A plateau at 3 weeks out? What gives?

[ChefEm624 2]

Hey all,

I was just wondering what in the heck is going on with me. My scale has been stuck for a solid week or even up a pound on various days. I'm at around 600 calories now, because I was only managing about 350 for the first two weeks post-op and I ended up fainting at work. But is this the punishment for eating slightly more? It's still so little. Did I just bankrupt my family and throw my life into upheaval (self-pay surgery) to lose a measly 20 pounds and that's it?

Please advise, please share... I'm pretty down at this point.

Many thanks,

Em

[JoiaRox 430]

Em - Over and over I see people talking about stalls early (and throughout) the journey. 3 weeks out seems to be a VERY common stall around here. Keep doing what you're supposed to be doing (hydrate, Protein, multivitamins) and the scale WILL go down eventually! Have you measured your body parts? It's crazy, but sometimes we lose inches rather than pounds. Your body is recovering from two major shocks to your system (surgery & calorie reduction), but you will make it! Just keep breathing and following the rules - you'll be rewarded for your efforts

[Kelsan 117]

I'm at the same point myself Chef. I lost about 25lbs the first three weeks and now, two weeks later the scale still has not moved. I also eat about 600 cals a day and I'm trying not to freak out. Good luck and I hope these scales start moving soon for both of us!!!

[Lisha73 97]

I too am 3 weeks post op, and the scale has set even for a couple of days. but I am not worried...alot of people on here have freaked out and then they eventually post that the scale started moving again. So I am not worried...I feel that I am doin fine!

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I lost/gained 2.7 pounds from my two week post op appointment to my one month appointment yesterday - a span of thirteen days.

Today I hopped on the scale to a 2.4 pound weight loss! Stalls are normal, you can't take it back, keep doing what you are supposed to and the scale will figure it out.

[reidweaver 3]

I had my surgery almost a year ago, so I can share a little about what you are going through. There is a normal stall around 3 to 5 weeks out from surgery. It will last about 2 weeks. You have to remember, this is around the time when you are adding regular food for the first time. Your body is trying to adjust. You are in monitored starvation, you'll start losing again.

To give a little of my background, I was 261.5 on July 24th, 2012, when I had the sleeve. In three weeks I had gone down 22 pounds and went from a size 24 to a size 18. The weight continued to go down an average of 11 lbs a month. I am now 80 lbs down without much exercising. (I am gone almost 13 hours a day with my job and have little time at home). My doctor told me when I hit 180 I would hit a wall. He was correct, but I think it is more that I was grazing a little and therefore, eating more. I have backed off of doing that and am losing again. I did not gain any weight while doing this, but did not lose either. My goal is 150, so I have 30 lbs left to lose. Most think I have lost enough, but I am 5'9" and 150 is not an unreasonable goal for me and I see the poochy abdomen and flabby tops of my thighs that could use a little weight loss.

I am now down to a regular (not women's) 14 and love shopping for clothes (to my husband's dismay). This past year has been like winning the lottery. It has been a wonderful journey and I would do this again in a heartbeat. Don't despair about the stalls, they are a part of the process - learn the process and you will do well. Determine that you will NEVER go back to the way you were. Enjoy discovering the new you!

[ChefEm624 2]

Thanks for the responses everyone, they were really reassuring and helpful, and you were right, it moved along again.

Except now I have a follow-up issue/problem. I was at 182.5 yesterday, and 185 today. This evening when I checked in (because I was freaking out) I saw 188.5 on the scale. I know, I know, it's insane to check so frequently, but I'm having a bit of a panic attack. How in God's name am I piling on weight like this?

I haven't started the exercise regimen yet because I had a lot of problems with energy and dehydration. I'm 8 weeks out as of this past Thursday.

Can anyone shed some light onto what is happening to me?

My calories are between 700-900 daily.

Also, I'm a social person and please don't crucify me for it, but I have a couple drinks now and then.

The past few days I've had trouble holding solids and some acid issues have returned as well. So really, not a lot of food intake. Hence the question: WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING HERE?

Thanks for any help, insight, etc.

I'm at rock bottom right now, I have to be honest.

Emily

[teacher 36]

I am right there with you. I was sleeved on June 18th. With pre-op diet, I had lost 27 pds. 3 weeks after surgery, I stalled and even gained 2 pounds. I have been in this frustrating period of time for 2 weeks. I better see some pounds coming off soon. I just think if I went to this drastic of measures to lose weight, I had better be losing weight.

[colorado_bound 5]

ME too! I hate this! I am stalled at 180. I lost 26lbs but haven't moved for almost three weeks. I am eating every couple of hours. Getting my Protein, fluids and exercise and it's not budging! I am getting frustrated too! Everyone says it will come off, but then I heard that the most weight is lost in the first 6 months of surgery. My surgery was July 22. Help! I'm getting depressed!

[jules <3 37]

You All are not alone. I haven't lost weight in about a week Nd a half, and I work out everyday. I'm 3 weeks out tomorrow And only have lost 14 pounds. This sleeve is soooooo frustrating. I was losing more weight before I had surgery!

[jules <3 37]

And I noticed we are actually all around the same starting weight. That could have something to d wi it. My surgeon told me this past Friday that I am not going to lose as quickly as others who have more 200 pounds to lose. The bigger you are the more weight you lose. Go figure!

[gamergirl 4,609]

Pls read the articles in the link below. I am sure they will reassure you that what you're going through is very normal.

http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/this-is-a-public-service-announcement-regarding-weight-loss-stalls-and-plateaus/

[patteee 6]

wow- I am 3 months out and only about at 350-500 calories a DAY- about 1/4 cup a meal. Water has become my snack between meals. At meals it is about 8-10 bites of Protein and 3 bites of something else. Anything that gets put in my mouth I masticate (I think that's the right work) to the point of pulverized muck. Then will cheek it and gradually let small pieces out to swallow. My 6 ounce of Protein Drink takes 30 mins to drink- there is nothing wonderful about any think I eat. It feels like more of a routine that anything. I top out at 60 grams of Protein a day. I have not tried restuarants yet, not sure I want to. I have enjoyed chicken, tofu, yougurt, string chees, hard boiled eggs, baked fish, baked salmon, tuna- very few things outside the protein family although I allowed myself 3 bits of mashes potatoes.

I do believe if pushed I could live on Water alone- no cravings, no hunger- I don;t eat due to huger, I eat to sustain my body. I too have hit stalls. But have welcomes the the loses as well. 30 lbs at 3 months out- about 40 to go. I also swim just a bout everyday. Aerobic workouts at the Y.

Hang in there through the stalls. And those of you under 3 months out, 600-900 calories a day sounds high?

[skikyd 165]

My doctor told me to expecta " stall" at 3weeks

[jdwstmn 7]

I had the same thing! My doctor said it will happen more than once. He said my body will re adjust and I will lose again...and I did. Just stick with your plan. Your body is saying ”what the heck” and wants to hang on to the reserves.