desperate- 3 weeks post op and I have gained 2 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pyt1908 1]

I am 2 days away from being 3 weeks out. I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks, 20 pounds including the 2 day liquid diet. I weigh myself on Mondays. Well to my horror, I have put back 2 pounds. I am barely eating. I can digest solids but very little. I am not getting all of the Water and Protein in because I just dont feel like I can fit it in. I am very frustrated. Could it be that I am gaining bc I am not eating vegetables? I am tempted to start fasting just to get my body cleared. I am desperate

[Wheetsin 714]

STOP STOP STOP for a second, take a deep breath, and step away from the scale. Please. Away.

Very important point to make here. The scale does NOT measure only fat. The scale weighs EVERYTHING. Because the scale goes down, does not mean you have lost fat. And because the scale goes up, does not mean you have gained fat. The scale is weight, period.

Seriously, this is exactly why scales are simply a bad idea as a tool to track fat loss. They suck major monkey butts.

Let's put it this simplified way. A pound of body fat is about 3500 calories. If you think you've gained two pounds of fat (because you're not going to post freaked out if you've gained 2 pounds of Water, or muscle, or poop, or whatever... ok maybe for two pounds of poop) - have you eaten 7000 calories more than what your body requires since last Monday? Have you eaten 7000 calories since last monday, period? Hell, have you eaten 7000 calories since having surgery? To put it in perspective, 7000 calories is about 14 quarter pounders with cheese, or about 8 pints of your typical vanilla ice cream, or about 8.5 sticks of butter.

You're probably retaining Water. It's extremely common to retain water around weeks 3 - 4 of any weightloss. It's also common to come back around month 2 or 3. It's a long process I've explained here before, so the short version -- your body just dumped a ton of fluids trying to make up for the sudden drop in eating and/or loss. Your body's next effort is going to be to try and put those fluids back. Hence most people who "diet" will have large losses during the first week or two, and "stalls" or gains for a week or two after.

You will not gain fat because you don't eat vegetables. If that were the case, all the carnivores would be obese.

[lovin life 4]

Ok first of all calm down & take a deep breath!!! It will be ok and the weight will come off!!! DO NOT panic and DO NOT do anything crazy!!! during the first 4 weeks i was literally making my self CRAZY with the scale, and i finally had to put it away, cause if it would go up any...even a 1/2 pound i was having a cow, and i found myself weighing 3-4 times a day!!! i have finally gotten to the place where the scale does not control me, and i am 13 weeks out, this journey can be a mental battle on so many levels, you just have to be patient and work the sleeve, cause it is a tool.

Do the basics, work to get your protien in, and sip, sip, sip...you need to get your fluids in, & both of these will get easier with time, but you have to keep working at it. Then if you feel up to it throw in some walking as well.

Dont be a prisoner to the scale!!! Take body measurements as well cause alot of times if the scale isnt moving, the inches are just melting away and that is a pretty darn good feeling as well!!! Good luck on your journey, it is such an exciting awesome time in our lives!! At 13 weeks out I am just in awe of how my body is changing and my only regret is not doing this sooner!!! Keep on keepin' on!!!

[mina 27]

I understand your frustration because if you are barely eating shouldn't you lose weight? but like it was said before you have not gain 2 pounds of fat. I had a big loss the 1st week and then nothing the following week. I had my surgery a couple of weeks ago. I am going to have to put the scale away (i also have a scale at work ) and not weigh myself everyday. Also, are you still having periods? could it be the time of the month?

[Caliblonde 25]

Have you eaten 7000 calories since last monday, period? Hell, have you eaten 7000 calories since having surgery?

This sentence made me giggle. I don't think I've eaten 7000 calories over the past six weeks!!! It's crazy what this surgery does to us. As far as gaining two pounds, don't worry about it. Your body is holding onto everything since it thinks you are starving. I've had several times when I've gotten on the scale and it's a little higher than it was the day before, we have to give our bodies time to adjust.