Recovery varies from person to person. Follow post-operative instructions, stay hydrated, care for wounds, wear compression garments & attend follow-ups.
April 26, 2026
Table of Contents
Have you been on a diet or weight loss program only to hit a plateau?
This point of stagnation, where suddenly it seems you can’t lose any more weight, can be a confidence breaker, but perhaps you can take consolation that it is a common problem for many.
But why does it happen?
Body Weight Set Point
The particular weight, or range of specific weights, that your body seems adamant about clinging to despite your efforts, is known as a body weight set point [1].
Our body is a marvel.
For example, when something is wrong, our body strengthens its defence mechanisms to prevent illness or further deterioration.
Apparently, it’s the same when it comes to weight loss.
This auto-regulation kicks in around our body’s weight set point to adjust to sudden changes and maintain balance.
Maintaining homeostasis keeps us balanced [2].
When it comes to losing weight, our bodies are better equipped to protect against starvation than against sudden weight gain.
The Gender Factor
Almost 85% of women find it hardest to lose weight from the lower abdominal area, hips, and thighs [3].
This predicament is because women are predisposed to store fat in these areas to aid the body during pregnancy.
Common solutions to address these trouble spots include adopting a calorie-deficient diet, avoiding fattening foods, and adding cardio and strength training to your exercise program.
The results often vary, and not everyone achieves their goals.
The Hormone Effect
Hormones play a crucial role in our daily well-being.
They affect a series of processes in our body, from reproduction to metabolism and mood.
Hormones like leptin, ghrelin, and insulin control your body’s metabolism, and they respond to changes in your body weight [4].
High testosterone levels are generally associated with lower body fat.
Stress levels are also crucial in weight loss and can impact hormones like cortisol.
A balance must be achieved among these hormones to achieve successful weight loss and reset your body's weight set point.
Losing weight and breaking that body weight set point barrier is a process that takes effort [5] in every aspect of your daily life – from what you eat to the kind of exercises you do, and, most importantly, maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your stress in check.
The effort will be all worth it when you look in the mirror or on the weighing scale and realise you’ve fulfilled your goals.
Stay strong.
