Question:
Am I a failure? I feel like one.
I had my surgery on May 1 (2002). I'm VERY short (4'8"), and weighed 253 at the time of surgery. I'm so extremely discouraged right now because I'm hardly loosing weight. I'm at 198 right now. But everyone I know of is loosing SO much faster than me. And in the last month, I've only lost 3 lbs. or so. In fact, after one bad weekend with parties and food-centered social events, I gained 4 lbs. And when I look back on what I ate, it was nothing in comparison to my old eating habbits, and I still ate less than all the thin people I observed. I just finished loosing that 4 lbs. Anyway, I do exercise, and I'm quite active now. I wrote to my Dr. and have an upper-GI scheduled on the 5th of September. I'm so upset, and worry that if in fact I've streched my pouch, or if my stoma is too big (what I suspect since I don't feel full for long usually), that my surgeon won't do a revision because I'm a failure and a risk. I also worry because right after surgery I lost my job and went on my husband's insurance which wouldn't have covered my surgery as much as mine did. I had 100% coverage, and with my husband's policy I would have only had 80% covered. Aso, if I have a revision to my stoma, how long is the recovery period? — [Deactivated Member] (posted on September 2, 2002)
September 1, 2002
You are doing well! Look at the weight loss planner. If you lost 65% of
your EXCESS weight (which is considered SUCCESSFUL)Then by Sept 1 you would
weigh 199lbs. Keep your chin up! Keep in mind that even though you are
eating less than before, some foods are higher in calories. You know, like
my personal fav...ICE CREAM! Your body also need to adjust. You may not be
losing pounds but still could be losing inches which is just as important.
In fact my surgeon said the weight redistributes itself. Even when you
plateau your clothes will fit differently. Don't get discouraged. You've
come along way. Again I'm referring you to the weight loss planner! Good
luck!!!
— Michelle B.
September 2, 2002
Meryl, calm down. My goodness, your a worrier, aren't you? Have you
stopped to consider that you have lost 55 pounds in 4 months? Have you
also considered that you are a lightweight, and as such, your loss will be
slower than those with much more to lose?? Believe me, we have all looked
at the scale in horror when it shows a 2 pound or more weight GAIN instead
of loss. It happens! Our bodies are trying to adjust to such rapid weight
gain and some times it tries to hold onto that weight (plateaus) or even to
add a few pounds. I sincerely doubt you have stretched the pouch-I was told
they form the pouch from the strongest part of the stomach and its very
hard to stretch it. The best thing you can do is to continue to work the
program and not get discouraged, and do NOT get into the obsession of
getting on the scale every day. Remember the basics- lots of protein, low
carbs and low sugar, lots of water, vitamins and exercise. It will pick up
again.
— Cindy R.
September 2, 2002
First, congratulations on losing 55 pounds in four months! Plenty of us
lose slower, believe me, and except for the first few months after WLS, few
expect to lose weight at that fantastic rate in the long run, anyway. I
won't repeat the other answers below, but I agree that it looks like you're
beating yourself up over a minor plateau. Second, if you're getting really
active and exercising a lot, you may be replacing fat with muscle, which
may slow weight loss on the scale but means you'll be healthier (and
smaller, and burning calories more efficiently in the long run!). Could
that be part of the plateau too? Third, if you're really sure you're
eating less than the thin folk, start writing everything down that you eat
(try fitday.com), and figure out your proteins & carbs. Try to get a
good handle on why the scale did what it did if you can, but realize
sometimes it just plays with us, and that it happens to everyone, and it's
normal. Especially after losing 55 pounds in four months! Enjoy!
— Suzy C.
September 2, 2002
Hon, I know it can be discouraging when you dont lose as fast as others or
you gain a few pnds, but something I had to learn as well, dont compare
yourself with others, we are all different. I am a slow loser as well and
have flucuated a few pnds here and there but all in all we are losing and
we will continue to lose as long as we follow our plans. You are doing
great in my book, keep up the good work and best thing to do is "think
possitive" hugs
— Deanna Wise
September 2, 2002
55 pounds in 4 months is not a failure. I have read where someone lost 68
pounds in 1 year. Everyone is different. People who weigh more, will lose
more rapidly. My surgery was 05/13/02 I have lost 71 pounds, but I am
5'9" and was 310. SO you have only lost 16 pounds less than me, and I
am foot taller than you and weighed 60 pounds more than you. You are right
on schedule !!!
— Sharon H.
September 2, 2002
The worst thing you can do is condemn yourself or compare yourself to
others. I am a year post op and I went through the same thing. I was SURE
I would be the one person it wouldn't work for...
What I found is that activity was my key. Nothing to strainuous... but
MOVE... also, I tended to UNDER eat. I began to lose more quickly when I
loaded up on veggies (not a natural thing for me) and not starve myself.
