Question:
Why are so many wonderful losers...
So obsessed with their weight until they reach depression. Ok I am pre opt. I will be having surgery in a month or so. I have promise myself I will never purchase a scale until I reach my goal weight that being determined by my "over all" dress size. I mean is it not the inches that counts anyways? I have heard sooo many stories with post opts who have lost all this weight (at least 100+) and still complain gaining a few pounds or not seeing the scale move at all. Why? Especially with women, we gained/lose water retention so often. I'm just so happy for folks out there who have changed their life with WLS or wieght loss for that matter. However, it breaks my heart to see so many out there obsessing about the scale moving until, I promise to weigh myself, only during my check-ups with my doctor. I will refuse to see how much I weigh. Is this possible is there any one out there who did not watch and weighed themselves daily? How are you doing and please can you describe how much more rewarding it is not obsessing about your weight everyday. Again, I'm proud of each and everyone who has been determine to make such an improvement in their lives. Good luck to all of us :0) — so2luv (posted on December 9, 2003)
December 8, 2003
You are exactly right. As a matter of fact, I'm one of those who has been
obsessing. I've lost 151 pounds, am at a "healthy" weight, and
yet I am upset each morning because I haven't gotten down another pound.
As a matter of fact, yesterday I started sabotaging myself by eating
cookies and other kinds of crap because I have been stuck at this weight
for a while!
Thanks for reminding me that I am ALREADY successful - it's not an
unattainable goal I'm still striving to reach.
— raye
December 8, 2003
I think your method of thinking is not only smart but definately more
rewarding! I had my open RNY last Sept.2001. I am down 170 pounds and
never owned a scale. I didn't want to obsess or get hung up with being
depressed if the scale didn't move. I weighed myself once a month and also
knew by my clothes that I was wasting away! When I did find a scale at the
gym or someones house and I stepped on it I was amazed to see such a drop
in the numbers. Much better than watching it move slowly. It's a great
way of making it to your goal! Keep up the positive mental attitude you
will do great! I now hear from people "your not going to loose anymore
now, right?" Never thought I'd hear that!
— EMN
December 8, 2003
I do step on the scale everyday, sometimes more than once a day. But you
know what, I get excited every time I do. If I weight a little more, I
don't take it hard I just say oh well. BUT, at this stage (16 months post
op and 160 lbs down) I go in cycles. Sometimes I don't want much food but
there are other times when I do want to eat. I made a promise to myself
that I will NEVER be fat again. So what I do, is just keep an eye on the
scale, I allow myself 5-8 lbs of movement from day to day but once I get to
the 10th or so pound I know I need to make myself slow down. I take two or
three days and pay very close attention to how much, how often and what I
eat and bam, I am back where I want to be sometimes less. So for me, the
scale is a good tool. You can gain so much in a month if you are not
careful. I would be devistated if I went to the doctors and was 15-20 lbs
heavier than the last month. I prefer to lose 5-10 because I was watching
it. I hope this make sense to you and shows that weighing yourself
everyday does not have to be a bad compulsive behavior. I truly smile at
whatever the scale says, because like you said I know I have come a long
way and I celebrate that. Good Luck to you in your endevors. Angela
324/165/who knows.
— Angela A.
December 8, 2003
How smart your are! I wonder too when I see posts where people have lost
100 pounds in four months and they're obsessing because the scale hasn't
moved in two days! I do weigh everyday but it's more to remind me to make
good choices that day..........I defnitely don't obsess if it doesn't move.
I started out as a "light weight" and am losing slowly but I've
already dropped from a size 24/26 to a size 18. To me, that means much
more than what I see on the scale. Good luck to you and keep that
philosopy, it is definitely smart.
— SCbabe B.
