Question:
Any other year or more post ops disappointed with your weight loss?
I am 15 months post op, open proximal RNY. I have lost a total of 130 pounds, and need to lose about 95 more to reach goal. I think I am doing everything right .... water, protein, exercise, vitamins. I don't eat refined sugar at all, and I limit the sugar grams in things like fruit and dairy products. I don't drink carbonated beverages or drink with my meals (I wait at least an hour afterwards). The only thing I refuse to do is to "diet" (starve myself). My weight loss was pretty good the first 7 months (I lost 100 in 6 months, and it has taken me 9 more to lose the additional 30). For the last 2 months, I have gained and lost the same 4 pounds repeatedly. The 130 pounds is about 57% of my excess. I am very depressed about this, as I feel that this is it. I am much healthier now, and feel so much better and am truly thankful for the 130 pound loss ... but I can't help but be sorely disappointed that I will probably never reach (or get close to) goal. I so wanted to be normal .... just this once, as I have never had that experience. Did this happen to anyone else have this experience? I know that WLS is only a tool .... but I feel like I am doing my part, but my tool is letting me down. I have an appointment with my surgeon to discuss/rule out the possibility of mechanical failure. Other than that ... any ideas? I don't usually post anonymously, but I am feeling like such a failure right now, that I don't want to disclose my identity. Hope you guys understand ... and please forgive such a negative post ... but I am in a negative place right now. — [Anonymous] (posted on February 21, 2002)
February 21, 2002
for whatever it's worth, i am six months post op and down 60lbs. my bmi was
40.1 and is now 31. BUT it has taken me three months to lose the last ten
lbs. And my terrible eating habits are coming back. not dumping on
sweets. just plain scared that this will be for naught.
But your loss has been phenomenal. And , forgive me for saying this, but
YOU have a right to be plateau-ing. The doc told me that you lose only 2/3
of overweight via the surgery. Yes, there have been incredible losses and
that does seem to be the majority. But I have only lost 12 lbs since
nov/dec. good luck
— michelle R.
February 21, 2002
I'm going to post anon also. I have been what I call a "slow
loser" because most people lose 100 lbs. the first 6 mos. I
would lose about 10 lbs/mo. I am 13 mos. post op, RNY open
and still have at least 30 lbs. to lose and, yes, I'm kind
of disappointed that mine has not gone as fast as everyone
else. Again, like you, I AM extremely happy I have lost 102
lbs in 13 mos., but I thought it would be a lot more a lot
faster. I also want to know if we can still lose weight after
the 12-18 month window. I hope you get some answers because
I'm interested in them also. Good luck!
— [Anonymous]
February 21, 2002
Wow. I really appreciate the honesty in these posts. And you have no idea
how helpful it is for other slow losers to hear we are not the "only
ones." I mean, I know EVERYONE doesn't lose 100 lbs in the first six
months - but sometimes I feel like everyone but ME did!! I am 7 months
post op and have lost 76.5 lbs. (I started out at BMI 45 - 287 lbs). Am I
happy to have lost it? Sure. Do I wish I'd lost more? Yea. I'm still
losing - but at a rate of a pound a week. Mostly I feel some regret, I
guess, that I didn't maximize my "six month" window -- I mean, I
didn't exercise that often, I didn't really limit my food choices, etc.
I'm not eating anything like I used to, but I don't starve myself. I eat
sweets and fat - just not nearly as much as I used to. It's all a big
trade off. I have started exercising pretty regular over the last month or
so. I do feel a little like a WLS "failure," but then I look at
a "before" picture - and I remember how miserable I was before.
It's more than just the actual pounds I've lost - it's the obsession and
constant focus on how big I was I've lost -- and that feels good.
Continued good luck to you. Open RNY 7/17/01.
— blee01
February 21, 2002
How many calories are you getting in? Sometimes if you don't have enough,
your body will stop burning because it thinks its starving. Just a thought?
I hope you find your answers! The best of luck to you.
— Angela B.
February 21, 2002
I am 1 year post-op and down 165 lbs. According to the charts, I still
have another 67 lbs. to go to be an "ideal weight." I've really
had to struggle with this concept of "ideal weight." Who makes
up these charts anyway? I am tall (5'9"), have HUGE bones and haven't
fit into the "ideal weight" category since I was in 5th grade and
much shorter. Talking with my mom the other day, she wisely advised me to
adjust my goal from 173 ("ideal" for my height) to 190 (realistic
for my build). Since I have done this, I have been so much happier. That
means I only have another 50 lbs. to go in the next 6-12 months of my
"opportunity window." I can do it!!!! Please don't get
depressed because you aren't close to what somebody else has decided is
right for you. Only you truly can set a realistic goal for yourself.
Factor in your height, build, genetics, etc. Look in the mirror. Do you
look fat anymore? If not, you probably aren't. Keep the faith!!!
