[Rev]

Hi everyone. I'll be 3 weeks post surgery tomorrow, and I'm already frustrated and discouraged. I lost 35 lbs in the first 11 days (I know, I know - be happy with that), then I gained a pound, then only lost 2 lbs in 2 days, and as of this morning (2 days later) I've lost nothing more. While I was initially thrilled with 3.5 lbs per day avg. I am now very discouraged at losing little or nothing the last 10 days. (I hate to start off with a whiny, "downer" type of post, but it's how I feel.) I'm not feeling very well (upset stomach, easily exhausted) and seem to have little (last 10 days anyway) to show for it. At first I was excited to fit into a couple of suits that I got 2 Christmases ago, but never could wear, and it seemed I was well on my way to losing 100 lbs in the first 90 days. (Nurse in hospital said I should lose 60-100 lbs, and of course I wanted the latter.)

By way of background, my surgery went well, but the day following was problematic. When they took me down for an upper GI to check for leakage I almost passed out - head spinning, etc. This happened twice the day after surgery. Then later my BP dropped enough to cause concern (in my weakened state I only remember that the lowest upper number of my BP was 90) so they gave me 2 units of iron and 2 units of blood. The next day was better and I successfully completed the upper GI. I was discharged from the hospital later that day.

I've had a terrible time being able to get the water in - probably 30 oz per day avg. Sunday was the first day I was able to get 60 oz down. I just don't remember to drink! I'm consuming 2 protein shakes a day, a sf popsicle or two, sometimes some sf Jello, and 12 oz of broth. Starting tomorrow the phase 2 plan allows some soft veggies and fruit, and some sf applesauce.

From reading threads of others who have stalled it looks like my lack of water intake could be the culprit for my stall, but it also looks like it is too early (3 wks vs. 2 months).

Thanks for listening. I'll try to be more brief in the future. Just having a VERY bad day today. (Darn scales anyway!) I appreciate being able to "talk" to some friends who understand.

[wannabe skinny]

{{{rev}}}
take a deep breath and relax. your body has been through a major change and it is going to take a little time for it to adjust to what just happened with weight loss surgery. the expectation of losing 100 pounds in 90 days is rather high. it is very normal for a person to drop a really big number in the first couple of weeks. i lost 36 pounds in the 1st month, by the 2nd month 47 pounds, 3rd month 60 pounds, from then to now i have averaged 10-12 pounds per month. after 7 months i had lost 103 pounds. at my weight loss clinic i have been in the upper percentages of weight loss each time i went to the doctor.

the weight will come off - don't allow discouragement to ruin your awesome journey ~ you are doing great!!

[Fallin]

Rev, I know we expect it to come off overnight, but that's not how we put it on. My advice is to put the scale away... the numbers game will make you crazy. It's understandable to still feel exhausted at this point.. your body has undergone a pretty radical change. Just keep sipping your water/crystal light, getting your protein and vitamins in and get moving...even if it's for a 20 minute walk. I try and do a walk every day... it's not far and it's not very long, but it's more than I did pre-op. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll get 1 step closer to your goal.

[kitcatcopycat]

Don't worry you will keep losing as ling has to stick to the plan. Someone explained it to me like this ... weight loss is like going up a staircase. You take a flight of stairs and you have to stop to rest .. when your body is ready it will start up again. Remember when you are not lossing lbs you are losing inches! You're still fairly early out. I was in your shoes .. look below in my signature in regards to the lbs lost each week. Each of us is different in regards to how much we lose. But it is an indicator of what you might do. My surgeon just said I was a success and I am only out 22 weeks. They consider it a success that I lost 60% of my weight. I am out to prove them wrong and lose 100% of my excess weight. Watch my numbers fall! hang in there you can do this!

[clancythecamper]

You're actually at about the right time for the first stall so congrats, you're normal Also, your loss is fine. I think you need to adjust your expectations a bit~~~ remember, you're doing this to improve your health as much or more than anything and you need to go at a pace that is good for you. Consider yourself at the top of a building and you need to go to the ground level. Every so often, you'd need to stop at the landing to rest then you'll continue down to your goal - the ground floor This is kinda like your journey - sometimes guys take a couple of flights at a time coz the lose faster, but we all have to stop and regroup from time to time. Think of it as your body re-setting its self and needs time where it stops dropping pounds but is busy doing other things. I found that when I stall, I lost inches, so you may want to measure so that when you do hit a good stall you have something to encourage yourself.

