Just needing a little reassurance....

I've been kinda down the last several days.  I don't know why - probably hormonal. 

Anyway, I keep having this irrational fear that I won't lose any more weight.  I'll be the one person that this surgery won't work for.

I will be 10 weeks out tomorrow.  I'm down 53 pounds.  Am I about where I ought to be for this far out, or should I have lost more by now?  I know we're all different, but just looking to see if I am in the realm of normal.  (I know - I mentioned myself and normal in the same sentence - go figure)

Girlfriend...you're averaging over 5 lbs. a week.

No you are not normal...but let's get back to the weight loss thing...

You are actually ABOVE average...according to my nutritionist, women average about 3 lbs. per week, men 5 lbs. per week. You are doing *fantastic*.  Don't change a thing, you are obviously doing something right.

I think we all are afraid we're going to fail at this...we have failed so many times at trying to lose weight before. We have an awesome tool now, though, and this time it's gonna work! I promise you...you will be down 100 lbs. before you know it...I predict before summertime. 

Keep up the good work!

Jenny

Thanks Jenny - I hope your prediction is right about being down 100 pounds by summer! 


ETA:  I'll be thrilled to get down to Onederland....  It's been so very long since I've seen my weight with a 1 in the first position...

Christie there is no such thing as "normal" weight loss after surgery.  Each of us is so different that you can not compare because you would be comparing apples to oranges.  I am just under 7 months from surgery and have lost an "official 67 pounds" since surgery.  I lost 33 pounds before surgery to make a total of 100 pounds (I am stuck here by the way). 

The rate we lose weight has so many factors to consider... How many crazy diets have we been on in the past?   How old are we?   Are we post menopausal?  Genetics?  You get the picture, even the medical field couldn't come up with a formula for figuring all that into weight loss.
My body has a pattern for weight loss that goes like this........lose ten pound in ten days and then nothing for three weeks.  Almost without fail this has been the pattern.  When I was early out I had not had time to figure out the pattern yet so I got freaked out and was sure I was going to be a failure.  I got so depressed and wanted to crawl under a rock and die.  With some time and experience you will see what your pattern for weight loss is and embrace it. 

You will not fail, you have wonderful support and a great tool.  Pick yourself up, brush yourself off, your gonna be fine.  Its very emotional to go through this journey, especially the first 3 to 4 months after surgery when you are still trying to figure out how and what to eat, how to get in all those damn supplements, and the yukky protein and not looking in the mirror to see raquel welch looking back at ya.  I promise you though you will get to where you want to be if you listen to your doctors and nutritionsit.  We all get there the same way ..one pound at a time.

I no longer measure my journey by the scale, the scale is not my friend.  I measure by how well I follow my program. 

Jeannie

Christie,  I have the same fears, I am still not sure my doc really did anything to me in surgery  I just feel so good...I think you are doing great....I stopped keeping track as I average about 2 lbs. per week...I was starting to get depressed about it.  What we need is some warm weather with sunshine so we can go for a walk without freezing...Think how great you will feel then!!!!!!

Thanks Paula - it's good to hear that I'm not alone in my fears.  Most of the time I know better, but right now, I think the hormones must be getting the best of me!

Christie,  you dont know how right u are.  Hormones are stored in fat.  So as you lose wt...all those hormones that have been store come loose as the fat melts.  You will have huge shifts in mood.  This is one reason my surgeon puts  most of her patients on  lexapro or something similar if they arent already on something.  

Allso,  I think we all felt like that when we had our first stall.  Also dont forget to eat.  You have to fuel your body to burn the fat.  Dont put your body in a starvation mode.  Good luck

Hi I usually don't respond much but I had my surgery on 6/4/08 and have lost 122lbs.  I have been stuck for months.  I try not to get discouraged because losing is better then gaining which is probably something we would all do if we would not have had this done.  Please be patient and just keep on keeping on.  Good luck to you.  Any suggestions from anyone on how to get the weight loss going again would be greatly appreciated.  I only need to lose 38 more lbs. to be at my goal.
Jacque

Jacque,

Why is it that those last few pounds are such boogers to get rid of??? I need to practice what I preach and lose those last few myself. Anyway, to get your weight loss going again, first be sure you are using your tool correctly. Measure your food. Eat your protein first. Don't drink with your meals. Get in your water in. Avoid caffiene (it's an appetite stimulant & can lead to dehydration). Take your vitamines. Journal your intakes to be sure of the nutritional value you are getting in daily. If you are doing all of that, increase one or more of the PEW (Pritein Exercise Water). Changing your exercise routine would help too. If you typically walk, dance. If you typically lift weights, swim. Using different muscles often helps to boost the weight loss benefits.

Sherri

ps...And measure your body. Often we lose inches instead of pounds because we are losing fat & replacing it with heavier, denser muscle mass...which is a good thing.

Hi Sherri
Thanks for your response.  I agree.  I feel like I have been at this stall forever!  I know that I am so much better off though then I was 7 months ago.  I will try your advice and I greatly appreciate it.
Jacque