to release any weight. Finally after about four weeks of not losing any weight, she is losing about a pound a day. Have no fear! Keep drinking your water, eating your protein and walking your little buns off. Your surgery WILL work!! Don't despair!!! In a month or so, you will look back and smile because you got through a major plateau! Hang in there!!!!! Hugs, Kathie (in Hawaii).....
   — KathieInHawaii

October 8, 2002
Allison, I know how you feel!! I had open RNY on Sept. 3rd and lost 25 pounds right away in the first 3 weeks and now nothing!! I had some set backs with eating and am just finishing up with pureed foods and started soft AGAIN. Spent Monday throwing up, so only did liquid today. Still NOTHING on that dang scale! Funny thing is, when I lost the 25 lbs, you couldn't really tell, but now that the scale isn't budging, you can see that I've lost some weight?? Weird. Good luck to you and I hope that soon the scale will be moving for both of us again!
   — Terri Z.

October 8, 2002
I had my surgery 8/15/2002. After losing 51.5 pounds I've been on a 2 week plateau that I think is just starting to break. So I guess we just have to gather our patience, stay off the scale so much and just keep doing the water, protein and exercise. They willpay off in results in time--just not overnight like most of us would like.
   — Cathy S.

October 8, 2002
Allison, I'm frustrating right alongside you! I've been CRUISING, and am down 67 pounds in 10 weeks. This week, though, I've lost practically nothing, and for no good reason at all, the scale went UP half a pound today. I don't get periods (had a hysterectomy) so I can't even blame that. I'm walking (probably should start aerobics or something, but haven't yet), getting in my water, and trying and trying to get my protein in. That's my biggest trouble--seems the more protein I manage to get, the more other stuff (carbs and fat) come along with it. I wind up with a bigger percentage (per fitday.com) of carbs than anything else. But I've been reading these posts long enough to know you have to hang in there--I'll be hanging, too; and hopefully, all of us will fall off the plateau soon!
   — AmyL

October 8, 2002
I can totally relate to you! I had my open RNY on august, 28, 2002 and the first two weeks, lost 13lbs. The next week, I had lost another 7 but, then it all came to a screeching halt. I, like you, was eating properly, drinking properly and excersizing on a steady schedule. For 2.5 weeks, that scale did NOT budge and yes, i got VERY frustrated!! BUT!! This past weekend, my plateau broke and I lost 7 pounds in a weekend!! It will pass, I promise you! If it's any help, my surgeon said typically people who plateau at 3 weeks, have a less chance of plateauing at 3 months. I don't think your doing anything wrong at all. Just a good old fashioned plateau. Be patient and try not to worry too much (lol...i should follow my own advice!). Good luck...HUGS! 338/305
   — Christie N.

October 8, 2002
Did you folks take your measurments before surgery? During alot of plateaus, you will lose inches, even though the scale is not moving. Are you working out? Building muscle? Muscle weighs more than fat. Ditto what the other posters said about being patient. It WILL happen, some of us lose slower than others! Keep up the good work of protein first, water, and moving! Stacy (lap RNY 8/14/02 -50#)
   — Stacy C.

October 9, 2002
There is something called a hibernation state that hits at about 3-4 weeks out for many people. Your body has just realized that it is not getting fed the way it used to, so it begins to hoard food. Just keep eating your protein, drinking your water and walking, and it will soon wake up and you'll start losing again!!
   — Carla B.

October 9, 2002
Thank you so much for posting this! I am just over 4 weeks out and haven't lost anything in almost a week. I have only lost 22 lbs since surgery. I am eatng so few calories, I just couldn't understand the standstill. I will just keep up what I am doing or better! More water and protein. I have stayed away from a lot of carbs or sweets, so I just know it has to improve. <br>Best of luck! And, again, thanks for posting this.
   — Helenjean P.