Question:
Is there anyone else out there afraid of the scales and afraid of not loosing weight?

I am almost 7 weeks post op, started at 390 lbs and have lost 41 lbs, but I have only weighed myself once since I had surgery. The doctor's office weighed me and told that I lost 24 lbs in two weeks and then I weighed myself once at 6 weeks and had lost 41 lbs. I am totally afraid of the scales, afraid of taking my measurments and afraid that I will not lose weight. My outlook on life is much different now and I feel so much better, I guess I am just afraid to wreck this wonderful feeling with looking at the scale and getting discouraged. Failure with weightloss has become a familiar habit with me imbeded in my mind and for that exact reason, I feel that I will NEVER lose weight (41 lbs is wonderful, but I can't see anything). Success (200lbs) just does not seem like an option for me. That is what the BMI counter says I need to lose to be NORMAL. Has anyone else gone through this and how do I get past this. Any advice?    — Angela B. (posted on November 22, 2002)

November 22, 2002
Yes, scaled can be yor enemy. But since I have been on the other side, they have been more of a friend to me! My only advice,is that you go by one scale, either yours or yoyur doctors, because theyll show different results! personally makes me crazy! I weight myself in the morning (with no shoes and before I've eaten or drank anything) and the doctor weighs me with my huge 4inch clog shoes on after I've eaten lunch and drank 40 ounces of water, so it can be a difference of 5 pounds! I used to weigh myself everyday!! Now I do once a week, which is still probably a bit too much. But you will lose the weight though, so don't be scared, look how great you have done so far- 41lbs in 7 weeks is great!! We have all been on many diets and that is why we are here, so most of us hate the scales! And ofen, even if you don't lose pounds, you wll lose inches, so it stil works out for the best :) Keep up your good work! :)
   — Lezlie Y.

November 22, 2002
I think everyone has the fear that they won't lose weight. But for most I don't think it's enough to keep them off the scale. I think it's a given that you will get discouraged when you look and see the numbers not going down as fast as you think they should, or if you hit a plateau (which will happen at some point). But it sounds to me like you are getting discouraged without stepping on the scale anyway. You need to have a positive outlook and despite setback you will run into, you need to know that everyone has them. Just remember that the surgery is a tool, not a cure. So although in the beginning you will lose weight without trying, you will come to a point when it's up to you to continue with the newly learned good eating habits and future weight loss. I personally wasn't obsessed with the scale as some are. But I do like to have a peek at least once a week or every 2 weeks. Just for the simple fact that if I don't see the loss I want to be seeing, it means I have to work harder. It keeps me on track. If I hit a plateau I know that I need to exercise more that week to try and get over that hurdle. I think the worst problem people have with the scale, is comparing thier own weight loss to someone elses. It's hard not to do, but everyone loses at different rates. There are so many factors that contribute to how fast a person loses so comparing doesn't help encourage anyone. You will ALWAYS find someone that loses faster than you, no matter what. I hope that helps. Good luck! Lap Roux en Y, July 29th, 2002, 70 pounds lost.
   — Laurel C.

November 22, 2002
Hi Angela: God yes, can I relate to your question. My worst nightmare is to go to the doctor's office, and for him to say I must be cheating because my weight loss is poor. This has not happened. In fact the doctor was pleased at my loss since I saw him last. In addition, I am an extremely slow loser, which makes me even more sensitive to this issue. I actually read a post on the message board where a woman's doctor told her she did not lose enough, and she had lost much more than me!! Yikes. By the way, I think you are doing so well, and handling the scale issue much better than me. I weigh every day. At least you are sensible enough to get weighed occasionally. I truly believe that you will do great, you already are. Love Grace
   — Grace H.

November 22, 2002
I pretty much had this same conversation with my therapist yesterday. I was avoiding the scale completely because I've been a very slow loser. He told me I shouldn't avoid the scale and be obsessive in reverse (paranoid about NOT losing weight). He suggested that I weigh ONCE A WEEK, at the same time on the same day of the week. I've decided I'll start to listen..and when I DID weigh..I realized I'd lost another five pounds! Hopefully this will work for you. Also, my sister suggested that I keep a diary and record the weightloss...so that I can see MY ACTUAL progress and not get so down on myself. Hope this helps.......................K
   — Karen K.

November 22, 2002
First-throw away the BMI counter. Did you know that Tom Cruise and those guys on the cover of Muscle and Fitness magazine would be considered OVERWEIGHT by those BMI counters?? Yup..its true. I am down to a size 12 and considered overweight still. I beg to differ. I consider myself NORMAL. As for your fear of the scale, well, we all have a love/hate relationship with our scales. In the beginning, where you are now, its usually the love part, but later on, when you hit plateaus, its the hate part! If you can't take it, then just let yourself be weighed by the doctor on your scheduled visits. But don't fear that you won't lose. If you work the tool correctly, you cannot fail. Good luck!
   — Cindy R.

November 22, 2002
I'm not afraid of the scale, but I avoid them. When I get a really bad urge to know how much I've lost, I go somewhere and find out. This happens less than once a month. The one nice thing about this, is I don't get freaked out by the daily ups and downs that accompany ALL forms of weight-loss. The downside is, I'm often in the dark on how well I'm doing or not doing. So far it's been to the good and I'm crossing my fingers that it stays that way. I think the scales are addictive...been there done that and not going there again if I can help it!
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