New with questions
Hi I am new here and I just had my surgery on 12/22/08 as did my husband. My husband and I went through it together and he seems to be losing at a quick rate. Since the start of this he has lost 40lbs since Oct and I gained 2 but then lost 23lbs since my surgery. I know men lose faster but I am still getting a bit worried. I feel as though my clothes are getting tighter especially my undies. I can see the differance in my husband but I look heavier. Could I really not be losing after the surgery? I have stuck to the diet all except for the protien shakes because they make me feel sick, but I do try to drink at least one a day. My husband tells me not to be discouraged and I am not just worried that it is not going to work for me. Any advice would be welcomed and I really hope to get some support through this site.
Loree
Hi Loree...congrats to you and your husband both on your surgery. You don't say which type of surgery you had and that can make a difference in rate of weight loss, as can your starting weight. But listen to what you are saying: you've lost 23 lbs in three weeks and are fearing that you are not losing fast enough! Patience, lady! Every Body is different!
The first time I weighed myself after surgery, I think my second day home, I had gained 12 lbs. I shrieked! But it was only gas and liquids from the hospital. It all fell off and then the weight began to drop. There are better days than others. There are temporary stalls, as your body tries to figure out what is going on. But if you work this tool properly, it will work for you. Really.
Hang in there. It's too early to be worried about weight loss.
Lisa
The first time I weighed myself after surgery, I think my second day home, I had gained 12 lbs. I shrieked! But it was only gas and liquids from the hospital. It all fell off and then the weight began to drop. There are better days than others. There are temporary stalls, as your body tries to figure out what is going on. But if you work this tool properly, it will work for you. Really.
Hang in there. It's too early to be worried about weight loss.
Lisa
"The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."
No matter what diet people follow men always lose faster than women, so please don't use your husband's weight loss as your gauge - or anyone else's for that matter - we all lose at different rates. If your panties seem tighter you may be experiencing some swelling in your stomach from the surgery. And 23 lbs is a lot to lose in that short time. If you're already weighing yourself every day STOP NOW. Your loss is going to flucutate a lot in these first weeks/month following surgery, so don't torture yourself by hopping on that scale every day - hide it - stow it away - do whatever you have to do but stay away from it.
Right now concentrate on getting your fluids in - especially water - and as much of those protein shakes as you can, even if you have to do small portions thru-out the day - or add protein powder to soups or broths or whatever you're allowed to have right now. That's more important than anything right now to help you heal and begin your journey back to regular foods, life, exercise and weight loss. Yours is going to come off - be patient - that's the best advice you'll get from here.
And remember, women have hormones that men don't and they go whacky after this surgery, which is another reason you may be feeling bloated and/or uncomfortable - lots of things to take into consideration, but remember, the surgery does work, the weight will come off, and you're going to do great!!
Kathy
Right now concentrate on getting your fluids in - especially water - and as much of those protein shakes as you can, even if you have to do small portions thru-out the day - or add protein powder to soups or broths or whatever you're allowed to have right now. That's more important than anything right now to help you heal and begin your journey back to regular foods, life, exercise and weight loss. Yours is going to come off - be patient - that's the best advice you'll get from here.
And remember, women have hormones that men don't and they go whacky after this surgery, which is another reason you may be feeling bloated and/or uncomfortable - lots of things to take into consideration, but remember, the surgery does work, the weight will come off, and you're going to do great!!
Kathy
'One shoe can change your life'...Cinderella
wow I wish I could convince my husband to do this I am so frustrated because I care about his health and I am doing well with my gastric which I had done last july. Men do lose faster at least you know that. try chicken broth, sugar free jello, tea (caffeen-free) but you also need to realize that your body is still in the healing process. One day at a time applies to everything. You will lose the weight just relax a bit and it will come off. Lots of fluids and stay on line and we all will hold your hand and guide you and hubby through it. Baby steps sweetie. Twenty three pounds is nothing to sneeze at. Go to the supermarket and pick up one pound of butter and then another and lets see if you can hold 23 pounds of butter in your arms and trust me you'll see how heavy that is in a little while...well thats how much weight came off of your body so far so don't sell yourself short. I remember when I went for my first follow-up and I was weighed and I said to my doctor "thats all" and she looked at me and said "Linda, thats alot" I really expected to lose more and was dissapointed. It takes time, the body is healing. Go to support group meetings and listen and learn you'll be surprised at how much you can pick up. Welcome to the world of weight loss. Good luck.
