Question:
Depresses at slow 6 moth loss........
i need some encouragement. I haven't been to this site for months because I feel like a total failure. I go to see my surgeon for my 6 month check today and I have lost just 70lbs. I think this is OK, although I am disappointed it has slowed down (I started at 265lbs). But my Dr will give me a lecture and tell me I have missed the "majic window" boat. I am only going because I feel obligated to follow up with him. How do I get back on track? A lot of old eating habits are kicking in and I keep balking at "just doing it". Please give me some tips. I am back here with my tail between my legs and tears in my eyes. I want to reach about 150lbs.....is it possible to lose another 45lbs in say 6 months or is this going to be it? How do I get rid of feeling like a failure? How do I get rid of the guilt? Thank you for listening. — Katie E. (posted on May 28, 2003)
May 28, 2003
You should be proud of what you've lost so far. I can't imagine you're
done losing weight at 6 months. Just to be positive and get back on track.
You and I and everyone else who's had the surgery have blessed. Try to be
positive and pat yourself on the back on what you've lost so far. Hang in
there....Best of luck to you. Marilyn
— Marilyn C.
May 28, 2003
Don't beat yourself up, I think 70 lbs is a fine weight loss. You are
healthier than you were before! If you find yourself slipping back into old
habits then only you can change that, you need to think about what you went
through for this surgery, how is your protein and water, are you
exercising? Have a real heart to heart with yourself... You CAN do it!!
— Becky F.
May 28, 2003
70 lbs does NOT sound like failure to me! You are so BLESSED to be on the
losing side. Maybe you have reached the "plateau" that everyone
talks about. Things will pick up again. Just have "FAITH"...
and continue to do the RIGHT things. I am still waiting to have surgery...
at least you are over that part. Do you think you need more exercise
maybe? I HATE exercise but it is ESSENTIAL if you want to lose weight.
God Bless you, Good Luck and KEEP YOUR CHIN UP UP UP!!!!
— Eleanore Davis
May 28, 2003
<font color="007000" face="tahoma">Katie... Don't
be so hard on yoruself!! losing 70 lbs is WONDERFUL!! When was the last
time you lost over 10 lbs a month!!
<P>Yes, they say that the first 6 months is the "honeymoon
period" but you are not done! Your window to lose weight is more like
12 to 18 months... Yes, it is harder to lose as more time goes on.... but
you are going to lose it. Remember, WLS is a tool... and you have to use it
for it to work. If some old habbits are coming back into play, have you
thought about seeing a counsler?
<P>WLS is not like any other "diet". If you make a mistake
and do something you think you shouldn't, get up, brush yourself off,
realize tomorrow is another day and start fresh! This tool will not be
taken away from you. YOu have a great support system in this website, use
it.. find other support groups that can help you.
<P>You are<b> NOT</b> a failure!</font>
— Wendy D P.
May 28, 2003
Katie, at 6 months I had loss 67 pounds and my doctor was very happy. He
says as a rule of thumb you lose about 50% of your excess the first 6
months, the 2nd six months you lose 1/2 of the first 6 months and the next
6 months 1/2 of the previous 6 months. Remember you are considered a
lightweight so you have less to lose. You are doing great! Just continue
to watch what you eat, protein, veggies, then carbs, drink your water and
excerise. You'll get there! I started weighing once a month and I'm usually
pretty happy.
— Cookie G.
May 28, 2003
First off....be proud of your 70 pound loss! That is a great achievement!
Secondly, your window of opportunity has not closed yet. You have 12
months of the "HONEYMOON" period....12 months is the time you
should take FULL advantage of your WLS. You can continue losing for 12-18
months post op,...but at a slower rate! DO not knock yourself over this.
