Wondering why you hit a plateau or regain at about 2-3 weeks post-op? My theory:

[Fanny Adams 7]

This is by far the most common query that newbie bandsters have. I had it and didn't know the answer at the time. I've spent a lot of time thinking about it and asked my doctor about it, and I think this is a sound explanation for what is going on inside of you. Don't let it get to you - it IS temporary! Most of all, don't let it cause you to give up!!

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It is highly likely that you will hit a plateau or regain a few pounds in in the weeks after the op. My theory on this is:

* In the pre-op weeks, we saw big numbers as weight loss because we had switched from a solid to a liquid diet and most of the loss was not fat but simply emptying the digestive system. At any point in time on a normal eating regime, an average person will have 10-15lb of food in various stages of digestion in their alimentary canal. Us fatties probably had 20+! Real fat loss at that stage is probably only 2-5lb, the rest is fluids and undigested food. However, we believe the big numbers and get disappointed when they don't continue.

* During the operation, they put you on an IV saline drip, which boosts your Fluid levels and Water weighs MUCH more than fat. This can take several days to a couple of weeks to get out of your system (see next point).

* The internal swelling from the operation all contributes to Fluid retention, which is boosted by the IV drip. Until the swelling goes down, you're going to hold onto that fluid.

* As the swelling goes down, you start to move from liquids to mushies to solids. You will probably notice that you don't poop for quite some time post-op, which is a combination of the constipation-causing painkillers, the fact that you are eating MUCH less in volume, and that you are now re-filling your digestive system from it's previously completely empty state. This means that as you lose fluid weight, you are regaining solid food weight, and all the actual fat loss is disguised by those two. Some people will retain more fluid, especially if they're eating salty canned Soups (I know I did!), so they will see a gain. Others will lose more fluid than they are gaining in food weight, so they will see a slight loss. For others it will be equal or will go up and down day by day.

In the meantime, in the background, I believe that if we stick to the diet plans, we are still losing real fat at the steady rate of 2-3lb a week - we just can't see it and judge it accurately because there are too many other influences. Once you get back to solid foods, a "normally full" digestive tract and get rid of the extra fluids, your scales will be much more accurate and should be showing a steady loss of 1-2lb per week.

[kitt 0]

Wow! Thanks for your careful analysis. Makes sense to me. I am only 10 days banded so I haven't hit the plateau but I know one is most likely in my future. Your encouragement and support is bound to be just right for someone right now.

[Sunwyse 1]

Catherine, you are doing well. I read on your blog 12 pounds. That's great!! I've lost just under 8 in 4 weeks, but I'm still happy because I have PCOS, so to be losing anything is a real bonus for me.

You will get there.

[*slim* 2]

Fanny, thanks for posting this. It makes so much sense. My doctor only mentioned that I "might" plateau once on solid food, but didn't explain why. It is really great to have people like you and the others around to explain some things that doctors sometimes forget.

[luluc 6]

thoughtful post fanny - should be made a sticky.

there are dozens of this question out each day - and this really breaks it down.

[sweetie78 0]

Thanks for the info. I've been post-op for 8 weeks, lost 15pound but I've benne on a plateau for the last 4 weeks. What is weird with me is that my body is changing alot, I just can't wear my old pants they would fall down on me, but on a scale my weight asen't change in the last 4 weeks???? is this normal or Im crazy? Im going for my second fill this week, because I don't feel enough restriction.

Julie

[terilynn112 1]

You're loosing inches instead of pounds. Which is also beneficial.

teri

[Mrsace13 0]

Really, thank you. I read on here so much with people saying they are not losing like they thought they would and that would really explain it.

[Leashie 0]

thanks for explaining this... I had my surgery done nearly 2 weeks ago at murdoch and lost 6.5 kilos in this time! was going sometimes a kilo a day or 2 kilos a day and it was insane and thought it had to stop soon and it is... sometimes 500 grams and today 300 grams but its ok im still goin down and im happy with the results...

How much has everyone lost in a week the average... i got told to expect .5kg but i dunno