My first plateau, an observation....

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

Not a complaint. I am 8 days post op and for during the pre-op diet and 4 days post op the scale went down every day (21 pounds total). Last four days? Nothing. 271.6. Now before everyone rushes to tell me it's ok, and natural and to not get discouraged. Don't worry, I have been dieting on and off since I was a pre-teen, I know, I'm not.

The problem is that for those of us who are strict believers in the burn more calories than you eat to lose weight, we need to remember that this formula only works over a long period of time, and is not a daily equation. I have a BMR of 2700, I have been consuming about 1000 calories on average over the last 4 days, that gives me a deficit of 1700 a day, or basically a pound every other day. Unfortunately sometimes, my body sucks at math and I won't lose anything for weeks and the drop it 5 or 6 pounds in a week. Or it will stall and then I will start loosing weight at the normal rate again. And everything that I have read on this forum, and my own much limited experience says that the band does not change that fact.

I need to be realistic about what the band will and won't do. Frankly, if I could I could stay where I am in right now in relationship to the band I would, very little hunger, a hard time getting my calories in, but I won't as I heal as I lose weight, when I start to get fills, it will change and so will I. But I need to stay realistic and understand what I can control, and what I can't control.

Peace

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

short and sweet.....you are still recovering from major surgery. you are swollen and have fluids and gas and all that goes along with it. the first month is for basically healing and getting your mind frame in the game...so dont worry about (not losing right now).....follow your dr's guidelines..stick with it and soon, very soon, you will notice a big difference...must heal and must let the band do its thing.....and the best you can do it help it along....

[Jewelsm1127 351]

I was the same. Lost 7lbs the week after surgery. Weeks 2 and 3...nada. Got on solids starting week 4 and lost 4.5 lbs in 5 days. I'm just trying to roll with it. I think once your body recovers more it will kick start up again. Hang in there!

[DetChatt 188]

I was (and still am) the same way, too, with losing. It made me change my mindset from watching daily numbers on the scale to weekly (and ultimately monthly). It can get frustrating, but understanding how your body works with the weight (which you obviously do) is key.

[Jim1967 3,569]

I lost about 5lbs the first week as well and I also had a false sense of restriction which was nothing more than swelling from my surgery. I hardly lost anything my first month post op. Like CG said above you are in the healing period not the weight loss period. Give your body some time to get acclimated to the new object in your body and time to heal up.

I can say with experience that I beat myself up a lot shortly after post op. I was discouraged by lack of weight loss and second guessed my decision choosing band over bypass. I did months and months of research before having the surgery but nothing prepared me for the "weighting period" for the weight to start falling off.

Tomorrow is my 9th month band-aversary and I am down 107lbs post op. I would do this again in a heartbeat. It is not easy but if you follow the Doctors/Nutritionist guidelines it can be worth it.

[karanicole 7]

Jim,

Just wanted to tell you that I love your post. Your story is very motivational. I'm just starting my journey and going to my consultation next Wednesday, January 23. It's great to see people on here who support each other. I'm hoping to get that, too, from here. I don't have family support unfortunately but I do have my husband and I guess thats one good thing.

[SageTracey 608]

OP - sounds like you have got your head screwed on right! Realistic about the band and your expectations. You are setting yourself up for success!

[bar2373 138]

Jim,

Just wanted to tell you that I love your post. Your story is very motivational. I'm just starting my journey and going to my consultation next Wednesday, January 23. It's great to see people on here who support each other. I'm hoping to get that, too, from here. I don't have family support unfortunately but I do have my husband and I guess thats one good thing.

We will support you through this too.

My husband supports me and the rest of my family "say" they do, but I feel they are very skeptical. I know I will have to prove to them that I can and will do it.

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

Thanks all, I know for the old timers these observations may seem old hat, but I have failed so many times, that I am trying to not take anything for granted, but to look at everything through new eyes and avoid the pit falls that have sidelined me so many times.

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

Never give up! Never ever give up! You will win in the end!

[Jim1967 3,569]

Thanks all, I know for the old timers these observations may seem old hat, but I have failed so many times, that I am trying to not take anything for granted, but to look at everything through new eyes and avoid the pit falls that have sidelined me so many times.

Terry,

You are not alone my friend. I do not worry about losing weight I worry more about keeping it off. I've been around the block with the dieting thing. I lost 170lbs in 19 months doing Atkins but I put it all back on plus an additional 90. I went from 393 to 220 back up to 488 all in the course of 8 years. I am not scared about losing but I am scared of gaining it back.

I am really hoping this tool I have implanted in there will be a good reminder. So far so good....but what happens when I hit goal? It's a little frightening.

Karanicole, You are most welcome. I am always happy to share my experiences but what one thing I have learned being on this board is that the experiences vary and sometimes greatly. What might work for me may not work for you and vice versa. Ideas and support it is the name of the game, There are wonderful people on this board who are so supportive. I rely on my friends here more than I do at my in person support meetings at the Weight Center.

[cantwait2start 35]

This is very interesting to me. I keep seeing all these posts that people are dropping weight like nothing before and after their surgery. Not me! I have lost some--16 pounds--but not much. I see people with 25, 30 pound weight loss.

I kind of thought if it doesn't come off soon it won't at all (the weight). But I feel like I am being so good, making much better choices and not snacking. I have so much to lose and I want to be successful.

[Rojasanoll 920]

We all hit plateau's some will stay for awhile and then move on. Be consistent with your eating habits and finally your body will catch up and you'll start losing again. Keep on track!

Best wishes

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

This is very interesting to me. I keep seeing all these posts that people are dropping weight like nothing before and after their surgery. Not me! I have lost some--16 pounds--but not much. I see people with 25, 30 pound weight loss.

I kind of thought if it doesn't come off soon it won't at all (the weight). But I feel like I am being so good, making much better choices and not snacking. I have so much to lose and I want to be successful.

If I can stop shoveling the food in, I loose weight quickly. But historically, I also loose in spurts. I just found it interesting that this is also happening with the band, though it makes sense. The band isn't going to change how we loose weight, as far as I can figure it, it helps with the "shoveling food in" part.

The real fun for me will come in a couple of months when it is warm enough to start cycling again, as I start training to do a Century in the fall, my weight will bounce all over the place as I spend more and more time on my bike. When I train heavily, I put on muscle, retain Water and see weight gains for weeks at a time to see 10 pounds drop in a week. It is a real "E" ticket ride.

[general_antiope 189]

Patience is hard, but trust in the band. The all or nothing attitude is just a symptom of food addiction and it will melt away. Follow your guidelines, listen to the band, and you'll wake up one day realizing you lost 100 lbs.

The funny thing is, when I lost 90 in 8 months from my first banding, it didn't seem as amazing as I thought it would feel. I mean, it felt right. Like I was finally where I needed to be, and was feeling happy for the first time in my life. Happy and content. Full. Eating for me was more than physical hunger - the band helped me heal emotionally too.

I know this is especially true - I have a broken unfilled band and I'm an eating machine. I can't stick to a regimen. I am emotional. I'm ruled by hunger. I can't wait for my surgery.