Hi, I have not posted anything on here before, but I need some advice. I met with my Weight Loss Surgeon for the first time on April 24, 2009. I have followed every word he said and everything has been going great. I started at 306lbs and by the time my surgery date came (8/28/09) I weighed in at 250. I lost another 13lbs during the liquid and mushy stages after surgery. I saw my doctor again on 9/3/09 and I was at 237. I started soft foods on 9/7/09 and have had no problems with anything. (I have been cautious with my food choices, I do not want to throw up or experience that "stuck" feeling). It's been two weeks and I am back to my old exercise routine and eating around 1100 calories a day, including about 90 grams of Protein a day. I am still at 237. I know I should be thrilled with the weight loss that I've had, but it seems like I was doing better before the band??? I guess my biggest fear is I am only 10lbs away from my smallest weight ever as an adult. I was hoping that the band would help me break this barrier and finally meet my goal weight. What if the band does not work? The doctor put 2cc of saline in at surgery and I can say that I feel no restriction right now at all. I am controlling my eating purely by my will power. Did anyone else completely stall out after surgery? How long did it take for the weight to start coming back off? I am happy with what I have acomplished so far, but in my mind I just keep saying what if this is just another thing that will not work for me? Why can't I beat this???

Any suggestions for jump starting the weight loss again?

Thanks,

Doug

Yes,yes,yes it will work for you!!! Doug you seem to be doing great..hitting a plateau is discouraging, maybe you need a fill. I went through the same thing and went for my first fill, it did help..but was told I may not get the restriction I need until my 2nd or 3rd fill. Don't give up or give in!!!!! This surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself..weight is coming off slowly and with the right attitude toward food choices it will never return, so different than a 'diet' with pounds coming back plus a few more. Keep up the good work. Pam

Hi

I just wanted to let you know that not only did I stall until they found the right restriction, I was gaining weight. I thought really am I the only person in the world who has weight loss surgery and gains weight. Just try to remember that it is a process. A friend of mine had gastric bypass and she told me it took her three years to get all her weight off, so to be prepared for a long journey. I have to remind myself of that constantly because I still work out and I would like the weight to fall off. You know like to wake up and all my weight have been gone. But that is not happening to me,. As of now I am losing at a SLOW but steady pace. Just try to keep the faith and now that you will start to lose, it just might take awhile.

Good Luck.

Thanks for the encouraging words! I was suprised to see a couple of replies so quickly! I know a plateau is to be expected and I have no reason to complain, having done as well as I have. I just felt like I had to talk to someone and let them know how I was feeling.

THANKS!!!!

Doug -

Remember that this period is for healing. It's not about weight loss. Even though you had a small fill put in at surgery, it's likely not enough to give you good restriction. Most bandsters go through what you are going through. Weeks 4-6 I gained and lost the same 3 pounds. It is frustrating after losing somewhat easily on the preop diet and immediately after surgery, but it just seems to be pretty routine.

Eat healthy and within the amounts your surgeon instructed and don't let your hunger get the best of you. As you progress, HEAL, and get more fills the weight will again start coming off. Don't expect too much of your body too soon, it's been through a lot and trying to figure out what is going on :biggrin:

Hi Doug. You are definitely going to make it. To put this in perspective, you and I appear to have started at almost the exact same weight (i started at 305), and about the same time, and your surgery was one week AFTER mine.

Guess what, your nearly 20 pounds ahead of me in weight loss. So if anything else, feel proud that your doing better than other people with similar circumstances.

As far as you plateuing right now. I'm not an expert, but I think that's to be expected. This is a huge change to our bodies, and I don't know about you, but before the surgery, I was living on nearly double the calories that I am now. I think the after-surgery plateu is more of our bodies in a state of shock than anything else. Once it adapts, I bet the weight will really come off for you.

I do realize how lucky I am that the process has been going so smoothly for me. It's just the numbers that keep playing with my head. I knew a plateau would come and there would be a time that things would get tougher. I just really hoped that I would break past these last 10lbs before it happened. Don't worry, I will not let this stop me from acheiving my goal. I have come way to far, and I refuse to go back. Thanks for the support, it has really helped.

I'm so glad this thread was started! I've hit a plateau, myself, and have been going between 243-245 since right after surgery a month ago! Like you, I did better pre-surgery! :-) Good to read that it's common!

WOW sounds like me!! I lost 13 pounds pre op was feeling full of energy and not hungry even though the pre op was strict for me. I knew it was only 2 weeks so I got through it. Then I had surgery Aug 25th. Lost an additional 9 pounds that week. Two weeks later haven't lost a pound. I've gained three!! I was 230 when I started and now I'm 211. Was 208 the week after surgery. I'm on soft protein only diet. No veggies, no fruit. No carbs...thinking I have to eat another piece of chicken, or an egg sometimes makes me ill. I'm struggling and when I don't lose and gain..that playes with my self control and wondering can I really do this!! Glad i'm not alone..btw I get my first fill Sept 25th and can't wait!!