Question:
I had my open ryn on April l4th of this year (2003) to date I have only lost 73 lbs.

I had open surgery on April l4th of this year. To date I have lost 73 lbs. I am very happy with that but when I read other posts it seems I haven't lost that much compared to others. I am now on a 1 month plateau. I have stepped up exercise and water and protein. I am 59 years old with diabetes, which is now under control and other health problems. I don't get in really good hard exercise because of arthritis in legs and hips. I do try to do my Tony Little Gazelle each day and sometimes treadmill too. Has anyone else had such a long plateau? I would hate to think that I am done losing as I am still l92 after starting out at 263. I am very happy with what I have lost but hope I am not done and can still lose the remaining 30 or 40 lbs.Thanks, Maureen    — Maureen C. (posted on December 19, 2003)

December 19, 2003
Hello Maureen, I think u have done great...73 pounds is wonderful--U must remember the morer u weigh the morer u loose and to b under 200 is GREAT...CUT BACK ON YUR CARBS AND I DO BELIEVE THE WEIGHT WILL START COMIN OFF AGAIN..U ARE DOING WONDERFUL..NOO TWO PEOPLE ARE THE SAME OR WILL LOOSE THE SAME WORST THING U CAN DO IS COMPARE YURSELF TO ANOTHER WL PATIENT..CORNELIA
   — Cornelia W.

December 19, 2003
Hi Maureen, it looks like you are doing really good considering you can't do vigorous exercise. You've averaged 10 pounds a month, and the fact that most of your health problems are gone or under control means that your surgery is a success. You're not even a year post op yet, plenty of time to get to where you want.
   — Ali M

December 19, 2003
I am 55 yrs old with a starting weight of 253. I had lap RNY on July 29th. I've lost 49 lbs... that's slow considering the postings I read here. Like you, I have a problem with exercise because of arthritis in the legs, back and hips. I just came off a 4.5 week plateau. When I spoke to my surgeon, he said that the way to break a plateau is to do something different... more water, more protein, more exercise, different exercise, etc. I hadn't been counting calories (mainly just protein grams), so I decided to start getting strict with calories... 900 or less per day with as much of that as possible in protein. This week I lost 7 lbs. I felt like I was never going to get under 200 lbs, but maybe now it will finally happen. One thing is for sure... I have been truly blessed this year. This surgery is one of the most wonderful thing that I've ever done. Good luck to you.
   — Bonnie

December 19, 2003
Maureen, have you been taking your measurements during this time that you have not seen the scale move? A true plateau is only if you are not loosing inches in addition to weight for a months time. This is a pharphrased quote from Dr Terry Simpson in the last months Obestiy Help magazine. I had surgery just 3 weeks after you and at 74#. You maybe getting too little protein into your system. Your body may think that you are starving it. Try backing off on the exercise to every other day, make sure that you are not doing too much, like two different exercises in one day. If you keep up with that amount of exercise then you will need to give it a little for fuel in the way of food to maintain healthy muscles. Good luck.
   — ChristineB

December 20, 2003
I'd say you're doing fine. I had RNY on 4/1, at age 44, weight 290. I've lost 100 pounds in that time, but only two pounds in the past two months. I exercise considerably more than you do. I've been doing a bit of holiday snacking, which I think (or at least hope) explains the very slow recent loss. But, I understand it's very normal for the weight loss to slow dramatically after six months, and the closer you get to goal. I say hang in there, and keep doing what you're doing.
   — Vespa R.

December 23, 2003
I am 46 and also had surgery on 4/14/03, have lost 96 lbs but was stuck at 85 lbs for at least one month. The loss has definitely slowed down. I'm mostly walking, every day, sometimes twice a day. I thought I was a bit slow too, but am certainly losing faster than ever before in my life. Can't complain as long as it keeps going.
   — Daisy C.

December 23, 2003
maureen, i had my surgery around a week after you, have been exercising like a fiend, and am only down about 10 pounds more than you. i think those of us who loose a bit on the slower side tend not to be as vocal about our weight loss and so it's easy to end up with the impression that everone in the world ... except us ... lost at least a hundred pounds within six months. so let's cheer each other on, celebrate our success and try to avoid comparisons to others. we're both doing great. congrats!
   — carolsaunders

December 23, 2003
Maureen, I am the plateau queen. I had surgery at age 46 on 10/29/02. I stopped losing in May. My weight has varied only about 3 pounds up and down since then. I refuse to think I am done after losing about 60 lbs. I need to realistically lose another 40 lbs. (Another 60 would be nice!) I am currently upping my protein to a minimum of 90 grams per day. I walk almost every day, weight train every other day and have added 1/2 hour of stationary biking to the regimen. I am still stuck! (and not losing inches).
   — koogy