Need a little encouragement, please!

I had my RNY 8-25-05 and am doing pretty well physically. But I went to my support group and EVERYONE there said they had lost 40+ pounds in 4-5 weeks. I am 5 weeks out and have only lost 27 pounds. I'm doing EVERYTHING I was told to do, not eating anything I'm not supposed to (only full liquids until 6 weeks), eating only 2 ounces at a time, walking daily, etc. It was very depressing and I left tearful and feeling hopeless. Any words of encouragement or ideas to get this show on the road a little quicker?

Hang in there, Becky! My RNY ws 8/26 and from the morning of surgery to today, I've lost 27 lbs, too. But when I count what I've "lost", I include the 17 pounds I dropped from a 2-week liquid diet, for a total of 44. Maybe that's what some of your support group folks are doing. Sometimes I feel like it's not coming off quick enough for me. But then I think, 4-5 pounds in a week...when has that EVER happened for me???? Also, I found that around week 3-4, I stalled and lost about 1 pound. I think my body needed to catch up with the weightloss. So I understand how you can feel discouraged. But I think you're doing everything you're supposed to do! Jen

Becky, Don't feel discouraged. I had my RNY on 8/29 and as of today have lost 27 also. I get frustrated that it isn't moving as fast as I wish, but I think 40 in 5 weeks would be a lot. Did they start out much bigger than you or something? I find that hard to believe for all of them. Keep doing the good work and don't worry about it. As I keep reading...lol...we all lose at our own pace and to me I think we are more on target. Maybe by the end of October we will have lost 40! Best wishes and hugs, Gianna

Thanks for your kind words! I keep hearing people in the support group say they are losing 1 pound per day and it is just not happening for me. I do think some of them were really big eaters before surgery and I (believe it or not!!!) never could eat very much at a time. Maybe the more dramatic change to their eating habits caused a bigger change quicker or something. It is just really discouraging going to a support group and coming away feeling very "unsupported!" Hope you are doing okay otherwise. 40 pounds by the end of October would be GREAT! We'll keep plugging away! Becky

Becky, Everyone is different. At the beginning my weight loss averaged a pound a day, but then I had a stall for a couple of weeks. I had my surgery Aug 1 and I am down 47 pounds, that is 9.5 weeks. So now it is averaging about 5 pounds per week. Just keep up the good work and don't worry so much about the scale.......they really are just about numbers. Take care Joyce

Hey, Becky...I'm 8 weeks out, and I'm not loosinf fast either.(37lb in 8 wks)...and it's normal...... everyone has their own rate.... honestly I also think that in a way not being able to loose fast is a blessing...it gives your body (and skin) time to adjust and feel and look better... so far I've gone through 2 plateus, where I would just stop loosing, but it then picks-up after a week or 10 days....I don't see a reson for you to get discouraged if you follow your Dr.'s rules and if you feel ok ...Hang in there...hugs, Rita

Becky, Hang in there! You are doing great! My first thought was the same as Jen O. -- I bet people may be counting total lbs lost...not just since surgery. Stick with your program and it will happen! Jill

Becky, I'm so glad to read you message! I don't feel like so much of a Lone Ranger any more! I had an open RNY 8/24 and have lost 28 lbs. I've obeyed all the instructions, although I wasn't able to start exercising right away becasue I had so much pain from the incision and tube. I hit a plateau last week and didn't lose anything for 5 days and thought I was going crazy! I know I need to go to weighing weekly, but I just can't resist getting on the scale! From everything I've read, we'll be fine! Michele

I agree with what everyone has said. I have lost 30 pound and I am 6.5 weeks out, I think at 4 weeks, I lost 21-22 pounds, so you are doing AWESOME. I also agree the slower you lose it, the less likely you will have extra skin and that is a good thing. Think about it this way, we are all eating about 500-700 calories a day. There is NO WAY we could have survived pre-op only consuming 500-700 calories and now we ARE not only surviving but we are losing. Even with that small amount of intake our weight loss is slow at times.... That shows me, how impossible losing this weight would have been and was on my own. We have all made a sacrafice for better health and happiness. And at times we all get discouraged, but I would still rather be a 30lb loser at 6 weeks then even imagine how much bigger I would have become without the surgery.....So hang in there. I am so proud of each of us that have chosen to make this journey....And nothing worth it is EVER easy....

Dont fret. My surgery was on 8/30/05 and I have lost 26 lbs. My doctor says my weight loss is very good. My sister had this surgery 22 mons ago and she drank LOTS OF WATER and exercised a lot and she lost 100% of her excess body weight. Hang in there we will do this toghether. CONGRATS ON YOUR 27 LBS NOW YOU DO A BOOGIE DANCE FOR YOUR 27 LBS OFF...YOU'VE LOST A TODDLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can e-mail me any time you need. [email protected]. (((HUGS))) Kacy D. 338/312/132