Question:
I feel depressed about slowing weight loss. What should I do?

Overall, I'm really happy with the surgery I had a year ago. I've gone from 330 pounds to 250, but for the past several months, I've leveled out. I'm only 5'5." I hear all about others getting all the way down to average BMIs but not me. Why?    — Sue T. (posted on October 24, 1998)

November 8, 1998
Which procedure did you have? Did your MD want you to stay away from certain foods, such as milk & sugar? And did you? Were you to be on any supplements? And did you? Generally, with most WLS, increasing your protein (if it's low in sugar, etc) and keeping your water intake up will float you off your plateau. We hear that folks tend to plateau wherever they spent a long time before. Were you stuck here before for awhile? Don't be discouraged! Stay nourished and WET!
   — vitalady

November 19, 1998
If you weight loss has slowed down and you are in the first 18 months post surgically you should evaluate your situation systematically. Are you staying within recommended daily caloric guidelines (600-900 calories a day and no more?). Are you exercising at least 3 times a week and preferably 5 times or more? (Exercise is absoulutely essential for making this surgery work short term and long term.) Are you eating a high protein, low glycemic carb and no added fat diet? (A diet high in protein and with low calorie carbs (vegetables) is best for weight loss. No sugar. No sweet drinks especially.). Are you drinking water? 1/2 gallon or more a day is recommended, more in hot weather and after exercise. Do you take any supplements? (I recommend Calcium Pyruvate, Chromium, Co Enzyme Q10, L-Carnitine and DHEA for men)... If you have reviewed all these factors and you are being 100% compliant then relax...temporary plateaus are normal and you will resume losing weight soon. Good luck.
   — Bill H.

March 3, 1999
I had GBP one year ago and just attended a special "rules for life" meeting from my doctors office where a bunch of us "yearlies" met and discussed what we were doing, losing etc. I received some excellent handout that i would be happy to mail, fax, or email you. Also, I have been on a plateau for about 3 months. Since the meeting I have realistically evaluated my situation and there are things that i must do to KEEP going such as WATER, WATER, WATER, No carb until you are at Goal,and you MUST exercise! Good luch, feel free to email me - [email protected]
   — Lisa S.

June 5, 1999
I had surgery 8/96. I had lost about 230 pounds in the first two years. Still want to lose 70 more but I'm at a standstill. I do exercise regularly but still the pounds won't move. The Drs. say that this is normal. It doesn't make me happy but I have to stop and be thankful for the weight I have lost. When I go in for my checkups they always ask me if I am eating at 1200 calories a day. They can't stress it enough that I stay at that amount. Anything lower and the body believes you are starving itself and will store whatever calories you do intake for your body to prepare for starvation. So I try to get that amount in. I think that it is also very important that we try to accept our body size. We didn't put the weight on over night and it won't come off over night. Be patient.
   — Jo Ann A.