Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Help! Why Aren't the Scales Moving



Recommended Posts

Hello fellow Notorious Novembers,

I need your help. I was banded on November 4, a little over two weeks ago. Although I've lost 12 pounds, the scales haven't moved in over a week -- since I went from liquids to mushies. I've been following the diet 100% and have been as active as possible. I was even up a pound this morning which, although I know this sounds irrational, made me want to cry.

I just can't understand why the scales aren't moving given how little I'm eating.

Is anyone else struggling with this problem?

Oh, and the constipation! I'm doing my best to get the Water in, but things are not moving. My doctor said to try Milk of Magnesia, which doesn't work or Senekot (I'm still waiting!)

Anyway, thanks for replying. I know I might lose a bit slower than average because I have less to lose than some, but this is ridiculous. I don't know what I was expecting, but it sure wasn't this.

:thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Most people experience a lull in loss around week 3-5 from what I have read. This is due to healing, your body having to readjust to solids, Constipation (as you mentioned) etc. Just keep doing what you are supposed to be doing and have faith. It WILL work if you don't decide to start "testing" your band to see if things you aren't supposed to have will go through anyway and if you don't give up! Just be patient. The band does not work the way RNY/gastric bypass does. It gives a much slower weight loss. The lull in loss at week 3 is why my surgeon does not do the Optifast pre-op he said. The body gets kind of shocked by the reintroduction of solids.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The first few weeks to months after being banded are all about healing up and letting your body adjust to the band. Some people are lucky enough to lose consistently right from the get-go, but a lot of people lose little to no weight until they reach that "sweet spot" of restriction which can take several fills to reach. It sucks--and is the reason a lot of people call it "Bandsters Hell." But if you keep on following the recommended bandster diet, exercising, and staying strong, you will eventually reach that "sweet spot" and start losing steadily. It's very important not to compare your weight loss to that of other people's, even though I know how very hard it is not to do that. We are all different, and every bandster loses weight at a different rate. Just try to hang in there and know that you're not alone!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you both for your replies and encouragement. Although I know, intellectually, that this will take time and that I have to be patient, emotionally, this is a real difficult time. I have read about "bandster hell", but I've also seen so many people here who say the pounds just keep rolling off. I was so hopeful that I'd be one of them, but I guess I won't be that fortunate.

I'll keep on keeping on as they used to say.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm so glad you posted this! I was starting to feel a little bit like that. When I went to mushies--I was terrified for one thing, that I'd start gaining. In fact, I did gain 1.5 pounds one day and about had a heart attack! I was also having some Constipation problems. But weird thing is, once I started going---I went all liquid again. Maybe it was something I had eaten, but I lost 3 pounds between yesterday and today because of it. If you like warm tea, try that. It seemed to help me "get going.":crying:

Has anyone had this problem? When I got home from the hospital, I felt the restriction BIG TIME---although my band had not been tightened at all. I believe it was just from the swelling in there...but now I don't feel that hardly at all. And I'm SO scared I'm eating too much...because I'm feeling alot more hungry now. Not sure what to do about that???

Also this past Tuesday I thought I had torn something inside because my one big incision was hurting really bad Tuesday night. Everytime I'd wake up during the night and tried rolling over, it hurt just terrible. Then when I got up in the morning and got in the shower, I just about passed out. In fact, if I stood upright at all,I would have passed out. So I crawled out of the shower, got down stairs and had my daughter call my husband. (He was working the 7PM- 7AM shift, so due to be home in 1/2 hour) So he came right home, I called the Dr who told me to come to the ER. (which is 45 mins away) So they did x-rays and blood work, and found out I was dehyrated!!? That didn't even cross my mind--I thought I had torn something inside because I had lifted my 2 yr old the night before. But thank goodness, that's all it was. So they gave me 2 bags of fluids and I felt better pretty quick. They said all the pain was from being dehyrated too...which I didn't realize would happen. My surgeon came in and told me that at this stage your body is working super over time to heal up all that tissue that was cut through--also where the port is stitched in..so I guess I just used up more of my body's resources than I realized.

So I'm trying to up my liquid intake (although I thought I was getting plenty!).

Sorry I wrote a book!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Amylynns,

Your pain and ER visit sound very frightening. I had a similar experience that, based on your experience, I now feel may have been dehydration as well. I was in quite severe pain for a couple of days, but it resolved on its own. I was going to go to the ER if it got any worse, but thankfully, it didn't.

I also had a similar experience with being hungry and feeling like I didn't have any restriction once the swelling from the surgery went down. Initially, I had a difficult time even getting Water down, then it felt like there was no restriction at all. What I discovered with the hunger was that although I certainly missed food and felt like I could eat a lot more, if I paid attention to my body, I wasn't really hungry. I tested this by carefully measuring everything that went into my mouth and I found that I was not any more "hungry" when I strictly limited my intake than when I let myself eat a bit more. I've also found that it really helps to take 30 seconds between bites. That really slows me down and gives my tummy a chance to let me know it's full. I'm at three weeks post-surgery and I find now that sometimes I eat and feel like there's absolutely no restriction and sometimes I can really tell the band is there. I eat a little bit (slowly) and I get that signal from my tummy that I've eaten enough.

I'm still struggling with the scales and with Constipation. I find that if I eat anything I haven't prepared, even canned Soup, that has more sodium, I'll retain Water and the scales will go up.

I'm proud of myself, though, as we went to New York for the weekend and I managed to stick with my eating plan. I took some food with me and when in restaurants, I was able to find something semi-mushy to eat. Portion Control was a challenge, but I tried to estimate proper amounts and when I'd eaten that amount, I asked to have the plate taken away so I couldn't eat more.

I'm finding that I have to use a laxative on a fairly regular basis now.

The main thing I keep telling myself is that this is a long-term process and that it will take a while for the results to show up on the scale. I just try to eat good foods in correct portions and to gradually increase my exercise. I guess I thought there would be some significant drop initially that would be effortless. I guess I'm not so lucky.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded on 11/4 too, and I just want to see how you were doing now since you posted this originally.

So how is it going?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

SunnyRachel,

I'm doing really well. I've lost 19 pounds since surgery day, which I guess is pretty quick -- doesn't feel quick enough though.

The Constipation issue has improved a lot since getting off liquids.

How are you doing?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×