Question:
Could there be a problem with my surgery

Hi, I am 6 weeks postop from lap rny - I lost 33lbs since surgery, but my problem is that in the first 2 weeks I lost 21lbs (which was great-I thought) now since then I am only loosing 2lbs per week? Any one else loosing small amts each week? It has been 4 weeks and I am getting worried at this pace I might take many years to reach a goal. I am not a lightweight either, I am 5'4 and weighed 348. I exercise at least 30-45min 3-4 times a week, eat my protien and get 60-64oz water a day. Any suggestions or encouragement?    — Pam W. (posted on July 26, 2002)

July 26, 2002
Pam, be patient. You are only 6 weeks out. Your body is trying to adjust to this new way of life. Sounds like you are doing great with protein, water and exercise, so just relax and keep it up. One thing I have discovered thru this web site, is that post-ops lose at different rates, but that we all lose. Good luck.
   — Cindy R.

July 26, 2002
Lucky you! I went on a 3-week plateau during that time! You are doing great. Just keep doing what you are doing and the weight loss will pick back up. Your body just needs a little time to figure out what is going on. Be sure to take measurements in addition to weighing because dollars to (sugar-free) doughnuts you are losing inches even if you aren't losing pounds!
   — ctyst

July 26, 2002
Pam, I would tell you what I have been told many times before. I know it's hard, but put the scales away! Get a tape measure. Take your measurements every week and only weigh once a month. The weight will come off. Sometimes 5lbs in one week sometimes 2lbs per week. The good thing about weighing once a month is you don't get frustrated when you see a 2lb loss. And while taking your measurments you see alot of inches going! You sound like you're doing very well. I only lost 17 lbs my first two weeks and I am considered a heavy weight, starting at 371 lbs. Now I am 11 months post op and down 147 lbs! The weight will come off. Don't worry you're doing fantastic!
   — Terri N.

July 26, 2002
Pam, I had my surgery on June 11, too! I lost 35 lbs in the first 4 weeks and then nothing for 2 weeks! BUT, this morning I weighed myself and I lost 3 pounds overnight. Hang in there, we will keep on losing but maybe in spurts and that's still okay! Good luck!!!!
   — cjabates

July 26, 2002
Back away from the scale and nobody will get hurt....... seriously, in our pre-op days we never went near a scale with as much obsession as I see on the site with post-ops. Your weight will fluctuate SO MUCH in a week's time- why let it's highs and lows dictate how your day/week will be? Why not only weigh once a month? Or only at your Doctor's office. If you continue to weigh every day, or even hourly, I can pretty much guarantee you a different answer. None of which is the RIGHT weight.
   — Karen R.

July 27, 2002
Pam, I had my rny on 6/17, and I am averaging a 3 pound a week loss. I lost a lot at the beginning, too- guess those clear liquids didn't have too much nourishment in them. Like you, I would like for it to be faster, but, hey, maybe I won't need plastic surgery when all is said and done. I bought a Tanita body fat monitor that gives not only the weight but the per cent of body fat one is carrying around. I don't want to lose my muscle mass, just the fat. Hang on... it just makes sense that if you are doing everything right, the weight has to come off. One other thing, years of yo-yo dieting has messed up my metabolism so that my body is in famine mode all the time, I've decided. So it gives up each little ounce grudgingly. I don't know what to do to change that, probably nothing. Just roll with it. Hope this has helped. Good luck!
   — Loretta E.