Question:
Well this is not a question really more like a pathetic cry of hopelessness
Today is officially my 1 month anniversary. Had my surgery on 10/13/03. I am totally bummed out since my weight will not budge at all! I lost 20 altogether, BUT listen 15 pounds came off within the first 9 days, then it took me like 2 weeks to get 5 more off. The scale has not moved in 2 weeks and I am totally bummed and I know evryone is tired of these posts but you know how devestating it is when you do not lose at all. I I am not asking for 5 pounds a day or even a week! I mean to lose 1 or 2 pounds a week would make me the happiest person in the world! But not nothing! I get my protein in and drink the water and walk as I am supposed to but this is just not working for me, my tool is broken! LOL! And I need it repaired! Gosh! I am so depressed.I just needed to express my emotions and I know this is like a broken record but I need the support right now from you guys here at this wonderful site. I have learned so much and read so many wonderful profile and seen so many happy faces here and I wish you all the best in your new lifes! Thanks for listening guys! — REBECCA L. (posted on November 13, 2003)
November 13, 2003
Hon, you're doing fine. Surgery on 10/13 and lost 20 pounds. Thats *FIVE*
pounds average per week. You said you'd be happy with 1 to 2 per week.
Well, get excited, cause you're a 5 pound a week girl. Stay patient. You
body is trying to catch up to all the changes its been through the last 30
days. Be patient. The weight WILL come off. Lisa -97 LAP RNY 12/3/02
— MissPriss
November 13, 2003
Rebecca, like the other poster said you are doing 5lbs aweek you are doing
great and it does take time for your body to re-adjust to all its new
beginings of this surgery, so keep your head up and welcome to the LOSING
side LOL, Christine 3months post-op and 74lbs own. GOOD LUCK :)
— blainejrjeni
November 13, 2003
I was going through the same thing...I wasn't loosing for about a week
there, then bam, 5 lbs in one week. A firned of mine was stagnant for ONE
ENTIRE MONTH, then lost 10 lbs in one week, so it's just our body trying to
adjust to such a drastic change. Give yourself a chance to keep up! Don't
start feeling down!
— Amy E.
November 13, 2003
Rebecca - It is good that you are expressing your emotions. That is much
healthier than keeping it inside. Please take these words to heart: This
did not happen overnight, nor will it come off overnight. You are talking
about one month - just 30 days. If you are doing what you are supposed to
be doing, exercising, water, protein, etc. then please be your own best
friend and give yourself a break. 20 lbs in a month is great but please
don't concentrate on the figures. Weight comes and goes - and not always to
our expectations. What I think stays is our increased energy and overall
better well being. With this surgery, the weight will come off. You don't
have to give that thought a whole bunch of thought - just do what you are
supposed to do. More importantly, start concentrating on yourself and your
likes and plans for the future. Keep your eyes forward on the long-term
goal. When I first got my surgery done, I had major complications. I was in
the hospital for 3 weeks and came home to daily home care visits and
feeding through a tube in my stomach. Worse than that, my surgeon insisted
on a huge amount of calories every day so that I would heal. I barely lost
40 pounds during the first 3 1/2 months after my surgery. I would come to
this site and read of people losing 80 pounds during that amount of time. I
could have let it get me very depressed but instead I concentrated on my
long-term goals: I didn't want to become diabetic, I didn't want to be in
wheelchair in 20 more years, etc. That is why I had this surgery done, not
just to lose weight. OK - I am getting way too long winded but SERIOUSLY,
be patient and be kind to yourself. Best of luck to you during this
journey.
— Jodie P.
November 13, 2003
Hun, everyone hits a plateau at three weeks out. Thats when your body
finally goes...."Um hey!!! Whats going on?!?" It will figure it
out on its own and you will get back on track. Don't worry, you are
normal. :-)
— RebeccaP
November 13, 2003
I did the same thing. You are perfectly normal. I lost 21 in first 2
weeks, only lost additional 6 pounds over next 4 weeks. Like previous
posters have stated, a plateau at this point is perfectly normal and be
happy to know it doesn't last long. The body is just trying to figure out
what the heck we did to it.
At 5 months, I'm now down 59 pounds. No, I'm not breaking any records in
regards to weightloss, but I'm a lightweight with "only" 107
total to lose to reach surgeons goal. So, at 5 months, I've lost more than
50% of excess which kind of puts in in perspective for me.
Good Luck.
— Carolyn M.
November 13, 2003
me too!!!! I am having the exact same experience!!! Hang in there!!! I am
trying to.
— C E.
