Question:
I am 6 1/2 months post op and haven't lost any weight on a month, am I through losing

Am I through losing? What can I do to jump start my weight loss. I am getting so down and out. I am wandering if I am just destined to be over weight even after such a drastic measure as WLS. Has anyone stopped after only losing 85 pounds, especially when you begin your Weight loss journey at 293 and are 5' 6" tall? Any one who has had this experience, please help!    — sstwins36087 (posted on December 7, 2004)

December 7, 2004
What your experancing is a plateau, they will come and go and worry you to death that your doing something wrong. Your not, its just your body resting and taking a break. You need a change in routien change your exercise habbits,up the protien, increase the water. It will kick in. Depending on how many calories you you ingest you may need a few more, I use fitday.com to take my intake. Good luck, before you know it you will be at goal. ps I have weighed everyday since I was 1 month postop and write it on the calander I keep by the scales, day to day the weight will flucuate but after looking at it the following months and compairing its a good daily reminder to stay on track. Sometimes it didnt change for days or weeks at a time and other times it could be as little at -3# to plus 5# and change again the next day. I have done this daily for the past 19 months I have been wls post op, and I will continue to weigh daily for the rest of my new life, I am 7# to goal. Good luck
   — wizz40

December 8, 2004
We started out about the same place - I'm 5'7 and weighed 286 before surgery. I have no scientific evidence, but I believe many of us will just lose at our own pace and that if you are making good choices the majority of the time (only you can answer that question) you will see maximum results over time. But you have to give yourself time. Please try your best not to worry. I think some of the speed of loss is dependent on how our doctor performed our surgery (if your doctor bypassed on the conservative side, you might lose more slowly than someone who had a large amount bypassed) or your metabolism might be slower and that will affect your speed of loss. The main thing you can do is stay on a program of the basics: protein first (or supplementation), no/limited white carbs, water, supplements and movement/weight training. For many of us, the surgery is not a magic bullet. I have worked the program since the beginning. I haven't set any records for my speed of loss, but it wasn't a contest between me and everyone else. I know it's hard not to compare yourself to everyone else's progress, but DON'T - you're creating an unreal expectation of this process if you are thinking of yourself as a failure - you are NOT. It took me 14 months to lose 100 lbs, but I'm still losing. It's a journey - just control the things you can (your own behavior and choices) and know that 85 lbs in less than 7 months is not failure by a long shot. Good luck and God bless! Deb
   — Debra R.

December 8, 2004
I JUST broke a 2 month plateau. From months 7-9 I only dropped 3 lbs. It was so disheartening, but I made it through. It took me 3 months to get through the 180s. If you see my profile, I have my weights listed in there as well as the weeks postop. I am only 5'3, and am 9 1/2 months post op, and as of today down 74 lbs. FINALLYYYYYY :D. Don't give up, just keep plugging away. I started replacing my breakfast with a protein shake and I found that fills me up really good. I was also grazing w/ sunflower seeds and cut those out. I WAS exercising great before but stopped and now I've been walking again. Make small changes, but most importantly, believe in your heart you aren't a failure and that you can do this. Good luck! Shannon Open RNY 2/25/04 251/177/140
   — M. Me

December 9, 2004
I am just 8 months post op..have lost 92 pounds and only 6 this last month BUT I lost a complete size in clothes with that 6 pounds. I think some of us just lose a little slower and then real slow while we are losing inches and then some more weight will drop off. Change your excercise routine a little, add some more protein and less carbs and see if that doens't get you moving again. I started at 278 and 5'5". Faith
   — FaithMills