Question:
Am I already a failure just 4 weeks out?
Hello friends. I am very worried and I'm looking for some insight from some more experienced post-ops. I am four weeks out today and have lost 26.5 pounds. I think that I am behind on weight loss comparitively and that I am a slow loser. My question is: Am I doing anything wrong? I pretty much eat whatever I want, but just in very tiny amounts of course. I am really trying to get all of my water in, but that hasn't happened yet. I am also having a problem getting my protein in. I haven't begun an exercise program yet, although I am anxious to start. I go back to work a week from today and I know that will help with the water and protein because I'll be forced to be up at 7:00 rather than noon, and I know that my life will feel more normal at that point. I guess I am just looking for some reassurance that I am not going to fail at this. I am so scared that I went through all of this to lose only about 26 pounds. I have over 150 to lose and I'm scared. Please help me. — kristynush (posted on October 16, 2003)
October 16, 2003
I am 15 months post-op and feel you are on the right track. I wonder
sometimes why some feel they are not losing fast enough. I NEVER thought
that of myself, considering I didn't put the weight on overnight. Be
patient with yourself you will be okay.
— HelpMeRhonda !!
October 16, 2003
Kristy: Try to relax, and keep repeating to yourself, "I can't
compare myself to others, because everyone loses at a different rate."
This is very true, but hard for us to remember when we want the weight off
NOW! You are doing well, and when your life becomes more normal, as you
said, you can start to exercise, get in more water and protein, and things
will happen from there! Good luck!
— Carlita
October 16, 2003
Kristi, Kristi, Kristi...I know what you are going through, I just went
through the same exact thing. I too am 4 weeks out, I lost 26 pounds the
first 2 weeks and then plateaued. I thought that I was a failure, that it
wasn't working for me and all the other good stuff that stressed me out.
Your body just needs to catch up, don't worry you will start to lose again.
I am slowly starting back up again. I too can eat just about anything
just smaller portions. Don't get discouraged, you are not the only one
that this has happened to. Just know that you are unique and your body is
going to react different than everyone elses, so don't compare. Good luck.
If you want to keep in touch, since we are similar with our surgery dates,
please email me. Take care.
— Kim H.
October 16, 2003
I have a friend who is 5 weeks and lost 24 lbs, so I think you are doing
great! Everyone is different!
— Saxbyd
October 16, 2003
Kristy, you are doing great. I was at -28 pounds at the 6 week mark and my
doctor has me targetted to lose 140 pounds. Looking at the information you
posted I would make sure limit and bad carbs (bread, rice, pasta, etc).
Focus on the protein and water. Even now I still have problems getting all
my water in each day.
Once you start an exercise program it will really help. Why not set your
alarm clock for 7am now. Wake up eat breakfast, go for a walk. Start that
routine today, don't wait a week. Keep up the good work! - Janine
— jmusser
October 16, 2003
Your concerned that's good. . . .Water first, protein second, vitamins
third -- forget the rest, just concentrate on those three things for the
next month. You can do that can't you?. . . .water,protein, vitamins.
— Marrilee M.
October 16, 2003
Ok, I'm going to ask an obvious question here. Why are you getting out of
bed at noon?? Yes, you just had major surgery, but youre FOUR WEEKS OUT.
Walking will help get your energy up, as well as help with weightloss. Are
you depressed? Many of us get depressed because our old comfort, food, is
now gone from our lives for what seems like forever. Have you gotten
clearance to exercise from your surgeon? Even if all you can do for now is
walk, DO IT! Take your water bottle with you..I can almost guarantee
you'll be thirsty. I'm not criticizing you at all. But if youre
depressed, I've been where you are.
— kathy B.
October 16, 2003
Almost a pound a day, why ever would that feel like failure? or slow weight
loss. You need to be realistic. It takes 3000 calories above your body's
requirements to put on a pound and to burn 3000 calories more than you eat
to lose a pound. I cannot see how any one could lose faster than you and
live. relax, be realistic and stick with the program. and get up a 7 am and
go for a walk. it will burn calories, you will feel better, (exercise has
been shown to be as effective as medication in mild to moderate depression)
and walking will help prevent other dreadful complications of surgery.
— **willow**
October 16, 2003
I'm confused when you state you haven't started your exercise program yet.
You should be walking everyday (2 to 3 times a day while you are at home.
You can do arm exercises when you are sitting. That is your exercise
program. When your doctor gives you the ok then start swimming. I started
walking the second day after my surgery and haven't stopped. Remember, you
didn't put this weight on overnight and it is not going to come off
overnight. 20 lbs a month is fine. You stated in your note that you eat
everything that you eat before but in small portions. Remember, the
surgery is just a tool, you still need to control the type of food and
portion control. I would keep a journal of the type of food, and amount,
when I eat and where (very important). See if you are falling back into
some old patterns. Get that water in. I would rather drink then eat. Some
of my meals are soup (add fat free cheese and power milk)so that I don't
have to wait as long to drink my water.
However, I can't stress walking is so important... good luck.
— Linda R.
October 17, 2003
Hey, I'm 8.5 weeks out for a loss of 28 pounds. I am in a plateau that is
about to hit the 3 week mark. You are doing better than me, and I'm cardio
exercising 25 minutes for 6 days a week, plus walking a lot.
— Sandy A.
October 17, 2003
You are doing fine and you are definitely not a failure. You might try
starting to get up earlier this next week in preparation for going back to
work and that will give you more time to get your water in. Don't worry
about the protein now - you have enough stored for a while. Just try
getting more awake hours and walking a bit more to get your strength up for
returning to work. The rest will take care of itself. I have problems
getting my water in when I'm home all day and I'm almost two years out. At
work, I keep a glass of lemonade at my desk and drink constantly.
— Patty_Butler
October 17, 2003
You're doing just fine. I lost 26 pounds in my first month (more than 4
weeks), so you're ahead of me at that point. I had lost 162.5 by my one
year anniversary. The pounds add up quickly, trust me.
— sandsonik
October 18, 2003
If you're a failure, then I am the world's biggest failure. 4 weeks out and
only 16 pounds lost. Of course, I've had several complications, 2 diltions,
a second stint in the hospital for severe dehydration, allergic reactions
to IV drugs, numerous food intolerances, and an average net (after
vomiting)of just 100 calories per day. I'm not trying to make you feel bad.
I just wish that I could say that I "only" lost 26 pounds. I
think that you're doing great, especially if you aren't sick. I know how
you feel about going through this whole thing and not getting the desired
results. But I think that, at some point in the unforeseen future, things
will work out. OF COURSE YOU WON'T FAIL. You have a good plan for an
exercise program, and you seem really enthusiastic about getting started.
Keep your chin up! ;)
— Annie H.
October 21, 2003
Failure? Sweetie, how else would you have lost so much in such a short
time with an almost gaurantee that you will not gain it back? Failure?
You are so absolutely normal. It's also normal to feel that you should be
losing faster. The faster you lose it, the most loose skin you will have.
Count your blessings hon. You're looking at the negative not the positive.
I am what many call a true WLS failure. Please rethink your attitude as
you seem to be doing very well and are just at a standstill right now.
Ofttimes, that will happen and then whoop! 5 pounds are gone overnight.
Give it time. Your still feeling the depressive reactions from the
anesthesia also. All will get better, I promise. Good luck and God bless.
— Barbara H.
October 22, 2003
I am three weeks post-op today and have lost 20. I have lost and gained
the same three pounds for one week now. I think we are both "on
track". Good luck.
— carpediem
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