December 8, 2003
Hi Kimberly.........(Angela) Bravo Bravo well said, you took the words
right out of my mouth. Preop- I also felt like you Kimberly. I would get SO
frustrated- here I was wearing a size 4X and I would come on here and
listen to women complain that they are a size 6 instead of a size 4. I
initally set my goal at anything under 200 pounds- But as far as the scale
goes, I also feel it can be a good TOOL. For the past year, I also weigh
myself daily- Like Angela said- It can be VERY rewarding- There is nothing
like waking up in the morning and finding the scale as moved down (then you
know that passing up that cheesecake the night before was worth it)
However, now that I am a year post op- the scale does not move very often-
and this can be VERY frustrating, so I am only weighing every few days-
(haven't lost an ounce in a month) But the scale can help keep someone
honest. At first you are limited to what and how much you can eat- after
time- you need to use WILLPOWER (damn that word hehe) Also, I find now that
a "normal" size seems a little more realistic to me- I have reset
my goal 4 times now- Preop, I would have smacked myself for complaining
that I want to lose 6 more pounds- but I think its good if you set yourself
a goal- It gives you something to work on- When all is said and done- I
might settle into a size Large or 12/14 and of course a slim woman would
cringe at this thought- but when you start out weighing more then 300
pounds- a size 12 sounds pretty darn good- I DID NOT have this surgery to
be hot/sexy/slim/to wear a bikini. I just wanted to feel "normal"
to fit in a booth, to fit on a ride, to buy a nice piece of clothing
because I LIKE it, not because it actually FIT- Kimberly, I think your on
the right track hun- do what you feel is best for you- Very best wishes to
you...Kim in Vermont
— WABBIT F.
December 8, 2003
I am one of those obcessing people and i can tell you why I do it. I never
had a scale that would weigh me and when the weight started coming off that
scale has become positive reinforcement. I stand on it and it looks back at
me with a magic number. That number says you are doing good you did the
right thing having your insides rearranged. When it doesn't move there is
no reinforcement. It doesn't matter that I've lost 100 pounds. I want that
needle to MOVE. I atleast understand that the scale was becoming addictive
and why. I try not to weigh myself every time I go into the bathroom. It
is hard. Everytime that needle moves it is a "kudos for you" That
is hard to break that mental warm fuzzy.
— Rebecca K.
December 8, 2003
Hi Kimberly. I have not purchased a scale. I had surgery on 10/13, and
have only been weighed 2 times. I know I'm losing weight, because my
clothes are looser, I can sit "indian style", I can actually grab
the back of my knees if I'm laying on my back, sex is better, I can walk
more than a block without being out of breath, I feel fabulous, I have
energy, and some to spare. Yes, I admit, if I had purchased a scale, I
would be on there religiously. But for me, seeing more when I step on the
scale is more rewarding for me. 425 to begin, 382 first time I was weighed
after surgery, 367 second time. Next weigh in 12/31. Even yesterday
night, I said, "oh darn it. I should've gone down to the dr's office
to weigh myself... just to see." So I know I'd be on that scale. I
know it's not going to happen, but if I were to stop losing weight now, I
feel better already! Good luck in your journey.
— Michelle J.
December 8, 2003
I am not a consistent daily weigher as, at least intellectually, I
appreciate that our bodies fluctuate within a few pound range. However, I
do use the scale to keep me honest knowing that the little dial will never
tell me I look in good jeans when I know I don't. But the scale does serve
as a rough guide as to compliance with the lifetime eating regime we are
supposed to be implementing in the months after surgery.
During my first four months post-op, I weighed myself every two weeks by
going to our local Costco Warehouse, taking a scale off the shelf and
stepping on it (I eventualy would buy that model scale at Costco). Then,
I did have that first week where I kept the scale in my kitchen and stepped
on it many times a day-- fortunately, my wife threatened to beat me with it
unless I moved it into the bathroom and stop obessessing about it. Which
brings me to the point you raised about why people sometimes obsess about
the scale.
First, for many of us, the scale was always the enemy-- how many of us
recall the trauma of being weighed the first week of school in gym class
when the phys ed teacher blurted out your weight to the always old and
hard-of-hearing school nurse in a voice so loud that all the other kids
heard it too. And what of the agony of every physical when the doctor put
you on the scale (assuming that he had one that could weigh someone as big
as you)? So now, when I step on the scale, knowing that it will show less
weight than it did the time before, I am battling those old demons and
feeling as if I am winning. When the dial doesn't move, so many of those
old lousy feelings get stirred up; it is not the obsession about being on a
plateau that riles me so much as it is the fear that I will be backsliding
into the life that I thought I had left. Unlike all those other times in
my life when I could soothe my troubles away with food, now I am forced to
confront those woes-- and, like many of us who frequent this website, the
easiest way to work through those anxieities is by sharing them with peers.
