Question:
These plateaus are really getting me down. Please help however you can.

I am 3 months post-op (open RNY proximal). I've managed to lose 48# within those three months, but I feel like I've had to stuggle to lose every ounce of those 48#. I lose weight for about a week (6-10 pounds) and then plateau for 2 weeks (or better) All in all, I've spent about 7 out of the past 13 weeks "plateau-ing". This pattern shows me that I'm a "chunk" loser, but it's really starting to get me down. I'm up and excited when I see the scale moving, but those old feelings of doubt and failure come flooding back big time during these plateaus. I try to watch my calories, get all my water in everyday and continue to increase my exercise and when I begin to feel "full" when eating, I stop, so I still feel that my surgery is still intact. My weight fluxuates as much as 4-5 lbs sometimes which probably indicates that I'm retaining water, but as much as I try to rationalize and accept this pattern, I'm really getting depressed. I weigh 4# more today than I did last week when I weighed in at my surgeon's office. I know I'm only 3 months post, but I still have 100# to lose and now that I'm beyond the initial 3 month window, my weight loss is expected to slow down (oh, good). Please give me some words of encouragement and advice. Thanks so much for all your caring and sharing. I really appreciate you all.    — [Anonymous] (posted on June 8, 2000)

June 8, 2000
Increase your protein, water, and exercise. Also, consider not weighing yourself so often. Just do it once or twice a month. And be sure to take measurement every month. You will see that even if you are not losing pounds, you are losing inches. Hang in there!!!!!!!!!
   — Paula G.

June 8, 2000
Boy, do I know what you're talking about. I'm also 3 months post op and have lost 52 lbs and as you stated I've had to struggle with each and every pound. It's not as easy for me as it is for alot of the other post ops and I too get that sense of failure when I don't lose any weight. I exercise everyday, drink my water, and count my calories, and get my protein in, but it's not enough. Although I don't have any words of encouragement for you I wanted you to know that you're not alone.
   — [Anonymous]

June 8, 2000
You are not alone. I am 3 1/2 months post-op and have lost 40 lb. I only weigh when I go to the doctor's for the support group sessions. I experienced my first plateau between the last two sessions (about 2 1/2 weeks apart). I weighed exactly the same on Tuesday as I did 2 1/2 weeks before. I could hardly believe it considering what and how much I am eating. I've been losing slowly (compared to a lot of other people anyway) and then to see a plateau was discouraging. But, I think everyone hits a plateau sooner or later. I keep telling myself that if I just continue to eat right, I have to lose the weight. I think the suggestion to not weight yourself so often is a good one. Focus on eating right, drinking the water and excersizing.
   — Gina E.

June 8, 2000
You didn't say how much water you are getting in? More than 64 oz? You also didn't say how much protein supplement you're taking. More than 60g per day? These two are SO critical to keeping your body humming along thinking you are still getting PLENTY of everything on board. You've just got to keep it from ever thinking it's in starvation mode. Protein & water are the best ways to do it. Of course, you are avoiding milk & sugar; not grazing; not drinking with meals?
   — vitalady

June 8, 2000
I believe if you stay off the scale and increase you exercise and water intake you may notice a difference. I know I've lost weight when I can get back into some old jeans i stop wearing because I couldn't wear them any more. You could be losing inches.
   — Sharon T.

June 9, 2000
I wanted to thank you for posting this question. You are definitely not alone. I know that hearing about some people's tremendous weight losses makes you feel down, I just find that I cannot compare myself with others like them. I am 9 weeks post op and have lost 32 pounds. But then again, I only started at 275. I've discovered that many people who start light : ) like me tend to lose much slower than those who start by weighing 350 or more. And, the ladies who posted to you before me had some great suggestions for you and me. Best wishes.
   — Cindy H.

June 9, 2000
All of the other advice is very good. One more thing that I have done is to make a chart. I only record the weight from my own scales. I weigh at the same time wearing the same clothes...in my case not many :o) I only do it once a week and then record on a graph chart what it was. I seem to lose in chunks too and it can be discouraging when the scales seem to stand still for such a long time. It helps me to see the graph chart and to notice a pattern. I see that it is time for a plateau so I don't get nearly discouraged. It also helps me to not get spoiled by the sudden surges of loss then a few weeks later. It will all even out in the end.
   — S S.