Question:
I really don't want to sound like a baby, but....
I'm a little over 5 weeks post-op and have lost 33lbs. At one time I was called a lightweight at a starting weight of 303lbs. I know the less you have to lose the slower it happens. I'm very excited about the 33lbs but I can't feel it or see the loss. My clothes fit the same they did pre-op. I thought I would at least notice some more room in my pants but no, I still lay down to zip them up. I am getting a little frustrated. I'm not expecting an instant miracle by any means, I know it will take a little time. It's just getting harder to be excited about 33lbs when I can't tell it's even gone. How much did you lose before you really felt it? When could you start to tell? How long did it take to drop a size or two? I would love to hear from anyone, but especially those that started around my size. Thanks everyone! p.s. I do think my ankles are a little smaller! LOL — LaKeAffy (posted on July 18, 2002)
July 18, 2002
ME TOO!! I am five weeks out and have lost 4lbs. I swear I can't really
see it and I am frustrated, because I want to lose more. But you know,
instant gratification is overrated:-) I lost 17lbs the first week and I
swear it was in my ankles! I told my friend I would probably lose all this
weight and end up with stick figure legs and a big belly! I guess everyone
loses at different paces and I just need to make sure I get in everything I
am supposed to and leave the rest to nature. It is difficult and I want to
go out right now and run laps around the block to speed it up, but i just
have to trust that it will all happen in due time. good luck to you!
— gloria M.
July 18, 2002
I totally hear what you are saying. I am seven months post op and down 106
lbs and I swear I don't look like I lost an ounce! I look at myself in the
mirror with disgust. I still wear some of my size 24 pants when I should be
in a 12/14. My clothes literally fall off of me but I still don't see it.
People all around me keep asking where is all of Amy? She has melted away.
I don't see it. I am not sure I ever will. I know that I need counseling
and am actively seeking an eating disorders counselor. I am not sure when,
or if you will see it. I have found in my support group that we are the
last ones to see the loss, everyone else sees it first. I hope I see it
soon! :) Good luck!
— purdue_1993
July 18, 2002
Hi,
First 33 lbs in 5 weeks is terrific!!!! I know I didn't feel too much
difference until the first 50 lbs were gone...my clothes were very tight
and they finally fit normally...when I was a weight watcher instructor many
moons ago we told people that every 10 pounds was a size but I think that
is only true when you are under 200 lbs...I have lost 100 lbs in a years
time and have gone from a very tight 26 to a 18 in jeans...but I can fit in
1 pair of 14 slacks and then I can also fit in some 20's just depends on
the maker. It was also about a 50 lbs loss before anyone asked if I had
lost some weight...not sure about the ankles but most people lose from the
top down...your face first and then slowly down to the butt and legs...If
you haven't done so already take your measurements and keep tract...I take
mine monthly on the 22...had my surgery on the 23rd so I do an official
weigh and measure...some months its the pounds that go down and other times
it is the inches...keep up the good work and don't be discouraged...soon
those pants will just fall off!
— Diane Z.
July 18, 2002
I am 5 weeks post-op, and minus 35lbs. I started at 306lbs. I can't
really tell the difference either, except for pictures. On my website I
will be taking monthly progress pictures, and even though I can't really
feel the loss, I can really see it in the pictures. Visit my website and
take a look: www.geocities.com/toolgrl150/WLS.html . You might want to
start taking pictures yourself. Really helps motivate me to look at mine.
— Jennifer Y.
July 18, 2002
I'm so glad you said something! WHEW! Me too! I started at 288 lbs., and
am down 42 lbs, and am 5 weeks or so post-op. I don't see it as much as
other people do. And I'm finding that certain people see the loss in
certain places -- go figure! One friend swears I've lost half of my boobs
(thank God!), another claims it's in my waist, and another says my legs.
Whatever! :) I think it's a lot of, you wait (ha!) so long to have this
surgery and hear such wonderful success stories, that you kind of want the
weight to just pour right off before your very eyes. It takes time -- just
think -- there was NO way I was losing 40 lbs. in over a month on my
own...so I'm already ahead of the game! :)
— Karen B.
July 18, 2002
I am 8 weeks out, 34 pounds down. I put on the last 25 quickly, so it all
settled in my stomach and face. Therefore, my 34 pounds loss all came from
my tummy, which is noticeable to my hubby when I am dressing. No one else
seems to be able to tell, and my clothes fit the same. I am now 291
pounds, to give you some idea of where I am in the battle. Were you at 303
pounds plus or minus 10 for a while??? That would explain why no ONE area
lost it all there. Over time, your body redistributes excess weight, or
does the opposite for weight loss. Keep your chin up. 5 weeks out is
small potatoes in the grand scheme of your very long, successful journey.
Don't beat yourself up over this -- 2 months from now you will be stressing
all the new clothes you have to put on your Visa!!!
— Karen F.
July 18, 2002
hi there at 5 weeks post op i was down 38lbs i felt the same exact way give
yourself 3 months and youll be amazed!!!! i am now down 110 lbs i had open
rny on feb 8 02 i started at 370 and wow do i feel great!!!!!looking great
too!!!!!
— carrie M.
