Question:
3+ Months Out, Plateaued for 3 Weeks Now. Lightweight Seeking Advice

I'm over 3 months post op and I've lost 40 pounds. I am very happy with the loss because I know that I would've never been able to lose without surgery. I started out at 255 and I am 5'6. I know that I am a lightweight and that we lose slower, but is there anyone out there with similar stats who has lost this slowly? I have been able to tolerate everything but believe I have been making good choices in food. I exercise at least 3x a week. My surgery was proximal, could this be the reason I am not losing faster? Thanks!    — Lindy L. (posted on March 15, 2003)

March 14, 2003
I am 4 months out and have lost 52 lbs. I was (am?) a lightweight, too. I have been stuck on a plateau the past 3-4 weeks! I just keep telling myself to keep on doing what I've been doing and give it time. I try to do all the right things. What is more frustrating is that I work with a woman who had surgery over a year ago and now wears a size 4, eats junk or eats nothing all day, doesn't drink enough water by (her own admission -says she is lucky to get down an 8 ounce bottle during the day) and doesn't exercise. (She was not a lightweight to start with.) She recently had a TT where they removed 'about a pound' of tissue. Here I am , walking an hour everyday, working with weights and trying to eat healthy, watch carbs and fat, get the water in,etc. (My other co-workers have threatened to give me 'a sound thrashing' if I start doing what she is doing. LOL! Also, I still maintain that there are other factors to consider - how long you have been obese, age and genetics. I have been fat since I first recall hearing the word 'diet' at age 7. My fat cells aren't giving up without a major fight! I've had them for about 40 years, now, and they don't want to leave. As lightweights, I think we just need to be patient, stay positive, imagine where we will be in a year, and disregard the big losers (and bless them - it's great that it happens for them!) I have to admit, it would be nice to have a forum or some way lightweights could compare statisitics based on age, height and starting weight. Sometimes I get a little discourage by lightweights who are losing more, and faster, then come to find out they may be 20 years younger! Hang in there!
   — koogy

March 14, 2003
I'm a lightweight too --really! now I'm down to 138 pounds at 8 months post op -- it is so hard to believe. But I had plateaus every month. I lost weight only one week out of the month for each month. Your weight loss sounds fine to me. You can check my stats and others if you like. Also check the library for more information on plateaus.
   — Darlene P.

March 14, 2003
I'm almost exactly the same. I'm 5'4, started at 259, had lost 50 at three months, and, um, 50 at 4 months, and about 50 at 4 months and a week. And now, at 4 months and 3 weeks, I've lost 60. It will move, darlin'. I promise.
   — Tamara K.

March 15, 2003
Linda, proximal or distal, we all lose weight. How fast we lose, who loses faster than others etc, is a mystery. I will tell you that everyone is different, and if you try to compare your loss to others, even those who started at the same height and weight as you, you will drive yourself nuts. Just don't do it. Period. I know its hard, and we all want to be the ones who lose 100 pounds in less than 6 months, but thats the exception not the rule. Most of us plod along but the good news is, we all get there. I am a lightweight too. Started at 249 and 13 months later I am 153. Are there others who lost more than me quicker, same height and starting weight. Yup! Are there some who have not lost as much as me? Yup! Bottom line-be patient, stick to your good food choices-lots of protein, keep the calories up (too low and your body will hoard the fat), keep up the exercise, and especially the water, and it will continue to drop off of you at its own pace. Plateaus suck but they happen. i have had more than I can count, but good news is they always move on eventually.
   — Cindy R.

March 15, 2003
I'm a lightweight, too. I started at 250lbs. but am shorter than you (5'2"). And I must have had a plateau atleast once a month, so I completely understand your frustration! But despite all those things sometimes working against you, I have lost 115lbs. in a little over 9 months. I am 5 lbs. away from my goal in less than a year- I can't believe it! SO, you will lose the weight, do not worry. Sometimes it's slower than others, and slower for you at different times, but don't concern yourself with it. As long as you are maintaining or losing, you are doing great! Goodluck to you :)
   — Lezlie Y.

March 15, 2003
17 mos post op and I started at 265 and am 5' 7". I am now at 135 and still losing even though I no longer want to. It will come of, just be patient.
   — RebeccaP

March 16, 2003
Lindy, I'm very close to your statistics. I'm 5'5-1/2", 56 years old. I was 247 the day of surgery. I'll be 3 months out tomorrow and so far have lost a total of 45 pounds. I also get very frustrated by the speed at which I'm losing but at least the weight is going down and not up. Personally, I can't remember another time when I lost 45 pounds in three months let alone with the reassurance that it is likely to stay off. So I just try to be patient about it but I know exactly how you're feeling. Let's just keep on keeping on and doing what we're supposed to, we'll get there in time. As the tortoise said, "Slow and steady wins the race". Blessed be.
   — Birdie59

March 16, 2003
I am 4 months and almost a week out and I have only lost 48 pounds. I am 38 and 5'4". I started at 261 and now weigh 214. It feels like I will never get under 200 pounds. It is very frustrating. I know that we shouldn't compare ourselves with others, but it is very difficult not to when others have lost 60, 80,or even 90 pounds. I need to exercise more and drink more water. I think this will definitley help. Good luck and remember you are not alone in SLOW weight loss (even though it feels like it) Denise :-)
   — esmeraldas7