Question:
Differences in weight on different scales

Okay here's my question. My scale at home says I weigh around 285 and the scale at the doctor's office when I went in for my 6 week check-up said I was at 298.5. I was having my period when I went in for my check-up. I don't understand how there can be that big of a difference in my weight on two different scales. If anyone has any ideas/info I would greatly appreciate it.    — Michele A. (posted on June 5, 2003)

June 5, 2003
Every scale is different. It's best not to weigh yourself too often. My surgeon says once a month at his office. But I can't stand that so I weigh myself every Sunday morning at the Y when I go swimming (only wearing my suit). The time of day and month and all kinds of things can effect your weight. We can have water fluctuations of 5 pounds or more. Don't weigh yourself more than once a week, use the same scale and do so at the same time, on the same day wearing about the same thing. The numbers are only valid for comparison sakes. If you see your doctor on a regular basis, track that weight on a separate spreadsheet. Don't fixate on the number, it's only relative. Good Luck. Peace.
   — Sunny S.

June 5, 2003
Another difference that I see is that I weigh myself at home before I've had anything to eat or drink and totally naked. By the time I get to my doc's office, I've had breakfast, 4 cups of water, and am wearing clothes. Just look at the weight difference on the same scale, don't worry about what the weight is on each scale.
   — Yolanda J.

June 5, 2003
I own 2 scales at home, neither matches. I brought my scales to the doctor's office and weighed myself all of the scales to see how far off they were. The Doctor's scale matches one of my scales (the old fashioned one), and is 7lbs different than my digital. The digital is going back to the store :-)
   — M B.

June 5, 2003
It's not unusual for "home" scales to be inaccurate. I've had some pretty bad ones in my time. I finally invested in a good one, and it always matches the weight on my Doc's. My Mom has one that's consistently 5 - 7 pounds off from mine, as well as fluctuates up and down if you weigh yourself a couple of times. The doctor's scales are generally more accurate, especially the ones that use the weights (they slide across).
   — mom2jtx3

June 5, 2003
Most home scales are spring type, ane they can be affected by the temperature in your home as well as how "tight" or "lose" the spring is made from the factory. ( I weigh every day on a digital and average for the week. What looks like no loss for a week usually shows me being down at least part of a pound when averaged).
   — koogy

June 5, 2003
I really give up on believing the scales. I had one already here before my wls,it seems to get stuck on 18olbs, YEAH I WISH!! then I purchased another one, At first I was pleased with it and it was always exact with my primary doctors. Then one day I notice it was big time OFF. like atlease 8 lbs. I try to adjust it. but it still is wrong. Well I don't trust it anymore so I just wait until I go to my surgeons visits. my primary Drs. scale is also different from my surgeons. I don't know which one is true. SO I'LL GO WITH THE ONE THAT IS LESS. LOL
   — Naes Wls J.

June 5, 2003
Even the professional balance-type scales can vary greatly. I used to go weekly for just a weight check(during my medically supervised Phen-fen days) and they would weigh me on the scale of whatever exam room was empty. I was so frustrated to "gain" when I knew I had lost. I asked to wait for another empty room and that scale was 5 pounds different! Because of this, they finally moved a scale into the hallway and it was the "Official" one from then on. Try to be sure you weigh on the same scale; otherwise you are not comparing "Apples to Apples".
   — Shadow51

June 5, 2003
Hi there. I have the same problem with scales, sounds like alot of us do! My bathroom scale is 10# lighter than the surgeons & 7# heavier than my sisters scale! My advice, pick one scale & go by that.
   — Cindy D

June 6, 2003
I too have the mystery of the mismatched scales. I take pleasure in noting that mine seems to be 10# lighter than the doctor's scale. ( I bet they don't bother calibrating their scales very often!) The conclusion I have reached is more like a problem of ratio and proportion. Ten pounds down on my scale is still going to mean ten pounds down. I look at the way my clothes fit and know I am losing just fine. The numbers seem to mean something to the people who have to know how much you have lost! (open RNY 11/25/02, down 80 from consultation, or down 70 since surgery, plus or minus 10# hahahah!)
   — Lisa D.

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