Need some perspective...

OK so I'm going to say some not very mature things here and I'm asking everyone to bear with me and then maybe help me refocus a little?

I'm almost 2 months post op, and I feel like I'm doing almost everything right but I'm not seeing the same results that I am seeing other people get who either had the surgery more recently or are in my same position. When I went in for RNY surgery I was 283lbs and today I'm at 250 even. 33lbs lost in two months is nothing to sneeze at, I'm aware. But it doesn't seem like enough.  Other people with my same stats are already 40, 50lbs down...

I'm getting at least 60g of protein though usually it is at 70 (unless I've been throwing up that day, then it's challenging) fluids aren't really a problem. I've been walking, though admittedly the more hardcore cardio is still pretty hard for me I try and do it at least twice a week.  I haven't really been eating carbs, though there are shockingly quite a few in my calcium chews and milk that I make my shakes with...calories I eat about 6-700 a day...I don't feel like I'm over eating...I'm not eating anything I used to...

I just feel like, I might be the failure at this procedure and I can't shake the thought that maybe it isn't going to work for me like it has the others.  I know I'm whining...but I'm sad because I've given up a lot to do this and get my life back under control...and I'm terrified it didn't take.

Hello.  I just wanted to say to try not to be discouraged.  I am also a slow loser.  I had the lap band in 2008 and I started at 296 lbs.  I was a slow loser then too.  It is frustrating!  All I can say is just keep doing what you are doing, it will keep coming off.  Maybe not at the speed you would like, but it is still coming off. :)

My only recommendation from what you've written above is to really watch your carbs.  I was also surprised to find my calcium had carbs.  I log EVERYTHING in an app call fat secret.  They also have a website www.fatsecret.com I have found this to be the most user friendly app/website for me.  I keep my carbs under 40 per day (including what is in my vitamins).  I don't drink real milk anymore because of the carbs, BUT Krogers makes Carbmaster milk.  It tastes like milk and it only has 60 calories, 3 carbs and 11 protein per 8 oz.  I use this to make my protein shakes.

You aren't a failure, just keep at it and it will come off... slowely but surely.  I go weeks at a time without any loss at all.  I keep my carbs under 40, my protein over 80, I get my water and vitamins in and I exercise.  I get frustraited, especially when I compare my success to others.... BUT THEN, when I drop 1 lb on the scale, you would have thought I won the lottery!! :)

It will come off, don't give up! :)

HI Erin, What Elizabeth said, It a journey not a sprint.  I don't think you are doing that much different than most lightweights.  We all lose slower than some of our friends who have more to lose.  At 2 mths id lost 35, but this week so far ive gained two.  Really hopeful by Sun to at least be back down to what I was last sun.  You've just got to keep plugging away at it.  My one piece of advice, is try to up your protein levels.  Once you find a brand of shake you like its easier (most of us use Syntrax), and I make my shakes with a scoop & 1/2 so that the protein is 35 Grams per shake.  I use almond milk, so almost no calories. 

Good luck and stay motivated!  Youre doing fine!

I've been feeling the same way too for the past few weeks. Month one I was down 33 lbs; month two it dropped to 13.5. So far in month three...4, then 5, then 3, then 4. I'm hovering at ten pounds below my lowest stable adult weight, with the same measurements I had then. I feel like my body got here and went ahhhhh, I recognize this, and is resting here for a while. I'm keeping on with the knowledge that there's a lot more to go and certainly the combo of eating so little and malabsorption will kick in and help the scale or measurements move. Meanwhile, I'm working on my stamina and learning new recipes.

Erinbraugh, congrats on your success! You are doing awesome!!!

Trust your body and the process. Follow the rules and keep doing what you are doing and you will get there! You are doing everything right.

We all need to be uplifted at times, so dont worry about sounding whiny.

We all lose at different rates. I think out bodies are so smart, that our weight loss is not a steady linear line down (for most), but goes down in steps, lose, maintain or a little gain then back down. 

Hang in there, hope this helps!

Big hugs to you all!

It's not POUNDS, it's PERCENTAGES!

By Carolyn M.

Two people, both 6 months post-op. One has lost only 63 pounds and feels bad about her "slow" weight loss. The other has lost 96 pounds and thinks she's doing great.

They are both wrong.

Person A had only 105 excess pounds, so she has already lost 60% of her excess weight. She is actually ahead of the game at 6 months out and is on track to lose it ALL.

Person B had 265 excess pounds. At 6 months out she has only lost 36% of her excess weight. At this rate, she will end up retaining 28% of her excess weight, enough to keep her in the obese category.

What this means is that the percent excess weight loss is a much more critical number than that absolute number of pounds lost.

Percent of excess weight lost: pounds lost divided by total excess pounds.

Use a BMI of 25 as a goal weight.

Please note: These are averages. A patient’s individual weight loss will be different.

I had surgery almost 9 years ago and I assume this still applies today... different surgeons bypass different amounts of intestines when they do the RNY... that can be one factor why some lose more than others. My surgeon was very conservative in his bypass. It took me 1.5 years to lose 147lbs. After the first few months I lost an average of 6lbs a month, then it dropped to 2-3lbs a month.

Its normal to feel like you may fail. First I was scared the surgery wouldn't work, then I was scared I wouldn't lose weight, then I was scared I wouldn't lose enough weight, then when I hit goal I was scared I would gain it back. It wasn't until a year after I hit goal I no longer worried about any of it and knew that I would keep the weight off and never go back to where I was.

Honestly comparing yourself to others does no good... we are all different and have our own unique journey to take. Focus on yourself and what you need to do to be successful and that will last you a lifetime!