— SteveColarossi
December 8, 2003
I wasn't going to trust the scales, (and I still don't) but I have been
sneaking peeks every once and a while, just to make sure that this is
really happening. I am 4 weeks out, and for whatever reason, the first 3
weeks I was losing 20 lbs. a week, and I just had to see for myself! One
night I noticed a drop of 4.5 lbs! So even though I told myself I wasn't
going to watch the scales, I have to admit, I sneak a look every once and a
while. But I'm not going to obsess about every little lb. until I get near
goal, more than likely. Any way you look at it, I weight now what I did in
9th grade, and that was a long time ago, so any weight I lose will have me
weighing less than back then, and any weight lost will be a plus. If it
gets to a pound a week or nothing for a while, so be it, I'll just wait out
and work myself out of the plateau. My weight was a result of a hormonal
imbalance, with a side order of bad food, and now with wls, I'm slidin'
down the pole, and I can see myself below 200 in the next year or year and
a half, but to me the change is not in the weight so much as it is in the
way I feel, and the way others percieve me. So, I'll probably continue
sneaking a peek at the scales, but not for any other reason that this is
really, really working, and that is a good enough feeling for me!
— track
December 8, 2003
i'm a daily scale person. at first i did it because i just couldn't believe
the surgery was working for me. so many years of getting my hopes up only
to fail. now i know it is working for me and working very well. since i
have weighted myself daily i can see a very very firm pattern in the way i
lose weight. when i have times i don't lose anything i don't freak out
because i know the next week i will. it was really shocking to me to see
there was really a set pattern for the way my body loses. it does get on my
nerves when someone says "i have ONLY lost 50 pounds in 2 months"
or " i haven't lost a pound in a whole week". there are different
kinds of losers. the two main types -you lose big amounts of weight and
then nothing for a week or two-and the second is you lose little by little
each week without stalls(2-4lbs). i also looked at over 100 people who had
the surgery a year ago and was very surprised. no matter what type of loser
the person was they both ended up at the same amount lost by around 8
months.(my own technical research lol)i don't think i am a slave to my
scale, but for me it is like being in AA. eventhou you had wls you can mess
up your tool and not lose weight. every morning when i get on the scale it
is a reminder for me "remember you had surgery look how far you have
come." that is how i cope and take it one day at a time. i know i will
get to a normal weight one day and i'm enjoying the journey no matter how
fast or slow it may go. best of luck to you.
— franbvan
December 8, 2003
I'm one of those that did not find it neccessary to weigh everyday. I can
not tell a lie...I did the 1st 2 months, then just once a month on my
anniversary date. I weigh/measure every month on this date and have found
life so much easier this way. I don't obsess about weight loss, since
inches are coming off even when weight loss isn't! This is my way of doing
it, but so many do like to weigh, so I say to each his own! lol I have had
this surgery for better health not cosmetic reasons. My life has changed
ten fold and I'm reborn with a healthy attitude and lifestyle change. I
have surpassed my Dr.'s goal as well as mine in these 9 short months. I
have followed all rules in regards to protein/water/vits/exercise. A must
for success!!! At 54 I feal better and healthier than I was at 20. I just
know by following all rules I will and are loosing weight/inches, so I
don't need a scale to prove it on a daily basis....my clothes do! Good Luck
to one and all!
Lap 2/11/03....250/142/135
— Hazel S.
December 8, 2003
I weigh myself daily as well. But I don't obsess about what the scale
says. At this point (3 months out and down 50 pounds) I'm a believer.
Maybe some of our AMOS friends here just can't quite believe that it will
happen for them, and maybe that's why they obsess. I don't know for sure.
I can tell you that for me, it's a daily lift. Never in my life could I
have lost 50 pounds in 3 months' time. I sometimes stare at the number in
disbelief. At 205 pounds, I am at a weight I haven't seen in over 15
years. It's been 25 years since I weighed less than 200 - so I'm very
excited about this upcoming milestone. And I have absolutely no doubt that
it will happen, and then some. WLS has truly been a miracle in my life,
and I'm about as happy and thankful as a person can get. I know not
everyone has an easy time after surgery, but for me it has been textbook -
no complications, very few eating problems, quick healing and recovery.
What a blessing this has been in my life, and my wish is that it goes as
well for everyone seeking surgery. Good luck and best wishes on your
upcoming surgery. Your plan for yourself sounds great - we must all do
things in the way that makes up feel best and works the best. --Carla, Lap
RNY, 9/11/03
— Carlita
December 9, 2003
HI there, Yes it is possible not to become obsessed over your wieght loss.
