Question:
Please don't hate me for this question... I'm about 3 1/2 weeks post-op....

I have lost 33 pounds since I weighed myself in the hospital for my surgery. I know everyone loses differently, but I just have to ask... I am happy that I've lost weight, but at the same time, I feel like I should have lost more. Please don't get mad at me for this post... I just want to know how 33 pounds is in 3 1/2 weeks, and if others feel both happy and unhappy at the same time for the progress.    — Janet C. (posted on December 11, 2001)

December 11, 2001
First of all Janet you should always be able to ask whatever you want and not feel like you will be attacked. Second of all. I will be 5 weeks tomorrow and have only lost 29 pounds. So be encouraged with your loss. I am not discouraged because just maybe the slow loss will mean my Gall Bladder will be ok. I'm guessing of course and crossing my fingers. Sounds like your doing wonderful and keep up the good work.
   — Kelly C.

December 11, 2001
Hi -- I think it's perfectly natural to wonder whether one's progress is 'on target' or similar to others... As far as comparisons go, I really felt like a freak -- I had only lost a whopping 15 lbs at three weeks post-op!!! I was distressed thinking my stomach was too big or something (I was also able to eat about 4-6 oz at a meal -- this is ideal for a DS post-op but most post-ops cannot eat this much in the first weeks post-op. I had absolutely NO terrible reactions to food and was able to get 75 gms protein in off the bat)... On the one hand, I was so happy that I didn't have any severe problems as a post-op and could nourish myself, didn't have any nausea, etc. -- but I also thought 'am I going to lose this weight?' Well, I'm 10 1/2 months post-op and am happy to say I'm down -109 lbs!!! I have only about 28-38 to go to be at my ideal bmi range!!! Now, others may have lost at a faster rate than me at this point, but the thought that I still have time in the 'weight loss window' and have hit the -100 lbs mark and 'under 200' mark -- I'm beside myself! :) So, I think your loss is FABULOUS!! You didn't mention your starting bmi and I've heard that people with higher bmis tend to lose more at a faster rate initially (my starting bmi was 45). But even if you had a very high bmi, 33 lbs is pretty damn good! that's 10 lbs a week, girlfriend! :) Continue to be well! All the best, (lap ds with gallbladder removal, January 25, 2001; preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45, now: 198 lbs/bmi 28/size sweet 16 but squeezin' into a 14!),
   — Teresa N.

December 11, 2001
Hi Janet- I am also three and a half weeks post op and just so you know you're already doing better than I! I've only lost 25lbs that I know of, but I'm trying to be realistic, yes other people have lost more, yourself included, yet who cares? What diet could I ever have gone on to lose 23lbs in two weeks? I'm trying to keep things in perspective. I was only going to weigh myself once a month, but was weighed at my post-op check up last week, and then yesterday I was curious, and I'd only lost two pounds since last week, making a total of 25lbs. I was really upset at first, and then thought about Weight Watchers meetings where I lost .2 of a pound in a week and was delighted! Just pretend you're on a normal diet and you will be a lot happier with your loss, not that I see any reason to be unhappy. Just don't compare yourself, because everyone does differently, and I should be jealous of you now! :) But I'm not, I'm proud of both of us. We're both doing great! Keep up the good work! Love, Deb
   — Deborah W.

December 11, 2001
I know exactly how you feel. Today I am 5 months post-op rny and I have lost 89lbs. When I look at the total I am delighted, but I still feel like I sould be losing more. Then I think what is wrong with me...could I have done this before surgery...NO WAY! My life is already so much better that before surgery and I still weigh 330 lbs (419 pre-op). If I never lost another pound, it would have all been worth it. Don't feel bad about what you are thinking there are lots of us out there that think the same thing. Good Luck!
   — imano1momy

December 11, 2001
I am almost 4 weeks post and have lost 34 lbs. so far. I looked at other people's loss and got a little discouraged, until someone in chat reminded me that when was the last time you ever lost 34 lbs. in 4 weeks??? So, don't be discouraged or upset...every pound is one more pound closer to goal! Be happy and well!
   — Mustang

December 11, 2001
As my surgeon says the loss doesnt happen overnight. I have the same feelings as you, and if your like EVERYONE ELSE you dont see the physical change in your appearance, I KNOW I didnt.... Take a photo of yourself and you might be surprised, thats whewn I realized how much I lost.Friends laugh that I complain about not loosing enough mostly at plateaus.
   — bob-haller

December 11, 2001
I hope none of us ever hate a person for asking a sincere question. Are we all so used to feeling like our issues are irrelevant? It is very natural to question how you compare to others even when you're told not to. I was pretty good the first few months, but now that I'm six months out, I'm looking at all the six monthers and wondering why they're skinnier than me. Perfectly natural. I have no advice beyond the others here, I just want you to feel comfortable bringing up any issue at any time. We're here to help and chances are someone else has been through it.
   — kcanges

December 11, 2001
I checked my profile an it said 25 pounds at 4 1/2 weeks. Now I am almost 7 months and down 82 pounds. Not as fast as some, but woo hoo! more than I could ever have done on my own!
   — blank first name B.

December 11, 2001
Hey Janet: I'm sure my answer is no different from others when I tell you what you're feeling is completely normal, and there isn't one of us who hasn't felt the same way at one time or another. I had my rny in 3/01 and have lost 112lbs so far, meanwhile one of my good friends had her rny in 7/01 and is already down 108! Sure I'm happy for her, but I wouldn't be human if I didn't feel at least a little twinge of jealousy. We all have to remember (myself included) that we'll ALL get to where we're going eventually. Keep your chin up! God bless and great big hugs! Your friend, Noelle
   — 5yrsout

December 11, 2001
Hi...I lost 33lbs the first 3 weeks. My doc said that most people lose between 15 and 30lbs the first 3 weeks so I think you are doing just fine. Of course you would be anyway...we're still losing regardless of how much or how little we are losing and that's more than most of us were able to lose on our own before the surgery, right? :) Hang in there...
   — Sharon E.

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