Question:
9 weeks out, Please help me!

I am in need of encouragement,but more than that, I am in need of people that have been where I am today and have actually lost!! I had surgery on Oct. 7 and I weighed 261 pounds, it is now, 9 weeks later(tomorrow) and I have only lost 38-40 pounds, it varies. I know that this is good, but my Dr. said to expect 10 pounds a month, well, it is already Dec. 8 and my scales have not budged(except to fluctuate between the 38 and 40 pounds!) I walk 2 miles 6 days a week, get in all my protein and my water. Not only are the scales not moving, the inches are moving substantially either. I do not want to get discouraged so early on, but it is difficult. It would at least be good if I could get 2 pounds a month! I just don't see me being able to lose 10 pounds this month, I have NEVER lost 3 pounds in a single day like some people talk about. Is this surgery going to work? DOes it work for everyone that makes the right food decisions and exercises? any help PLEASE!!! Kim PSSSS. ANYONE had surgery near my date, please e-mail me so I will have someone to take the journey with    — KIM B. (posted on December 8, 2003)

December 8, 2003
Kim- This IS working for you!! You've done wonderfully....think about it this way: In 63 days, you have lost on average of .634 lbs PER DAY! That means every day for the past 63 days your body has reduced in size the equivalent of almost 3 Quarter-Pounders with cheese! LOL You are doing wonderfully! Imagine 4 10lb bags of potatoes sitting on a the counter....all that weight and mass is GONE! Put those bags of 'tators on your back and realize that burden is GONE - poof - GONE! Your incredible exercise program and dedication to your nutritional needs is doing wonders for your body in maintaining the muscle build and much needed health factors. I've never lost 3 lbs in a day either ~ in fact, I've gone for weeks w/o losing a single pound. But you know what, thats ok!! If I never lost another pound I'd be happy.....I'm healthier! Be proud of your accomplishments because they are amazing!! Keep up the good work!! *HUGS*
   — chelle3081

December 8, 2003
I feel ya girl, my surgery date was Oct 15 I was 240 and have lost 30 lbs. so far. My surgeron told me that I was on track. I also work out 3-4 times a wk. good luck
   — ggu

December 8, 2003
Kim, we are surgery sisters. I had mine Oct 7 too and I have lost 40lbs to date. I feel stuck too but everyone says this is great progress. I guess we all want to be one of those "stories" of people who lost 100lbs in 4 months but the reality is most WLS patients don't. Our bodies are confused, we are in the "starvation" mode where the body is telling itself to conserve and store whatever we feed it cause it's so dramatically less than what we normally ate. Take your body measurements, I am losing inches faster than pounds, you may be too. Good luck, sister.
   — Sonya H.

December 8, 2003
Kim our stats are sooooo similar. I had surgery 10/8/03, my weight to begin with was 260. I too have lost the same 38-40 lbs. I recently began exercising 3 days a week, I am drinking lots of water and I try to get my protein in daily. Now I am dowm to 222--which is exactly where you are now. I try to keep the faith and tell myself that the weight has nowhere to go but away. It was scarey to read your post because it sounded just like me! Keep the faith because we will be at our goals hopefully before the two year window is up. Maria Moreland
   — Consuella G.

December 8, 2003
I had my surgery on 10/8 and as of today have lost 35 lbs (42 since consultation on 8/18). I just came off a several week plateau (actually gained 3 lbs during it) and realized that I was retaining a lot of fluid. I read that this is common and is your body's way of catching up to the large sudden weight loss.
   — cat5dog1

December 8, 2003
Kim, you are doing great and right on track! You need to keep track of the PERCENTAGE of the weight you are losing compared to your orignal weight. I think you'll see you are right on track with everyone else. I was 247 going into surgery, it's been approx. 6 weeks, and I'm down 28 pounds. It's incredibly normal for "lighter weights" to lose slower. We're all different and lose it at different intervals, but I think you are doing awesome! It's all going to be worth it in the long run!
   — Ann B.

December 9, 2003
Everyone, and I mean everyone loses differently. There is no sense comparing yourself to others who had surgery the same day or even those who weighed the same as you. Fergetaboutit. And certainly don't expect to lose 10 pounds a month. And sweetie, if you get freaked out now, your not going to enjoy this wonderful journey at all. The scale will go down, occasionally up and occasionally plateau for weeks..its just the journey... Just follow the program, get your exercise in, and trust me, it will come off. I started at 249, and you can go to my profile and see how much I lost each month (I'm 22 months out now). Not too many 10 pound months at all...
   — Cindy R.

December 9, 2003
Sounds like you are doing fine. I am a one pound at a time loser, but that is okay. I would rather it come off at a nice steady pace than too fast. Our body and skin need to catch up. I had surgery three months ago 9/8/2003 and have lost 59 pounds. Two times I only lost one pound in a week, but average about 3 a week now. But I know if I keep doing things right, it will come off. So keep up the good work and don't be discouraged. And don't compare yourself to others...we are all different. Peace, Jacqueline
   — Jacqueline B.