Question:
I know you all have heard the above...

but has anyone ever heard of only losing 22 lbs. at the 4 week mark (lap RNY 4-00-03)...and at the 7 week mark....still only down 22 lbs...I don't believe I have ever heard of this small weight loss. I had ll0 lbs. to lose...I was on liquid first two weeks...and until next week I am on soft foods - eggs, cottage cheese, fish, chicken salad..and lots of water...But I am so discouraged....every week...NOT day...I get on the scale..and in fact last week I gained 2 lbs. I am so frustrated. Any suggestions??? I am so depressed.    — pat C. (posted on May 30, 2003)

May 30, 2003
I am 42 yrs old and started at 235 - I'm 5'2". At four weeks I was down 26 lbs. Monday will be 8 weeks for me and as of today I am down 38 lbs. Do you exercise at all? I am in the gym 5 days per week doing the elliptical machine and weights, plus I walk 2-3 miles sevral times per week. Even with all that exercise I am still a slow loser, but I hate to think where I'd be if I didn't exercise...Barb
   — Barbara C.

May 30, 2003
I hear this is pretty darned common - when you're on a mostly liquid diet your calories are very limited and your body goes into starvation-mode, afraid to let go of the weight. I suspect that once you up those calories to something your body finds acceptable, you'll find the weight starts moving. I really avoided the scale in the early days - wish I could NOW too but I'm addicted to it <sigh>...
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 30, 2003
Yes, Pat....ME...I was down 19 lbs at 4 weeks..I only lost 5 lbs the second month. At about 10 weeks, things started to pick up. I am now 14 weeks and down 42 lbs. So things do get better. There are many good things about this slow weight loss. one is that your skin probably won't sag and it gives your body aa chance to catch up. You also will most likely continue to lose when others come to a screeching halt. I get the impression that the quick losers usually do all the postings. I was afraid to post because everyone was deleriously happy with their 80 and 90 lbs loss while I was sad and down because I was only losting 30-40. If I complained to anyone, they would say I was negative. Little did they know. I was getting accused of not following plan, etc. Well, I am not letting that bother me anymore. Don't let it bother you either. I get the feeling there are more of us out there but they are afraid to post. Remember the tortoise won the race...LOL Lana Leigh
   — lana L.

May 30, 2003
I'm a slow loser too. I lost 25lbs the first 4-5 weeks, and it's tapered of to 5-10lbs per month, or less. I'm almost 6 months post. I started at 242 and now I'm at 185. I would loved to have lost it all by 7 months, but it's not gonna happen. I'm happy for what I've got, even though it's a lot less than most people. I follow the plan, take my supplements, exercise, and hope for the best. That's about all I can do. :) Hang in there, it will work out.
   — Diana L.

May 30, 2003
I'm a little over six weeks out and only down 32 pounds. Considering I'm male, and I started at a pretty high weight, that seems a little on the slow side to me. I'm disappointed but not panicking about it. I just keep walking and following the program. Over the last month I'm down to a 12-15 pound a month pace. I was hoping for 20 over at least the first few months, but it looks like that's not going to happen. Oh well as long as things keep going in the right direction I guess I can't complain too much.
   — Jim F

May 31, 2003
I think it's important to remember that everyone's body is different and will respond differently to the physiological changes that go along with such a drastic change. I don't think you should be upset or depressed about your progress as long as you are following your surgeon's plan, which it sounds like you are. It sounds like your body is still adjusting to the new plan. That may not have anything to do with anything you are or are not doing. Factors such as your past medical history, your metabolism, and even your genes could be playing a role here. I equate it to puberty. All preteens don't hit puberty within the same timeframe, nor do they progress through it at the same pace. Likewise, all WLS patients don't hit weightloss peaks at the same time nor do we progress through the weightloss journey at the same pace. You might just be a late bloomer, but when you bloom, I'm sure you'll bloom big. Keep your chin up.
   — Amanda S.

May 31, 2003
I am a lightweight also and am 14 weeks out and have lost 35 lbs. I have gained a couple of lbs 3 different times. I was frustrated until last month. I went to the library, and searched on plateaus, lightweights, and anything else I could think of related to slow wgt loss. This is common for us, and depending on the time frame of the original question, you can click on their profile and see that they did go on to reach their goal weight. Another thing that helped get the scales moving again for me was to really cut back on carbs and make SURE I was getting my 64 ozs of water. Good luck to you and try to RELAX and enjoy this new life. We will all get to where we are going.
   — Sandy T.