I had surgery on May 23rd 2003. I started out at 284lbs and I am now
172lbs. I'm very grateful to have lost weight but it's not my sole purpose
in life. I weigh once a week on Mondays if I have time to get to the local
Health Department. I did not buy a set of scales for my home because I
figured it would keep everything in perspective if I had to make an effort
to get to weigh. Sometimes I go 2 or 3 weeks before I get to weigh. So I
generally see some loss each time I weigh. So set you one day a week or
every other week as your weigh day and if you miss it go the next week. You
can make any situation have a positive or negative outcome. Good Luck to
you when you have your surgery.
— Mary K.
December 9, 2003
Hi Kimberly, I am 10 months out from Open RNY. I don't own a scale, and
have only ever weighed myself at my doctor appt. I made a conscious effort
not to become a slave to the scale. Lord knows, I was not weighing myself
every day before the surgery. Going to my doctor is like opening a present
when I see how many pounds I've lost. And generally, when people ask me
how much I've lost I honestly reply, I'm not sure, but I feel great! P.S.
I have lost about 110 pounds and have reached my dr's goal for me. I never
set a goal, just living the healthiest life I can.
— Kendell C.
December 9, 2003
As someone who didn't weigh under 200 pounds for two decades, I never owned
a scale. I needed one to reinforce my positive work. Also, my mind lies to
me when I look in the mirror. The same brain that told me that I didn't
look so bad at 285 tells me that I couldn't possibly look good at 150. I
didn't have BRAIN surgery - just stomach surgery. :)<br>
I am only speaking for myself here, not anyone else. I didn't wake up fat
overnight, so I know it is a long road ahead... but having that scale in
the corner keeps me honest. It cannot lie. It might bounce a bit depending
on the time of the month, but it doesn't care if I am wearing black to look
thin or I am "sucking it in." <br>
Also, I know I said the exact same things you are saying before my lap rny
;) <br>
These are things I told myself I would never do after surgery, before I had
WLS:<br>
1. I would never have more than one alcoholic beverage. Hahaha - jokes on
me - I cannot even have one drink, because any alcohol makes me very sick.
I dump like crazy.<br>
2. I won't ever buy a scale. WRONG! I am on the scale every morning, and
each night.<br>
3. I will exercise every day. Wrong- I have had surgery twice since my lap
rny, and have been sick on and off, so getting in exercise is
hard.<br>
4. I will be grateful just to lose 100 pounds and stop there. Wrong again-
Even after losing 135 pounds off my highest weight, I still try to lose
more.<br>
5. I won't consider plastics. I was wrong about that one - I am hoping for
my panni approval any day!<br>
6. No more meds - well I am on three right now. <br>
7. No more depression... well, still have some of that. Losing weight did
not solve all of my problems - not by a long shot. <br> <br>
I am not trying to be a downer- just trying to be realistic. I would have
WLS again in a heartbeat, because I am physically healthier than I have
ever been - probably since I was 6 years old! Please just be prepared for
the road bumps and they will be a lot easier to deal with, because I think
a lot of us get taken off-guard when we have little surprises that we were
not prepared for.<br>
Take care!
— kultgirl
December 9, 2003
I weigh myself every week or 2. I was never a fan of the scale before and I
didn't want to become obsessed with it now. Being 10 months post, the loss
has slowed down a lot and while I know that's normal, it does make weighing
myself a bit frustrating these days. On the other hand, I'm glad that I
don't weigh every day-- I will never forget the feeling I got when I
stepped onto the scale for the first time one week after surgery and found
that I had lost 16 pounds! Had I weighed sooner, it probably would not have
been that dramatic. That said, I wish I didn't see so many new post-ops
freaking out about the scale not moving for 2 days or whatever-- that's
counterproductive and it doesn't tell the whole story. You do what's best
for you-- and I hope your surgery goes well. Beth Lap RNY 2/10/03
313/190/155?
— lizinPA
December 9, 2003
I am 14 months post op (open RNY) the day of surgery I weighed 333lbs
(5'4") I now weigh 199lbs. The only time I weigh myself is when I go
to the Dr. I have said all along that it does not matter how much weight I
lose but how healthy I feel. Living by this statement has been very
rewarding, and I am so thankful that I can say that I am now living a
healthier lifestyle.
