Question:
HOW MUCH WEIGHT SHOULD YOU LOSE IN A WEEK?

SOMEONE IN THE DOCTORS OFFICE SAID THAT I SHOULD BE LOSING 5 POUNDS A WEEK. MY DOC SAID ABOUT 10 POUNDS A MONTH IS ACCEPTABLE. I AM 11 WEEKS POST OP AND I HAVE LOST 48 POUNDS THOUGH I LOSE ABOUT 4-6POUNDS BI WEEKLY NOW. MY WEIGHT NOW IS 226 AND I AM 5'9. I AM IN A SIZE 18 COMPARED TO THE 22. ANOTHER THING SOME PEOPLE ARE AGAINST MILK OR MILK PRODUCTS. I BUY SKIM PLUS THAT HAS 11 GRAMS OF PROTEIN AND OVER 30 GRAMS OF CALCIUM. IT IS CREAMY AND NOT WATER LIKE REGULAR SKIM MILK.    — michelle M. (posted on September 29, 2000)

September 29, 2000
In debates such as these, I feel it is always best to listen to my doctor. My doc told me 2 lbs. a week was fine. After all, he said, that's 104 lbs. in a year. Slow weight loss helps you maintain your energy, retain muscle mass and lessens the effect of saggy skin. And, most of the time, the smaller you start, the slower you will lose. Although I have averaged 5 lbs. a week, it is more like two weeks no loss, then one week with 8 lbs. lost. This is a pattern I've just had to learn to get used to, although I am soooo envious of the people who can lose it quicker! As far as the milk debate is concerned, I see valid points on both sides - some people are lactose intolerant; some say the milk sugar will promote weight gain. However, again, I defer to the instructions of my doctor - who tells me that sugar in the amount of what you will find in a glass of milk is primarily a tolerance issue and that since lactose is easily tolerable for me, milk and dairy products remain a good source of protein. Good luck to you!
   — Allie B.

September 29, 2000
Milk makes me sick and it makes me bloated. I avoid it for those reasons. My Dr. said it was fine but I don't like to feel the way I feel when I drink it. As far as how fast you should lose... it is going to vary from week to week and person to person. Find out what you are doing and then graph it. It will help you through plateaus when you can see your own personal pattern start to form. Also, the further out you are from surgery the slower your loss will become. You may lose 8 pounds in one week now and in 7 months be lucky to lose 8 pounds in the entire month. That is just the way it works. Don't worry about the week to week weighings. Concentrate on the big picture.
   — S S.

September 29, 2000
My surgeon's rule of thumb for his patient's expected weight loss is 20 lbs the first month, and 10 lbs. each month thereafter. He stresses however, that all patients are different in terms of age, gender, metabolism, and starting weight. "Older" patients, post-menopausal females, and those who have "messed-up" their metabolism over the years by yo-yo dieting, will generally lose weight at a slightly slower pace than others. In addition, it is characteristic for patients who have greater amounts to lose, to do so faster than those who need to lose lesser amounts. The key is to follow your surgeon's regimen to the letter and try not to allow yourself to be frustrated with the process. EXPECT plateaus, because they WILL happen...but they also DO go away. Don't focus too much on your scales...I finally made a pact with myself to only weigh once a month, and I have been a much happier and less anxious person since then. Trust your surgeon, trust the surgery, and enjoy this journey...it will be the best trip you ever took! Best wishes.
   — Diana T.