— Terissa R.
February 21, 2002
I'm not a year out yet. I'm 9.5 months out and definately disappointed with
my weight loss. I lost my second highest on the six month aniversity. Then
it basicially has almost stopped. On month 9 (Feb 8th) I only lost 2.5
pounds. I started at 319 pounds shortly before surgery. I wanted to lose
190 pounds and weight 129 pounds (right BMI range for me). Instead at this
point it is reversed... that is I've lost 129 lbs and weigh 190! I don't
eat that much, and I just cant lose any more. My weight for the last couple
of months (3 months I think) goes from 194-198. This is the damnedest thing
I've ever seen. I've had my guts all cut up so I can't eat much, and don't.
But for what? To wear a size 40-42 jeans the rest of my life??? I'm only
5'2 1/2. 190 is still very obese! I'm so p"issed at my body" for
leaving me at this high weight. Now my knees are starting to kill me again
(so knee replacements are probally around the corner)... and to top it off,
my gallbladder will be coming out on March 1st. Am I disappointed?
Absolutely!
I did'nt get all "chopped up" to weight 190-198 on a short frame
like mine. And nothing will get this fat body lossing again. :(
— Danmark
February 21, 2002
You have done so great with your weight loss! I think it is fantastic that
you have lost 130 pounds! One thing I have noticed is that when people have
been heavy for a while they build up muscle from carrying themselves
around. If that is the case, the "charts" may not apply to you. I
have a good amount of muscle from my weightlifting days and if I were to
reach 110 pounds as the chart recommends for me I would be at a very
unhealthy 8% body fat! If you set your goal by your size or body fat
percentage or how healthy you feel you will probably feel a lot more
satisfied. You said it yourself: you are healthier and feel better now. I
hope that you can see yourself as you are--a wonderful person who can now
do those things you could never do before and who will live long enough to
enjoy them now. That is DEFINITELY not a failure in my book. I wish you the
best of luck.
— ctyst
February 22, 2002
This is the original poster. Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging
responses. I really needed to hear them. I am feeling better about things
today, and am trying hard to convince myself that even if I don't get to
goal, I am not a failure. Thanks again for your supportive responses.
— [Anonymous]
February 23, 2002
Lots of things can affect weight loss. Some hidden things...like
medications for one. Are you taking any anti-depressants...steroids, like
Prednisone? Those things can definitely affect weight loss. Please no one
flame me, but I also think regular (like 5X/week) exercise will help with
success. Pre-surgery (and even now sometimes) I hated exercise. Early
post-op it is too easy to NOT exercise because you see the weight just
falling off. Exercise especially muscle building will help alot because
the more muscle you have the more fat you will burn. Cardio is also
important. If you haven't started a regular routine...it isn't too late.
The sooner the better. Good luck to all of you.
— Karen B.
February 23, 2002
You've done a great job with the time you've had! You've got nothing to be
ashamed of here at all. You've run down the checklist, and I was glad to
see you're headed to just tick off the mechanical issues. The other thing
is the type of surgery you had. Some models simply will not get it all, no
matter how "good" you are. Have you investigated the
"odds" for your surgery? And over how much time? You're not DONE
yet, probably have lost another size or two since your last "scale
change". So, perhaps it's not really over yet. The only other way I
know to kick off new wt loss is to add yet another 30g of protein
(presumably you're up to 90-120g now, but it's worth a try) and yet ANOTHER
glass of water.
— vitalady
September 13, 2002
Please try andnot get to down on yourself..I to havexperienced what you
are. But you have to keep going..your body just has to catch up to your
weight loss..it's different for everyone. We were huge forso long thatour
bodys got programed..so keep at it and the rest will comeoff.
— brenda C.
May 26, 2003
I had my surgery 18 months ago tomorrow,I too am in a very negative place
now.I`ve lost 118 lbs.,an have gained an lost a few lbs.several times.I try
to stay strict with myself but feeling like I am now I find myself sliping
into some bad habits.I crave sweets when I`m having my period cycle tho I
had a hysterectomy in 89 .I weighed 337 before now I weigh 224 to 230 ,I`ve
been unable to lose anymore,I`m 66 pounds from goal weight,I`m getting
offencive comments from my husband an some family members it`s all very
troubling ! I feel like I`ve failed again.Please only possitive replies I
could`nt stand anymore criticizom .
— JULETTA K.
May 26, 2003
I am in the same spot as some of you have posted. I have jumped started my
weight loss again with the Atkins diet.
I figure I have nothing to lose (or should I say lots of fat to lose) I
need to lose 50 more pounds. I have lost 5.5 pounds in 10 days and hope to
keep going. It's an easy diet to follow and close to what we should be
doing anyway.
— Candace F.
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