Question:
Has anyone else only lost approx. 7 pounds the first month and accomplished goal.

I feel like such a fool right now because I started at 250 pounds on January 3, 2002, which is when I had my surgery. I have been on purees and some soft foods for the past month, and have only lost seven pounds and am down to 243 pounds. Do you guys think that it's time to call my surgeon or am I right on target. I never had a mental problem, but my rate of weight loss is making me crazy. Please any and all answers would be appreciated as I'm worried that something went wrong during my surgery. I had a vbg with intestines bypassed so that it could produce dumping symptoms.    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 28, 2002)

January 28, 2002
This does sound like a question for your surgeon. Even for a light weight, this seems low. But, I know little or nothing about the procedure you had.
   — [Anonymous]

January 28, 2002
I didn't have the same surgery you did, I had a Lap RNY, but I lost very little the first month. I don't remember offhand exactly, but it might have only been 10 pounds that first month. I started out at around 253, and was still in the mid 240's a month later. I am now 13 months post and have lost 102 pounds. It has slowed considerably, but I'm still going down. My surgeon still says I'm on track to be able to reach my goal, so hang in there, just keep doing what you need to, and it should come off. If it doesn't get much better, I'd talk to the surgeon. Could be a problem. Good luck.
   — Maria H.

January 28, 2002
I had my VBG 5 months ago and have lost 60 pounds, that's an average of 12 pounds a month. I can tell you that I have lost more per month in the last few months since starting on solid foods and getting off of the pureed & soft foods! Many of the things that you can eat right now are very high in carbs and low in protien and it can effect the amount you loose----believe me at 8 weeks when I got the go ahead for regular food, I was sick of scrambled eggs & milk for protien! Also check to see if you are getting in any high calorie liquids----juices, gatorade, flavored waters can all have high amounts of calories and yet seem so innocent, check their nutritional labels. You are also starting at 250, which is on the skinny side of the surgery scale, so to speak and the rate at which you will loose is slower than if you were 350---I have had to remember that I was not like many in the support group who lost lots the first few months only to get at where I started! As for your going crazy, try and keep you focus not on today, but tomorrow down the road. Think of things being 6 months down the road, where you can eat many more things, you will be able to get out and exercise, and best yet will be smaller! Plateaus will come and go, it is just part of the journey, the thing to remember is that they will not stay forever and that the over all goal is not today, or tomorrow---but 2, 3, 5 years and the rest of your life down the road!
   — [Anonymous]