Question:
WHAT WOULD CAUSE A PERSON TO ONLY LOOSE 80 POUNDS IN A YEAR?

There is a member here that had a revision last june and has lost 80 pounds. Her Doctor was really hard on her and she is feeling rather low. She unscribed from OSSG and she told me that she will nol onger be on line either. Her PCP said that she was doing fine. She is gettin in her protein and and eating right. The Doctor told her that she only lost 10 pounds in 6 months. I told her that I think that there must be something wrong. I think that she needs some tests done. Please, if this has happened to you or if you have any suggestions either e-mail me or post it here and I will send it to her daughter. She is very very upset we are worried about her. Thank you    — Heather C. (posted on June 27, 2001)

June 28, 2001
I started on 7/25 at 277 (266 after the weekend fasting w/that yucky drink)... and today 6/26 (well, only 11 months- but close enough) I weighed 189. That is only 88 pounds. I am frustrated and confused. Could be the longest plateau in the history of WLS, but I have not lost a pound since March 2001.
   — Karen R.

June 28, 2001
I understand how she feels. It is very frustrating to read here about everyones fabulous losses and not be able to lose as much. I'm also a slow loser. My one year anniversary is 6/12 and I have lost 73 pounds. The scale just refuses to budge for the past few months. I know, however, that I have always been a slow loser. My body is really rebelling against this "latest diet". But I refuse to give up. I have recently stepped up my exercise and water intake. I am also keeping a log of everything I eat. It'll come off. I really don't care how long it takes. I feel, and look, 100 % better than I did a year ago, so what have I got to be depressed about? This isn't a contest. We all lose at our own pace. And remember, the tortoise wins the race.
   — Anne G.

January 16, 2002
I don't understand it either. I went from 254 to 180 in a year... thats only 74 pounds. I wear a size 12 or 14, so happy about that... but have to admit I had higher expectations!
   — sarah M.

March 10, 2002
I an post-op RNY on 8/2001 and have lost only 67 lbs. I haven't lost anything in 1 month.
   — Renee M.

August 22, 2002
I understand how your friend feels. It is frustrating to go to support groups and hear about the large amounts of weight people have lost. I only lost 50 pounds and I will be a year out in September. I know part of it is because I don't dump on sweets. I have gotten more strict. I exercise a half hour each day. I count all calories and protein grams, and drink tons of water. Hopefully this will help me lose more weight. I too am disappointed. I expected better results and it to be a simpler method. Now it feels just like dieting.
   — Lois M.

August 22, 2002
Please tell your friend not to worry. 80 pounds is great! That's 80 pounds she would still be carrying around. Also, I hit a plateau at about 1 year out. I am now 20 months post-op. I was certain that I was finished losing. I had only lost a total of 95 pounds. Within the past two weeks, my body has jump started all on it's own. I haven't changed anything, yet in the past two weeks, I've lost about 9 pounds. I can't believe it, but it's true. People can still lose after the so called "window" and can continue to lose. Although I had stableized, I guess I wasn't finished, It just took a while for my body to adjust to the weight loss. I hope that my experience will give your friend some hope that it is VERY unlikely she has finished losing the weight. Encourage her to stop thinking about the number of pounds lost and focus on her "new" life. She MUST feel so much better after losing 80 pounds. Good luck to your friend.
   — Maria H.

November 16, 2002
11-17-02 Hello, I am also a revision, my original stomach stapling was done about 20 years ago. I have my revision done 12-13-02 and I have only lost 64 pounds. This is what my doctor said that I could expect to lose, actually she said half of my excess weight. Well 64 pounds is almost half of my excess weight. I am still trying my hardes to stick with the program, although there are days that I am lax...grazing...which seems to mainly occur when it is my time of month....Tell your friend to focus on what she has lost, for example, I lost 64 pounds, I lost my need for my diabetic medicine, I lost almost all my cravings for sweets...now I crave salt-but working on that. Tell her to resign to the board, shame on her doctor for making her feel guilty. If she would have had my doctor, then she would have been told the actual facts of what a revision person can expect...it is me that expected more and still do, but it is me that doesn't move as I should and does the occassional grazing and I take responsiblity for that. Her doctor should take responsibility for making your friend seem like a failure...that is unacceptable. The pressure is hard enough without the added pressure of again being afraid to go to a doctor because of the weight thing....dang nab it, when will people learn.....Encourage your friend to get back on the site, she can get so much from it and she can also email me personally at [email protected]. Crystal
   — Crystal L.

December 11, 2002
Saw your post about your friend and I too know exactly what she feels like. I had an RNY in August 1998 - starting at 266 and in 4 months went down to 205 - and THAT WAS IT!! I never lost another pound - and started GAINING again. I had x-rays taken and an upper GI done and everyone said "your pouch is fine". If it's FINE then why was I able to eat more food and not get sick?! very depressing. It is now December 2002 and I'm back up to 266 (actually within that year I was back up to 266) and am considering a revision. I have an appointment to discuss this with a new doctor in January 2003. Wish me luck - and I do know how frustrating it is. Anyone wanting to drop me a line, I'm at : [email protected]. Robin
   — Robin Knox (Cwalina)

February 14, 2003
I don't have any answers on this but wanted to add what was going on with myself. I had my surgery October 4, 2001 and lost 135 pounds the first 6 months, since then I have not lost 1 pound i've actually gained 20!! I don't dump on anything and am always hungry and seem to be able to eat more than I should. I no longer am near my surgeon and do not have insurance, I feel terrible that i'm gaining and can eat more than I should. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do? I still drink my protein and lots of water, but I notice I am always hungry :(
   — Michelle G.

April 9, 2003
Hey, Ive only lost 80lbs. in 10 months and haven't moved the scale in three months. I had to take a long hard look at what I was eating. I can eat anything and have had no problems at all. Thank god for that. But what I did, figure out what I was and still am - "a carb lover". So, I personal have to watch the carbs. And drink a lot also. I feel as long as you aren't in pain and you feel great don't worry. Hang in there and don't give up. You might need to go on straight liquids for three days to get started again. Best wishes Wendy
   — Wendy N.

April 11, 2003
4-11-03 This is just sharing I suppose. I have stayed away from the site for about a year but came to check in today and found this question and series of answers. Anyway, I went in at 286 (5'4") on 12/6/01. I lost 64 pounds in the first 3 1/2 months and not an ounce since! Of course the first 2 months I just kept thinking, PLATEAU, but here I am a year later and I have now gained 10 pounds. I unfortunately can eat anything. I have never dumped on sweets so no problem there. I have thyroid issues so we are looking there. My surgeon has been useless. No pain or problems so surgery end is fine. It is somehow my body chemistry. I could understand it if it hadn't stopped so suddenly and so early! I do eat more now but when all this halted at 3 1/2 months trust me I was not eating enough for this to happen! As awful as it is I am glad to read I am not alone, everyone I know had lost tons. I even started the support group in my town and finally quit going cuz I was embarrassed that nothing was changing for me plus it made me sad, better not to think about it!
   — jackie G.

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