1-week stall....REALLY?!

[CorvetteGirl 78]

I have read countless posts about stalls and was full prepared to encounter these "bumps" along my journey. What I was not prepared for was having a stall at 1 week post-op! Just a little background....I had surgery on 7/22. I lost 9 pounds in the first week.

A week to the day exactly, I was feeling super awesome so I started doing an hour of treadmill 6 days per week. I was on purees when I started and I'm on soft foods now. I am tracking my food and exercise with Lose It. My net calories after exercise are between 250 and 500. Yesterday was 643. I am getting 75 - 95g Protein per day and 64 - 90 oz of Water per day.

The scale hasn't moved since last Monday, which is when I began to exercise. Do I need to increase my calories, water, or protein to get the scale moving again? I was absolutely NOT prepared to deal with this at only a couple of weeks out, but it is what it is.

Any suggestions from all you vets out there would be welcome.

TIA

[Richard Foor 655]

First thing to do I stay calm, it is perfectly normal and natural to have slow downs or stalls along the way, stick to your plan and the weight loss will resume. You might consider tracking measurements, a lot of times when the scale isn't moving the waist is. Good Luck, enjoy the journey, it gets easier to deal with as time goes by.

[CorvetteGirl 78]

First thing to do I stay calm, it is perfectly normal and natural to have slow downs or stalls along the way, stick to your plan and the weight loss will resume. You might consider tracking measurements, a lot of times when the scale isn't moving the waist is. Good Luck, enjoy the journey, it gets easier to deal with as time goes by.

Thanks, Richard! I know the measurements will still go down during a stall, but should I increase the Water, Protein, or calories due to the exercise now or just leave it "as is"? I wasn't sure if the exercise is what upset the balance of things, and if something needs to be adjusted.

[ThePaparazzo 9]

You're also building up muscle mass now.

[Busterdoodoo 38]

I stalled at one week out too and I was freaking out! It's hard not to even though you know ahead of time that these things happen. It was also difficult for me to believe I would start losing again because that stall lasted several weeks! But I am 6 weeks out now and have lost 45lbs (17 pre op) so try not to worry! I know, easier said than done

[gmanbat 5,889]

You're also building up muscle mass now.

That's my guess, too. From what I understand and from my experience when exercise breaks down muscle, the body runs some Fluid in there for the regeneration process as the body rebuilds the muscles bigger and stronger. When it is done the Water drains out. Also, the muscle itself weighs more for the space it takes up than fat. Bigger and stronger muscles mean a 24/7 calorie burning increase.

Remember, fat is the enemy, not numbers on a scale.

[RoxFC 175]

Your question is probably best answered by a nutritionist. But, I do believe that increasing your calories and drinking more Water will likely help you to get over the stall. Since you are now burning calories, your body may be going into starvation mode and not burning fat. I'm 16 days post op and I noticed that my scaled didn't move yesterday or this morning (I actually gained a couple of ounces!). I go to see my NUT tomorrow so I will be sure to find out what to do at this point.

[Richard Foor 655]

I would probably increase Water if you can. I personally have not ever increased my calorie intake from where it has been since I started solid foods.

[NoneYa 380]

Richard Foor, what is your calorie intake? I don't lose whether mine is higher or lower.

[Richard Foor 655]

My calorie intake is between 800 and 900 a day. Protein greater then 70 grams. Carbs less then 50.

[NoneYa 380]

Thank tou Richard. That iswhat you've been doing since regular foods? That and excerise? You success is inspiring ( and your family is adorable).

[wheeling 18]

The main thing u have to realize is at one week out from surgery your body is in healing mode and not weight loss mode. It holds onto the weight for now. I had a week stall also. Keep drinking the Water and Protein and the weight will start dropping. Believe me. Down 47 in 7 weeks including the stall.

[Richard Foor 655]

Yes that is the numbers I've used since going to solids. And I go to the gym at least 3 days a week and do 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weights. I also use a fitbit too measure steps, and try to get a minimum of 10,000 steps a day.

[CorvetteGirl 78]

My calorie intake is between 800 and 900 a day. Protein greater then 70 grams. Carbs less then 50.

That's about where I am for the past few days. I'm just gonna keep on keepin' on, and drink even more water!

[gillengal 12]

Thanks so much for posting this. My surgery date is 7/25. I lost about 18 lbs the first week. This week gained a couple! I was devastated. I have had trouble getting in my Protein but my doctor wanted me to focus on fluids first. Last few days have reached 64 oz Water and about 30 G protein ( about 300 calories). Hoping that its a little water and maybe I was a tad bit dehydrated before.