Sloooow Looooser!!

I had my RNY December 27, 2006, weighing 272.2 lbs. As of 2 weeks ago, I have been stuck at 240. Has this happened to anyone? I was originally told to expect a weight loss of +/- 30 lbs. per month. I am diabetic and continue to use insulin 2x per day, although significantly less. I also exercise at least 3x per week for 1 hour (aerobics, weight training, walking, etc.). My protein intake is where it should be, and I take all my pills religiously. I measure what I eat, and I'm just not losing. What could be causing this? Any ideas?

I had my surgery on Dec. 13th and to date have lost 57 pounds. I have NEVER heard of any surgeon advising that you should lose 30 pounds a month! And even so, maybe the first month, but after that, from what my surgeon said as well as my dietician, the weight loss will continue but will slow down. I think you are right on track from what I've learned through this website and everyone else. I just had a 2-3 week plateau where I lost and gained the same 3 pounds, but now my body has adjusted and I am back on track. Just try to remain confident and remeber that you are losing! I have to keep telling myself that it's only been about 3 months for me and I've lost over 50 pounds! That's fantastice! But I think the "folklore" that has emerged from this surgery is that you'll drop unreasonable amounts of weight in unrealistic amounts of time. You do lose a lot of weight quickly, but 30 pounds a month, continuously doesn't even sound healthy! Good luck!

Hello and thanks for the advise. I'm confident that I will continue losing, but I'm a little disappointed that I have reached a plateau so early on. I was actually 4 pounds lighter and gained it back within a few days, so I'm sure that was just a water isuue. I know that losing "unreasonable amounts of weight in unrealistic amounts of time" is not healthy. I'll just continue to do what I've been doing and contact my doc and my Nut. Congrats on your weight loss!

Hi! Congratulations on your weight loss! If it helps you to feel any better, I am about 7 weeks ahead of you (surgery 11/7/06) and have lost 50 pounds since surgery, and 65 overall including the pre-op liver cleanse. You are losing at a smiliar rate to me, and I just saw my surgeon last week, and he is very pleased with my progress. I tend to get a little discouraged too when I see other people dropping gobs and gobs of weight in comparison, but we have to remember NOT to compare ourselves with other people. Our bodies know how and when to let the weight go. It will happen for us - just a little slower than some others. Keep your chin up, and congrats again on all the weight you have already lost! You're doing great! ~ Terri

Thanks for the reminder, Terri! I know I shouldn't compare myself to others, but it's so hard not to. Sometimes I feel like the surgery wasn't worth it at all - and I know I'm wrong for thinking that, and I know that when I reach my goal I will beat myself up for having thought that but it's how I feel at this moment. I have lost a total of 40 lbs. including pre-op and I'm very happy about that. I guess it's just hard when you lose slowly! Congrats on your weight loss and may you continue losing and getting healthier!

Hello, Weight loss plateaus are good because: - they allow the body time to come into balance with all the wonderful, healthier changes being brought on via weight loss; - weight loss plateaus test the patience of the dieter and for those who wait, many good things arise; - the end of a weight loss plateau is generally followed by an increment of rapid weight loss. HTH, Kristen

Hi Kristen! Thanks for the info. I really had no idea plateaus were good, and I'm hoping mine will come to an end soon! Thanks again!

Wow. I had my surgery the same date as you and I had the same pre-op weight! That has nothing to do with your question, I know, but it blew my mind. I remember when I went to a diabetes education class after being diagnosed with type 2 that the instructor said that it is harder for a type 2 to lose weight. Perhaps as your diabetes continues to improve, your weight loss will improve too. Also, I had the same feelings about wondering if the surgery was worth it when my weight loss slowed down so much. But my weight loss has picked up again and my diabetes is sssoooo much better. I no longer worry about complications from that disease like I did before and it is so much easier to move and do things. You just keep up the good work and it will happen for you. Maybe do a little walk every day instead of exercising only 3x week. God bless your efforts (and mine too)! Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth, and thanks for your response. I am trying to walk more every day, since I'm a super busy mom of 4 little ones and time is hard to find. It's amazing we had the same pre-op weight and diabetes as well. I'm doing better with my diabetes (I'm using about 1/3 the amount of insulin I used to inject before the surgery!), and I have lost about 8 more pounds. So I am losing, but it's slowed down some. I was able to fit into a pair of pants I haven't used in 4 years, so I'm glad, and I'm learning to adjust. Take care, and good luck to you!