Question from a worried lurker

Hi everyone Seeing as I gets lots of info from lurking, I thought I might ask a question of my own. So here goes..... Should I be concerned? I had the surgery on Dec. 17th so I am 7 1/2 months out. I have lost "only" 91 pounds and still have at least 66 pounds to go. I have been pretty happy with that (Size 28-30 to 18-20) but now I hear lots of people talking about being near goal and well over the century mark already thinking of TT's. I am 57 years old and don't exercise as much as I should. But my losses (although slow) have been steady. I weigh myself every Monday and I have had only two separate times that I didn't lose anything. Usually I lose between a pound to three pounds a week and haven't seen a gain yet. But now when I see all the talk about the 6 month honeymoon being over and how much harder it is to lose after that I start to get a bit nervous. I know that everyone loses at a different rate and I shouldn't compare and all that but seeing all the great losses makes me wonder if I should be concerned that my losing will stop. Yes I know I have to exercise more but other than that ........ SHOULD I BE WORRIED?? (Or should I just quit lurking - TeeHee!) Thanks so much. Joanne December 17, 2003 - 307/216/150

Joanne, I think most of us here @ this board are hitting a slow period right @ that 7.5 month mark. I myself have lost -96lbs and need to lose like 30 more and I get very anxious for those last 30 to just drop off. I am averaging like 4 pounds a month now in my weight loss. Don't give up...its hard but you will make it. I know what you mean when you read someone has past the century mark...I got 4 more pounds to go! There is nothing wrong with you and you are doing just great with your weight loss. I try not to fall into that trap of when people say the honeymoon period is over. However, I do get on the scale @ least 3 times a day...morning, noon and night. Good Luck Karie -96 size 10/12

My PCP tells me that the average for our time frame is a loss or approximately 85lbs. So you are doing GREAT!! You and I have about the same amount to loose and are nearly the same age. I need to exercise more, too, but find it hard to find the time with work and all. But you're doing great. Keep up the good work, and stick around more. We'd love to hear from you more often. Nona 299/196.5 12/5/3 LAP RnY

Hey Nona Thanks for the input. You are the best! I am feeling a little more secure now thanks to you. Joanne

Joanne I am going through the same thing...I think we all are. I am 7 1/2 months (well closer to 8 months out) and I am down to 142 but I have only lost 3 pounds so far this month. This is so slow compared to my 10-12 early on. I am 17 pounds from goal and if I don't there I think i'll be okay...but I really want to get there! I know I am going through a lot of stress with classes right now and that has something to do with my eating habits (not in a good way) and I am not exercising as much as I could (still about 4 times a week). I will not get to the century club until I am 5 pounds from goal...sure would be cool to make it though! I know that things are supposed to slow down from here on out but we are supposed to be able to lose until we get to 18 months out or so. Don't be so hard on yourself... (I need to heed this advice too). It will happen and you'll think...why the heck was I so worried? Best of luck! ~Rachel

I have "only" lost 75 lbs since Dec 29th. I have about 40 lbs to go or whatever gets me close to size 10 jeans. My surgeon says the honeymoon lasts for 18 months....but around 6+ months you have to fight the HEAD HUNGER a lot more so it seems like you are losing less cause it isn't as easy as it once was. That first bit of water weight comes of fast and then it gradually gets slower...it does that with any diet as well.... YOU are doing just fine! Don't sweat it! I know I need to add a consistent exercise routine to my WLS to succeed better....and hope to do that soon. I hope that it will help get off the last 40 lbs and then eventually maintain the total loss long term! I know I will be able to eat more and more as time goes by and I want to use exercise and not starvation to maintain!

Hi Joanne, yep the weight loss is definately not the same as it was. I'll be 8 months out on 8/1/04. It just is not happening. I've been losing and gaining the same 5 pounds for a few weeks now. I did find out that I am borderline anemic and so I'm on a iron supplement. I think it's important that everyone be in contact with their doctor's and have their bloodwork checked. I didn't know that I was low on iron and that may what be holding me back. We are all better off than we were 7/8 months ago so we just have to hang in there! Thanks for posting your thoughts. Jill

Slow but sure, that's me, too. (note how long it took me to answer I'm 'over 50' as well, and hovering at 80# lost. Adding H20, exercise and protein to my day regularly helps... but I'm still learning this new routine at my 'young' age. And my surgery buddy, who is 33, has already lost 110#! I just use her for inspiration and keep up with the other 'red hat' ladies like me. And remember to be grateful for every single pound gone forever. B4, thought there was NO HOPE of ever getting back into 18's.... now, I'm thinking if I keep it up some day 14's (talls!) might be in my future. Karen 12/16/03 .. 321/241/146 *who are they kidding?! 146?!