Question:
4 WEEKS OUT AND ONLY 15 POUNDS TOTAL LOSS!

AM I DOING SOMETHING WRONG. NOT TO BE GROSS, BUT I RARELY HAVE BOWEL MOVEMENTS. I'M PRETTY SURE I'M GETTING IN ALL MY WATER. WHAT SHOULD I DO!    — Heidi S. (posted on December 5, 2003)

December 5, 2003
Hang in there. There's not much else you can do. I am a slow loser and seem to plateau at every turn, but eventually they break and things start looking better. You can try the usual, up the protein, water, cut some carbs, and move some more, although, at this point I'm sure the main problem is going to be the amount you are able to consume. Increase your calories a little and incorporate a little more fat into your diet (olive oil, nuts - you know - good fat) and your body won't feel the need to hoard the fat so much (starvation mode sets in and this is what happens, our bodies hoard because they think we are going to kill them with starvation!!!) Hang in there! Pam
   — Pambylah

December 5, 2003
The bowel movements may not be an issue but if you are having difficulty passing them then talk with the surgoen about using a stool softener. <p>Don't sweat the 15 lbs. I was SMO (552 lbs) and only lost 22 lbs the first month. I have never had any huge losses, but steady all the way and at 10 months I'm down 204 lbs and 38 to goal. So it does come. Personally I'd rather have steady than long plateaus, as that would have driven me crazy. Keep on following your plan and it will come.
   — zoedogcbr

December 6, 2003
Relax! It's going to be OK. I'm not sure what your weight and BMI was going into surgery, but you can't judge yourself against others. You need to look at the percentage of your weight lost compared to your present weight. If more people did that, I think that they would see that everyone loses about the same percent in the first few months. And your body is still healing! You still may be swollen or retaining water. And as for the BMs, I only have one every few days. It's normal. You're going to be just fine and notice a drop in your weight soon!
   — Ann B.

December 6, 2003
I also was a slow loser. By 6 weeks out I had only lost 16 pounds. I upped my protein and water and I am now 11 weeks out and have lost 34.Hang in there, your body is probably just adjusting to everything new.
   — Denise H.

December 6, 2003
I lost 16 pounds at 4 weeks, I have now lost 78 lbs at six months and wear a medium top and 16 bottom. I am known as a slow loser. Up your protein, water and exercise so that your wieght loss is optimized. I know I was in too much pain to exercise at 4 weeks and didn't know about very berry cherry protein (www.wlssuccess.com) mixed with water or herbal life wild berry, low in calories and tastes like koolaid--yum 90 cal. Just relax--even at this rate of slow loss I will be at goal weight by my one year anniversary!
   — who A.

December 7, 2003
Thank you guys for all of your encouragement!
   — Heidi S.