Question:
Post-Ops- I'm in dire need of encouragment about plateaus...

Yea, I know that practically everyone hits those horrible plateaus- I've had my share and am only 6 months post-op. My question is- is it normal to be only this far out and have had 4 now that lasted for several weeks? I'm just getting annoyed because I am only 3 pounds away from being under 200 pounds, a place I have not been since age 16. I have already lost 119 pounds and am so thrilled over it- but worried that I won't reach my goal of 160/165. I can't believe I am even posting this because there are always the very concern posted and I know what will be said. Guess I just need some encouragment. My starting weight was 321 and I am 5'5- I now weigh 202. Thanks for any comments.    — karmiausnic (posted on March 26, 2003)

March 26, 2003
You have lost 119 pounds in 6 months!!!! That is awesome!!!! How often do you weigh yourself? I am betting it is more than once a week. If you only weighed once a month I would bet that you would never know that you had been on a plateau. You have lost 20 pounds per month on average which totally kicks butt! Unfortunately we have hormones working against us as I hear that many women have the same experience, losing only at certain times a month. I think that you are just very close to goal in a very short period of time and feeling the usual WLS paranoia that we all feel when we don't lose for even a day sometimes. YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!!!! You will have many who will read about and envy your progress!
   — Carol S.

March 26, 2003
At month 4 I realized that I only lost weight a couple days before my period started. I would lose nothing for 3 weeks then a day before my cycle, would see the scale move. Then when the period was over I'd have lost 10 pounds. A plateau really isn't a plateau unless you've gone more than 6 weeks with no weight loss. Anything less than that and it's just your body adjusting. I started at 324 and am 5'6 and now weigh 154. I thought I'd be a slow loser too and I guess I was compared to others that I'd seen. But I still got to my goal in 18 months and that's really all that matters. You'll be fine. As a matter of fact, you're moving faster than I did. I had lost "only" 90 pounds at 6 months. I didn't hit the 100 pound mark til month 7. It's all relative. Relax. Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.

March 27, 2003
Karen, considering that you say that you have had 4 plateaus that have lasted several weeks each in length, I am floored that you have lost 119 in just six months. That is incredibly fast. You must be doing something right. I wouldn't be concerned at all. Your body just needs the time to adjust to its new weight before it moves on again. I know your eager to get below 200 and you will! I felt that way every time the scale droped another 10- out of the 200s, 190s, 180s, etc...also keep in mind that your loss will slow down but will continue for another year! You'll defintely make your goal...
   — Cindy R.

March 27, 2003
Karen- don't ever be sorry for posting something. yes some people get frustrated when others post questions we've heard. But then they don't have to answer them, right! And every question is our own personal experience, so we want personal answers. But, I wanted to tell you not to get upset or discouraged. I probably have had a plateau that lasts 1-2 weeks every single month since my surgery in MAY 2002. I am not exaggerating- had about 11 plateaus so far, and you know what? I am still only 5 lbs. away from my goal. So despite our bodies being weird and having to catch up, they still eventually get there. My original goal was to be 150 (at 5'2") once I got close, I changed it to 140, now my goal is to be 130, and I will be happy with that (even though I was still happy at 150). But my weight loss has exceeded my expectations, and they probably will for you as well. You will get to 165 and will look great! You have lost a large amount of weight in a small time- something to be proud of, although I'm sure you are. You will get there- it's all part of the process! Congrats and goodluck to you :-)
   — Lezlie Y.