Question:
I have only lost 53 lbs. in almost 5 months.

I was considered a lightweight going into surgery. At 5 feet 8 in. I weighed 263 lbs. I had surgery on April l4th and to date have lost 53 lbs. I see by reading other posts that people are losing alot more than me. I have had a big problem with plateaus and I am on one now that has lasted about 3 weeks. Is this normal? I know everyone loses differently but it really has me bummed out. I thought I would be a lot thinner by now and I still feel fat. I guess thats another problem , I look in the mirror and still see a fat person although 53 lbs. are gone. I guess maybe I expect too much too fast. Any input will be appreciated. LOL, Maureen    — Maureen C. (posted on September 6, 2003)

September 6, 2003
Hi Maureen, I started at at 5'8" 283, surgery was April 2. I used the weight loss planner on this site and it helped to give me a perspective of where I was. I am not doing to bad. I am 10lbs ahead of you in weight loss, but remember I had 20 more lbs than you did. Only you and your Doc can truly judge where your weight loss should be, but I have alot of retorical questions for you - Are you getting in enough protein & calories? Are you excersizing regularly? Are you drinking enough water? To help you get a better body perspective, go to http://www.myvirtualmodel.com and make a model of yourself at 263 and another one minus the 53lbs. It's free. Once I looked at myself in the virtual model, I realized that I looked better than I thought I did. What size did you start at and what size are you now? Best wishes
   — M B.

September 6, 2003
Congratultions on the 53 pounds in ONLY 5 months. You are doing terrific, Maureen! Lightweights seem to have more plateaus than us heavier people and the weight loss is not as dramatic. Inch per inch I bet we all do close to the same and we will probably get 'there' about the same time. Try not to compare yourself to others. I know that's easier said than done. Keep up the good work. You'll get there.
   — Ginger M.

September 6, 2003
we started almost exactly the same weight and I think I was about the same place as you at 5 months. The difference - I was THRILLED by every pound off. I had never ever lost so much so fast in my life. I plateau aprox. 3 weeks out of every month. Fortunately My doc prepared me for the fact that I will have and continue to have a series of plateus, and that is Normal! At 11 months I am down 115 pounds! from 260 to 145. and I have never felt better. You will be right there with me soon! you wont believe the thrill of lookking at a pair of size 14 jeans, suer they will never fit over your hindside and boom, they slide right up and zip no prob. I'll bet you have lost a lot of inches. Are you down a size. i found buying just 1 or 2 out fits in a smaller size helped. hang in there you are doing awesomely well!
   — **willow**

September 7, 2003
When was the last time that you lost 53#? That is fantastic, great job! Try not to compare yourself to others. I was a little disappointed with my 40# loss at my 3 month apt, but my exercise therapist said that I was lossing fat and not lean body tissue. It is healthier to loose slower and you skin adjusts to the loss better. Keep up the good work and exercise as much as you can. I find that I get more of a high from exercise than seeing the numbers on the scale going down.
   — ChristineB

September 7, 2003
If I were you I would go see a nutritionist. You may be eating too much OR too little. You may not be choosing the best foods to help you lose a little faster. I also was considered a lightweight at 277 and 5'7" and have yet to hit a plateau and have very steadily. I have really taken full advantage of my nutritionist and it has helped a lot. If I have a slow week we can discuss the ways to tweak my diet to get things moving again. I can totally relate to not seeing a thinner person. I know that the clothing labels say 10 and even 8 but I still see 277 pounds when I am not wearing them. It is screwy but I think the brain takes a long time to catch up to the body. Good luck! Lap RNY 1/15/03 277/165/147
   — Carol S.

September 8, 2003
Don't worry, you are in the average range of weightloss. Not as fast as others, not as slow.
   — mrsmyranow

September 9, 2003
I had my surgery on April 1st and I am also 5'8. To date I have lost 67 pounds. I platau all the time and I actually feel I won't lose any more weight but I know in a few weeks I will get on the scale and I will be down another 5 pounds, it just is taking us longer, hang in there!
   — Deborah M.