By the way, a stall can be a few days, weeks, sometimes even months; it's very important to follow your docs guidelines, no matter what your scale is saying.

Last but not least, consider ditching your scale ~ it's not necessarily your friend.

Glad you've joined us ~ welcome

[bluedelight]

Here is the way I handle the water intake. If I drink 4 glasses a day (32 ounces) thats 3-4 more glasses than I drank pre op so that is good in my books.

Its all about taking baby steps. So for the first few weeks, I drank less than what was recommended most days but more than I drank before my operations. Today at 3 months out, I am drinking closer to the 64 ounces a day, sometimes more, sometimes less but that is twice waht I was consuming in water 2 months ago.

I found my secret to drinking more ater is having a full glass of water or some other drinking container near me at all times. If I dont have water near me, I dont get up and get myself a drink to make certain I get my daily intake but if I have a glass of water right beside me, I will go to the kitchen and make certain it remains full.

Dont fret at this very early stage and dont worry about the daily gain or loss of one or two pounds. You ddint worry about it when you were gaining.

If all else fails, return to the bible and call upon God for help and you know that you will find strength and patience through Him.

[MsVickie]

Your body is saying what in the world did you do to me. Your losing inches right now I can guarentee it. The blood pressue thing is im not gonna say normal but kinda is. Just take your time in sitting up and then move up to get up wait a couple mins and then stand. That helps me still. I have very low blood pressue now all the time.

Now if you have a scale at home put it away please. Im not gonna snatch it from you yet until you come back and post saying you watch it daily. Your stalling and its nothing your doing wrong. Its your body trying to sustain itself and buiring off fat.

You see KitKats post and how she does her weight weekly? I love that. Its not all 10 20 30 pounds a week its a bit slower which in the long run is the better way. Its almost consistant but varies like it should. I truly wish I had done that but mine would have been monthly because I set myself a limit to so that per surgeons instructions. I remember going on a 3 month visit and had been there 3 weeks before and had only lost one pound. If it wasnt for reading it on this board I would have been freaked out. Yes I asked him about it and he said Oh for gosh sakes havent you been listeing to me? I said yes and I know better but I had to ask. Be glad your not putting on the weight your losing honey at the rate you losing it. Take care of you and enjoy it.

[Alwaysfaith]

You don't want to lose too fast anyway
You'll be one big wrinkle....give your skin some time to bounce back

[sburtonh]

Perspective here: You have lost a ton of weight and need to remember that you need to drink/ sip sip sip your liquids and make sure to get your proteins in. The weight will come off. I dropped extremely fast in my doctors eye and 100 pounds in three months was not where I was. Stick to what you surgeon has planned for you and do not get discouraged when someone who most likely hasn't been through the surgery sets an unprobable goal for you. Your body will do it at its own pace you need to keep it healthy.

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
Congratulations on joining the Losers' Bench.
(((((HUGS))))) May your journey go well.

The NURSE said 60-100lbs, so, what did your SURGEON say? And WHO do you think is the specialist, has seen tons of patients and followed every single one of them up at crucial points personally? So, who do you think is the person who is giving it to you straight, from the get go?
Be careful of what words you latch on to, to measure your progress, or you will be thrown off, even if you are doing mighty well, and think of yourself as a failure and disappointment. You will need a very positive outlook throughout your journey, and your life, to stick with it all.

That said (sorry for yellin' at ya ) you are quite at the normal stalling point. The first point comes at around 3-4 weeks, and in most cases, every 3-4 weeks thereafter.
As MsVickie said, you just subjected your body to MAJOR surgery, and it is still reeling from the major changes made in the plumbing and trying to readjust and to realign the functions, so your body can still sustain your life. It has to heal first, before going anywhere with the weight loss. Expect to lose 100lbs in 6 months at the earliest, not any faster. Any faster is actually too dangerous for your health.
Also, at 3 weeks out, it's quite normal not to have much energy, and/or to feel good one day, and be absolutely blah the next day. This stage will continue for a few weeks more.

In other words, stick to the rules and instructions YOUR SURGEON gave to you, and you will do fine. In fact, I think you are doing mighty well.

P.S. I visited San Antonio a few years back, beautiful city you have