What you have achieved is what is right for your body! Do not compare
yourselves to others. It doesnt matter what weight you started out
(lightweight/heavyweight...etc) we ALL LOSE differently. I lost 100 pounds
quickly....but then at 7 months stalled for 2-3 months with no weight loss
at all. Everyone is DIFFERENT....so don't compare! I started out at 266
pounds....lost 100 pounds in 7 months....and then nothing for months....and
then BOOM...lost 20 pounds. I am now at goal weight and my one year
anniversary is this Friday. YOU WILL CONTINUE TO LOSE WEIGHT...the last
thing you want to do is beat yourself up over this cause that can cause you
to eat out your emotions and make poor food choices. GO BACK TO YOUR
BASICS....the basics we had at the beginning of our WLS journey. Look at
your water, protein and carb intake. Adjust it if you seem to be
"off" with any of them. Try no to consume more then 30 grams of
carbs a day. (you dont want to eliminate carbs completely because your body
needs a good balance of everything)...but you want to really watch the
carbs. Increase your water...and your protein. YOU CAN DO IT!! YOU WILL
DO IT!! DON'T YOU GIVE UP ON YOURSELF! YOU ARE DOING GREAT! BE PROUD OF
YOU!
— Jeanine S.
May 28, 2003
Same thing happened with me. Lost 60 lbs in the 1st 6 months and nothing
this past month. But, also, I was letting the junk food back into my diet.
I've joined Weight Watchers online and have lost 5 lbs this 1st week. WW
is much easier now with a smaller stomach. Good luck and DON'T give up ...
keep working at it !!
— Gail B.
May 28, 2003
I'd like to chime in and add that your weight loss window does not
"close" at any point. Learning how to use this tool effectively
is a lifetime process. If you feel you haven't maximized how to use it
effectively, then that's the issue to tackle (though it's also nice to be
aware of the 12-18 month period during which maximizing weight loss is
supposed to be "easier" -- but the game is NOT over at the end of
that time). Review your exercise, your eating (track it, and find out how
much protein versus carbs verus fat you're actually taking in every day),
your water, your vitamin supplements, and your adherence to the "pouch
rules." Work on improving in those areas as needed, because changing
those habits is the key. Personally, I'd urge you *not* to think, gee, I
have only x number of weeks or months to reach weight x on the scale. No,
no, no. Goals are important, but that's "diet" mentality, not
lifestyle-change mentality. Don't let anybody (your doc included) make you
feel bad about what the scale says, if you're working towards making the
important changes. Hang in there, and good luck!
— Suzy C.
May 28, 2003
hi everyone. Thank you for the wonderful words of encouragement and
support. I couldn't see my Dr today cause he was held up in surgery, but
just revisiting the hospital area and seeing other pre-ops waiting to
consult the doctors made me realize I am lucky / blessed to be where I am
at right now. I am going to get up tomorrow and start anew. I bought more
protein drink and I am starting on upping the water tonight as I type. I
totally appreciate the feedback. I can still lose weight. And I will lose
what's right for my body, at my pace, right? Thanks everyone. Katie.
— Katie E.
May 29, 2003
Katie, you ask how to get rid of feeling like a failure..well, you start by
having a positive attitude which is part of the process to keep you moving
in the right direction. Depression slows us down and zaps energy needed to
keep on the path. It is self-defeating! Believing that you are a failure
will just lead you to behaviors that will cause you to fail. So, first
thing-think positive! You are not a failure and you can do this!! Now,
next thing, is tackle one issue at a time. If your water needs upping,
then work on that first. When you have that one under control, move to the
next-EXERCISE. Nothing gets the weight moving like aerobic exercise! Are
you working out 3-4 days a week? If not, start with one and work your way
up or start with 5 minutes, then 10 minutes etc, etc.Unfortunately, the
"just do it" is what it boils down to. No one can force you to
just do it. The motivation to do it has to come from within. How bad do
you want it? If you don't have a support group that you regularly attend,
I urge you to do so. There is nothing like support from another WLS buddy,
and trust me, you are not alone in your struggles...good luck.
— Cindy R.
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