Question:
Is this good?

Hi all, another slow loser ?. I'm 3 months post-op. Started at 249. I have loss 37 pounds and 26 inches total. Is this good? I'm beginning to get discouraged. Drinking between 75-80 oz water, 70 grams of protein (with the help of shakes)and am exercising 4 days a week. Also taking my vits daily. No matter what I change I only lose 3 pounds a week on average. I don't weigh every week. Don't want my surgeon to be disappointed when I go for my visit in January. I see my PCP to have my blood checked til then. What do ya'll think? Thanks.    — Marie N. (posted on September 18, 2003)

September 17, 2003
If your losing 3 pounds a week your doing great!! That's 12 pounds a month!! Average weight loss with a normal person is 1 to 2 pounds per week. I started at 248 and I lost about 55 pounds in the first 3 months, HOWEVER, for the first 2 months I couldn't eat so that's when the majority of my weight came off. It then slowed down after month 4 drastically. I would say your doing better then me because your weight loss seems consistent.
   — Patty H.

September 17, 2003
I think you are doing GREAT. Don't get discouraged. I'm pre-op and it has taken me 8 months to lose 37 lbs and I need to lose 9 more before surgery so I have 55 more days to do it in. YIKES!!! I really think we too often focus on the fast losers on this site instead of realizing that each person loses at a different rate. You are averaging 3 lbs a week which is fantastic. I was told that after surgery weight loss would be 8 to 10 lbs a month, so you are ahead of what I was told to expect.
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 17, 2003
That is pretty close to what I'd lost in my first 3 months. I started at 220 at 5 foot tall. My BMI was 43. I lost 41 lbs in the first 12 weeks. However, it started slowing down. I am almost 6 months post op and as of today, I have lost 62 lbs...down to 158 lbs. Just keep up the good work and down worry so much...you will do fine! Atleast you lose consistantly...so you know what to expect. Relax and enjoy the ride!
   — Renee B.

September 18, 2003
Marie~~If you are getting in your protein, water, vitamin supplements and regular exercise, then you are doing everything you should--and can--to be successful. Do not compare yourself to other people. We are all different and will proceed down this road differently. And, please don't be afraid of what your surgeon is going to say. It is critically important that the relatioship between you and your surgeon is an honest, open and trusting one. If you are afraid of his opinion, then you will be afraid to seek help when you need it. He is there to help you, not criticize you. Just keep doing what you've been doing, and all will turn out well.
   — Vespa R.

September 19, 2003
Marie, Here's my view of your situation. When I read your post I realized that you started out at only 249 lbs. I started out at 334 lbs. That's an 85 lb difference! I don't know how much you have to lose, but I have 160 lbs to lose. So there's the difference between you and I. The trouble is, you never really know what each person's situation is. It sounds like you're doing everything the right way, so just hang in there. You're doing great!
   — aferrendelli

September 22, 2003
Not sure if you are already doing this but are you keeping a food and exercise log? It is important to keep track of when you eat your meals, where you eat your meals, what are you eating (fats and carbs) and how much are you eating, when do you drink your water (are you waiting the 1 1/2 after you eat)and when and how long are you exercising. Maybe some old habits have creeped back in. You must remember everyone reacts differently to this surgery. Some people will lose much faster then others. Myself I started at a much higher weight when I had my surgery (308 lbs). I'm almost 6 months post-op and have lost 104 lbs. I hit the wall at 208 lbs and stayed their for almost 3 weeks. Today I went to the gym and got on the scale and lost 4 lbs. After keeping a log of my food intake and exercise I found some old habit had come back. Eating while watching tv, not measuring my food as carefully as I should, and slacking off on the exercise. So I starting eating at the table, I set a timer for 20 mintues, I put my fork down on every bite and chew until it is almost liquid. I changed up my exercise routine with walking, swimming and weights (5 to 6 times a week)for at least an hour.
   — Linda R.