— Gail A.
December 9, 2003
Well, not many guys here so I think I might add a male's perspective. I
look at this "to weigh or not to weigh" dilemna for me like a
fear of a roller coaster. You avoid it like the plague...but once you do it
and see that you actually "enjoy" it, then you can't stop.
I have been so frightened of the scale before, embarassed of it when there
wasnt one with the capacity to weigh me, etc... (you all know what I'm
saying! :-) ) NOW, that I can step on a scale, not be embarassed, and get
positive reinforcement from it, I actually enjoy it. It's as if it gives me
that pat on the back that only I can give myself. It's not a typical
"friend" or "family" member that will tell you
"hey, you look good" or "you dont look fat" when you
know perfectly well that they are lying and just dont want to hurt your
feelings!
Do I obsess over what it says? Sometimes since Im still in weight loss
mode, I dont like to see it not move for a week but when it doesnt move, it
gives me the reason I need to step up the exercise adjust my food intake in
order to see it move again.
For the record, I am 7 months post op (on friday) and down 136 pounds with
50 more till goal weight.
good Luck and to each their own, all that really matters is our ultimate
success!
— Ted D.
December 9, 2003
Good for you. I like your attitude....There are others who just weigh when
they visit their doctor. Me, I have to weigh daily and have done so from
post-op day 1. I am now 22 months post-op and weigh daily. Except now I
weigh daily to ensure that I don't gain and to take immediate corrective
action if I do. It was such a thrill to watch the scale go down and down
(instead of up and up!!). I never got depressed along the way, sometimes a
little frustrated if it didn't move when plateauing but always grateful and
thankful that it was going down and not up. I, too, want to tell all those
who fret and get depressed because they are not losing 100 pounds every
month or who compare their loss to others to just get a grip and try to
enjoy the ride. Why torture yourselfs? If you can't weigh daily without
getting depressed, then stop weighing...
— Cindy R.
December 9, 2003
It is a psychological need for validation. Some (not all) people who have
been obese for a long time are longing for accetance and positive
reinforcement. After surgery, boy the scale gives it to you (most of the
time). But then you start wondering if you are a slow loser (most people
who think they are slow losers aren't). And then you go up four pounds for
some reason and it drives you nuts. Or then you step on the scale and it
says 250 (which would make you almost -90 down), so you take off your
clothes to get that extra pound and when you do, the scale says 260, which
is 5 pounds more than yesterday. How can I be 5 pounds up from
yesterday!!!!!....
You are right. It is completely insane.
— mrsmyranow
December 9, 2003
PLEASE don't take this wrong, but until you walk a mile in my shoes :>)
I have always been a BIG girl and I too avoided the scale those first few
months. Now I'm a slave to the silly thing. Not to the point of
depression, mind you, but I DO watch the weight VERY carefully becuase I do
not EVER want to get back from whence I came.
— [Deactivated Member]
December 9, 2003
Hi Kimberly,
I didn't read all of the other posters who answered because there are
already so many. In my experience, I really didn't have a clue about what
post-op life was like until I was in it. I told myself all the same things
you have about the evils of scales. I was on it quite a bit at first, but
now I only weigh once a week on Thursdays (the day my surgery was on). I
look forward to it and get excited to see my progress. I used to obsess
over food, now I obsess over losing weight. Each pound does really matter.
I know 41 pounds lost in 10 weeks wouldn't have been acheivable before I
had surgery, but it still doesn't come off fast enough to suit me. I guess
mainly you won't know what kind of postopper you'll be until after surgery.
Good luck to you! --- Kimberly: down 41lbs in 10 weeks...preop weight
253.
— Kimberly S.
December 9, 2003
How I try to not be obsess with just losing the weight is I just weigh
myself once a month on the anniversery of my surgery some months I don't
lose as much as I think I should but I am very happy with my results from
the surgery and I would do it again in a heart beat. I have lost 100lbs
and about 20 sizes and besides all of that I feel absolutely marvelous.
— Janine B.
