Question:
Why have I gained back already??

I'm just hitting the two weeks mark tomorrow, and I've already gained back three of the thirteen pounds I'd lost. I've tried increasing my water, but it hasn't helped. I started out at 221 the day of surgery. I was so excited, but now I'm at the stage of questioning this surgery. I know there are plateaus, but at two weeks, this seems a little ridiculous. Anyone else experience this? How do I jump start the loss? I'm presently on sugar free drinks, pudding, cream soups with Lactaid milk for protein, etc. If liquids aren't doing it, I'm afraid of what will happen when I go on solids. Thanks.    — Amy K. (posted on April 3, 2001)

April 3, 2001
Quit worrying you might be up because of water gain I started platueing in the first few weeks also and right before my period i gain weight I went up 12 lbs over night once blew me away..because at that time i doubt i was taking in 200 calories a day I lost this plus in 2 days relax .......... drink your water walk your 2 miles perday take your vitamens drink your protien drink follow you doctors orders Kathy Open RNY distal 11-1-00 -72 pounds feeling fantastic
   — Kathleen M.

April 3, 2001
As an early and frequent plateau-er I can tell you it will pass. I tried everything under the sun and the only thing that helped was time. Just relax and enjoy losing inches. I would get so upset everytime someone told me that, but those were words of wisdom. Everyone loses differently - I lose for one week and then plateau for 2 - wonderful huh? And my first plateau was at 2 weeks, it was very depressing, but thats what my body chooses. It will come off.
   — Anna B.

April 3, 2001
Gosh it could be many things.. are you close to your period, retaining waters etc? Have you checked your caloric intake? Are you staying within the calorie intake? I have a feeling it will pass pretty soon.. seems many people have fluctions in the beginning such as this.. think about some of the above.. talk w/ the Dr if you want.. and if there is nothing that you can fix/change or that you are doing wrong.. just be persistent. It will pay off.
   — Dawn R.

April 3, 2001
THIS IS WHAT MY SURGEON TOLD ME. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR WEIGHT AT THE SAME SPEED AS YOU GAINED IT ... AND IN MY CASE ... HE WAS RIGHT ON. I GAINED THE LAST HUNDRED POUNDS I HAD BEFORE SURGERY IN A 10 MONTH PERIOD AND I LOST THE FIRST HUNDRED POUNDS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY. I LOST 45 POUNDS IN THE FIRST MONTH... PLATEAUED FOR 3 WEEKS AND THEN LOST 55 POUNDS OVER A 9 MONTH PERIOD. I STARTED AT 389 POUNDS AND I HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 170 POUNDS SO FAR. SURGERY WAS FEB. 23, 2000. WENT FROM AN EXTREMELY TIGHT SIZE 34 JEANS TO A VERY LOOSE SIZE 18 NOW. IF I NEVER LOST ANOTHER POUND, I WILL STILL BE HAPPY WITH MY DECISION TO HAVE THIS SURGERY. I BELIEVE IN MY HEART THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD BY NOW IF NOT FOR THIS SURGERY. I AM ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES. MY DOCTOR IS ONE OF THE BEST. HE IS HEAD OF HIS DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA SHANDS HOSPITAL, GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA. A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE CARING DOCTOR WHO IS VERY PRECISE WITH HIS WORK AND KEEPS ALL HIS PATIENTS NEAR AND DEAR TO HIM. HE IS ONLY A PHONE CALL AND EMAIL AWAY. IN MY CASE, SINCE HE IS 2 HOURS AWAY FROM ME, HIS STANDING ORDER IS FOR ME TO GO SEE HIM ANY CLINIC DAY WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A PRIOR APPOINTMENT IF THE NEED ARISES. PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF. YOU ARE GOING THRU SOME MAJOR CHANGES AND ADJUSTMENTS. AFTER ALL... YOU DID NOT GAIN ALL THAT WEIGHT OVERNITE AND YOUR BODY NEEDS A CHANCE TO RECOVER FROM THE INITIAL SURGICAL TRAUMA TOO. BE GOOD TO YOURSELF AND THE REST WILL COME... AND YOU WILL BE SO HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS. IN THE MEANTIME... THIS SITE HAS SOME VERY CARING PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY WILLING TO LEND A SHOULDER TO CRY ON... AND SOME GREAT LISTENERS RESIDE HERE ON ANY GIVEN MOMENT. MAY THE LORD GIVE YOU PEACE AND IF I CAN HELP IN ANYWAY...I AM ([email protected]) WRITE ME...I AM JUST A CLICK AWAY.........
   — TERRY L.

April 3, 2001
Hi Amy, you are doing fine. I lost 50 lbs of water weight in the hospital in a matter of 10 days. I weighed a few weeks later and gained back something like 20 lbs. Hold tight, everything will start turning around for you soon. Your body is still trying to recover from the shock of surgery.
   — Jan M.

October 17, 2001
Amy, I too, have had times where I gained. It's always up 3 lbs for me. This has happened 3 times in the 5 mos. since my surgery. Still I have lost 74 lbs total. Try to do what seems impossible. That is to only get on those scales on Saturday morning or whatever day works for you, but only once a week. Remember too, your body sometimes will show more weight loss than the scales and sometimes the scales will say more is lost than you can see in your mirror or in your clothes. For me, I lose a few then shrink a size then lose a few more. Over all I am only losing about 10-14 lbs a month. I started our at 247 and am now at 173. When I look at that, it seems like a real miracle and I forget all about discouragement. Also, get a tape measure and take measurements of your bust, waist, hips, thigh and arm. Take them only once a month. I was very discouraged the last time I went up 3 lbs. only to find out that I have lost a total of 27 inches; 11 just in my hips! Don't give up or get discouraged. This works! It's just soemthing that takes work on your part to accept and ride out the drastic changes your body is going through. By the way, exercise is great for doing something to make you feel like you are doing something positive for yourself and walking is something you can do from the time you first get out of that hospital bed. And it really works!
   — Teri D.

October 17, 2001
The weight that is bouncing you up the scale is water weight, I would bet. I do the same thing with the same five pounds.. For me, I am sensitive to salt and when I have a bad salt day I gain.. when I flush it out, I loose that same five pounds over and over. (ok so I am plateaued at 11 months for five weeks). My suggestion to you is to watch the sodium and drink and drink and DRINK MORE. It will come off and You are doing great.
   — blank first name B.