Question:
I have not lost anymore

I am 5 weeks post op. I lost 18 lbs. the first 2 weeks. I have not lost any since. I eat what I am suppose to. I hardly eat more than 4 bites of my food and I am full. I drink the amount of water and liquids I am suppose to. I can't understand why I am not losing more. I read all the time about people losing 25 or 30 pounds the first month. I wasnt a small start weight - 280lbs. I have a bowel movement every other day. I don't know what I am doing wrong. I walk some up and down my street. I dont see how you cant lose if you are following the things the way your dr said to do. any help would be appreciated. melinda    — taterbug898 (posted on December 27, 2004)

December 27, 2004
Everyones body takes a break at about the same place that you are at. Have you been taking your body measurements since you were first PO? You probably are loosing inches instead of pounds. My personal opinion on your exercise is that you are not doing enough. Are you getting your heart rate up to a fast rate while you are doing your walking? You should be getting your heart rate up so you benefit from the aerobic effects of the exercise. Have you been given the ok from your doctor to do more walking? When I was at the place you are at PO I was walking a little more than a mile a day and some days I would do that twice a day.
   — ChristineB

December 27, 2004
You said that you walk "some". How much is some. We need to exercise AT LEAST 30 minutes a day. If you cant do what you can and work your way up. Best of Luck.
   — Randy W.

December 27, 2004
The same thing happened to me, I thought that I was doing something wrong, but I was not. I asked the doctor and they said that it is normal. It is just the way your body responds to the surgery. Every person is different and actually your weight is low compared to those that are at weights of over 500lbs, those are the weights that lose the weight the fastest. But do not give up, keep with the diet that is perscriped, and keep walking. It will come off but it will take time. Be patient and give me an email if you need to talk anymore. I wish you luck. Nikki
   — FROGGY0217

December 27, 2004
Hey Melinda, it's kind of interesting to see these posts pop up every few days. We all want to be the one who loses the 50 pounds in the first month but it does not happen for all of us. I lost pretty slowly actually but I'm fifteen months out now and I am below my goal and still losing slowly. I had read enough on this site and other sites to know that my body would respond in it's own individual way so I just patiently waited and the weight just melted off. I had major foot problems so was not able to do much in the way of exercise and it still came off pretty consistently. Don't panic, give yourself some time, stay off the scale if you're the type person who obsesses about it..........but you are exactly right. You will lose if you are following the "rules" and I've been told that it is impossibly to NOT LOSE in the early months so that's time time to develop the good habits that you will need to have for the rest of your life. You just might not show a loss on the scale everyday or even every week. It's the long term that counts and I think 18 pounds in two weeks is phenomenal. No wonder your body is taking a bit of a break. It's probably trying to figure out what the heck is going on. I did weigh myself everyday and still do to keep me "honest" and I kept track of my weight loss in my profile and it was interesting to see the pattern my weight loss took. Give yourself a little time and you'll start to see your pattern as well.
   — scbabe

December 27, 2004
Melinda- There are a few competing issues that can undermine weightloss at any point in our journeys. First, your body needs protein-- particularly if you are not getting in that many calories, your body will need the protein. So, think about using a clear protein drink (like Isopure Zero Carb) to increase your protein intake. As protein intake increases, so does weight loss (provided you are keeping your carbohydrates low). Secondly, remember that you may be getting in so few calories that your body is in "starvation mode"-- that natural protective instinct built into our metabolism that slows everything down for times of famine. Now, this was a great survival tool during the Ice Age, but kind of stinks now-- however, that being programmed into us, think about ways you could increase calories without getting in carbs-- how about high protein foods (or supplements). Lastly, related to the starvation mode issue for many is the extent of physical acitivity. We all appreciate the many advantages of being active, particularly right after surgery. However, there is a balance in the first few months between being active and exercising to the point where your body is craving more calories that you can't deliver and is, therefore, going into starvation mode. The goal is to find a balance-- appreciating that in a few months, you will be exercising regularly. Lastly, try to remember what the previous poster has said-- this isn't just a time for weight loss, it is also a time to learn some good habits with food and to actually change your relationship with food. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

December 27, 2004
I laugh every time I read post like these. 18lbs is great weight loss in five weeks. Stop comparing yourself to others and just keep doing what your surgeon instructs you to do as far as eating and exercising. Your body will hit a plateau some do so early and some later. Just relax Melinda, and do yourself a HUGE FAVOUR...only weigh once a month.
   — [Deactivated Member]