Question:
lost on the top and the bottom but hasnt really lost in the middle

ive lost 72 lbs now in 3.75 months in inches it doesnt seem like much ive lost only about 4 to 5 inches in my waist and hips what can i do to lose more in this area i do aqua swimming 3 times a week for 1.5 hours each please help    — icannie (posted on August 8, 2002)

August 8, 2002
Cheryl, I am in the same boat. I too have lost 70 lbs. but it doesn't seem to be shedding in the mid-section. I don't know what else to do. I walk 4 miles and ride the bike 1 mile on Mon, Wed, Fri. And on on Tues and Thurs walk a mile do weight lifting and it still does not seem to be shedding in that area. Just wanted to let you know your not alone.
   — Chris9672

August 8, 2002
I was going to post a question about just the opposite problem. I am down 73 lbs. and have lost nearly all of it in the face, neck, shoulders, and torso. My arms, thighs, and calves seem to be losing at a much slower rate. Maybe, it has to do with body type. I am definitely a pear shape.
   — ZaZa F.

August 8, 2002
I have been told that some of this has to do with hormones. I had a hysterectomy last year and had to go on HRT and many women have told me that it causes you to gain weight through the mid section. I have lost 90 lbs and this is also the last place I am losing too. Women who have hit 35 seem to gain it there more so then before. Don't worry I have been told that this is the last place it will come off but it does happen sooner or later.
   — Lisa B.

August 8, 2002
I am a male and I am having the same problem. I am 4 1/2 months post-op and down 82lbs. My shoulders, face, neck, arms, and legs are very lean. My rear is leaner than it was and my mid section is down about 5 inches. I too walk 2 1/2 miles 6-7 times per week, ride my exercise bike 15-20 3 times per week, and do water exerices (when its not cold or raining out) 3-5 times per week. My doctor has said "don't worry about it." He told me I put on quite a bit of muscle and it weighs more than fat. Also, that the mid section is the first place weight goes on, and the last to go off. I now added scrunchs and arm and leg lifts. It will eventually come off, as long as you keep steading and work at it. Good luck! Don
   — Don A.

August 8, 2002
I've read that we actually tend to lose weight rather evenly throughout our body. However, it often doesn't SEEM very even to us, because an inch off one's face is very dramatic indeed, while an inch off one's hips might not even be noticeable. I know that I'm noticing my losses the most in my face and my FEET right now. The shoes I was wearing all summer before surgery are now slipping off when I walk! Fortunately, our bodies have a way of doing their best to get back to normal. As weight loss slows, the body does a better job of redistributing the fat so that our faces plump back up again (a little) and the stubborn tummy and hips finally start to look slimmer. I don't know of any way to speed up this process, or to "spot reduce" in one part of the body only. I really don't think it can be done (except by liposuction, of course). The faster we're losing weight post-op, the weirder our proportions are going to be for a little while. I think it just means that the surgery is working! :-)
   — Tally

August 8, 2002
From what I understand, a thick middle is due to an excess consumption of carbohydrates and an over production of insulin. Yet again, another reason to stay away from carbohydrates. I looked up at article and cut and paste a small portion of it. The full article is http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_types/diabetes_type_2.php. Here is a cut and paste portion Fat located within the abdomen can be thought of as "fast" fat. Fat cells in this location are able to release fat into the bloodstream much faster than fat cells located elsewhere. For instance, fat begins to be released from the abdomen three to four hours after the last meal compared to many more hours for fat cells in other areas of the body. This easy release was designed to provide rapid access to fuel for exertion needed for hunting and fleeing from danger. But with today's sedentary lifestyle, the abdominal buildup of fat shows up as higher triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid levels. The excess fat in the abdomen turns out to be a major cause of insulin resistance. Excess heart risks accompany an apple figure in the form of higher triglyceride levels, lower HDL (protective cholesterol), higher blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease. Often there is a family history of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and cholesterol problems.
   — Julie D.

August 8, 2002
Well, for awhile, IT ALL FALLS DOWN. I know, miserable, as you sorta get a spare tire for awhile, then it begins to snug up and get smaller. BUT it doesn't happen yesterday, which would be the preferred time frame. Being as apple as they get, I can tell you that just before my TT, I had nothing left but middle. All the women in my family, skinny legs, huge middles. I could wear a size 4, but everything had to have an elastic waist. I very generous elastic waist. My bottom was a thing of the past, well, ok, it was oozing downward, but not visible in clothes. After awhile, things even out some. What you get at 1 yr is not the same as 2 yrs, as 3 yrs, etc.
   — vitalady