Help! I'm not losing weight!

**Lisey** · 01-15-2015 06:17 AM

Hi Everyone. I had my surgery on 12/17/14. I lost 14lbs before the surgery and lost 15 lbs after the surgery. I gained 2lbs this week!!! I am eating 1100 calories, mostly all protein. No carbs, low fat. Why aren't I losing weight. I am drinking around 40 oz of water and I'm walking on average 4000 steps. Of course I can still exercise more and drink more, but even if I don't I should still be losing weight, not gaining. Has anyone else had this happen to them so early on? I'm so upset.

**luchaheel** · 01-15-2015 06:32 AM

Yes. I had the sleeve done 12/30, lost about 30 lbs then plateaued and regained a pound. Time to step away from the scale for a week or 2 because the losing has slowed. Use the mirror and your clothes sizes to measure losses for now. Even though I "gained" weight, I'm now on my last belt hole and my pants are still loose.

**Ann2** · 01-15-2015 06:33 AM

Howdy.

IMHO, your expectations of HOW FAST and HOW you will lose weight after WLS are a little unrealistic.

You're not even 1 month post-op. You've lost 15 pounds post-op. You've lost 29 pounds in all. That's actually very, very good. Not sure how heavy you were to start with or whether you're male/female.

Your weight will ALWAYS fluctuate on this journey. During my first month post-op, I once gained 4 pounds. And then during the next few days I lost 8 pounds. Go figure.

BTW, look at my signature block to see how much I've lost each month. Less than you.

However, nearly 5 months post-op I'm 65 pounds down, with only 19 more to go. And I'm also "enjoying" a stall at the moment -- which I know will end soon, since I'm eating / exercising just fine.

One thing does stand out about what you're doing: You're eating more than the average WLS bear (1100 calories) less than a month after surgery. I couldn't eat that much then and especially couldn't have done so if I had been eating "mostly protein." If you were to describe a typical day's menu, that might help others respond to your plea and might help you be accountable long-term.

Mostly, you just need to keep following your doc's guidelines, get your water up, and gradually (as you feel stronger) move more and more.

Very best to you!

It's a strange trip, isn't it?

sraebaer · 01-15-2015 06:36 AM

This happens to all of us, no big deal, it's part of the process. Stay off the scale for a while and keep doing what you are doing.

**mrf0418** · 01-15-2015 06:59 AM

Water intake is super important, you really need the 64 oz.. I agree with Ann, your caloric intake seems high as well. I was sleeved the same day as you and do not think I could get that much in if I ate all day....

**Lisey** · 01-15-2015 07:33 AM

Thanks for the encouragement. I will try and not weigh myself....it's soooo tempting though!!!

**Lisey** · 01-15-2015 07:43 AM

Hi Ann2. Thank you so much for your reply. I am a female. I started my journey at 220. Lost 14 lbs before surgery and now I'm 193. I gained 2 lbs! Yes I did start eating early. The doctor said as long as the food is agreeing with me it's ok. On an average day I ate the following:
1/2 cup no fat pineapple cottage cheese
deli ham with hummus
2 chicken sausages
2 meatballs
1 serving of quinoa chips (9 grams of protein and so yummy!)
meatloaf, meatballs, chicken, etc for dinner
That's a typical day.
I will try to increase the exercise but it's so frustrating that I'm not losing.
Thank you so much for your great advice and for reaching out me.
BTW you are doing great and sound so positive.
So happy for you!
Lisey~

**Lisey** · 01-15-2015 07:45 AM

Thanks so much for your quick reply. You are a true inspiration!
Congrats on your weight loss and more importantly for keeping it off!!!
:-)

**Lisey** · 01-15-2015 07:50 AM

Funny, but I was told to increase my calories from 800 to 1100. Maybe I was given the wrong advice. I will try to increase my water intake. But I still think eating 1100 calories is low enough that I should be losing weigh, not gaining weight. I am going to my nutritionist today. Hopefully she will shed some light on my issue. Thanks for your response and best of luck to you.

**amt5298** · 01-15-2015 08:25 AM

i am only eating about 800 to 900 calories a day and i am almost three months post op and i can only hold a little under a cup at a time i think your calories is to high at about one month i was getting something like 450 a day i keep up with it on myfitnesspal.com

**Ann2** · 01-15-2015 08:43 AM

Lisey, you're right -- that's some high quality protein you're eating there.

**Dewonda8** · 01-15-2015 04:39 PM

Congratulations on the weight loss. I agree with what everyone else is saying. I haven't been sleeved yet but I know several friends and relatives who have had it. Good luck on your path.

**jane_vsg_ayla** · 01-15-2015 05:22 PM

Weight loss is not linear! Some people lose relatively consistently week to week, some stair step losing 2-3 weeks then pausing 1-2 weeks, some people fluctuate going down then up then down...

In the end, it averages out the same... You could lose 2 pounds a week for 4 weeks=8 pounds. You could lose 4 pounds week 1&2 and none week 3&4 = 8 pounds. You could lose 4 pounds week 1, lose 3 pounds week 2, gain 2 pounds week 3, lose 3 pounds week 4 = 8 pounds.

If you have to weigh daily, chart it for 2-3 months and you will probably see a pattern. That is just your body. Especially women - some women only lose during certain weeks of their cycle, etc.

Ignore it. Aim for 5 -10 pounds a month, ignore how you get there.

**sassyrae21** · 01-15-2015 07:54 PM

I was sleeved 12/12/14 and am now just getting to 900 cals....today. I'm stalling as well, for about 2 weeks now but yesterday I dropped 2 lbs. Maybe my stall is coming to an end. Have you heard of the 3-4 week stall? Alot of us sleevers stall right around this time. Our bodies are adjusting after rapid weight loss. I lost 29 lbs then stalled. I have heard that this is normal and will pass.