I'm so DISCOURAGED !!

Well yesterday was my 4 week anniversary and I am really discouraged. I have only lost about 18 lbs. I just really hope that I am not one of the RNY failures. I have read that some people have the surgery and it just doesn't really work for them. I just don't really know what to think. I know that I should have lost more weight than that. I hope I didn't put my body through all this for nothing. Sorry to sound so down, but I am just really upset that this doesn't seem to be working.

Carol, There is no reason to be discouraged. You are not going to lose all your weight overnight. My doctor told me 15 pounds/month was a good loss. If you are following your doctor's instructions you WILL lose the weight. Remember to get your water/fluids in, protein first!!! , and vitamins/supplements. While the scale may not show a loss your body can be losing inches. Did you measure before you started? If so, measure now and see where you are. If not, well, measure now anyway so you have a basis of comparison down the road. Under NO cir****tances should you compare your weight loss (or lack thereof) to any one else's. Each of us is different and loses differently. There is no 'perfect' weight loss or formula. Best wishes as your journey continues. You are only 4 weeks into a lifetime! Hugs, Mo

Carol - Please don't be so hard on yourself. Remember, 4 weeks ago, you put your body (and mind) through enormous trauma. Granted, it was a supervised trauma, but a trauma nonetheless. So now, you're expecting your body to heal, your mind to become accustomed to your new lifestyle AND to lose LOTS of weight quickly! That's a lot for one body to get used to! When was the last time you lost 18 pounds in ONLY 4 weeks? That's about 4 pounds a week, when the average is 1-2 pounds a week. You have to stop comparing yourself to others - I promise you it's the quickest way to drive yourself nuts! That and stepping on the scale too much! Have you been taking your measurements? If not, I think you should. The one thing I didn't do and I regret is not taking monthly pictures and measurements. When you're not seeing the numbers on the scale move, I'm sure you'll see the inches lost. Are you cleared to exercise? How's your water and protein intake? Are you still on a limited diet or have you been cleared to solid food? Every surgeon has different parameters/criteria, that's why I'm asking. That's also another reason why it's not good to compare yourself to others. Obviously, you've had some appointments with your doc since your surgery - what's he say? So stop thinking of yourself as a failure - you made the decision to get healthy - that's a success in itself. Be kind to yourself, be compliant with your doctor's and nutritionist's orders and everything will fall into place. HTH, Tia

Carol, Feeling down is to be expected. You went through major truma and are also probably in some ways also mourning the loss of food which is to be expected. Look at the positive side 18lbs. down and gone that's great. Each of us lose at diff. rates don't compare yourself to the others. I only weigh myself when I go for my monthly checkup at the doc. office. Keep doing whatever your doc. says and it will come off. Sally

I think I lost about 12 pounds my first month. Where did you start at? One observation I have made is that those like myself that started at a considerably lower weight appear to lose more slowly. I was at 252 when I had surgery. I have also felt like I wasn't losing as fast as everyone. Then i began to notice a trend. 18 pounds in one month is fantastic!!! You should be dancing. Keep up the great work. Aime

Carol - I think you should talk to Sara or Ashli and talk to Pat Jordon, they are all supportive and can help you. I think you are doing great! It takes time.