Question:
Only down 20.9 lbs

I have got a problem. I had surgery 18 days ago. I have read all the wonderful stories on here about losing 40 lbs in 3 weeks and things like that. I have only lost 20.9 lbs. Everything I eat makes me sick. I get queasy with even the slightest whiff of milk products. I have had to stop taking my protein suppliments since they are whey. I even ended up at the ER last night for dehydration. I am miserable and want to cry all the time. Can someone please tell me what is wrong with me. Why am I not losing like everyone else. HELP!!!!    — Noelle G. (posted on March 13, 2004)

March 13, 2004
Hi, 20 pounds in three weeks is an amazing thing. Remember everyone loses at their own rate. I am considered a slow loser... I am down 52 pounds in 4 1/2 months but my feeling is it is 52 pounds I do not have any more. As to not being able to eat... I found at your stage I could only eat a very little at a time. ( and this was only 1 tablespoon) If I did any more I got sick. I had to do a lot of experimenting but finally found I could keep ice tea down whereas I could not keep water down. I also found cream of wheat with some cinnamon on it worked. Try a little bit of everything. Something will settle. It will get better I promise. Best of luck!
   — Debbie P.

March 13, 2004
Hiya there....try not to get discouraged. I had surgery 18 days ago as well (2/25) and I'm down about 12 lbs....so you are much better off than I am!! :) I have been very fortunate to not have any nausea or any issues related to the surgery. I had to step back and loot at it this way...I have 110 lbs to lose. I lost 10% in 2 weeks. My goal is to be down 50 lbs in 3 months, and at this rate I'm on track. I may not be the fastest loser but I'm going down. You ARE losing. When was the last time you lost 21 lbs in just over 2 weeks? Every diet I used to try it took me usually a month to lose 5-8 lbs. Keep a positive attitude the best you can. It helps a lot! I have also found for me that walking and being active is doing a lot to bring my mood up. Good luck! Shannon Open RNY 2/25/04 251/239/140ish
   — M. Me

March 13, 2004
First of all, Calm down, it seems to me that you are doing great. Can you remember the last time that you lost 20 lbs in 18 days? Secondly, drink your water, even if you have to take a million sips a day. Dehydration is no fun. Water is way more important than food at this point! Thirdly, follow your doctors dietary advice for this stage of your post-surgery and if you are unable to tolerate what is required at his time, then call your doctors office and tell them!!! That is what they are there for. Your surgeon can only do so much in the operating room. If you are having problems post-surgery, call and find out what the suggest!!! This is your health and responsibility. Be aggressive. Good Luck!!
   — Tara J.

March 14, 2004
Noelle - first suggestion is to HANDS UP AND STEP AWAY FROM THE SCALES. No way you will have a realistic view of your weight being only 18 days Post-Op. You will only make yourself crazy! You have body fluid from surgery, air and IV and general swelling from beig in a supine position longer than normal. If you can't even eat YOU CAN"T POSSIBLY NOT BE LOSSING WEIGHT. All you have to do is try not to loss your mind and you'll be find - I can say this because I've been there done that 3 months ago. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY - pick a date or place with weighing and only do it then, like at the doctor's office or 1 time a months or every 2 weeks.
   — Anna M.

March 14, 2004
besides feeling sick i have no idea why you are complaining about your weightloss because it is by no means slow. if you are going to compare yourself to others pick people who have have stats the same as yours. also don't just pick out the very few people who lose 40 pounds the first month, you just make yourself crazy. instead go to your wls reunion page and look at the wide range of weightloss. if your worried about loosing about a pound a day now, how are you going to feel when you start to lose only 10 pounds a month? chill, relax and enjoy the ride. good luck.
   — franbvan

March 14, 2004
Hello, I'm just letting you know that you're not the only one with slow weight loss. Each of us is unique in their own way including your metabolism. I am 9 months out and have only lost 52lbs. It frustrated me for awhile until I realized that we will all lose weight in time, but in different ways. I know my body does things backwards, 98% of the surgeries that I have had don't go as planned there is always some type of hitch. I'd really love to chat more with you on this subject so, email me maybe together we can conquer our negative energies... God speed... Deborah
   — Deborah

March 14, 2004
You are doing great. I lost 22lbs in 2 weeks post op(01/13/04 332lbs), I'm currently 2 months post op (02/13/04 280lbs) and down 52lbs. As others have posted, enjoy the ride, concentrate on being healthy and take the time to allow yourself to recover. STEP away from the scale!!!! everyone is different, just think your 20lbs lighter than what you were, rather than 20lbs larger.
   — Cynthia E.

January 1, 2009
I had lapband 3 weeks ago and am also very frustrated. I lost 10 the first week; 1-l/2 on 250 cals a day second week and just weighed myself 1/2 lb on 800 cals a day. I am very very frustrated. Kb
   — Kae B.