slow loser

Hi there February Group! I'm from the July group, and wanted to ask a question to the WLSers that are a few months ahead of me. There are a few of us in the July section that are "slow losers". I have lost 2 pounds since 10/28 (62 total since 7/6). I was wondering if any of you had plateaus that lasted this long? I exercise, water, and protein. I monitor portions and don't "graze". I monitor calories. I have the occasional piece of candy, but not handfulls or anything crazy. I am 33 years old, 5'10, and I was 280 for surgery date (BMI~40.5). So, anyone in the February group get stalled like this and then go on to lose another 20 pounds or so? I know that some of it is my body adjusting to it's new self. I'm happy with my success so far, but I am so close to fitting into a size 16--just about 8 pounds or so and I'm there! I know I'm not done losing yet. Thanks for your help! Diana

Diana, I am going through my first major stall right now. I had not lost anything pound-wise for over 6 weeks. I am 5'6", 40 and started at 281 the day of surgery (301 is highest weight), For weeks I kept going back and forth between 160 to 165/167/168...i finally had to really go back to basics with protein drinks replacing a meal or two and being really observant of what was going in my mouth AND upping the exercise. I finally lost 3 pounds last week...however, i notice that that 3 pounds is still going up and down....AAAGGGHHH!!! I think i am going to have to forget about the scale for a while because i notice that it is true even when i don't lose weight i lost inches....i am in a size 10 pants and 10/medium blouse.... i will just have to keep doing what i am doing and believe that i am not done losing (my surgeons nurse has assured me i am not). good luck and don't get to freaked out about pounds lost as long as you know you are following your surgeon/dietitican's plan. the plateaus or stalls will go away. kelly

Diana, You are 23 weeks out from surgery and down 62 lbs which averages out to: 2.70 lbs per week. My surgeon wants his patients to average 2 to 3 lbs per week (key here is "average") so you are right on target. I had surgery on 2/25 and have lost 74 lbs since surgery and a total of 124 lbs total. I'm just under his average, but prior to this month was right on target with it. Remember we all lose at different rates and that after a weight loss the body sometimes just needs a break to regroup and rest which can cause a plateau. Keep doing the right things and the weight will come off. I know I have been eating more carbs than I should so that has stalled my weight loss a little. So am back to more protein/less carbs and so far am doing well I think. My high weight was 305, 255 day of surgery, and 181 today. My BMI started at 57 and is now 33.7. I'm 52 years old and 5'1" Wishing you the best and feel free to drop by any time. Mary

Diana, I'm trying to remember when my first major slow-down was, and I think it's pretty close to where you are now. I'm guessing you're normal. I'm 5'4" and started out at 241 and currently weigh 147. I just looked back at my excel chart I made and I've lost almost 30# since that stall. I'm still not quite to goal yet, but I'm now wearing size 6 jeans. Still wear a medium top, but the boobs... Hope this helps you feel better, Linn

Diana, I have found when I hit a long plateau (6 weeks or more) if I change things around eat a few more calories not enough to gain just enough to jump start the metabolism and change my exercise routine, add more protein, more water then all of a sudden I will drop a few pounds and seems to start again. We all just kinda have to experiment and see what works for us I was off all exercise for 6 weeks because of a car accident lost 10 lbs and 7 inches and my friend exercises 1 1/2 hours a day at the gym 5 days a week and has lost 7 lbs in the last 6 weeks we had our surgeries 3 weeks apart and have the amount to lose so figure it out everyone is different. Nancy

Hi Diana, Congratulations on losing 62# in 5 months. I don't think you are losing slow. You haven't stopped losing so you really are not on a plateau. 2#s a week is fine. I lost 57#s at month 6. Then, I had a problem for 2 months - months 6 and 7 the scale didn't budge off 162. I was so discouraged. I was sure I had stopped losing. Then, I lost 10#s month 8 and 15#s month 9. I could not believe it. Last month I lost 3#s. As long as I lose something I am satisfied. We have 18 months really to get to our goal, plus working a little harder after 18 months we can continue to lose. So I hope you go back to your July group and let them know every one loses differently. It doesn't matter how long it takes, as long as you get there. Right? Good luck as you continue on your journey. Paula

Diana - There are a number of us that haven't made the century club yet; I lost 60 lbs fairly quickly, but the next 30 have been very very slow. The good news with that is that any elasticity your skin still has may help reduce the total amount of 'flubber' you end up with (that's what my wife calls it; she's 16 mos out now) when you lose it slowly... But it still can be frustrating. Make sure you are eating what you're supposed to; ironically, when you don't eat enough your body can think you're starving it and throw you install a huge stall. Water's also very very important, but I'm sure you already know that Good luck & hang in there! ...Nick 347/252/-95 (Goal - 165-185; not sure how realistic it is, but what the hey!)

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all of the responses. What was said helped. It's encouraging to know that what I'm going through may be "normal". To help things along, immediately after the holidays I will be writing down my intake and exercise, and concentrating on getting my protein and water in (well, I do this now, but I'm going to really keep track instead of "eyeballing" things). Thanks Again! Diana

I was a very slow loser at first, and it made me crazy! I see all these people losing weight fast, and I really thought my surgeon did something wrong. At this point, i have lost 130 pounds, these past few months have been great, and I feel great because i now know this is a lifelong change. My eating habits, pattern are so different. i didn't cheat thanksgiving, and I have had only one tiny bite of chocolate, and two cookies this year. It gets better, I think , when you know your body better. Sometimes it is okay to eat the fun things, it seems to help you get over a hump. but you just don't over do it, you know? When all is said and done, slow weight loss is healthier for you, and everyone says it is more successful in the end, so feel good. this lasts a lifetime, and your young