November 13, 2003
I know how you feel. I am 5 1/2 weeks out. I lost 11 pounds the first 5
days after surgery, then 18 by 11 days out, then 24 by 2 weeks. I know this
sounds great but wait - I GAINED 4 pounds back and the scaled stayed there
for almost 2 more weeks. Can you imagine my hopelessness to see the scale
go up after having this surgery. I figured out later that it was my body
trying to regain some lost fluid as I was not getting in enough liquid
(thank God for herbal tea). I have now lost 27 pounds and have been holding
steady for the last several days, however I know the scale will move down
again. I can feel my clothing fitting looser and looser. I know we are all
probably addicted to the scales since we have been on sooooooo many diets
in our lifetimes but try not to worry about it. I am now 1/4 of the way to
my goal of losing 108 pounds (which will put me at my ideal weight of 155
pounds at 5'9" tall). Good luck to you and God bless you as you learn
this how to understand this gift that we have all been given a chance to
use.
— tntwildlife77
November 13, 2003
Good for you for expressing your feelings here! I understand how you feel,
believe me. Let me try to help a little and give you the only viable
solution to your problem- now please get ready- because this is tough love
coming here-... Stop weighing yourself all the time! You are only setting
yourself up for failure and disappointment. Commit to weighing once a
month and you never have to be disappointed about loosing 15 lbs in one
week and nothing for 2, etc. We do not have the ability to dictate how we
loose weight. Almost no-one is slow and steady- most loose in spurts. And
hon- the only reason I feel qualified to dish out this advice is because I
was in the same boat as you. I have followed this advice and no longer feel
like a slave to my weight. Read my profile if you want. Take care.
Good luck to you.
— LMCLILLY
November 13, 2003
A few things in the tough love vein . . . during the first few months, you
should only be weighing yourself every week at the most frequent-- as you
have seen, the minor fluctuations in our weight are driving you crazy.
Secondly, evaluate what your expectations were when you started and try to
consider if they were a tad overly optimistic. Thirdly, don't use the
discouragement you now feel as an excuse to fall off the wagon (it happens
to a lot of us). Lastly, try to appreciate that you have had modest weight
loss for your first month-- not the most spectacular, but not bad weight
loss either. If you are certain that you are minimizing carbs, maximizing
protein and still getting enough calories so your body doesn't think that
it's in starvation mode, enjoy that you are on the road to a long and
healthy life in which food will not be the focus.
— SteveColarossi
November 13, 2003
Rebecca... I kinda laughed when I read your post. Not because of your
situation being funny, but the fact that I can remember posting almost the
same exact post my first month!! Everyone replied that I shouldnt
worry.....or that the weight will come off in time.....or your body needs
to adjust to the surgery. Even after reading their posts, I still felt like
a failure and thought that they just didnt understand. Well honey, THEY
WERE RIGHT!! I am now 5 months out and down 41 pounds (I am short so that
is alot of weight for me). My body is like a clock just like everyone eaid
it would be. First two weeks of the month, my weight doesnt change. Third
week I gain a pound and then have my period. Fourth week, I lose 5-6
pounds. Weird huh? Hang in there. YOU WILL GET TO YOUR GOAL!!!
— S A.
November 13, 2003
I had my surgery on 10/1/03 and I have been on a plateau since week 3 as
well. I lost 25 pounds and have been at a complete standstill. I thought I
have been doing everything that I have supposed to be doing (protein,
liquids, exercise), but the scale isn't moving.
I know everyone here says, "It will come off, don't worry." But,
I did worry. I called my doctor's office today and the first person I
talked to basically made it seem like I HAD to be doing something wrong.
Plateaus *ONLY* happen if we mess up. She said: Either you aren't drinking
enough, eating enough protein or exercising enough. I was soooo mad.
I swear, it's like they never mention the fact that our bodies are going
through a traumatic experience and don't know what is going on. It's like
we are in shock. But, come on body - you don't need to be in shock for 3
weeks !!!
Anyways, much luck to you (and me too!) - we'll make it :)
— Lynne D.
November 13, 2003
Rebecca,
I am a 10-13 post op too! I also hit a bad plateau at 3 weeks and was so
frustrated, but then like magic the scale started moving again. DOn't get
down-- if you are eating right it will work. It has to! I wish you had a
profile so we could see what you were eating, etc. for ideas. Just stay
focused and you WILL loose. Good luck!!! Lisa
— lcoleff
November 13, 2003
Not to worry. My dietician says that it is not normal for us to lose
weight at a steady pace. What is normal for us is to lose just like you
are, chunks here and there. In the end, you will lose it. I am happy to
report that I lost all of mine. In chunks here and there. :)
— joeandteri
November 13, 2003
I know how you feel. I had my RNY on 10/7/03 and have not lost more than
three pounds in the last two weeks but lost 30 the first three weeks. I
think transitioning to soft foods has disturbed my body and it doesnt know
what to think anymore. Increase your exercise, I know that's my downfall
and my goal. Best of luck to you!!
— Sonya H.
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