Water weight and fluctuations

[Michelle920 66]

I'll be three weeks post op on Monday and my weight is all over the place. I weighed 246 at my consultation and 243 at my nutrition appointment. My surgery was less than eight weeks after my consult, and I wasn't given a diet to follow, other than Clear Liquids the day before. I was encouraged to practice behaviors like tiny bites, chewing and not drinking with meals. I also tried to avoid sugar and alcohol. But during the last two weeks before surgery, my mind played tricks on me, and I told myself I would never, ever eat sweets or drink again (my diet mentality rearing its ugly head.) So I indulged. No bingeing or anything, but I ate what I wanted. So I was 248 on my own scale on surgery day. I've weighed myself at home every day since and the lowest I've been is 231 (233 after I moved the scale.) I've been getting in 60-64 ounces of Water, but at my support group on Thursday our NUT said we have to drink more than 64 ounces. She said an extra cup for every 25lbs you're over your ideal weight. That made sense so I drank over 90 ounces yesterday, and this morning I was 236.5, then 238 (I have to stop moving my scale.) I didn't go the bathroom that often yesterday and feel water bloated and my weight has always fluctuated due to water. But man, I'm discouraged! I'm also somewhat constipated. It doesn't hurt, I just don't go every day. I walk briskly every other day, although I walk the dog every day. I'm definitely getting in plenty of Protein and have no problem eating. I'm starting to think I'm not having drastic losses because I finish everything I eat. I don't stuff myself, I just mean I'm not only taking two or three bites. I've been drinking coffee almost daily to help move things along, which is dehydrating, so maybe that's it. I can stop the coffee. Thanks for listening!!

[lauraellen80 854]

First, I'm right there with you on the stupid scale. I weighed .4 lb more this morning than I did yesterday... on full liquids, less than 500 calories??

Second, I've never heard about drinking an additional cup of Water per 25lbs of excess weight. My surgeon's guidelines say 6-8, and I generally am getting 7.

Plans vary, but my NUT said no caffeine for at least a month, and some say to avoid for life. coffee can have a laxative effect, but it may do other things to your body that aren't so good at this point. Take some Miralax or Colace if you're concerned about Constipation. However my surgeon said that most people, especially in the beginning, will not have BMs every day, so unless you are not going for a week at a time, it's usually not a big deal.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Stay off the scale.< /p>

[SkinnyDown 409]

I'm never supposed to drink caffeine again, as it causes ulcers.

Again I am so surprised at how different these programs are. There is no standard it seems. That worries me.

I agree, colace or miralax.

I've had diarrhea since the hospital, 5 weeks out, and still, every day. They even tested me for C Diff, negative.

[Hisbrowneyedgirl 175]

Funny, my Dr said I can have a cup of coffee a day...

[Michelle920 66]

Funny, my Dr said I can have a cup of coffee a day...

My NUT said the same thing. In fact we talked about that too, at support group. She said add ANOTHER glass of Water to counteract but I can have one cup a day. My doc has everyone take Prilosec for six months post surgery, so my stomach feels ok.

I hate Miralax!! I got benefiber and a stool softener. Plus I can go back to taking magnesium at night. I'm having trouble taking pills but I can suck it up.

Stay off the scale.

I might have to hide it!!!

[Michelle920 66]

First, I'm right there with you on the stupid scale. I weighed .4 lb more this morning than I did yesterday... on full liquids, less than 500 calories??

Second, I've never heard about drinking an additional cup of Water per 25lbs of excess weight. My surgeon's guidelines say 6-8, and I generally am getting 7.

Plans vary, but my NUT said no caffeine for at least a month, and some say to avoid for life. coffee can have a laxative effect, but it may do other things to your body that aren't so good at this point. Take some Miralax or Colace if you're concerned about Constipation. However my surgeon said that most people, especially in the beginning, will not have BMs every day, so unless you are not going for a week at a time, it's usually not a big deal.

