2 Month Follow-Up Visit with Dr. Bell - 18 June 2004

Well, I just want to start off and say how much I enjoy reading everyone's posts on here - it really cheers me up when I am feeling down - smile Yesterday I got weighed in by Linda and I have lost 36 pounds in two months. I am feeling pretty bad about the low weightloss. Went over my food diary with both Linda and Dr. Bell and neither one of them saw anything wrong with my eating and they said I was exercising good (5 days a week). The only problem they did see was that my water consumption is low and I should try to increase my water amounts each day. I am also short (5" 0"), so that could be making my weightloss slower than most, but I guess the whole reason for this posting is I am just down in the dumps that everyone else is losing faster than me - sad face. I guess knowing that I have failed all my other diets previously, I am worried that this is going to happen again, which scares me so much. I feel like this surgery is giving me a second chance at life and I don't want to ruin it. I don't seem to make any of Dr. Bell's goals, which I really want to do for him and me - smile - on my 2 week follow-up visit he had a goal for me of 20 pounds, I made it to 19 pounds (I was close) but on my 2 month follow-up visit he had a goal for me of 40 pounds, I made it to 36 pounds (not very close this time). I feel like I am disappointing Dr. Bell and I know I feel bad also. I want this to be a success so bad, and I am trying so hard and I guess I am just scared this surgery is going to end up just like all my previous diets, and that scares me so very much! Well thanks for listening to me vent, it does make me feel better - smile Hope you all have a great weekend and Happy Father's Day to all the dads out their! Beth from Groton

Beth, As you know I am pre-op, but this is one thing I've learned from being on the many diets I have tried and failed at. Where would you be if you hadn't had surgery? Would you have gained? Would you have maintained? You've lost 36 lbs.!!! That is wonderful. I want to be the first to congratulate you, and can't wait to join you on the losing side. If Dr. Bell thinks you are doing fine, then you probably are. Drink more water, eat more protein, and keep us posted! Pam

Hi Beth Don't be so hard on yourself; you will get there even if it is slowly. You are doing WONDERFUL!!! I am in the same boat as you. At 2 weeks I lost only 18 pounds and at 4 weeks only 26 pounds and I am 5' 2". I am now on my 8th month and have only lost 73 pounds but I feel GREAT and my doctor said I am doing fine at my 6-month check up. So don't worry you will get there, they say it's better to lose slower anyway. I went from a size 30/32 to an 18/20 and I know I will continue to lose. Try upping your water and protein intake and do a little exercise when the doctor says it's ok. You'll do fine, I was the same way worrying and obsessing about not losing as much as everyone one else but everybody's bodies are different. Good luck and keep us posted how you're doing and write me anytime. Darlene 309/236/???

Hi Beth, Please don't compare yourself to others, it will only make you feel bad. We all lose at different rates, we are all on different post-op diets, and we all started at a different weight and height. 36 is close to 40. I am only 4 weeks post op but I have noticed a day or two goes by with no weight loss, then I am down 2 or 4 pounds. You are doing a good job, they even told you so. Don't be hard on yourself, it is one way I always self-sabotage my diets...Just hang in there, do what your doing, and you'll lose it. Anne

Beth!!!!! Stop right where you are. I can bet that Dr. Bell has told you not to compare yourself to others. Especially at the point where you are now. Your body is still adjusting and doing weird things. You will go through some plateaus even this early on. I remember how disappointed I was at my two month checkup. I hadn't been losing for a couple of weeks and then boom a few days after getting weighed in with Dr. Bell I lost 7 pounds!!! Oh well.......it will all come out in the wash. . Just take some deep breathes, continue to do what you have been doing except you really need to get that fluid consumption up over the 64 ounces. It really makes a huge difference in the weight loss and in how you feel. The weight will come off. Do you feel better than you did 2 months ago?? Are you still the same size? Have you checked your measurements? Keep the faith girlfriend and you will succeed at this. Just keep hanging out with us and we will support each other. Linda

Hi Beth, CONGRATULATIONS on your wonderful weight loss!!! Try and remember that a goal is just that a goal, its not written in stone and you will not self destruct if you don't meet it Everyone is different and every doctor has different expectations. My expection has become to get healthy and not be consumed with the numbers. The other day someone offered me something and I started to say, "no thanks but I'm dieting" but mid sentence I said "no thanks, I'm trying to eat healthy. That to me is so important to loose the dieting mentality since it never worked in the past. You are following Dr. Bell's guidelines and if you keep doing so you will be successful on your journey. Please don't be so hard on yourself, concentrate on the positive and remember we are all here for you, so you just vent anytime you want. Have a great week and remember to do something nice for yourself, you deserve it. Mary Lou

Beth- dear heart...you poor thing. It's SO unfair for you to judge yourself because of randomly set goald (even if they are your surgeon's!) I think you're doing great. 36 lbs in two months is NO small amount of weigh to have lost.b I think a little pat on the back and a reward for yourself is apropriate at this point. Don't you? So- Here's the (((Pat))) Now, How about treating yourself to a little something...a manicure, or a nice new pair of summer shoes...you get the point. Be good to yourself. So, maybe you're a little slower than some people. You're still a loser AND you're following your Dr's program. Congratulate yourself on that! I'm glad that you're upping your water. You'd be surprised at what a difference that makes. Just hang in there. The weight will keep on coming off if you keep on following the program. Don't let the numbers on the scale control your happiness. YOU ARE A SUCCESS STORY IN THE MAKING.