Question:
I'm finally on the other side...

had open ryn on Monday and came home today and only lost 2 pounds. i'm very discouraged now..i didnt go thru all this pain to only lose 2 pounds in the first week. Also didnt have BM yet could that make a difference in weight loss? I also wanted to thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. I love you guys.    — Janice C. (posted on January 30, 2004)

January 30, 2004
Hey Dear, don't worry, soon the weight will start to fall off but it takes a little time. Hang in there, do what you are supposed too and I promise the weight will come off. I am a little concerned about no bowel movement. You probably should call your Doc. I did that and still do and my doc has me take phillips milk of magnesia for occasional constipation. I am also sure that is part of why you haven't lost more weight than you have. I wish you the best and if I can help you in any way feel free to email me because I know all too well how you feel right now. I am 18 months post-op and at goal. I have had no problems at all and want everyone to do as well as I have because it has truly given me my life back and it will yours too, just give it time and be patient. Good luck!!
   — Sharon1964

January 30, 2004
it's been less than and week and you are already getting upset about your weightloss??????? i don't mean to sound harsh, but if you keep on thinking this way your going to have ALOT of heartache. remember you still are holding in alot of fluid from having surgery. when you go to your two week check up i promise you will see a difference. you are just getting started on your journey.....and believe me it's a hard journey. wls isn't magic and the weight WILL come off. some people lose very quickly the first month and then stall.....and others lose constantly but in small amounts. but if you look at 20 people who all had surgery at the sametime you will see it really doesn't matter which way they lose their weight they all end up at almost the same amount lost at the end of each month. you can look in the reunion pages and see for yourself. i'm just really concerned for you if you are discoured now.....what are you going to do at about 6 months out when the weightloss slows down or when you hit your first weightloss stall and don't lose anything for 2 weeks? we ALL want the weight off ASAP! HAHAHA relax and enjoy this wonderful ride!!!!!!!!!!
   — franbvan

January 30, 2004
Don't panic sweetie...give yourself some time. I actually came home from the hospital with an additional 6 pounds! (now at 5 1/2 weeks out, down 35!) It was all the fluids pumped in, and it comes off quickly. I agree with the previous poster - call you doc about not having a BM, that is important. Take care! cherie
   — Cherie A.

January 30, 2004
Don't set yourself up to be so dissapointed so early on. I came home from the hospital 4 lbs heavier than when I went in. I"m now 8 1/2 months out and down 112 lbs. I have times when I lose fast, and times when the scale doesn't budge. I think I'm averaging about 6 lbs a month right now. As long as it's coming off and not going on, I'm happy. You still have a lot of fluid built up, it takes a little time to be rid of it. You will be so surprised when you realize that you are actually losing faster than you thought. The BM thing though, I would check it out with your Dr. Mine suggests when I don't go for 3 days to take a Senecot Lax w/stool softener to help me go. I don't have that problem often but, it does help when I need it. Good luck to you :-)
   — KellyJeanB

January 30, 2004
Do not get discouraged. I am about 3 1/2 weeks out from a lap rny. I had my surgery on Wed and came home on Saturday. I was disappointed because I had only lost 6 pounds the 1st wk, but by the 3rd wk I had lost 30. You are still swollen and probably retaining fluid, plus haven't been able to work up to your 30 min walk every day. It will start coming off soon. Carolyn
   — Carolyn B.

January 30, 2004
Sweetie, don't get discouraged so fast. There is soooo much going on in your body right now! After my surgery, they weighed me every morning and I actually GAINED 25 pounds while I was in the hospital ... but it was ALL water. It started coming off about a week after surgery and by 2-3 weeks out, not only had I lost the 25 pounds of water, but I had also lost an additional 20 pounds of fat! You probably have lots of water left in you from the IV's and all the other stuff they pump into you. You will be surprised at the difference just one month is going to make but you have to give it time. So hang in there - it WILL come off, it has no choice!! Take care and best of luck to you. Hugs, Jody :)
   — MomBear2Cubs

January 30, 2004
Janice, don't fret, the weight will come off. My doctor advises his patients not to look at a scale until they come to him for their first post op appointment. I asked him why this was suggested and was told...You will gain weight while in the hospital due to all of the fluids that are pumped into your body during and after surgery and they don't want to you to be all upset. You will notice a difference in weight loss when you go to your first dr appointment to get out your staples/stitches and your g-tube if you have one. When you step up on that scale in the dr.'s office you will walk out of there with one of the biggest smiles on your face. You will feel so good about yourself, that this will the beginning of the rest of your life on the losing side. I would also contact your dr about not having a BM yet. They may tell you that you can use milk of magnesia for the problem, that is what is recommended by my surgeon. Best of luck to you. Blessed Be, Deb
   — Deb S.

February 13, 2004
I am only 2 wks out myself, but think you are rushing the gun on weight loss. I didn't have BM till wk and 1/2, (we're not eating that much) and did have some swelling the 1st wk. This can be water weight. I didn't and won't weigh in till can go to Dr's for post-op checks. After 2 wks I lost 16 lbs. He said this was great as 2-5 lbs wk is normal. (Also do take some form of fiber every 2-3 days as you don't want to get stopped up). Don't fret about slow weight loss already. We didn't gain all of our wt in a day, and won't lose it in a day either. Take it easy and enjoy the ride. Hope you don't take me wrong. I only mean to help!!!
   — bufordslipstick