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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