Is that it? Not going to keep losing after six months?

Kristi, Thank you for your kind words and your wisdom from experience! I needed to hear what you had to say. I am definitely going to stay focused, I just wondered if I was going to strain along with one pound a month or something, and if so, WHY? Surely that's not what we got into this for, to lose weight more poorly after six months than we ever did before the surgery. I'm going to cling to the hope that if I continue to do the right things, it will come off. Thanks! Steph

My weight loss slowed down after the first six months, but I kept losing for at LEAST another year after that. In fact, I am 2.5 years out and have 10 lbs. to lose which I plan to do in the NEAR future!! As for you, I suspect that your body is just "shifting", so be patient and follow the advice you've already been given (keep on keeping on) and you WILL arrive at your goal!! Hugs, Pam

Thanks, Pam, and hugs to you, too! I appreciate the encouraging words, and I hope that I will keep losing for another year, too! I'm going to definitely keep on keeping on, there's no doubt about that. This is my life now, and I don't even want to quit doing the right things. I just want to see results! I pray that I will, like you have. Have a good night! Steph

Steph, You sound identical to worries I had the first year. I worried about this 'window' that everyone spoke of and that I wouldn't lose more after that magical 6-8 month space. I found that the only window that exists is the one in your mind- don't limit yourself by thinking you're 'finished' because you are VERY far from it! It comes off in drips and the gushes- but it does come off. Keep working your program - you're doing GREAT!!

Hey there, and thanks for telling me about your experience. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who has dealt with this. I was just having a hard time, even scientifically, figuring out how I can eat 1000 cals or less a day, exercise at least five days a week, and NOT lose weight. It seems like that would be scientifically impossible, you know? But I'm going to trust you guys who are telling me that it will continue, and maybe I'm just on a temporary stall. Thanks again for the encouragement! Steph

Hi Steph. I am a 59 year young women who started this journey 26 months ago and have lost 170 lbs. I think you are doing wonderfully, what a great loss in 6 months. My weight management doctors had to remind me that I did not get MO overnight, that this journey is not a downward slippery slope of immediate weight loss-but rather a gentle staircase to better health. The journey is made up of traveling down the staircase with weight loss to a "resting" platform where the body adjusts to the lbs coming off and then the inches reduce around your body. Sometimes it seems like the scale does not move at all, thats when the friendly measuring tape comes into play. I discovered that the measuring tape showed me that even though the scale did not move, my body was shrinking. I only measured in two places, my upper abdomen and my hips, below my hanging and increasing panni. I was told that the "window" of losing 80% of our weight takes place within the first 18 months. I am still shrinking at 26 months out. The scale doesn't move that quickly now, but the measuring tape shows me that I am getting smaller. So do the new clothes I am getting. I went from a tight 32 pants to a 13/14 skinny jeans. My tops went from 3-4X to a medium and sometimes small. Sure my PS in Sept 06 helped since 12 lbs were removed, BR/BL; upper adbomen hernia repair; and panni removal. But I lost my last 10 lbs in the past 4 months with following the program, protein, water, and walking. Please be good to yourself and congradulate yourself each day for your achievements so far. Don't set yourself up for failure with unreal expectations. God bess and hugs to you. Monica

Thanks, Monica! Your experience definitely gives me hope that I can continue to lose this excess fat. I'm not content to weigh 217 pounds! I know it's not enough off of my body to be healthy, even though I am definitely healthier than I was six months ago, and feel much better! I'm still considered obese, though, and at risk for getting diabetes, etc., which is what kills the women in my family, sadly. I feel like I have a lot at stake (don't we all) healthwise, and if I were going to stop now I would not be satisfied. I'm glad to hear that you continued losing; I am definitely losing inches, I have noticed, and people are really noticing. That makes me feel great! Congratulations on your fantastic weight loss and your plastic surgery! I bet you look amazing! Blessings, Steph

Steph; 87 lbs. in 6 months is great. Congrats on your accomplishment so far. With regard to the rest of the weight, I invite you to join us over on the Texas message board. Every morning, there's the WLS Express. A virtual train that a lot of us Texans use to keep on track with protein, water, vitamins and exercise. Last week on the Texas board, we had a chat about what was the one thing you wish you'd known about WLS before becoming post-op - not necessarily a regret, but the one thing you would have done differently. For me, it was I wish I'd had the faith in my tool that it was going to work and not have fretted over whether or not every lb. was going to be the last one I lost. Especially now, I look back at my weight loss and until I was with 3 lbs. of goal, my longest stall was 13 days. So, my point in telling you all of this is to relax, try to enjoy the ride. The journey is a really fun experience. Don't miss out on the fun because you're stressing about the scale. Also, the scale is only ONE measurement of better health. Look at things like body fat composition, blood pressure, blood sugar readings, cholesterol. I'm sure all of these things have improved, too. So don't let the scale get you down! Blessings, Jennifer 253 / 138 (below goal)

Thanks, Jennifer! I appreciate the invitation to the TX board; I haven't been over there in quite some time, but it actually helps me to have a place to report what I've been doing, so I think I'll join y'all. I will try to quit fretting so much about this; you guys have convinced me that it is going to continue, though I still can't imagine how I can eat right and exercise and increase my liquids and still continue to weigh the same! It just doesn't seem like, just based on science, that that would happen. But our bodies have a mind of their own, and I bet if I measure myself in the morning I'll have lost some more inches. I think I'll do that! Thanks again! Steph