what numbers do I count???

I don't want to sound naggy or ungrateful for this wonderful tool God has allowed me to receive, but recently I have been a little down about my progress, eventhough I am getting so many compliments, my clothes are loose, and my thighs are not rubbing together as much...as I read of the WOW moments, and weightloss updates, I can't help but feel a little 'behind schedule'.....so I need a little reassurance. Okay, my pre-op goal from my doc was 289, I exceeded that and weighed in at 276 the day of surgery. Now, when I left the hospital, 3 days later, I weighed 291 ...Can you believe it, I actually gained 15lbs IN the hospital!!! So anyway, one week and a half later, I weighed in at 267, and I am currently 258.....So my question is when answering people's burning question of, "How much have you lost so far?" I normally don't include the 15lbs, and I just tell them 18lbs(the difference between my surgery morning weigh-in and now), but when I do, I feel a little depressed that I've ONLY lost 18lbs in almost 3 1/2 weeks. So should I tell people that I've actually lost 33lbs since surrgery??? I need help y'all! Lady D

Here's my opinoin: The first two weeks or so of any weight loss program, surgery or not, you will lose the largest amount you will lose of any other two weeks on that program. You always lose a bunch of water first too. You lost weight prior to surgery so that was your two week big loss there. As everyone else slows down a little their results will be comparable to yours. I've seen quite a few people mention gaining weight in the hospital and that it was attributed to all the liquids you were getting via the IV. I would tell them the entire amount you've lost. Count what you lost prior too - it's all part of your program so it's all what you've lost Lastly...... everyone loses weight at different rates and faster weight loss in the first month doesn't mean that person is more successful than you are. Men lose faster than women, people at higher weights tend to lose more than their lighter weight surgery sisters. I think you're doing great ! Lizzie

I personally started counting the day I started my pre-op liquid diet. When people ask "how have you lost" I'll give them the total, if they say "wow, in the two weeks since surgery??" I will say "noooo, since I started my pre-op diet two weeks before surgery" and then I'll tell them the number since surgery (if I can remember it.) LOL I count that time because if it weren't for teh surgery I wouldn't have lost it. I've been a bit bummed with my progress since surgery but then I realize that I did a lot of my losing before surgery because of the liquids that some people don't start until post-op. Does that make sense? At least that's what I tell myself. My highest weight was 286, I was 284.2 when I started liquids, 268.2 on the day of surgery and 256.4 at the moment...so for me it's only 11.8lbs since surgery...but 27.8 total.

Personally I didn't have to go on a diet pre-op and actually gained weight prior to surgery. So what I've been doing is taking my surgery morning weight and what I weigh now. I know I gained weight in the hospital too but to me that's just the fluid they pumped into me so that's why I didn't count that. The way I've seen it posted people usually go highest weight, surgery weight, current weight. And hey people out there are saying their a little upset when their actually loosing about a pound a day - I'm averaging that too and have no problem. Before surgery some weeks you're lucky if you loose a pound or two a week. Everyone is different and don't forget also that the heavier a person was when they started the more they will lose initially as their bodies get used to the new way of life. Don't get upset with yourself - just keep going...... Carolyn

Tell them the higher amount. I mean if that is what you have lost then that is what you have lost. 33 pounds, you go girl

I thank all of you for your encouragement....I know I probably sound silly complaining anyway, I actually have lost a considerable amount of weight overall. At orientation (9/17/05) I weighed in at 321, at my first dr. consult (12/2/05) I weighed 314, and from there, I worked my butt off (literally!!!) to go from 314 to 276 in just 4mos, all on my own, so overall, I am really happy with my progress. I think it's just that we are all so anxious for the weight to be off.....but one of my mottos of life is "Easy does it!", so I guess I better apply that to my weightloss. Thanks everyone Lady D

I had my surgery on 4/14. I count from morning of surgery per my scale and weigh on every Friday morning. I am currently down 17 pounds in 3 weeks. I lost 8 pounds on the pre-op diet and 23 pounds prior to that on Jenny Craig.

Hey there Lady D , I felt the same way as you did and did not know what to tell people about how much I actually lost ! I weighed 328 at my first consult , did a liquid (medifast diet for 12 week's prior to surgery ) lost 60 lbs. bringing me to a weight of 268 morning of surgery. When I got home I had gained 6 lbs. in water weight so I weighed 274 . A wek later I was back to 268 again and currently at 19 day's out I weigh 253 lbs. So to me I have lost 75 lbs. total pre-& post -op ! I don't add in the water weight that I gained b/c i already lost that once and god I sure don't want to do it again ! So now I just quit confusing myself and use my highest weight /current weight / ? goal weight which I have a personal goal of 155 but if it does not happen or if it goes lower than that then so be it ! For now i will leave it blank ! It is weird though how everyone count's it all differntly . Really since surgery 19 day's ago I have lost 15 lbs. ! Not bad , i don't think ! My surgeon yesterday say's I lost 22 lbs. since my last weigh in there which was 4 day's before my surgery ! So there will alway's be difference's , just keep track going by your scales or what ever method you use and that will be your true and most acurate loss ! You are doing super , girlfriend ! So push that head high and put a big grin on it cheek to cheek b/c you should be darn proud of yourself ! and Carolee 328/253/?

Lady D. Dont get discouraged when you are in the hospital they load you with fluids so the weight you added was all fluids from the IV so that is not weight gain so I would go with your weight pre-op and then what you have gotten down to.......Just remember everyone is different and some people that lose a huge amount in a short time may have alot more to lose then you and they always lose it faster or they lost some weight pre-op, or they are on nothing but liquids you should be proud of the weight you have lost you will see great results just hang in there and let god work the tool for you..................best of luck and just know we are all here for you hugs and love lisa

My surgeons office likes to see 4-6 pounds loss per week in the beginning. 18 pounds in 3 1/2 weeks is right in that range. I felt like I had lost more than I actually had at my 3 week check-up. I was a littel dissapointed. But my surgeons office was very pleased. I would stick with the 18. The weight you gained in the hospital was all fluid weight from the IV's. Losing it really had nothing to do with your new body. My surgeons do not weigh you when you are discharged. I think they realized it results in undue anxiety & confusion. Good Luck to you! Heidi L-S