One popular theory on Water is drink half of your body weight in ounces, so that would be 115ish. I did it pre surgery easily but I struggle to get in 64!!

I'm going to skip the caffeine for now. I'm not addicted but it was always my go to solution to poop.

[Michelle920 66]

I'm never supposed to drink caffeine again, as it causes ulcers.

Again I am so surprised at how different these programs are. There is no standard it seems. That worries me.

I agree, colace or miralax.

I've had diarrhea since the hospital, 5 weeks out, and still, every day. They even tested me for C Diff, negative.

I guess each doctor makes the recommendations based on what's worked for his patients. I think my doctor airs on the side of caution in some ways, despite the coffee allowance, which was actually my NUT. I noticed all the differences too. I decided to just do what MY doctor says. Even though I'm dying for mashed potatoes in stage 3!!

[DreamingAzure 30]

Years ago I had a mentor teach me to do a weekly average for weight to be able to track true fat loss vs. Water weight. I find it helps because I don't stress over the daily number, it's only the one at the end of the week when I calculate it that matters I'm a week ahead of you I think I had surgery June 1st. I miss caffeine lol A LOT. I'm struggling to get in 64 oz. of Water right now...I wish I could get back to my gallon a day like I was pre-op. I have to remind myself that when I get in all of my fluids I feel better the next day.

[Michelle920 66]

Years ago I had a mentor teach me to do a weekly average for weight to be able to track true fat loss vs. Water weight. I find it helps because I don't stress over the daily number, it's only the one at the end of the week when I calculate it that matters I'm a week ahead of you I think I had surgery June 1st. I miss caffeine lol A LOT. I'm struggling to get in 64 oz. of water right now...I wish I could get back to my gallon a day like I was pre-op. I have to remind myself that when I get in all of my fluids I feel better the next day.

I'm going to try not to weigh before my follow up on 7/16. I miss drinking a lot of water too, I could easily drink a gallon a day.

[Miss Mac 6,261]

When I had my 18 month follow-up earlier this month, I brought in my daily diary. My nutritionist noticed that I was doing a great job of logging my food, Water, and exercise, but also that I was weighing every day.

The weighing was not so much the problem as was the fact that I put a smiley face or a frowny face next to my weight, depending upon if it was up or down from the pevious day. She was concerned that I was attaching such an emotional value to the scale. She told me to have my hubbyman hide the scale and only bring it out once a month.

Talk about withdrawal. Not having that scale is worse than not having sugar, but I am getting over it.

[Michelle920 66]

I've had my boyfriend hide my scale dozens of times!! You'd think I would learn.

[missheidi47 127]

I weigh myself every day, but for some reason I don't attach a lot to the number. If it's up a little or not down, I know that it could be a little extra salt or hormonal or not drinking enough. I found in the beginning the numbers were all over the place. I'm almost 3 months out now, and the scale seems to be steadily going down. If the numbers are freaking you out, stop weighing yourself. I do my measurements once a month, and take a picture in work out clothes once a month to help keep track of my progress. That helps.

[Djmohr 6,965]

I weigh daily and have for the last 9 months. I do not let the scale get to me, it is only 1 measure of how we are doing and certainly not the most important one. I mostly listen to my clothing, if it is loose, I know I am losing.

It is absolutely normal for your weight to fluctuate back and forth and if you choose to weigh daily and even weekly you will begin to see patterns. There will be weeks where you lose nothing and weeks where you lose several pounds. That first month to 6 weeks post op you usually lose more than any other period. I think I was down right around 30lbs that first month.

After that you should expect 10 to 15lbs per month on average. And of course there will be stalls along the way.

The big thing is, don't let that scale rule you, stay the course and your weight will come off and more importantly you will begin feeling fantastic!

I am down 111lbs in 8.5 months and have 34 to go to get to my healthy goal. I am no longer in an obese category but in the overweight category of the bmi charts.

You will get to your goals soon! Good luck!