Question:
Would like to know if anyone else has had this problem

I am post-op 4wks today I had open RNY, I have only lost 29 lbs. so far and can eat pretty much anything, I have not eaten any sweets. I am following the diet I started at 337 lbs, I feel I should have lost more then this by now and I really am begining to believe that maybe this isn't going to work for me...maybe my age is against me I am 53yrs old. Has anyone else had this problem?    — JC C. (posted on April 24, 2002)

April 24, 2002
Jc - I am still pre-op, but have asked two different surgeons if age has anything to do with how well you lose. They both told me no. I am 49 - I'll probably be 59 by the time I am approved (just kidding - it's really going pretty fast) - but I surely hope they are being truthful about the age thing. -Margaret
   — Margaret G.

April 24, 2002
I'm almost 4 weeks out too, LAP RNY, and I am 28 yrs old. I have lost about 40 pounds, and I know inches, but I didn't document my starting measurements; I just know my clothes are fitting me differently. I think the rate of weight loss varies from person to person. I don't think there is a "standard" amount of weight you should've lost by now. You are still losing good, don't get discouraged. I have begun to exercise, although not today, but yesterday I walked around the high school track 4 times, boy was I sore this morning, lol. I haven't been getting in nearly enough fluid, I get gas bubbles in my chest, making it less appealing to drink much. I still have to work on things, but I think you're doing great, hang in there. I don't think age has anything to do with it either, although I don't have any facts to support that. Good luck to you, I think you'll be fine, and once the initial period is over and your body isn't holding onto the fat for dear life, you'll start losing at a greater rate. They say the first 6 months- a year is the window of opportunity.
   — Pamela S.

April 24, 2002
I am not sure if age has anything to do with it, but it might. But look on the positive side. I bet you have never lost 29 lbs in only 4 weeks before. That is 7.25 lbs per week, gone forever. I know I sometimes get a little impatient because I have so much to loose. I had only lost about 36 lbs the first 4 weeks, which seemed like not very much for a 37 yr old man that started out 436 lbs. But I got out some pictures and clothes, and there already was a really noticeable difference. Now I am 7 weeks out and down 54 lbs, And I am loosing about 4-5 lbs a week now. Have a little patience, and it will keep on coming off.
   — Dell H.

April 24, 2002
It's not your age. I'm 34 years old and I started at 333lbs. 3 weeks and 2 days I had lost exactly 29 lbs then I hit a 2 week plateau. Yesterday was the 6 week mark and I've lost 41 lbs the last 12 lbs in the past 5 days. I asked my doctor and he said someone my size should average about 20 lbs a month but don't dispair thats 120lbs in 6 months. You sound like your doing fine. I know it seems to take forever but what really helped me was to stop weighing myself constantly.
   — Alison N.

April 24, 2002
I'm 44. I do believe age DOES makes a difference! Our metabolism slows as we age thus making it harder to lose. Of course when the metabolism slows we can't eat as much. However losing 7 lbs a week... that's great! But it "won't" last. It starts out fast and slows alot. I lost most of my 132 pounds (hope for 190) in the first six months. I average 2 pounds or less a month now. And I do think age has "alittle" role in it. We tend not to be so active as we age too, and of course that does'nt help ether. And as far as one poster said about the "pounds beging gone forever", that IS NOT always true! I've talked to a few people who've had WLS and it did'nt stay off! They are heavier or just as heavy as they were. (Now they had theirs done 10 plus years ago). And it seems we often gain 10% or so of our weight back again anyway. So I don't have faith in this "gone forever" idea. No insult to the poster. Honest. It's just that after years of losing 1 pound and gaining 2.5 pounds back for each pound I have no real faith in anything. Not even WLS. The WLS was my last chance to lose weight and I hope to stay "ever diligent" and make sure (if it is in my power) not to gain back the weight I've lost. I fear with 58 pounds to go (at almost a year post op- and stopping most losing since month six) that I'll never reach goal. However I am much better off health wise than I was last year at this time. And I feal your pain in wondering if this is going to work for you. All us old farts can do, is whatever our docs tell us. Then get exercise, vitamins and try to eat right. Then try to be content with whatever our bodies will let us lose. I'm not totally happy with a 70% of excess weight loss (would like 100% of course!) but should any of us be fortunate enough to keep the weight off then it's worth it. Best of luck to you. (Sorry this is long).
   — Danmark

April 24, 2002
Relax. See my profile. I started at 313, and plateaued at 242. For 3 weeks. Said to myself while I feel and look better but my friends will rip on me for not loosing more. Guess what I NOW weigh 179:) at or slightly below goal. ( My personal goal was anything 200 or below). Dont worry you will get there. I am 45 years old but feel like a teenager.
   — bob-haller