Question:
12 Days Out-Not losing quickly

I am hearing everyone losing 30 pounds etc. the first several weeks. I am 12 days out, feeling really well, tolerating everything fine, getting everything in, water, protein etc., but not dropping like others. . .what is the average expected loss? I don't want to get discouraged this early on.    — Kelly R. (posted on November 10, 2003)

November 9, 2003
Please take this in the good humor that is intended :) If you don't want to get discouraged, don't compare yourself to others. You (and I) are considered a lightweight and therefore will likely lose slower than many others. You probably gained weight while in the hospital from the IV fluids and it will take awhile for that to get out of your system. Personally, I had lost 21 pounds at week 2, 27 at week 4 (only 6 lost in 2 weeks), and the loss pretty much came to a standstill for a couple of weeks which is normal. The body has to catch up. At 5 months post-op, I've lost 58 pounds total. It doesn't sound like a lot if I compare myself to those who lose 100 pounds in 6 months. But since I have "only" 107 to lose in total, losing 54% of my excess in 5 months is nothing to sneeze at and I'm only expected to have lost 50% at my 6 month anniversary per my surgeon - so I'm ahead of schedule. Just stick to your plan, get in the water and protein and you will lose, maybe not as quick as you think you should, but it will come off at your pace.
   — Carolyn M.

November 9, 2003
Hey Kelley, I had surgery on the 25th of September (a little over 6 weeks out) and I've only lost 20 pounds. I lost a lot before the surgery and my doctor told me to only expect to lose 2 to 3 pounds a week. I expected to lose faster too and was a bit disappointed at first but now I'm focusing on doing this right and not worrying so much about the scale or about what other people are doing. Just remember, everybody is different and focus on doing the right thing. I asked my husband to put the scale away and not tell me where it is so that I wouldn't weigh everyday and I think that will help me. I'm just trying to keep in mind that I'm averaging losing about 1/2 pound per day. The other posters are absolutely correct when they say don't compare yourself to others although that's hard to do. Just be sure and keep up with your measurements. I'll be you'll be surprised how much they change.
   —  SCbabe B.

November 9, 2003
Please don't get discouraged!!! At one year out you will be wondering why you ever got upset. First, are you following Dr's orders? If you are then relax, your body will shed the pounds, but it will happen in the order that YOUR body wants it to. I would get so upset and feel like a failure when the scale didn't drop on a weekly basis, but at 15 months out I went from a size 24-26 jeans to 6-8 jeans, I have lost 145 pounds and I feel wonderful. Let me tell you that I had my share of platues and wondered if I was the one that this would not work for. I finally came to the conclusion that I had so many failed attempts at weight loss in my life that it was in-grained in my head that this too would end in failure. But at some point I finally GOT IT and it has been a much smoother road. Although be prepared for identity issues, one day you wake up and feel bones you never knew existed, but you still "feel" or "look" fat. These are all part of the process and for most of us require a little therapy. Your body is going through massive changes, take your vitamins, drink your water, excercise, and follow a healthy food plan and the rest will come, but at the pace your body will allow. If you were like me in any way, your body is yet again wondering what the h#@@ you have done, and is a little confused, let it ride out, and know that the weight WILL come off, just keep following the rules. Good luck!
   — Dana B.

November 10, 2003
The best thing you about this issue as a fresh post-op is to stay off the scale and concentrate on healing up. Next most important issues will be (1) re-learning eating habits and (2) exercise (if you can). Weigh in once a month, and remember, the purpose of the surgery is to help you lose and keep weight off, not lose it at a recordbreaking pace. We all want that extra weight gone ASAP, but when you step back and think about it, the all-or-nothing, right-away mentality is what did so many of us in before. Try to concentrate on your recovery and pace yourself. Good luck! :-)
   — Suzy C.

November 10, 2003
I didn't lose a pound for 2 weeks after surgery, then I dropped 14 lbs in one day. Don't worry - you'll start losing.
   — kandi S.

November 10, 2003
Don't panic - everyone thinks that they're the only one that this surgery won't work for, but trust me, in a year from now, you'll be a completely different person. I promise!
   — jengrz

November 10, 2003
Send the darn scale to your neighbors house. Why drive yourself nuts? Everyones body is going to lose at it's own pace. Follow you program, get in your protein and fluid and it will come - trust me! The weight cannot help but go away. I was a reasonable steady loser and it has worked. I'm down 189 lbs in 9 months. I lost 22 lbs the first month and like a total of 44 by 8 weeks, but it kept up nice and steady. Some lose tons at first and it's not always the SMO, as I was one of them. I've know a number of lightweights lately that have lost way more than I did in one months. At this point you are literally not controlling this, your body is. It has been through major surgery and needs to recover and adjust. It will all balance out in time. Do not compare yourself to others. Just focus on doing what your plan says. You will be successful!
   — zoedogcbr

November 10, 2003
I agree, Peanut...PITCH THE SCALE! (Peanut is no particular person, BTW, just my term of endearment for my fellow weight-loss folk) I have only been weighed twice since my surgery-once at 2 weeks out and once at 6 and a half weeks out. I'm not weighing again till my 3-month checkup. I would just rather hear that, "You lost 54 pounds!" rather than seeing it in increments of 1 or 2 pounds. But I've been told I'm weird, so...anyway, be patient with yourself and your body. You'll get there! Best of luck to you! -Jennifer S. 278/229/140
   — jenn_jenn

November 10, 2003
I actually gained the first two weeks but the Dr said that's from swelling and fluids inside. It goes away and then you start dropping. I'm 5mo postop and have lost 100 pounds. Hang in there and what they said is true...put the scales away!! It's too nerve wracking :) You're doing great!
   — Dianne M.

November 10, 2003
I had my surgery Oct. 27th and I know exactly how you feel! I was so happy to read your question and all the answers you got because they encouraged me too! I've only lost 15 pounds & it's been exactly 2 weeks yesterday. I keep telling myself how great that is b/c the last time I lost 15 pounds...? I can't remember! The thing w/ me is, I lost those 15 pounds the FIRST week. This past week: nothing. So, I guess we just have to be patient and follow the plans we are given and trust that the weight will come off. Good luck! :)
   — Louise D.

November 11, 2003
The thing we must remember is EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT..... I lost 32lb in 3 weeks but I also started at 353 lbs which seems to make a difference... At some point in the first 6 weeks I read you body goes into a shock and tries to figure out what happened, but then the weight will start comming back off. 15 lbs is a wonderful start on your journey....soon you will be a hwole new person! CONGRATS TO ALL!!!!
   — Saxbyd

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