December 9, 2003
I'm with RuthL on this... wait till you're post op and then see... its
GREAT if you can stay off the scale -- but I think what happens is that in
the beginning the weight loss is so dramatic its GREAT fun to get on the
scale daily. I did not for the first 45 pounds as I didn't have a scale
high enough. I think that was good for me, but I couldn't wait till I
registered on the bathroom scale. <br> That said, I feel like I'm
pretty much at goal, maybe 10 more pounds, but I won't sweat it. Why do I
weigh myself every day? Because if I gain a pound or two, I want them off
right away -- 2-3 pounds are a hell of a lot easier to lose than 10. I'm
going to make sure I stay where I want. This is my last time losing a ton
of weight, I'm keeping it off this time and for ME getting on the scale
each day is the way to do it. Good luck to you.
— Lisa C.
December 10, 2003
Kimberly - GREAT POST! I think what works best for the person. I am
10-months post-op and as you refuse to look at the scale unless I am going
for a check up. I also go by close size and how I feel. After about
6-months I began feeling GREAT and decided whatever I loose from that point
is a bonus. I thank God I am not having the problems I had prior to the
surgery.
HOWEVER...Yes there is a however. I have been told I have a distored view
of my true size. I feel larger than apparently what others think I am. I
was given a suggestion by someone that reached their goal weight to weigh
yourself monthly just to make sure you are not gaining weight. This is to
monitor yourself and can be a big trigger to other things.
BEST WISHES.
— Tie C.
December 10, 2003
I so agree! I am 2 1/2 years post-op and do not have a scale, and I won't
have one in the house. I only weigh on a Drs. scale and will continue to
do it that way from now on. I know when my weight goes up very quickly by
how my clothes fit, that's enough of a clue for me to get back on track
ASAP. Besides, I am more than what my scale tells me every day, how kind
and loving I am each day, to myself and others, is so much more important
than the number on a scale. Good luck to you, Kimberley!
— ALF
December 10, 2003
Having a scale does one of two things to me. 1) I like what I see and say,
oh heck I'll eat whatever I want, I'm so trim I deserve it! OR 2) Oh
heck, nothing I do makes any difference, I'm just going to go ahead and eat
whatever I want; I'll always be fat anyhow! Neither of those is a good
thing so I tossed the scale and weigh only at doc appts. Their scales are
better quality anyhow.
— Margaret G.
December 10, 2003
I'm going to play devil's advocate on behalf of the much maligned home
scale. <G> I freely admit to having been a bit obsessive about
weight. A bit? Nope, let me honest, I was weighing myself morning and
night, often doing "best of three, no, best of five", LOL!
In my head, I know that they way I feel and the way I look is more
important than any number on a scale. Still we look to the scale for
confirmation...
Now that I'm almost 15 months out, I can see some benefits to getting the
scale habit, though. To give you some background, I've lost 171 pounds and
I'm a size 14 now but I'm still technically overweight. Maybe I'll lose
the last 20-30 pounds, maybe I won't. I would like to but right now it
feels like I'm just maintaining and gaining and losing the same 2-3 pounds.
If I were to cut my food intake enough to lose the final pounds, I'm not
sure if I'd be able to maintain the loss or if I'd just yo-yo.
Anyhow, my point is that now I find I'm not so eager to weigh myself as I
was when I was losing a lot, but I MAKE myself do it every other day or so.
I find that when I know I've been making poor choices, I avoid the scale
more. I hear from people all the time who had 10-15 pounds creep back
without them knowing it. That won't happen to me. So while I was
definitely obsessive about the scale for a while, I still think it's good
that I got in the habit of monitoring my weight for the future. I won't be
able to fool myself that I'm doing ok when I go astray and I'll get back on
track before any gain becomes insurmountable.
I also have to agree with Ruth and the others who said it's easier to say
you won't obsess - until it happens! I weighed 359 when I started and my
scale only went up to 330, but I still went to GNC once a week to weigh
myself until I could weigh myself at home. This operation is a major
undertaking; it's only human to be eager for confirmation that it's
working!
— sandsonik
December 10, 2003
I am a nut case, each and every day I- 1. get out of bed, 2. pee, 3.strip
naked and weigh in. it makes me crazy some times. I don't get nuts about
plateaus, but pms & the water retention that can make me gain as much
as 4 pounds over night -
aaarrrrgggg!!!!!!! It is nice a week later when I get up and have lost 5
pounds over night tho. I sometimes wish I hadn't even bought the scale the
week before I had surgery.