Going through this process with someone so near and dear to you is both a blessing, and a demon at the same time. Because the comparitive/competitive factor is right there in your face every moment of every day. At least, that's how it would be with me. When my now husband and I were living together, we went on atkins. I tell you, I did not waiver one iota on that diet for the longest time. I ate smaller portions than he, and basically the same food. At one point I gained weight as he continued to lose weight. I was frustrated with him, with myself, with my diet, with my cravings. It was insanity I tell you.
You've gotten great advice already. 23 pounds in 3 weeks, if you break it down, is over 7 pounds a week. When was the last time you were able to do that consistently?
Now...I might also add that this is the perfect time for a stall - anywhere between 3 and 6 weeks generally speaking for most people. So if the scale stops...dont' freak out.
Also...I don't know how often you are weighing yourself....but try to make it no more than once a week. Otherwise it can drive those mental demons to heck and back.
What Kathy said about starting weights is also a huge factor. The "gold standard" for WLS is anywhere between 50-75% of EXCESS weight loss in the first year. For ease of math....let's go with 50% Now...if someone (lets say your husband) has 200 pounds to lose, that means that they are "expected" to lose at least 100 pounds in the first year.
Now, let's take another person who has 100 pounds to lose. That means, in theory, they are "expected" to lose 50 pounds the first year.
Obviously losing 100 pounds in 1 year as opposed to 50 pounds in one year...the weekly, ACTUAL amounts will be higher for person one, but the PERCENTAGE will be the same.
Chances are, depending on your physical activity, dedication to the program, age, and many many other factors you will lose more than that projected 50% as surgery styles have improved over the past years, and those numbers may no longer be as accurate as they once were.
Welcome to the site - keep in touch - we're a very close knit group here and will always have advice, a shoulder to lean on, and even a kick in the butt when needed.
Pam
You've gotten great advice already. 23 pounds in 3 weeks, if you break it down, is over 7 pounds a week. When was the last time you were able to do that consistently?
Now...I might also add that this is the perfect time for a stall - anywhere between 3 and 6 weeks generally speaking for most people. So if the scale stops...dont' freak out.
Also...I don't know how often you are weighing yourself....but try to make it no more than once a week. Otherwise it can drive those mental demons to heck and back.
What Kathy said about starting weights is also a huge factor. The "gold standard" for WLS is anywhere between 50-75% of EXCESS weight loss in the first year. For ease of math....let's go with 50% Now...if someone (lets say your husband) has 200 pounds to lose, that means that they are "expected" to lose at least 100 pounds in the first year.
Now, let's take another person who has 100 pounds to lose. That means, in theory, they are "expected" to lose 50 pounds the first year.
Obviously losing 100 pounds in 1 year as opposed to 50 pounds in one year...the weekly, ACTUAL amounts will be higher for person one, but the PERCENTAGE will be the same.
Chances are, depending on your physical activity, dedication to the program, age, and many many other factors you will lose more than that projected 50% as surgery styles have improved over the past years, and those numbers may no longer be as accurate as they once were.
Welcome to the site - keep in touch - we're a very close knit group here and will always have advice, a shoulder to lean on, and even a kick in the butt when needed.
Pam
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
Loree,
My ,wife and I went 6 wks apart...I went first. We would have liked to do it together, but the little ones need to be held, etc.
I know in the beginning, it was hard on my wife. Her weight loss was not as quick as mine. I went in May and she went in June. She has lost 85 lbs, and I have lost 125. I also think the fact that we started, I was 75 lbs heavier, but now it's just 15 lbs.
I know I did a lot of walking. I was told to walk to avoid blood clots, but I went walking around the block and since I did it 4 times a day, it was walking 2 miles....just some thoughts
My ,wife and I went 6 wks apart...I went first. We would have liked to do it together, but the little ones need to be held, etc.
I know in the beginning, it was hard on my wife. Her weight loss was not as quick as mine. I went in May and she went in June. She has lost 85 lbs, and I have lost 125. I also think the fact that we started, I was 75 lbs heavier, but now it's just 15 lbs.
I know I did a lot of walking. I was told to walk to avoid blood clots, but I went walking around the block and since I did it 4 times a day, it was walking 2 miles....just some thoughts
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