Mini-whine: still sooo slow!

OK, I know everyone thinks at some point (well, a lot of us anyway) that they are not losing like they should, but I'm starting to feel like a massive exception in terms of being slower than anyone I have seen on this board! I am 7 weeks today and have now lost 23 since surgery (12 before, so the total of 35 is a bit easier to take). I started at a bit above lightweight standards, but even most lightweights are losing faster than me. There was a poll a few weeks ago where most people considering themselves slow had lost 20-25 the first month - and I'm almost at 2 months with that loss! My doc didn't seem worried at my 6 week visit, but his last pre-op weight for me was actually a week before my real date (because I was postponed a week). I know I lost 5 that pre-surgery week due to the pre-op diet, so his numbers are off for me. I do have a nutritionist consult tomorrow , so I hope that will help, but I am still perplexed. My exercising hasn't been terrific (just a couple times a week), but I have done it the last 4 days in a row faithfully and haven't lost an ounce. I drink all my water, eat all my protein. I average about 500-600 calories a day. At 3 meals of 3 ounces a day, there is really no way I can get in any more than that. I am not allowed carbs, fruits, or veg yet, so I am just eating protein sources. I guess I keep hoping to see someone losing as slow as me to sympathize with, but it seems I am alone in loser's basement over here! I have no health problems and am only 32, so I really didn't anticipate being such a slow loser. I mean, I've lost more on weigh****chers in 2 months! (I know - that weight came back and this won't). I am not exactly despondant or anything - I am thankful for the surgery. I know it's working - I do get full at 3 oz. I have faith that I will reach my goal eventually (although when I have used the goal planner on this site, none of the numbers I input anticipate a loss as lame as mine!). Is there anyone in my boat? I started at 261 and am 238 now. Thanks for reading this ramble! Brenda

Hi Brenda i had my surgery the same day as you did. I lost 13 pounds prior to surgery and since surgery i have lost only 30 pounds. I lost a total of 43 pounds together. I have been stuck the last 2 weeks fluctuating up and down 5 pounds.We just need to keep with the program and give out bodies a chance to realize what is happening. 2 months really isnt that long. I get frustrated every time i look at the scale and i dont see what i want so i am trying to stay away from the scale. Have you measured inches yet? I tried on a pair of my 13 year old sons jeans today and i was amazed, they fit!!!!!!!! A couple of months ago i couldnt get a leg in them. So i know the weight is shifting and in enough time it will go away. I also read some of the older post ops profiles and realize many of them had a very slow start but eventually it came off. Hang in there and if you ever need to vent or talk email me! LisaMarie

Hi Brenda -- I feel for you, as I am in the same boat, pretty much! I wrote a couple of weeks ago after my 5 week visit with my surgeon about my slow weight loss. He was very happy with my weight loss (23 lbs. at the time), but, both he and my nutritionist told me that I was not eating enough, which had put my body in a 'starvation mode'. I now try to eat more, although it's hard. I have been so programmed over the years that the less you eat, the better. Now, I try pretty much everything (within reason). Last night I tried a minute piece of steak, which did not do well at all, but I have tried most meats and fish. I just got off my scale and have lost 35 lbs. since surgery, plus 6 before, for a total of 41 lbs. I cringe when I read about people losing that their FIRST MONTH!!!! But, I am trying to realize that it will NOT come back like previous diets. I'm just going to have to eat more and exercise more. I know we can do it -- some of us will just take longer than others, but let's just keep our optimism up!

I have wondered about the starvation-mode thing. I will definitely bring it up with my nutritionist tomorrow. I just don't know how I can get in more calories. My program doesn't recommend snacks, but I might have to rethink that based on what she says. I measure myself every month, so next week I will see how I'm doing for my 2 month measuring. At one month I had lost 5 inches off my hips, a few from my waist - but ZERO off my thighs. This is making my pants loose at the waist and hips, but the same on my thighs. I think I am destined to be a weird shape no matter what I weigh! Brenda

Me too I had my surgery on 10/31/05 and I have only lost 35 pounds I feel the same ase you I didn't lose any pre-op. I know that reason why I haven't lost as much is because I haven't started exerciing yet. I am sure it will get better hang in there !!!!

Thanks for the replys! All of you are still doing great by my book - 30 to 35 pounds is a fair amount more than my 23. I am going on a cruise in late January and have some nice outfits that are still 20 or so pounds too tight. At my rate, I will have to buy new clothes, which I usually love doing, but knowing that I won't have them for long seems like a waste of money. I think that is a big reason I am so impatient. Another is that I will be looking for a new job in the New Year and I know my employment chances will be better if I can lose more (unfortunate, but true a fair amount of the time).

Brenda. The only thing I can think of is if you are getting enough calories...my doc made me up to 900 calories a day because of exercise.....it is hard but I consider it my full-time job until I get to goal... I sure hope you get some answers to your questions...I have also heard others say when they increased their carbs they lost more weight....I aim for 30-40 carbs a day... Jenn

I try to keep it to 30-40 carbs a day as well - a bit harder for a vegetarian, since I want to eat more beans. I have a long list of questions for the nutritionist tomorrow (if I have to pay for an hour, I'm going to use it!). I'll post tomorrow night with any good info.

Hi, similar situation here, had my surgery 3 weeks before you and I'm at 35lb loss, so you're doing great compared to that! I've had 2 major "stalls", days and days of no loss. I believe those days were my body readjusting to the previous loss, almost like the starvation mode theory, your body then realizes it and you start losing again, thats where I'm at now, but now I fully expect to stall again, and hopefully I won't freak out again! But actually, when I did freak out [read my last post} I began to lose right after that, so don't be surprised if your frustration turns into weght loss! What really seemed to help me was all you guys telling me to up my protein so now I drink a Zone Perfect drink every morning and that seems to really help boost my protein intake . good luck..

Hi Brenda, Congratulations on your recent surgery. I was also banded on 31 Oct 2005 and I was considered a lightweight and have lost about 20 lbs. I started at 238.5 and weight 218 now. While I wish I would have lost more, I am not upset because ANY weight lost during the first 6 weeks is considered "icing on the cake" as it is about healing. Losing 25 lbs. in 7 weeks puts you at about 3 lbs. a week which is 50 to 100% higher than what is expected when losing with the band. Do not get discouraged as you are losing weight "slowly" in your opinion as you will have adequate time for your mind to "catch up" with your body. Sometimes people gain weight just by switching to mushies or real food. Keep following the bandster rules and you will reach your goal soon enough. You have the rest of your life to enjoy being fit. Remember to be thankful that you won't have to lose the 5 lbs. many people put on during the holiday season. Enjoy your cruise. Have a Blessed day, Amber People may not remember what you say but they will ALWAYS remember how you made them feel