Depressed

I had my surgery on 9/1/2005 and I have only lost 21 pounds. I feel like something is wrong. I am only eating about 350 calories a day. My starting weight was 230 and I was hoping to be out of the 2's by the end of September. Has anyone else experieced a slow weight loss.

I think quite a few of us are not losing as quickly as we wanted to, myself included. IMO, you are not eating enough calories. Are you getting in all of your protein? Drinking enough water and exercising? Just your protein should be that amount of calories if not more. Right about a month out, our bodies start to go into hibernation mode and most of us experience a stall because our bodies are trying to figure out what the heck we did to it and it thinks we are starving it, so it tries to conserve energy. Just keep at it. If you are doing everything you are supposed to be doing, then you have nothing to worry about. It can't stay this way forever, the weight will come off. I really hope you feel better soon. (hug) Beth

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I am drinking about 2 unjury's a day and trying to get the other 20 grams from other sources. Ruth

I agree with another respondent who said she didn't think you were taking in enough calories. You've got to keep your metabolism revved by taking in enough. Protein's important so you don't lose muscle tissue and so you can increase muscle, which helps you burn more calories. My surgery date was 9/12 and I've lost 10 lbs. Though I'd like to have lost more, I'm told that that is quite good and that I will continue to lose. I haven't been exercising much in these past 3 weeks, but I'm getting back into my previous exercise regime tomorrow. I expect, too, that I may see more change in clothing size and body shape than I do in weight initially, as I'll be building muscle, and muscle weighs more. I have to remind myself to be patient. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist to see what you might do differently. Be patient and hang in there. I know where you're coming from.

Thanks, I think when I am able to excercise it will be better. I can only walk right now because my surgery was a little more extensive because of a lot of scar tissue. But fortunately my doctor was able to still do it LAP. Of course that was my second try. The week before they went in LAP and couldn't get through but another surgeon was going to do an open but when he started he found he was able to do the LAP. Thanks again Ruth

Ruth... A few things... 1. I think they are right about the calorie thing. 2. People who loose slower have less sagging skin issues. 3. If you start off not having as much to loose, you tend to loose at a slower rate. 4. Waht kind of WLS you had can play a role in your loss too. Banders loose slower then RNY. Are you still retaining water as part of you healing process? 5. Are you getting in enough water.... Just a few things to look at. A freind of mine lost her weight in the first year VERY slowly... the LUCKY dogs tummy looks perfect, no plastics for her... Best of luck... ERIN

Great advice, thanks. I had lap RNY. I know I'm not getting enough water. So, today I'm making a consertive effort to drink more water. Thanks again Ruth

Ruth, I am 4 weeks post and have only lost 20lbs since surgery. Thought I would lose more too, but am trying to be happy about it, since I never lost 20 pounds in 4 weeks before! I am trying to keep my calories between 600-650 a day, and protein 60-80 g. With these numbers, there is no physical way to NOT lose! Keep a food journal, it may help keep you centered. Hang in there, you are NOT alone! Denise 253/212.5/140

I agree with everyone's advice thus far. Here's my 2 cents You need to consume a MINIMUM of 48 oz ( including protein drinks ), but your goal is to drink at least 64 oz every day. Next, I have been chatting with folks at my support group and reading everyone's profiles, message boards, etc. and the average weigh loss for the first month is usually 20 pounds. As we know ( and despise ) men lose faster. Keep in mind, someone who weighs 225 is going to lose less than someone who weighs 325 during that first month. Everything is relevant I lost 10 pounds the first week & I was freaking out with glee. Only 3 pounds the second week, and nothing the third week. But, you know what? By my one-month post-op, I will have lost approx. 20 pounds. That's NOT a bad thing Good luck to all of us struggling with this. But, you've gotta cut yourself a break ! Don't beat yourself up. Kym from NH

Thanks so much, I have received such support from all of you. You are better for me than my therapist. I will certainly take all of your advice. I am drinking between 48 and 52 ounces of protein. Thanks again Ruth