Question:
I am 7 1/2 weeks post op, and a slow loser. Will I reach my goal?

I started at 255 and 5'6" at my consult, and on the day of surgery was 248. I am now 211 1/2. I lost the majority of the weight in the beginning, and the last few weeks have been slowing down to around 2 to 3 pounds a week. At this rate, I'd like to know from those of you who are long term post ops, what's the likelihood that I will reach my goal weight of the low 140's? I am ready to wait, but would kinda like to know what the odds are. I eat under 900 calories a day, drink 7-8 cups of water/liquid, and exercise 3x a week. Thanks!    — Fixnmyself (posted on April 11, 2003)

April 11, 2003
That is pretty close to how I was losing. You can check out my profile, at the end, where my loss is dated. Started 245, 5'6", now 17 mo. post-140. You CAN reach your goal!!
   — Cheri M.

April 11, 2003
A.G., you're losing at the same rate I was, starting from nearly the same place (I'm 5'7", was 268 on day of consult, and 256 on day of surgery). I, too, calculated my weight loss rate, at about 7 weeks out, as 2-3 pounds a week, and said, What the heck, I've lost that much on Weight Watchers, why the heck did I have my insides redecorated? Of course, in obsessing over my weight loss rate, I completely overlooked the fact that I had the surgery to keep from gaining the weight back (this time), not to set a land-speed record for weight loss.<P>I have no idea how likely it is you'll reach your goal, but for what it's worth, I reached mine (147 lbs.) at just shy of nine months out. I had tried to train myself mentally to allow at least a year to get there, to try to take the pressure off somewhat. In retrospect, it was nuts of me to ever think of myself as a "slow loser" at any point, but I'll admit that I did think that for quite awhile. It's all part of the WLS insanity; welcome to the nuthouse, and enjoy your success! ;~)
   — Suzy C.

April 11, 2003
If you lose 2-3 pounds a week...3 pounds times 52 weeks is 156 pounds in a year or 2 pounds a week times 52 weeks is 104 pounds. When you put it like that then it's not so bad. It may seem slow now but it adds up quickly. You CAN reach your goal if you keep your eyes on the prize. Are you eating a lot of protein and skimping on the carbs? Maybe you can shake up the routine and exercise an extra day a week? Maybe try a new routine. Don't always do the same thing - shake things up a bit. When I did that I lost 11 pounds in a week and like you, I'm a slow loser. But the thing is that YOU ARE LOSING and that you are going in the right direction. Even if I am a slow loser I WILL REACH MY GOAL! You must believe that as well. :o)
   — Tracy A.

April 11, 2003
I am in the very same boat and look at it the same way as a previous poster. I started out at 5'7" and 266 the day of surgery. I have lost 59 pounds in 3 months and never lose more than 4 pounds in a week. My standard is 3.25. It all has to do with your basal metabolic rate and how many calories you eat. I am generally in the 650-800 region and I exercise about 3 times a week too. At this rate I will be at goal (147) by mid August (only 8 months after surgery!) I think as long as you lose steadily you are doing great. Also I have had no plateaus, so it seems that slow and steady are really working for me. I see a nutritionist weekly and she says that my loss is exactly right for the calories that I ingest. I also notice that the more water I drink the more I seem to lose. I think youare doing very well! :)
   — Carol S.

April 12, 2003
You're doing wonderful! You are a "lightweight" and we just lose weight slower. But you've already lost about 40lbs in LESS than 2 months- that's excellent! I find that many lightweights will lose a whole bunch their first month or two, and then slow down after that to about 2lbs. a week. I lost 30 my first month, and then 10 each additional. Started at 250 and am now 134 (only 4 more lbs. to go!) Oh.. I'm almost a year post-op and 5'2". You will definately reach goal in no time, just keep up with your good habits like you are. Goodluck to you :-)
   — Lezlie Y.