Question:
Why do new post-ops get weighed too often???
I've been a contributing member to the Q&A forum here at Obesityhelp.com for well over a year now and the question that I see most often is about plateaus from new posties. And these new posties are weighing themselves every week or even every day and they get highly discouraged when they don't see a weight loss. <p> Even during times weight loss, a person's weight can vary from day-to-day depending on your diet and (for women) the time of the month. And the losses that you are seeing when you weigh yourself so often are going to be small differences. <p> Would you much rather weigh yourself once a month and see a BIG weight loss than weigh yourself once a week and see three smaller weight losses (and maybe a small gain during one week for women)? Or weighing yourself every day and seeing maybe 18 days where you lost weight, 8 where you kept the same weight and 4 where you put on weight??? <p> I am convinced that daily/weekly weighing is the newbie's worst enemy (and it's not too good for further out either). So, ladies and germs, it's time to PUT THE SCALE AWAY!!! The weight's going to come off whethr you weigh yourself or not...JR (open RNY 07/17/02 -180 pounds) — John Rushton (posted on July 21, 2003)
July 21, 2003
Hiya John: I noticed the same thing. I personally worry about the
"scale obsession". I weighed myself once after surgery. That
was it. I've been weighed 3 times now since surgery, each time at the
doctor's office. It is such a NICE surprise to have NO idea what you weigh
when you get to the doctor's office....but you KNOW you feel healthier and
lighter. I was pleasantly surprised when I got weighed last week, after 2+
months of not knowing. I refuse to buy a scale now (well, okay, maybe when
I get to within 50 pounds of goal). In the meantime, I'm happy getting
weighed every 2 or 3 months...and people should be more concerned about
getting in their protein, water, and eating the right foods. That has been
MY focus. I know that if I keep an eye on all that, weight loss will
follow. Thanks for all of your valuable advice in the past!***Amy-LAP RNY
04-09-03 (-62 pounds)
— Amy A.
July 21, 2003
As a pre-op I must say that "old habits are hard to break". I
weigh each day (sometimes again during the day) and on weigh in day at
Weight watchers I may weigh more often on the scale. I started using a
product called weightcommander.com and it has you weigh each day. The
advantage is that it shows you trend of how your weigh loss and gains goes
during the month so has given me a better understanding and acceptance of
my weight loss and gains. Post-op, I'm not sure I could give the scale up.
Actually not sure I want to at this point but time will tell.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 21, 2003
John, I have to concur. I had surgery on May 16th, 2003. I am a daily
reader of the Q&A and I was amazed at the number of people posting
questions regarding "if they were normal" in their weight loss.
For me the reason I had the surgery was to become more healthy, not to
weigh less (though ir is a nice side effect :) Anyway I didn't own a scale
before surgery and I don't own one now. I go strictly by what the
surgeon's scale says. I assume I probably hit a plateau at some point, but
by not weighing myself I didn't know it. I just keep up with the good
habits and know the weight will come off. Not weighing also helps you with
those questions from people as too how much you have loss. My reply "I
really can't tell you since I don't weigh myself". -Janine
— jmusser
July 21, 2003
Here, Here! I agree whole-heartedly. Once a month is enough to weigh.
Why do you want to torture yourself as a newbie? I wish our surgeons would
outlaw home scales. (at least for the first 6 months) They're never right
anyway, you know. - Lisa C open RNY 11/18/02 -128 lbs (and NO, I did not
weigh myself every week, but the weight still managed to come off! Imagine
that!)
— LMCLILLY
July 21, 2003
I know I'm risking persecution here but, I have to admit that I am one of
those semi-newbies that is addicted to my scale but, FOR ME (the instant
gratification type), I find it helpful to weigh myself each day. I believe
that weighing in each morning keeps me aware of what my body is doing and
keeps me motivated to make good choices for the day. I find that if my
weight has been stuck for a few days it makes me take a look at the choices
I am making (water, exercise, protien) and adjust where need be. And if I
lose several pounds that motivates me even more to keep on keeping on! As
of yet, my longest period of no loss has been 10 days - and yes, I was a
bit freaked out - but, after day a week or so, I uped my walking, water and
protien and the scale kept right on moving and it hasn't stopped since. In
the end, we all have to make our own choice. Good for you for being able
to resist weighing, but not all of us are that strong. And yes, it gets
old hearing the same 'HELP ME' kind of weight questions over and over
again, but I think all of us want/need that validation of hearing that now
that we took this major (and drastic) step in our lives, that it wasn't all
for nothing and that it really is all going to be okay. Thanks for the
input though, and congratulations on your loss.
