6-8 month mark?

Just hit my 6 month mark today and although I am happy with my weight loss I guess I'm just wondering if I could have done more? I've hit a quite a few stalls and actually gained weight twice-not much but enough to wake me to my senses to the fact that WLS surgery is just a tool, and a tool that has to be worked properly!

I was just wondering who of you are at the 6-8 month mark after surgery?

How far along?

How much weight did you lose? Are you still losing?

How many stalls did you have?

Have you at any time gained weight-how much?

How did you re-start, re-energize?

What foods have you experienced NOT to eat? Best to eat?

Any suggestions, ideas as to eating, exercise, staying psyched and committed?

I'm happy with how my WLS is going and my new healthy lifestyle and those on this forum have been invaluable with their insight-especially the veterans! Although I welcome comments from ALL I was just wondering from those who are about where I am now as far as time how you are making out? I know based on gender, age, background, etc. we all lose weight at different rates but I guess it would be nice to have some kind of benchmark. Thanks.

With the proviso that you shouldn't measure your progress against other people, I will tell you that I lost 99 lbs at six months from the date of my surgery.  I'm at 14 months now, and have lost 166 lbs from the date of my surgery.

I don't know how many stalls I've had.  Many.  My weight loss is a stair step pattern.  I recognize it for what it is and know that if I continue to follow my plan that the weight will come off eventually.

I gained 7 lbs over the Christmas holidays.  I was off work for two weeks and ate things that I shouldn't and grazed.  It took some time to get those 7 lbs off and be highly motivated again.

There is no magic bullet to restarting.  Go back to your plan.  I eat 80 grams of protein a day, try to keep the carbs around 40 grams, drink 64 ounces of water at a minimum, and try to exercise.  I've been walking my neighbor's dog for 3 miles 5 days a week.  I don't know if it's helped to kick start my weight loss again, but I'm seeing the scale move daily in the right direction.

I hope this information helps you in some way, but everyone is different.  I started at a very high weight so my overall loss tends to be higher in the time since my surgery than people who are lightweights.  It seems that as you get closer to 200 lbs and lower, the weight loss slows down considerably.  

Thank you! Yes. it is VERY helpful. I did realize after the few lbs gainedthat carbs have to be limited and fluids and protein a high priority. I do exercise a few days a week concentrating now more on circuit training than just cardio. Not comparing myself because I know we all have different weight loss patterns but I guess you always feel unique-that "I" will be the one it will not continue working for, that maybe this is it, Even as I see the weekly or monthly successes sometimes the old doubts creep in,which of course I don't want to manifest in bad eating choices as before. Anyway, I am still a lot better than before and regardless I'll keep on keeping on because either way I am getting healthier and my life back. Thank you for sharing.

I am 8 months out and I had the DS surgery.  I started at 351 and am now 203. Although I am doing well overall, I have had many stalls along the way....some for two or three weeks at a time. UGH! To help combat my anxiety over that, I started charting my weight loss by the month instead of week, so I can look at overall patterns. This way even if I have stall, I can still look back over the month and make sure I am doing okay overall. I still weigh daily because I am obsessive, but looking at the trends helps.  I will say after 3 months it slowed way down, I am only averaging 11 to 13 lbs a month since month 4. I noticed I did stall over the holidays, but that is okay....a choice I made to indulge a little. I have not gained more than a pound or two at a time, mostly just stands still. Keep up the good work and it will continue to come off. Watch the snacking....I have notice for the first time this month the snacking is creeping back in and that I can eat a little more. Good Luck!

I am 7 months out, I lost 90 pounds since surgery at the 6 months mark, and 99 pounds since surgery at the 7 month mark... it has not been steady, I have had stalls from 2 weeks to 3 1/2 weeks... it kind of happens steps slow/fast/slow/fast. Need to just keep moving forward...this is a marathon not a sprint. Get your protein in, and drink your water. My Surgeon's mantra is "Protein first then veggies, and if you have room fruits and starches" I still have a protein drink everyday for breakfast. I always make it 30g of protein, if it doesn't have that much I add unflavored protein powder to make 30. (I use Genepro get from Amazon) Good Luck!

Thank youguys, you have all done very well. I'll keep hanging in there and I guess I also have to take into account my age. I keep forgetting I am 56 years old! Although I don't feel it I guess my body knows it! So the common key is "Protein, Fluids. Portion control, Exercise-no snacking, and a positive attitude!!" Thanks.

I am 56 too! Slow and steady wins the race. Be active everyday. Some people like those fitbits because even if you are not going to the gym (which I do not) you see how many steps you are taking.... Losing the weight is 90% what you put in your mouth. The activity/exercise just makes you feel good, keeps you strong, and helps in the long run when you reach maintenance. (Just my opinion). Do you go to support groups? I find they help too...keep the eye on the prize

Thanks! And you know that the iPhone 6 has a "Health" app that automatically shows on the Dashboard how many steps you take each day, your walking/running distance daily and also how many flights of stairs climbed? A friend just showed it to me the other day. It just does it automatically with no input or maneuvering from the user and it does not have to be DL'ed. Seeing it everyday encourgaes you to want to put in more steps, distance and stairs climbed on it. So its a good free app!

I am just over 7 months out and at the 6 month mark I was down 100 lbs.  I had one month long stall around the 5 month mark that nearly broke me.  LOL  I just kept at it and eventually it passed.  I found that during that time the scale wasn't moving, I was losing inches.  I still have about 50 lbs I'd like to lose.

I find that I struggle with my water intake, but also that I am more successful on the scale when I get at least my minimum 64 oz.  I try my best to stay away from crunchy sliders like crackers, popcorn, etc. because I can eat a lot of that kind of stuff.  It's almost a game for me now to see how much protein I can get into my menu.  I don't do the shakes, but I will have the occasional protein bar to up my numbers.

I stay motivated by shopping for new clothes.  LOL  I may not buy anything, but I like to try stuff on to see how far I've come. 

You're doing great!

Hey,

im losing my mind right now over the same things. I had my surgery in June2014. I started at 347 and am currently 237. that's 110 pounds. I have lots 10 pounds since Christmas, and I feel awful.

I feel that when I ate 1200 healthy calories, I was good.

the moment I slipped and started snacking on Christmas food, I stalled... and I feel that I am continuing to.

I know weightloss is supposed to slow after, but its frustrating.

I tried to eat under 1000, and work out lots, and that made my weightloss slow even more!

so... the moral of the story is, eat 1200 healthy calories, and work out, and you will lose.

stay away from carbs and starches, no bread rice or pasta, and shy away from red meat.

I do better eating chicken and fish and lots of veggies!

my fave is spicy thai tuna on a rice cake! fills you up and is under 150 calories!

but the main thing to do is workout!

Hope it starts going better for you, I too have realized its not a magic fix, that its a tool.. and I need to utilize it better!

BTW I am under 30, Female, and I am Caucasian.