Question:
In the first 3 weeks I have lost 30lbs., but haven't even lost a lb. in the 4th??

Is this normal, I eat 3 meals a day each constisting of 1/4 a cup of food. I have been eating cottage cheese, eggs, beans, low fat cheese. If anyone has a suggestion or knows if this is just normal, I would appreciate any feed back. Thanks    — Denise B. (posted on August 18, 2001)

August 18, 2001
That's a great weight loss for the first 3 weeks! Don't fret....you're just having one of several (or many) plateau periods. I experienced my first one at exactly the same time in my post-op course. These plateaus are periods of time in which the body just needs to "balance" itself after such a rapid weight loss. Sometimes they last days and sometimes they last weeks, but remember that even when the pounds don't seem to be moving, the inches are. Just stick to your post-op diet regimen, get adequate protein, drink as much water as you can, and increase your exercise as you are able, and you'll see those pounds starting to come off again. Remember that when this happens, you're not doing anything wrong, it's just your body trying to "correct" what it perceives as a "crisis". After all, at what other time in our lives have we lost weight this rapidly and kept it off? :-) Good luck!
   — Diana T.

August 20, 2001
Denise---I just had to post an answer here, because you sound like I did just two weeks ago. Let me start by saying that I don't weigh myself. I only get weighed when I go to see my surgeon or before my support group meeting. This way it is one consistent scale, and also this way I don't worry about each little pound, but instead focus on the big picture of feeling better and looking better. Anyway, at my one month appointment I had lost 46 lbs. Wow! I couldn't even believe it. I had them weigh me again. Then, my next appointment was exactly 3 weeks later....and ONLY 10 pounds!!! My doctor kind of laughed at me for complaining....hey 56 pounds in two months can't be done any other way. But still, I was in this funk. Trying to come up with excuses, like that I was retaining water because of my "friend", etc. Then, exactly 7 days later I had a support group meeting. I weighed myself AND.....14 pounds in one week! I experienced my first plateau at one month. So don't fear. Don't give up. Just keep eating your protein, drinking your water, and exercise. It'll start again soon!
   — Tracy L.