Question:
Can you guys tell me how much you lost each month the first 6 months?

I had surgery three weeks ago and lost 19 pounds in the first 10 days and have only lost 2 pounds in the last 11 days!I'm worried,I am drinking a lot and getting about 40-60 grams protein each day.My mom says that is inevitable that I lose weight.Did I have this surgery just to lose 21 pounds?    — natalie J. (posted on December 26, 2003)


December 26, 2003
natalie, You are going to look back on this question and laugh at yourself. I posted and though the same thing. That's how I know. Be patient. Get more protein, exercise, drink lots of water....and THE WEIGHT WILL COME OFF. I will be checking on your progress over the next six months. I wish you the very best. Ann in TX 414/293.140
   — Ann B.

December 26, 2003
My weight has been pretty much the same way. I didn't lose anything the very first week. (I was full of IV fluids and everything.) I lost several pounds on week 2, and then I pretty much leveled off on week 3. I think it's perfectly normal...but frustrating! Take your measurements!!! I've noticed that I've lost 17 inches so far! (I'm 3 1/2 weeks post op.)
   — Try A.

December 26, 2003
Haven't got a clue - honest. I weighed only when I saw my surgeon at 2 weeks, and 3 months and then again at about 5 months...from there I started weighing weekly and now nearly daily. I do know that I did lose, and I'm sure I must have plateaued occasionally, but thankfully wasn't tortured by it until much later postop. I'd read about that pitfall preop and seriously chose to avoid it postop. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 26, 2003
108 lbs. But don't worry. It HAS to come off! Your body is just "catching it's breath! Then it will start losing again. It's stop, move, stop, move... on and on. It's scary, but has to lose eventually as you are not able to eat much. ;)
   — Danmark

December 26, 2003
Save yourself all the anxiety, stress, and worry and stay off the scale. Be sure to measure yourself once per month to get an adequate picture of what's going on with your body. If the number isn't moving very quickly on the scale, chances are you're losing inches. Work your program (protein first, lots of water, exercise, daily vits) and the weight WILL come off. For the first 3-4 months, at least with me, it did seem to melt off. Everyone's body is different. Plateaus are a very natural biological function and they DO pass. There is a lot going on with your body and it needs some time to catch up. I started at 276 in 9/02 and today weigh 150 (I'm 5'3" and 40 yo). I became somewhat obsessive about weighing every day and it has caused me undue stress and anxiety. To see my weight chart, check out my profile. To answer your question, however, I lost 82 lbs in 6 months. You can do it! All the best.
   — Kimberly L. A.

December 26, 2003
ATTN: SLOW LOOSERS I am a Slow-Looser also. I've seen this question posted many times on this site, and have answered individually. But, for the rest of us: For those of us who tend to loose slowly, here are some potential reasons; and even good affects: 1. We can't compare our weight loss to anyone elses; our bodies have their 'time'/game plan... be patient. 2. The slower we loose, the less potential saggy-skin there will be to 'remove' surgically--later !! 3. I've heard the older one is, the slower the process... hmmm. that could be true? 4. Platues: I've been on them for two months at a time-several times now/as far as the 'scale' goes... but have been dropping sizes in clothing at the same time also. 5. Don't think you have failed in any way IF you don't loose a bunch of weight really FAST... eat what you are supposed to eat-ALWAYS-- drink water, take Vitamins, exercise, do what you know to do... the weight WILL come off. 6. The Window-of-Opportunity to loose weight does not end 'magically' at a certain time... God Bless You ALL.
   — barbara L.

December 26, 2003
Happy Holidays! You need to reflect back to "When was the last time I lost 19 pounds in 10 days" and use this tool wisely. Your weightloss thus far is wonderful...Congrats! Your doing Great! Your body has to take time and catch up....it's in shock! lol This is not a plateau...a true plateau last at least 4 weeks or more. Trust me and others....Eat your protein/drink your water/take your vits/"Exercise" and you will loose! Keep a journal! Food eaten/# proteins daily/water consumption/# carbs daily My surgery date was 2/11/03 and I weighed 250. I had LAP RNY and I walked my 1st mile, as soon as I got home from the hospital. Granted it was slow, but I did it and everyday since then 7 days a week. I aslo, weigh and measure once a month on the 11th. I did the weighing in thing every day, till I opted for the once a month after the 1st 3 months following surgery. Now, 10 months after surgery I'm only 5-7 pounds from goal. I was considered a light weight....I had 115 pounds to loose. Keep in mind I was 53 years of age and 5'4". I had a breast reduction mid Nov and could not exercise for 6 weeks. I'm offically back to water aerobics and 3-5 miles of walking beginning Monday. I have loss tons of inches, so it's a must you measure monthly, because you could be loosing inches, instead of weight at times. A postive mental attitude and a good exercise plan will hasten your weightloss. This is a tool and you need to use it to the best of your ability. Work this tool in the window of opportunity you have and you will be at goal before you know it. I will give you a breakdown month by month of my weightloss.... 1st month/-20... 2nd/-25 ... 3rd/-15... 4th/-10... 5th/-10... 6th/-10...A loss of 90 pounds and 61 3/4 inches! I made it to the Century Club by my 8th month and was weighing 150 pounds. Total inches lost -73 so far. I must be honest and tell you I did not drink 64 ozs of water daily till my 3rd month and I was only getting 50 grams of protein in till after my 6th month, then I upped it to 60+. We all know we can't get much in those 1st several weeks, but as soon as you can ...Do It! You will be happy you did. My journey has been painless and without any complications...Thank God! Hard to believe I'm almost 1 yr out. It's been wonderful! From tight 24's to 4/6's and I have my health back! That was my greatest gift for Christmas and of course the BR! lol I wish you the best of luck thru your journey and remember patience! Now get out and exercise....
   — Hazel S.