— eaamc
July 21, 2003
Amen to that, John. It also tells me they haven't bothered to read a
single posting in the database- which I find a bit *lazy* on their part (is
lazy the right word? I'm not sure, Lackadaisical? Nonchalant?
Indifferent?). I feel that these folks should know this information
pre-op; and shouldn't be so "shocked" at the variables (plateaus,
hairloss, hormones, periods) they may face post-op. Expect the unexpected.
I am not saying don't post- because that is what this forum is here for;
and the odd new question always arises.... still, have the courtesy to
educate yourself via the database before posting.
— Karen R.
July 21, 2003
I am one of those that has weighed EVERY DAY (20 months post-op). But I am
also a very positive person, and very realistic also. I knew there would
be days of no loss, and also LONG plateaus, which there were. I was never
one to get on here and moan about a slow loss because I was a LW and KNEW
BEFOREHAND that I would lose slow, and I did. The secret is to EXPECT
these things, then there is no reason to freak out about it. Yes, the
plateaus BITE, but it is so very normal, and should be expected. It is all
part of this wonderful journey. I have enjoyed weighing every day. I have
charted my loss, and even know what day of the week I have lost more weight
(for fun). I know it sounds somewhat crazy, but numbers, charts, and
statistics are fun for me. Now that I am maintaining (would love to lose
10 more, but not really working on it:-), I find that a daily weigh in is
good to make sure that the scale isn't going in the wrong direction! If it
does, I make a daily plan to cut back somewhere or increase protien, blah,
blah blah. So, I guess there are some that can handle a daily weigh, and
for the others that can't, I guess I will agree with you....stay off the
scales!!
— Cheri M.
July 21, 2003
Thanks for your input John. All those are great reasons not to weigh
often, but in my case, it really keeps me on the straight and narrow to see
my weight every day, even though I am only 10 weeks post op. In past diets
I've strayed when I didn't weigh myself and the scale sort of keeps me
accountable on a daily basis. I know that certain times during the month,
I'm likely not to lose and hit a plateau than at other times, and although
that can be discouraging, it's better for me to see it. I track my
progress on my profile page just so I can see the difference from week to
week, month to month. I'm not sure how others feel about it, but this is
just me. Take care and thanks for your post.
— Happy I.
July 21, 2003
I'm over two years post op now. But I got one of those expensive doctors
scales with the sliding weights. I weighed myself EVERY morning BEFORE I
ate or drank. I'm happy I did too! I would lose at least .25 pounds a day.
Usually .5 to 3 pounds a day for quite awhile. It was awesome and I felt
like a million!
— Danmark
July 21, 2003
I was one of those newbies that got caught up in the scale also. I tried
once to put it away about 5 wks ago and it did not work, I still obsessed
over getting on it so it came back out. I do not have the monthly weight
gain that other women have because I am in menopause now, but I still go up
and down like a yo yo, like many ppl do. I finally said enough is enough
and I put it away again and I have not touched it for one week now. This is
not to say that I have not thought of the scale and in fact I woke up this
morning, came downstairs and fleetingly thought of dragging it out. I
finally decided to forget the scale just like I managed to do way back when
I was real heavy. I think that I am over the hump with the obsessing over
it and I will rely on my next visit to the doctor's office for what I have
lost. I know that there is "something" going on in the loss dept
because my clothing is getting bigger, so that is a good enough feeling for
me. Open RNY 5/7/03, somewhere around 40# gone, FOREVER!
— ChristineB
July 21, 2003
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I AM 5 WEEKS OUT AND DRRIIIVVVINNGG MY SELF CRAZY WITH
THE SCALE! I GUESS I JUST NEEDED SOMEONE TO TELL ME GET OFF THE DANG
SCALE!!!LOL I AM DETERMINED TO WEIGHT MONTHLY. THANKS J.R
— TIFFANY R.
July 21, 2003
I was weighing myself everyday because it was just part of the newness.
I'm glad I knew I was on an early plateau. It made me realize my protein
was too low. Now I log my intake at fitday dot com and can tell
automatically what my protein level is. Once the newness wears off, people
stop weighing themselves as often. The novelty has already worn off for
me. I am not planning to weigh in again until my next Dr's visit.
— mrsmyranow
July 21, 2003
I'm one of those that weighed every single day. And like Cheri, I still do
even at 14 months out. My advise as well to new post-ops: ease up on the
scale!! Although it became my best friend b/c I lost so much weight- its
still my enemy. Between breakfast and then dinner, there can be a 5lbs.
gain- it can make person crazy. I've decided enough with being neurotic
about my weight and I'm only weighing once every few weeks now. Goodluck
to you all!
— Lezlie Y.
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