Question:
I am 6 months post op and scales haven't budged in weeks!

Don't want to beat a dead horse but I am really worried about this. I am 6 months post op and have lost 91 pounds. My weight has not budged for weeks. It actually fluctuates by a pound or two every week. I am down to 170 and would really like to lose another 30-35 pounds. I know the things I should be doing like protein/water excercising and I am. I feel like maybe my weight is stabilizing a bit and I am not ready for that! I've read so many times that weightloss should stop 12-18 months out. Is this true for everyone or am I just one of those weird cases? I really am worried about this just need some advice. Thanks a bunch in advance.    — kristen H. (posted on March 12, 2002)

March 12, 2002
According to the doctors, you are already a success, since you have lost 65-80% of your excess weight. The surgery does not promise more than that ... and sometimes it takes amazing diligence to achieve a perfectly skinny body after WLS. The biggest weight loss occurs in the first six months, and it is very slow after that. I'm sure, since you did this surgery for the right reasons (health) and not the wrong reasons (vanity), you are THRILLED with your success. 170 lbs. is great! My goal is 190 lbs., and if I achieve that (50 lbs. to go), I will consider this surgery a rousing success, since that will put me in the "slightly overweight" category rather than the "morbidly obese" category. Keep in mind, too, that you are going to weigh a little more, just because you were MO. This increases the bone density and makes a person weigh more. So at 170 lbs., you are probably wearing the same sizes as a 150 lb. person who has never been MO. Make sense? Good luck and keep your chin up!
   — Terissa R.

March 12, 2002
Hey, great! It is just a plateau. Don't get bent out of shape. I about lost my mind when the scales stopped for three months! I asked for advice and people responded with "more protein" or "more water" or "more exercise." I had already started jogging for 1 mile and if that wasn't enough, then I just couldn't lose any more weight. Finally after 5 weeks of jogging, it started up again! YippY! Just go and look at the BMI calculater. It has a schedule of how much weight you could lose and by what month this could possibly happen. It seemed that by the schedule I was way ahead of it and it took my body a few months to catch up with it. I am now at a plateau again, but this time I am not going to worry about it. I can't do any more than what I am already doing. By the way, I did have this surgery for health, but also for vanity. The more weight I lose the more I want to do to lose it. For the first time in my life, I can feel good about how I look. I have never been able to do anything athletic. Now, I participate in our church sports. If the reason to be healthy is vanity, so what. It helped me to get out there and do all I could to use up this new found excess energy. If you can't do anything to change it, "worrying" can't change it either. Give it to God. He knows what is best for you anyway. He already blessed you with this surgery.
   — Stephanie N.

March 12, 2002
I am 6 months out as well and have been on a plateau for a month and two weeks. I talked to my doctor and he knows I exercise almost everyday, drink about 2.5 liters of water a day and my protein supplement was around 65-70 grams a day. What I discovered that Iam adding fat to my diet through condiments and salad dressing and sabotaging myself. I am not counting fat grams and trying to eat healthier. I will let you know if I get off this damnable plataue.. Something you might want to think about is what you are putting into your body. Yes, we are eating less, but we need to watch out for the hidden enemy. FAT....
   — Celtic B.

April 17, 2002
I have only lost 80 pounds. I am 9 months post op and have been at around 155lbs for 2 months. I am only 5 feet tall, and 110 pounds is my goal weight, but I don't think I'll every see it. I am actually considering dieting, you know push the water, eat less, exercize like crazy... But is that REALLY what I should do, or should I accept "me" at 155?
   — HILLARY C.

December 21, 2002
I am 6 months post op as of December 20th. According to my scales my weight fluctates between 170-172 Weight loss this past month has appeared to be none as the scale will go up 1# down 1# very discouraging to me. I too often feel and wonder..... IS THIS IT? Do not get me wrong, any and all improvements that have occurred I am happy for. If I had to do this over again, I would in a heart beat! One of the best things I've done for myself. Why the slow progress? I dunno.....
   — Alley Z.

December 26, 2004
URGH! I too am 6 months po. I have lost 123 lbs now. But for the last month have not lost a thing and fluctuated about 4 lbs. I knew a plateau was expected but even now I am discouraged a little and feeling guilty. I have read all the replies here and am going to take them into consideration. I have been eating regular french dressing and different things that are not good so that could do it. Anywho, I wish you the best! At least we are not as big as we were!!!!!!! HUG
   — monileigh