December 26, 2003
Natalie, I lost 17 pounds in the first 7 days but stayed steady the next week. Keep in mind that the first week I was on liquids. The second week I started protien shakes and full liquids. Your body adjusts to certain foods and once it gets used to it the weight will start to come off. The same thing happens the third week when you start semi-solid & so forth. Great job on your loss so far & don't worry, it WILL come off!
   — boonikki29

December 27, 2003
I lost exactly 102 lbs the first 6 months- The weight did not come on over night, nor will it leave over night (smile) Believe me, I know how it is to look at the scale and say "I WENT THROUGH ALL THAT FOR THIS ?" just takes some times. I've lost 164 pounds in the past year...Best wishes Kim
   — WABBIT F.

December 27, 2003
I'm coming up on a year and still haven't lost the magical 100 lbs (part of it is that my natural set point is about 80 or 90 lbs lighter than my surgical weight so I don't think I'll ever lose the 100 and don't think I want to) but I think my average was 10 lbs a month up until the 8th month--a lot slower than most people I know! It's been frustrating at times but I'm a slow loser who doesn't dump on sugar, can eat just about anything I want (including bread, pasta and rice) and have yet to incorporate regular exercise into my regiment. It IS inevitable that you will lose a lot more weight and I'm down 85 lbs. Be patient and hang in there. While I weigh myself daily now (because I have experienced weight gain on occasion) I didn't weigh myself more than every few weeks for the first 8 months. I suggest you put the scale away and just rely on the pants-o-meter which is a lot more fun (I went from a 22 to a 10 in jeans). Best of luck to you.
   — susanje

December 27, 2003
the biggest mistake someone can make is to freak day to day about what is and isn't coming off. it is better to take the total for the whole month...not day by day. some people lose slow and steady(that's me 3-4 pounds a week) and some lose big chunks at one time and then their weight stalls. BUT....most times it is the same total amount lost for the whole month! the first 2 months after surgery i tracked my weightloss everyday in the morning before i ate anything. over that 2 month period i saw a very firm pattern in how my body loses. so when i don't see i have lost anything for a couple days i don't freak out because i know i will lose atleast 2-3 pounds that week. and when i am on my period i always lose 4 pounds that week. i was really surprised to see this pattern. another thing you can do is look at other people who have the same starting stats. if you do this please make sure to look at about 20 different people and average their weights that they have lost. there will be people with the same starting stats as you and they lose very quickly in the begining and then there are others that lose slowly. your not even a month post-op and you have already lost 21 pounds, which some people don't even lose for the whole first month. the biggest weight drop is the first couple of weeks after surgery. you might lose 20 pounds in 10 days....but don't think that you can keep loseing that quickly...that's not how it works (ohhhhhhhhhh but i really really wished it worked that way hahaha).best of luck to you and congrats on your 21 pounds in 21 days!!!!!
   — franbvan

December 27, 2003
Please *stop* weighing yourself! 1-2 times amonth, no more. <p> And STOP trying to compare to others . . . one woman I know of lost 93 lbs the first month. Was I jealous? NO! She started out at more than 500 lbs! Others lose slower than you. SOme have more muscle mass, some exercise more, some eat more, drink more protein. <p> Chill out, relax, stop obsessing - you didn't get MO overnight, and I'd bet you didn't weigh yourself obsessively while you did it, either. Do what you're supposed to do, and stop worrying. Pay attention to how your clothes fit, and how your body feels, instead. If it's getting better, it's *ALL GOOD*!
   — RWH G.

December 27, 2003
People compare too much on this board and then feel bad. But since you asked... I am -90 at six months. Average is about 75 pounds for 6 months. Also, you need more protein (60 grams). But I hit a 3 week plateau when I was where you are now.
   — mrsmyranow

December 27, 2003
30,15,8,8,6,8.
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 28, 2003
I started out at 5"4' and 253 pounds. My weightloss chart is at the bottom of my profile. I've lost 51 pounds in the first three months....like you, not nearly as fast as I feel I should be losing.
   — Kimberly S.

December 28, 2003
-27, 10, 15, 10, 5, 10 (so far, 5 more days left in 6th month)
   — lindadougherty




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