Question:
Show of hands please...re: breaking the 200# mark.

It seems that a number of wls-ers have had their weight loss "stall" just at or around the 200# mark. I had my open RNY last March and have lost approx 93#. Plateaus have plagued me from my first month post-op but I'm working on a 6 week plateau now that really has me stymied. I'm right at the 200# mark and my weight flucuates anywhere between 198 - 208#. I know I have alot of water retention but I'm doing much better at getting all my water in these days and I'm also exercising (aerobic type) more too. My caloric consumption stays pretty much the same (1000-1200 daily) and I am still conscious of getting most of my protein in everyday too. Any suggestions or comments on how other wls-ers have handled this? I keep battling the "is this all there is?" syndrome. My surgeon has set my goal weight at 137#...my personal goal is nearer to 155#. Either way, I've still got a ways to go. Thanks. cj    — cj T. (posted on November 20, 2000)

November 20, 2000
cj, I don't have an answer for you as I'm a bit behind you, but I'm sure interested in seeing the responses to your question. I finally made it under 220. whew! That was a hard one for me. I really stalled for awhile at 227-228#, but now seem to be moving downward again. I am not looking forward to another stall before hitting 200#! I cut back on my calories to try to get things moving again. I'm trying to stay under 1000 calories a day & have upped my exercise. I think that may have been what got things moving again...or maybe it was just a coincidence...? The last time I weighed less than 220# was in about 1978. I am having a BALL!!!! My surgery was in April & I've lost 131#! Yippee! All the best of luck to you & I WILL be watching to see how you progress! :) I hope we both get some good answers to your question, thanks for asking it! :)
   — Kathy W.

November 20, 2000
CJ....although I had the BPD/DS, I would assume that plateaus plague us all sooner or later. I started at 280 and at 200 just seemed to stall there for quite awhile. All of a sudden though, the weight just seemed to melt off again very very quickly and then I stalled again at 152 for 8 weeks or so...then again, quickly, I lost another 40 pounds within 6 weeks and then it all stopped thank goodness. I have now stabilized at around 119 and haven't even had a problem with weight gain at all nor with anymore loss. sometimes I am down to 115 and sometimes I am up to 125. Just depends on the time of month. Hang in there, because I am sure that your body is not through with you yet although I know that it's discouraging to not see a loss. Wait another 3 weeks and don't weigh yourself at all during that time. I just said to heck with it and if that is all I will lose then so be it. My body finally said, okay okay I will let you lose some more because you have been so patient. Give it time and good luck, Barb
   — Barbara H.

November 20, 2000
I had a hard time breaking the 200 mark . From about 205 I lost a pound a week then got stuck for a few weeks at about 202 . Once I broke 200 I flew through the next 10 , so this morning i weighed in at 189. We will see what happens next. I try to keep a positive attitude , and I am basically happy with any weightloss I can get. At least I'm not 278 any more , and never will be again. Thank you God!
   — Rose A.

November 20, 2000
Hi CJ! I will pass on something I heard from Al M in the chat room- it helped me break a plateau- Al said his surgeon suggested this: go back to clear liquids for 4 days, full liquids for 4 more days, and then pureed for 4 days. This will help you shrink your stoma a little and give the weightloss a kick- it did me! Good luck!
   — M B.

November 21, 2000
Hi CJ! You are doing great, but I wonder why you are having a 10 pound fluctuation in your weight. Do you weigh at the same time of the day? I find that I must always weigh first thing in the morning to be consistent and also find my lowest weight. Someone else told me that I might stay at the 200 mark for awhile, but I zoomed right on by. I don't think I ever eat 1200 calories a day though - closer to 900. Sounds like you are doing right on water and exercise -- I'm not doing much on extra exercise, but I try. Best wishes.
   — Cindy H.

May 24, 2001
THROW OUT THE SCALE!!!! GO BY YOUR MEASURMENTS! I HATE MY SCALE...IT SAYS I HAVE BEEN THE SAME WEIGHT FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS...BUT MY CLOTHES JUST KEEP GETTING BIGGER AND BIGGER ON ME...WEIGH YOURSELF ONCE A MONTH IF YOU MUST!
   — ginariso