I found I had followed a pattern of making my outsides match my insides.
Don't listen to that dark side that tells you nasty things about yourself.
Look at all the other pics on the site and ask yourself, "Would I talk
to them like that?"
Keep your chin up... and you will get there. Maybe slower than some...
maybe faster than others.
— Dawn R.
September 2, 2002
As someone else suggested, go to the weight loss planner. It will give you
an idea of weight loss over 18 months. The link is:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/postopplanner.phtml
. Sometimes I think we get "greedy" with our weight loss. No
matter what, someone is always losing more and less than we are, it's so
individualized. My surgeon said he likes to see a steady weight loss of 1/2
lb. per day average. Using this you are about right on track!
— sheltie
September 2, 2002
Meryl
You have lost weight
You are comparing yourself to others and you are living on the scale.
Are you eating alot of protein
Are you abstaining from sugar and high carb foods
Are you exercising
Are you drinking enough sugar free fluids?
Are you writing down what you eat.
This is a life time committment and a learning experience to learn how to
eat properly with a most tiny stomach.
Pat yourself on the back for your weight loss.
Consider every one's answer including my questions.
Stay off the scale and see what happens in two weeks.
Good luck Lynda
— Lynda M.
September 3, 2002
Girl you just need a good old fashion loving pep talk.
Quit looking at the weight loss. You feel better don't you.
Reevaluate your diet. Remember we have to change the way we
used to eat. I use the sugar free mints to satisfy that urge to have
something sweet, which works well for me.
You can do this. Just hang in there and keep on truckin...
— Alrena M.
September 3, 2002
Hi Meryl, I had the same confusions that you have, and still kinda do. I
had my surgery on Feb 27 and have only lost about 70 lbs. I was very upset
and even cried because I was not losing like all the other people that have
had the surgery and I could eat more than others that have had the surgery.
I was also getting hungry faster. I had the fear that my pouch stretched
back out too. One thing I did find out is you have to eat more protein and
stay away from carbs. Only eat meat, 3 fruits and vegies. Eat slow, take
at least 30 min per meal and dont drink while you eat or after. That
flushes the food out of your pouch and can make you hungry sooner, plus
your body doesnt absorb the nutrients that it is supposed to. I had to
look at it this way. Everyone is different and we will all lose at
different rates than others, and had I not had this surgery I wouldnt have
lost this much weight ever, I would have gained it. So it will take me and
you longer to lose this weight, but we will lose it. It took Carnie Wilson
18 months to lose 155 lbs, so we are pretty darn close to everyone else.
Dont get discouraged and stay away from the scale. Only get on it
periodically, the scale can be so discouraging and women retain fluids and
just everyday body changes that men dont have to go thru. Oh also, drink
as much water as you can stand. I can only do about 50 oz and I need to
increase it, but the water helps to keep you regular (which helps git rid
of fat) and keeps your kidneys healthy with this higher protein diet. Also
if you travel(flying) your body will lose 1 pint per hour of water and you
can get dehydrated very easily. Just keep that in mind. After I got so
upset about this I really started studying the surgery, other patients etc
and this is working for me. I just had to except that I might not lose as
fast as others, but that might also be a good thing because of the access
skin. As long as you eat slowly, eat more protein, take your
vitamins,drink your water and try to exercise as much as you can you will
lose the weight. I promise. Check out http://www.fitday.com that site has
helped me a lot, it might help you too. feel free to email at
[email protected] it sounds like we have a lot in common. Good Luck and
you should be proud of losing 55 lbs. Could you have done it without the
surgery? I couldnt have.
— margaret B.
September 3, 2002
Meryl,
You have received quiet a few replies. I will share what has helped me.
It seems that I only lose weight about 1 week a month. When I ovulate
through to the time I finish my cycle I don't lose and sometimes gain a few
pounds. I work out deligently. I was getting pretty frustrate with myself
and my weight loss or shall I say lack of loss. I am 6 months out and have
lost only 55 pounds.
When I go into my surgeon they measure my body fat percentage, BMI, etc. so
I decided to buy a scale that measured my body fat percentage. When I was
at my last appointment my fat percentage was 62%. I am happy to say that
my fat percentage has gone from the 62% down to 43% in 2 months. Although
I have only lost 5 pounds in the 2 months time I have lost 19% of fat.
This is another reason why I tape measure myself also, because the more fat
that is converted into muscle the more fat our body burns and our body
shrinks even though the pounds don't indicate that we are shrinking.
I will say that the denser the protein the longer it will stay with you.
Protein first is the key to staying satisfied. When I think that I've
stretched out my pouch and could eat a horse as they say, I eat my protein
and I quickly learn that it hasn't stretched out after all. You are doing
great. Keep up the good work and find a different way to monitor your
progress you may be pleasantly surprised.
— Tracey W.
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