Question:
How much of a loss to expect

Hi everyone, I had lap rny on march 5th, so far I have lost 10 lbs. That is it, no more. For a few days out of surgery I was losing 2 lbs/day. All of a sudden it stopped. Could I have plateaued this early? I am just concerned that I am going to be someone who the surgery doesn't work for. I know that you are suppose to lose so much in the first year, but when will it really start?!? Thanks everyone!!    — tobealoser (posted on March 20, 2007)

March 20, 2007
No, you wouldn't plateau this early. As of today I'm 4 weeks out and have lost about 20 lbs (however tomorrow that will either be confirmed or denied --2nd post op visit). You are only 2 weeks out so don't start worrying about your weight loss -- it will come off as you start walking and increasing your exercise -- you will start to see the inches and pounds come away. Remeber, each person and each body is different so your weight loss will be different than mine and vice versa. One suggestion -- stick to just walking, the treadmill or the stationary bike. I've discovered if I include weights it takes me 2 days to recover. You should be just walking now -- I know the weather is crazy and if the weather is bad you can't go walking -- COME ON SPRING! Just walk around your residence -- do something to keep moving.
   — the7thdean

March 20, 2007
You are doing well. The average weight loss for RNY is 10-13 lbs a month. I had mine on 11/9 (18 weeks) and have lost every week, down approx. 55 lbs. Do not weigh yourself more than once a week. Weigh at the same time of day, usually before breakfast, naked. That is your true weight and you should go by that. Make sure to get your water in, very important. Don't focus on the weight loss, rather how you feel. Sometimes you will not lose but your clothes will fall off! Exercise is important. Ask your doctor if you can go to the gym (Curves is great) and stay away from the abdominal stuff until about 6 weeks out. I don't know how much you have to lose but if you are a lightweight like I was, it will come off slower. Believe me, the slower the better. Your skin issues will adjust and you won't get so much flab. I'm pleased so far with the way my body looks and I think if I were to have lost faster it wouldn't have been a pretty sight. Remember you are only 2 weeks out - if you lose 10 more lbs you will have lost 20 in a month - that's super fabulous!
   — Sheri A.

March 20, 2007
Hi congrats on your surgery and the weight loss so far. You are right on track. You had your surgery 16 days ago. 10# is great. Make sure that you are getting your fluids in, if you don't your body will retain the water, plus your kidneys need the extra fluid to help clear the uric acid from the protein metabolism. Also get your protein in, as your body needs this for energy and if you get too low, you will retain water from that too. Exercise (you can walk at this time - great exercise) to keep your metabolism jazzed up to keep the fat metabolism going. Be patient ... my surgeon told me not to weigh daily, but it was so tempting. He told me, instead, focus on how things were fitting. There have been weeks that I have weighed and have remained the same weight, yet clothes are getting loose.... so good luck on your journey...
   — Kari_K

March 21, 2007
Stacy, hi and congratulations on your surgery. You don't give enought information for advice. Are you drinking protein drinks, water and exercise? Are you sneaking foods or doing stuff you should not? Even if you can only walk around the block, you need to be moving. Focus on what you need to do, not on how your body is responding. You may fight harder to lose the weight, or you may just be a slow start. What you need to determine Stacy is to be Faithful to the task, and fight the fight. You have a great new tool, and it doesn't matter how long it takes to lose it, you can if you are faithful. Water, protein, exercise, and protect that pouch! I lost about 2-3 pounds almost every week, very consistent and slow, no big losses along the way (except the first week), and my girlfriend, would lose, stop, lose stop, etc. She had struggles, but now at 3 years out is still a 4/6 just like me. God was gracious, and we were faithful. You do the same girl, there is a lot of hope. Print this email answer and post it and read it when you are down. There is hope, but Stacy, make no mistake, you will fight for your results, it is no miracle, it is just a tool. Take care, Patricia P
   — Patricia P

March 21, 2007
Hi Stacey! How exciting that you had your surgery. I am 5 weeks post op and on for 13 days I did not lose a pound. I was very concerned and called my doctors office and spoke with the nurse. She told me that it is not uncommon to stop losing. She told me to make sure I was getting in all of my protein and vitimans and to start exercising and eventually I will lose weight again. She also told me that even though I am not losing weight I am most likley losing inches. So on the 14th day I weighed myself and had lost 5 pounds in 1 day, I could not beleive it. Then I did not lose again for another 3 days and I lost another 3 pounds. I think that I lose weight in chunks. Just keep in mind that everyone is different. You will lose again! Take care!
   — Diana06

March 21, 2007
I am just shy of my fifth week and I have gone from 315 lbs. to 246 lbs. The biggest reason is that dreadful liquid diet that the doctor put me on. In another week I should be on solids, which should help tapper off the large weight loss I have endured.
   — DMAC1963