I am 16 days post op. I lost 10 pounds in the two days prior to and 5 days after surgery and now I'm stuck. The scale won't budge one centimeter. It has been 11 days with absolutely no loss. I'm no longer swollen, I'm eating very small amounts of Protein and still doing a shake each day to get the 60-80 grams in. I AM NOT cheating with any foods. I am eating turkey, tomato Soup, chicken breast, tuna, tofu, light cheese and hard boiled eggs. I estimate that I am eating maybe 700-900 calories a day. I think my body is in starvation mode and wants to retain every little bit of energy I put into it. Should I throw in another 200-300 calories to give my body a break?

I realize that this is a slow process, not something I need to rush. My thoughs are this-if I am putting about 1/4 of the calories into my body than I used to, then physically my body has to be using fat for enegry. My shorts and pants are loose which I know is true fat loss and not just fluids. I get that your body does weird things like shed fat, but not pounds just to annoy us. I'd love to hear from those of you further along this process. At what point did you really start to see the scale move at a decent pace?

Hi! First of all, congrats on being banded! You are off to a great start! Keep in mind that you cannot compare your experience to anyone elses... this is YOUR experience.

Having surgery put your body into a state of shock, it sounds like you're doing everything right. Are you exercising? I started very slow, walking and increasing as I felt stronger. Exercise is key, even in small amounts.

Everyone is going to lose at a different pace because our bodies are different.

Try not to weigh yourself everyday, its not going to do anything but make you feel discouraged. If you're playing by the rules and getting adequate exercise, the weight will come off- just be patient, and stay positive!

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm not known for my patience! I was hoping for even a pound or two down just to give me that extra bit of hope. I feel tired all the time and I know my body is lacking in something to keep me alert, but I don't know what to do. I'm taking vitamins, B supplements, calcium and I'm very hydrated. I would think that my body would be content and was to get rid of some more fat, but alas it does not. I guess it's hard to evict a long time resident. I suppose I need to focus on my mid range goal of another 25 pounds by Christmas Day when we leave for a week of skiing and I have to fit into a new pair of ski pants that I bought a size too small. That is my main focus. My old ski pants aren't flattering, the new ones make my ass look good! Now if they'd just fit around my waist. Perspective- keep everything in perspective. I think I'll go out and get a manicure and go shopping today. I'm treating myself for the past two weeks that I have done well. I did lose 11 pounds after all. Better than gaining.

I wouldn't leap to eating more just yet. Rebecca's right; the body takes time to regroup.

If your stall lasts long-term, journaling your intake and tweaking it might be a good idea. It might not be that you need more calories, but rather that you need to focus on other aspects--more Protein, less refined carb, less sodium, whatever; if you have a journal, you can sort of systematically tackle different aspects until you hit on what works best for your body.

Your loss so far has been really good. Be sure to keep your expectations aligned with what is realistic.

Dose anyone still have slava in there mouth when they try to eat/