Question:
I lose weight in sporadic patterns - anyone else??

I'm 5 months post-op and I've been experiencing the strangest patterns of weight loss lately. I'll go a month without losing anything, and then I'll drop 8 or 9 pounds in 2 weeks. Then another 3 or 4 weeks with NO loss - sometimes I'll even gain a pound or two! Yikes!! I'm wondering if this is totally normal, or if it's a direct result of my eating or excericising habits during the non-losing weeks. I wouldn't be concerned about it if I didn't feel like my loss is a little slow compared with others who had surgery around the same time as I did. I also feel a little guilty that I'm not a model WLS patient - I cheat on carbs and calories, don't excercise like I should and have a hard time getting all my water and vitamins in. *sighs* I'm open to the possibility that I may be losing inches during these slow times, but I lose a lot MORE inches during the weeks where I'm losing actual pounds. Anyone else experience this, or am I essentially experiencing failure during the slow weight loss times?? Help!    — Tiffany J. (posted on December 1, 2003)

December 1, 2003
Tiffany, Except for the fact that I'm a DS post-op - we could be twins! I totally lose my weight in chunks - some months I lose a ton, other months none at all - or even gain - and then I lose another chunk further down the line. It's very trippy! But, my body is still constantly changing - even when the numbers on the scale do not move. If I could urge you to do anything at all it would be to make sure you get your water in and take your vitamins! Those are so important. I've lost 185 lbs so far this way, so I feel pretty sure it's just the way my body (and yours, apparently) is doing the whole weight loss thing. Wild, huh? Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

December 1, 2003
I think this is how we all lose after four or five months out. I know i go for weeks and lose nothing then overnight 5 or 6 pounds and i have read here that a lot of people do the same.
   — Delores S.

December 1, 2003
That is how I lose-- nothing for 2 weeks, then 7 pounds in 2 days. And it repeats until I average 10 pounds in a month. But I look in the mirror and the visual loss looks steady to me.
   — mrsmyranow

December 1, 2003
Same here. I guess some people would suggest that you only weigh yourself once a month, but not me. I still weigh every day, sometimes twice a day. I justify this by telling them that I didn't get on a scale for years when I was 300 pounds so I have a lot of catching up to do. Keep up the good work.
   — Tawnda C.

December 1, 2003
Tiffany, I am also five months out, and this is how I am losing now too. I average about 10 pounds a month. I think this is normal at this stage.
   — DebT

December 1, 2003
This sounds very hormonal to me. Do you notice the loss at a certain time in your cycle. This is very common and as long as the weight loss is consistent I would not worry about it. At 5-6 months out my loss slowed down considerably but at 10 1/2 months out I have lost 121 pounds and am within a few pounds of my goal. Some months I have lost ony 3 or 4 pounds but it keeps moving as long as we stick to the program. Good luck, it sounds like you are doing great. Lap RNY 1/15/03 277/156/150ish
   — Carol S.

December 1, 2003
Hello, Yup sounds like me- I only lose here and there but have managed to lose 156 pounds this past year (Have lost nothing in the past month) What I wanted to comment on was your CHEATING- Don't look at it as cheating (unless you want to live on a diet the rest of your life) Try your very best to stick to your plan, and I believe every once in a while you MUST treat yourself- The most important lesson I've learned so far through this journey is...MODERATION- (and yes, I'm still learning it) If someone in the house opens a bag of chips, I MUST have one or two (smile) but I won't sit and eat the whole bag like the old days- When we are out to dinner and someone orders dessert, OF COURSE I'm going to take a bite- My belief is with GUILT comes more self destruction (at least this is the story of my life) don't knock yourself- do your best- and treat yourself every once in a while- Best wishes Kim
   — WABBIT F.

December 2, 2003
My surgery was July 1 this year. I started at 5'2" and 265#. I lost monthly -27, -10, -15, -10. From the 26 of Oct. to the 29th of Nov. I lost nothing. Then this last weekend I lost 5# and I started my period on Sunday. That gives me just a 5# loss for my 5th month. My total loss is 67# at five month post op. I'm the queen of plateaus and slow losers. I feel you.......
   — lindadougherty