Question:
I'm 4 wks post op and have not lost any weight this week. Is that normal?

I had the Silastic Ring Vertical Gastroplasty procedure and haven't had ANY problems (i.e., vomiting, dumping, etc.) but I've noticed I can eat more than I did last week (keep in mind it's still only 1 - 2 ounces at a time) but I haven't lost any weight this week. I go for my six-week follow-up in 2 weeks, but called my surgeon. His assistant said I may have reached a plateau. Has anyone else encountered this or am I being paranoid?    — Keisha L. (posted on July 5, 2001)

July 5, 2001
I had RNY surgery, but experienced my first plateau at 3 weeks post-op and hit one at least once a month after that. Some patients are much more fortunate and only have plateau periods every few months. Although it was very frustrating and a little frightening at first (I was absolutely certain each time that the surgery wasn't going to work or that I had lost all the weight I was ever going to lose), the plateaus were a great "learning experience" for me. I learned to trust the surgery....I learned that even when the pounds don't come off, the inches do...I learned that I was a happier and more mentally stable individual when I stopped obsessing about the scales and weighed only once a month (then I was pleasantly surprised each time I weighed instead of feeling crazy). I was also a fairly slow loser in comparison to my daughter who had had her RNY 2 months before, so I had to also learn not to compare my weight loss with that of others. I am now 15 months post-op, have lost 140 lbs. and am only 10 pounds from goal. Stick faithfully to your post-op instructions, and try not to be too anxious through these normal and expected plateau periods. They will pass and you will continue on your journey to a whole new life:-)
   — Diana T.

July 6, 2001
Hi there!! I had the VBG on November 14, 2000 and have lost 110 lbs so far with 5 more to go. Keep in mind that for weeks after surgery the pouch and area will be raw and very swollen. The amount you are eating is normal and is expected to increase as the swelling goes down and the pouch stretches to the expected 4-6 oz final size. As an almost 8 mo post-op I am still only in the 3-4 oz of food that I'm able to comfortably eat. I don't push it and have only felt pain of fullness, I mean uncomfortable full, twice and I've never vomitted or had a blockage yet. I had my first plateau at 3 weeks post and even gained 3 lbs. This happened on my period and lasted for roughly 3 weeks until it broke and I started losing again. Since then I have had regular plateau's lasting anywhere from 1 wk to the longest at 5 wks. I DID notice that inches were coming down and my surgeon said this was called a "psuedo plateau" meaning since the inches come off and clothes get bigger it's not a real stall. Take heart that as long as you are following the rules you are doing what you must. Keep your water intake HIGH and keep the protein coming....a VBG'er needs protein FIRST and foremost as do all other WLS procedures. Relax, put away the scales and concentrate on healing...you are at the point of post-op where depression and tiredness will hit hard before you bounce back some more. HUGS to you and contact me any time. A friend,
   — Jo C.

July 8, 2001
Same thing has happened to me. I'm 4 wks post-op and haven't lost any in the last week. It's just the body playing catch up. The body says "Woah, wait, you're starving me" and holds on to what it's got. Don't worry the weight will come off. This happened to my sister and others I've heard of too. It may happen every so often so dont' worry. If you have a real plateau for several weeks, then up your protein, water and exersize.
   — [Deactivated Member]