Reason for stalling

[redgirl37 43]

I had my surgery December 5th. Ive been at a stall for about 3 weeks now. I've gotten down to 312 lbs and cannot seem to get passed this number. I'm starting to get depressed because I feel like I should be under 300lbs now. I've spoken with several people that have had the surgery and they said that it could be that I am not having a bowel movement regular. Have anyone else experience this? What can I do to get the numbers moving again?

Hw:350

Sw:323

Cw:312

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[Middus 491]

Could be a number of things. Have you switched to regular diet?

Are you meeting your Protein and Water goals?

What is your diet like with regards to Protein Carbs and fats?

Are you exercising?

Stalls are not uncommon though.

Edited January 4, 2017 by Middus

[Babbs 14,681]

Could be a number of things. Have you switched to regular diet?

Are you meeting your Protein and Water goals?

What is your diet like with regards to Protein Carbs and fats?

Are you exercising?

Stalls are not uncommon though.

This particular stall really has nothing to do with any of those things. It's nothing we do wrong, just physiology. Further down the road? I think those things have everything to do with stalls.

Anyway, here's why this stall happens 3-6 weeks after surgery:

A "stall" a few weeks after surgery is not uncommon, and here's why.

Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs. of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when a patient is not getting in enough food, the body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. Then when 2 lbs. of glycogen is used a patient will also lose 8 lbs. of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs. that most people lose in the first week of a diet.

However, when the body stays in a caloric deficit state the body starts to realize that this is not a short-term problem. Then the body starts mobilizing fat from adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But the body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. As it puts back the 2 lbs. of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs. of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though the patient might still be losing energy content to their body, the weight will not go down or it might even gain for a while as the retention of water dissolves the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.

[redgirl37 43]

@@Middus

I am not getting in as much Protein as I should be but am getting in enough Water

As for carbs and fats I was told by my nutritionist to not worry about those things as of yet

Yes I am exercising at least 2 hours a day

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[redgirl37 43]

@@Babbs

It all makes sense now but I guess I'm just rushing to see a difference and not realizing that it is going to take time

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[LittleLizzieLilliput 919]

I've been in a 1 month stall. However, when I measured myself I found I've been losing inches. Probably fat converting to muscle. However, you aren't even a month out so that isn't what you are experiencing. What you are experiencing is the body dealing with the trauma it's endured. Follow your plan, eat what was prescribed and it will work out.

[redgirl37 43]

@@LittleLizzieLilliput

I have noticed that my clothes are fitting better now. I'm actually down two pant sizes so that is a plus. So I will keep on the diet and patiently wait. Thanks for the advice!!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Middus 491]

@@Middus

I am not getting in as much Protein as I should be but am getting in enough Water

As for carbs and fats I was told by my nutritionist to not worry about those things as of yet

Yes I am exercising at least 2 hours a day

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's okay then. Try and get enough Protein and give it some time.

[Middus 491]

Could be a number of things. Have you switched to regular diet?

Are you meeting your Protein and Water goals?

What is your diet like with regards to Protein Carbs and fats?

Are you exercising?

Stalls are not uncommon though.

This particular stall really has nothing to do with any of those things. It's nothing we do wrong, just physiology. Further down the road? I think those things have everything to do with stalls.

Anyway, here's why this stall happens 3-6 weeks after surgery:

A "stall" a few weeks after surgery is not uncommon, and here's why.

Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs. of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when a patient is not getting in enough food, the body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. Then when 2 lbs. of glycogen is used a patient will also lose 8 lbs. of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs. that most people lose in the first week of a diet.

However, when the body stays in a caloric deficit state the body starts to realize that this is not a short-term problem. Then the body starts mobilizing fat from adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But the body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. As it puts back the 2 lbs. of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs. of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though the patient might still be losing energy content to their body, the weight will not go down or it might even gain for a while as the retention of water dissolves the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.

She asked a general question and I prepared her for the likely questions she was going to get asked.

As I said, stalls are not Uncommon..