— **willow**
December 10, 2003
Kim, first of all, I'm not sure if your WLS will be Open or LAP. So I am
speaking from the "Open" opinion. First of all, I've had 14
surgeries with more to come. WLS was the third most painful I've been
through. So I found it hard and because of that, my lack of making it to
goal has been very troubling. Yes, I've lost 163 pounds and have kept all
but one pound of it off. I am very pleased with myself for my DAILY
weighing to be DILIGENT and committed to keeping it off. (I bought an
expensive doctor's sliding weights scale for home). I ate alot of ice
cream one week and put on six pounds! So I got that weight off quick! So
DAILY weighing, in my opinion is a must. (I would'nt say it is right for
everyone but it works for me). WLS recovery was painful and hard (for me)
and it bums me to no end that I am STILL in the OVERWEIGHT range at 2 years
& 7 months. Also I STILL HAVE NO ENERGY. I had more at 319 than now.
Granted I could'nt move much because of FAT restricting my movements, but I
had energy. Not now. I can't believe I've gone through wls to still be in
the OVERWEIGHT BMI range. So, you may think you will not be complaining
later.... but don't be so sure. It is different when YOU are THERE. Good
luck to you. PS I LOVE the Tiger/Birds and jungle on your web page. Wish I
could figure out how to do something like that. ;)
— Danmark
December 11, 2003
One more perspective...from one of those 'obsessed' people....I have been
overweight since I was about 3. And, at first weighing myself every day
was fun. It allowed me to see the pounds just falling off. It was
especially important during the first 3 months when most of my elastic
waisted clothing never seemed to be getting any bigger on me. How
depressing that would have been to have had this surgery only to think that
I wasn't really losing any weight! But now, at 10-1/2 months out, I weigh
myself for a different reason. See, even though I have lost 132 pounds
(and wear a size 6), I still look in the mirror and see a quite large
person...which has recently changed...two months ago I would have told you
I was outright fat! As a matter of fact I was looking for a swim suit a
few months ago in a size 8 and another woman was looking for a 12...and I
couldn't figure out why because I thought I must weigh at least 20-30
pounds more than her! I know this might sound crazy to you right now, but
FOR ME, I just can't seem to see past all of the flab I still have...even
though people continually tell me how 'skinny' I am. So, weighing daily
allows me to see that #1) I am still on track and #2) that I really weigh a
'normal'...or even less than 'normal' weight. It's like I wake up, look in
the mirror and say..."Yep, still fat", then get on the scale and
remind myself that everyone else I know that weighs 140ish is so tiny to
me...so, I must not be all that fat! Does that make any sense? Like so
many people have said, this isn't brain surgery...and I am one of those who
needed it! Now as far as obsessing over just another '10 pounds'....well,
that's one I still have to work on. But it is sooooo hard! After 20+
years of saying if I could only lose X amount of pounds...and still
thinking I am 'fat' on top of it....it's kind of hard to break free of that
mindset. Old habits die hard! Am I happy to have lost so much
weigh....YES...I am so thrilled. And in all reality, I would be happy if I
never lost another pound....but, my mind just won't let go of the 'just a
little more' mentality quite yet. I know it will come in time but, until
then my scale is a friendly reminder of just how far I've come and that I
really am not as 'fat' as I think I am. Good luck with your surgery!
— eaamc
December 11, 2003
Hi there,
your questions are really good ones, i am a self professed addict to the
scale, it didn`t start when i had rny, it started after my first child,
which is when i developed a weight problem,i have always owned a scale and
always weighed everyday.....after surgery i still weighed everyday,i think
it is true weighing keeps me at least *aware* of what my progress is, i am
16 months postop and have been at the same weight for about 4+ months now,
nothing i do is moving the scale, i have decided not to worry until the new
year,bc i know i am not going to stick to low carbs over the holidays so my
goal right now is to maintain my current weight and not gain....the scale
for me is nessecary it aggravates me when it doesn`t move but also keeps me
pretty happy bc it hasn`t gone up...i feel like if i don`t weigh everyday
the weight will sneak up on me...and i never want to be that heavy ever
again,and as a long term postop i realize that even after this surgery i
can end up there, if i am not careful, for me there is no such thing as
this or that amount of lbs gone *forever* they are never gone forever just
at bay using sensable eating,exercise and for me my scale.
— nice n sweet B.
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