3 week stall....every month?!

[blackswan 1]

I'm 4 months post op today from my SIPS procedure. I have lost 83lbs in total since the start in early June, and 68 lbs since surgery, however I was hoping to be further along and even at my last Dr appointment they indicated I could have lost more and were surprised I hadn't. I seem to be averaging 11 lbs a month over the last 3 months, but what keeps happening is that I lose 11lbs in one week, then NOTHING for 3 weeks!! Is this normal? At first I thought it was just a stall, but the last 3 months in a row have had exactly the same pattern.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really happy to have lost the weight I have, but I was kind of hoping for it to go a bit quicker, because I have a total of 200lbs to lose and everyone tells me (including my Doctor!) that after the first 6 months it will slow right down. I took on board what they said and have been sticking to the food plan and going to the gym, because I was terrified if I didn't lose 100-150lbs in the first 6 months, I wouldn't get to my goal. But seems like my body had different plans.

I also don't understand how I can have a daily calorie deficit of approx 1000 cals, but for 3 weeks out of each month, not lose anything? How is my body actually powering itself during that time? My hair is falling out in clumps and my skin isn't great, so I'm guessing thats what's happening instead, but seriously....how can I be running on negative??

My average daily food intake looks like this:

• Breakfast: either 1 boiled egg with a little mayo, or 1 Protein Shake (premier protein). Once a week I will have 1/2 a cup of rice Cereal.
• Lunch: I batch cook chilli or Soup with added Protein at home to take to work. Usually have it with 1oz of pecans or macadamias (trying to follow keto)
• Mid-afternoon snack: cheese stick or protein shake (depending on whether I had one for Breakfast or not)
• Dinner: Varies, but generally I go for pressure cooker chicken (between 3 and 5 oz) and green veg, or tuna salad, or 3-5oz of pork chop. 2-3 times a week I will have 3oz of sweet potato, but thats not every day and depends on how hungry I am.

My average calorie intake is 99% of the time between 800 and 1150 and I hit at least 80g of protein every day. I try to keep carbs under 30g, but often average about 50g (gross)

I count my Water and get at least 64oz every day.

I go to the gym 2-3 times a week, and on average I do 45 mins of cardio (cross trainer/eliptical and bike) and then 10-15 mins of weight training. Outside of this i try to be as active as I can, and I average round 6000-7500 steps daily (I have an office job so can be tricky)

Does anyone have any advice or thoughts on what else I can do to try and speed this up? Should I do different things at the gym, or just try to go more often? Or should I mix up my food a bit more? I'd really appreciate any ideas.

[Malcy 132]

I am too new in the process to comment on your weightloss but I do want to offer you some support because I was in your exact same situation a few weeks ago. Had a Dr. Appointment and he told me I should have lost more weight. I was devastated because I am following the diet and exercise to the letter. All I can say is don't let one visit get you down or throw u off track. It sounds like you are doing great and if I lose anywhere near 80lbs in 4 months like you did, I'm going to turn flips!

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

[blackswan 1]

19 hours ago, Malcy said:

I am too new in the process to comment on your weightloss but I do want to offer you some support because I was in your exact same situation a few weeks ago. Had a Dr. Appointment and he told me I should have lost more weight. I was devastated because I am following the diet and exercise to the letter. All I can say is don't let one visit get you down or throw u off track. It sounds like you are doing great and if I lose anywhere near 80lbs in 4 months like you did, I'm going to turn flips!

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for your comments. I was a little surprised and I think my doctor realised she was being a bit tough, because she stopped and said "there's nothing wrong with what you have lost, but....if you want to get to goal, you need to make the most of this time." I'm not sure what she meant by that. I'm doing everything I can. My body just doesn't seem to want to let go!

[Wanda247 908]

@blackswan I think you are doing great!! It’s only been 2 months for me post op and I seem to have the same pattern as you so far, losing a lot at one time then stalling 3 weeks. like you I’m following the plan and the weight is coming off, whether it’s daily or once a month. Keep doing what you’re doing and you will get to goal, my team told me that I will lose the most weight between 12 and 18 months, they never mentioned 6 months.

Chin up, you got this!! 😉

[disco stu 73]

I agree that six months seems aggressive. That may be true for Sleeve, but SIPS should me more like a full year before things slow down.

You story seems pretty extreme...11 lbs in a week?.... but in general, yes, weight loss seems to come in spurts followed by frustrating lulls. Just keep working the program and have faith. You'll get there.

Edited October 29, 2018 by disco stu

[disco stu 73]

...for instance....

I lost 7 lbs 3 weeks ago after I quit drinking and started Intermittent fasting. I was excited by results, and doubled down. If anything, I have been eating even cleaner and been more aggressive in my fasts. Last two weeks? Zilch. Nada. No movement. In fact, the harder I tried, it would seem the scale would mock me and move UP a lb or two. ack!!!!

(NOTE: I did drop a belt hole during this period.)

.. then this morning, down three lbs in one night. And I fully expect to see another 3 to 4 drop by the end of the week. Just the way this seems to work...

Edited October 30, 2018 by disco stu