Question:
What gives with the weight loss???

Last Thursday I went to my surgeon for the removal of my staples, sutures and drains - I was 9 days post op at that point. I weighed in -33 less than I had the day after surgery. Today (15 days out), I ventured out and bought a rather expensive scale so I could keep up with my loss. It topped out at 330 lbs. but since I had weighed 323 in the doctors office, I thought this would be okay. I got on the scale and it said 339 !!!! I haven't eaten anything except a full liquid diet. I'm kind of bummed. I can feel a change in my clothes, no doubt and other people are noticing it in my face...I notice the weight loss in my feet. I just don't get it - is it possible I've gained that much weight in such a short amount of time? Pretty aggrevated if I did - at least if I am going to gain some weight, I could have had the piece of toast I've been dying for rather than broth, jello, soupy soup, etc.. GRRRRRR    — Lisa J. (posted on April 24, 2002)

April 24, 2002
I don't know what it is about the scales at the Dr.'s office, but it is always higher there, versus the scale at home. Quite the mystery....??? I have decided not to weigh myself at home at all, I get a totally different reading. My scale and the scale at the Dr.'s office differs by about 5-8 pounds. I will only weigh at the office, it avoids any disappointment when it's not what I "thought" it was. You should be careful about over-weighing, that can get nerve wracking very quickly. Good Luck!!
   — Pamela S.

April 24, 2002
First of all Congrats on your surgery !! I wouldn't get too upset quite yet, have you ever thought that you may just be losing inches and not pounds?? If I am not mistaken, when you feel like your losing and you can see that you are and tell by your clothes then I am pretty sure that your losing inches and thats a good thing... Even if your weight isnt changing much . You could be turning some of that fat into muscle which is more heavier that fat. That too could explain why the scales arent moving but you can tell some differance. I hope this helps.
   — Subrina D.

April 24, 2002
My guess is it's the scales. I too bought those expensive scales. You get a different weight everytime you step on them. I finally coughed up the money to buy the medical scales like you see in the doctors office. You know the ones that have the sliding weights. Best $200 I ever spent. But assuming you had one of them, your weight can still vary alot. I have had problems with water retention since 1993 and must take water pills. If I miss one or two days I'm up 4-10 pounds! Anyway, your time of month can influence it to I suspect. Your newly post op, so it would be better to weight only once a week now. However I too got on every day. lol It's only human nature. Best of luck to you!
   — Danmark

April 24, 2002
Home scales digital or analog are unreliable. Homew digital scales are analog inside, and just convert the analog reading to a digital readout. I dissected one and found out:) I get weighed at pet supplys plus, a local pet store. They have a digital professional platform scale thats highlyy accurate. Get off and on 10 times, my weight is ALWAYS within a pound. My home scale bounces around a lot. I just use it as a guide. It helps to never move it. The pet store scale agrees with my PCPs, and is close to my surgeons scale redings wise. <P> Dnt fret it tour loosing BIG time and thats what counts!!!!!!!!!!!!.
   — bob-haller

April 24, 2002
One other thing to consider. If you are like most of us, you weigh at home first thing in the morning, after going to the bathroom and before having anything to eat or drink. You are also wearing little, if any, clothing. Now 6 hours later at the doc's office, fully clothed, having eaten breakfast and maybe lunch. That is going to make a difference of at least a few pounds.
   — garw

April 25, 2002
Hi LJ, I doubt you have gained. As long as the clothes feel loser, don't pay attention to the scale. I have a "good" scale too. It weighs me 17 lbs. lighter than my surgeons and PCP's scales. I finally asked my PCP if I could come there every so often and get weighed. She very happily said yes. She is as interested in how I am doing as I am. With the home scales, no matter the price, it depends on the surface they are sitting on and how good they actually are. I saw a post yesterday, suggesting going to Staples or Office Depot and buying one of the scales with the platform and digital readout connected by a wire. You can mount the readout or lay it on a counter etc. They are about $80.00. My scale was more than that and obviously very inaccurate. Be patient with yourself. To me the hardest thing about the surgery is the emotional issues that goes with it. Relax and love that changing face (and neck) in the mirror. My feet got smaller too!
   — grammie5