July 18, 2002
Okay girls, you are all doing great!!! I am 11 weeks post op and have only
lost 40 pounds and I started at 263. I do not over eat and I walk at least
a mile and a half every day. I also work out 3 days a week. Everyone loses
wieght at a different pace. I wasn't able to notice any difference until
July 3rd when I went to buy a new outfit for a reunion. Before surgery I
was a size 26 and on that day I fit comfortably into a size 20. I still
don't see the weight lose when I look in the mirror, but buying that new
outfit really helped me to belive that this is working.
— Ammy T.
July 18, 2002
Hi, fun question! I liked reading everyones answer! I am 8 weeks minus 46
pounds. I too thought I would be fitting into smaller sizes by now
especially since all my clothes are falling off me but....so many of my old
pants still fit on the waist even though i can fit another person in the
legs and butt part. I went shopping yesterday for the first time and was
dissapointed. its mid season now and the clothes were garbage, and even
though i can fit into a size large or XL in a regular store, the styles (i
have been craving to wear) are made for firm little bodies and flat
midrifts! I think i need to do some crunches!
— robyn R.
July 19, 2002
La Keitha,
Thought I would post I weighed in at the exact same weight as you, 303
pounds, On the first 30 pounds I could hardly tell that I had lost the
weight, clothes fit the same, and it actually made me a little
disappointed. But I'm finally over that I'm current at 7 weeks post op and
down a total of 53 pounds, my clothes are finally feeling big on me, as I
have started to give some of them away. I read your profile but it didn't
say any thing of your height, I'm 5'10", Don't loose the momentum
you'll see it soon, just keep active, What I found that worked the best is
that I joined a GYM and for the last week have gone every other day,
walking about 20-30 minutes, and exercising my upper body. I think this
really jump-started my weight loss.
Good luck and God Bless
— tannedtigress
July 19, 2002
In my experience over losing weight the 1st 30 lbs I never got a compliment
or anything except for my family who new I had the surgery. but the next
30 I went from a size 26 jeans to a 18 I just bought last weekend for a
party I am attending. Almost everyone I see notices. This makes you feel
really good. Keep up the good work and try to excercise. I notice when I
don't lose weight the inches come off like crazy. I think my total inches
is 55-60 and my weight loss is now 63lbs. I walk 3-4 miles a day and do
water aerobics 3 nights a week and just cleaned my bike up to ride it on
nights I am not doing aerobics. Good luck to you and don't let it stress
you. In the next couple of months you will notice a big difference. RK
LAP RNY 4-9-02
— Robin B.
July 19, 2002
Patience, my dear! You're doing fine. When was the last time that you
lost 33 lbs in 5 wks? The weight WILL come off if you follow the bypass
surgery RULES...no juice or soda, eat baked or broiled protein first then
veg/fruit and almost no starchy food like pasta, bread, crackers, etc.
Drink tons of water and 2 protein shakes a day mixed with water. It took
me a couple of months to notice my clothes getting loose since obesity
clothes do not tend to be form fitting anyway. You'll be fine!!!!! I'm
almost 6 months postop and down to 190 from 270. Yeepee...hooray!!!
I feel great!
— Suzanne D.
July 19, 2002
Not unlike you, I wasn't seeing or feeling any changes either at first. I
had my surgery 5/5/02, and I am down 65 lbs. in 2 1/2 months. I have
plateaued a few times for a couple of days, but never more than a week, but
I realized that even though the weight was hanging on, I was losing inches.
When I began my journey I measured everything, my neck, chest, waist,
hips, thighs, calves and ankles and kept a record of it. At my 2 month
postop date, I measured again and found I had lost in excess of 29.5 inches
all over, the biggest loss being my waist at 9.5 inches! What I think
helps is to remember that when you were at your top weight, your clothes
were probably not big enough for you, and in some cases, they were too
tight. I started at a 28 and am now into 18's, but I can still put on some
of the stretch stuff I wore at the big size and although a little big, they
are still wearable, they are not falling off of me or anything. Where I
finally started noticing the loss was in my face and neck. The double chin
has subsided considerably, and my boobs don't look like they want to jump
out and grab you anymore.
Have faith, we all will lose at different rates, and in different places at
first. I take one day at a time, measure myself only on anniversary dates,
and when I am feeling particularly low I come to this website and find
spiritual and emotional guidance from the postings as well as the pictures
on here..they are a real inspiration for me. I know we will get there...we
didn't get fat overnight, but this is the closest thing we have to getting
skinny overnight...take care and God Bless..Diana
— Diana C.
July 19, 2002
LaKeitha, I hear ya! I'm 11 weeks post-op today and have lost 61 pounds.
I've lost the most from my double chin, shoulders, collar bone area and
quite a bit from my waist. Strange thing is that when I look at myself
nekkid in the mirror, my body looks almost exactly the same, only a bit
smaller. The only way I can Really tell my weight loss is by comparing my
pre-op picture with my post-op pictures, side by side. On the 3rd of every
month, my boyfriend takes my pictures (front, side & back). When I
pull up my pre-op pic and put it next to my 2 month post-op pic, I really
can see the difference. But not when I'm looking at myself in the mirror.
Very strange. Hang in there & you'll be the incredible shrinking woman
before you know it! :o)
— Jennifer A.
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