Question:
Why can't I lose like everyone else does?

I am 10 weeks post-op and I feel like I've spent most of the time on a plateau! I lost 22 lbs. my first month but only lost 8 the 2nd month. So far I've only dropped about 5lbs this month and I'm really getting frustated! I don't have problems with any kind of foods and try to watch my portion sizes but don't have problems with that either. I'm exercising but could be doing more of that. Why is my weight loss so much slower than others? I feel like I'm doing things right but the weight won't come off of me. Was I just hoping for too much of a miracle. I started at 235lbs and am down to around 200lbs. and still have a long ways to go yet. I wouldn't think that it should be slowing down this soon! Does anyone have any magical suggestions for me? Oh yes and I am drinking more than enough fluids and getting plenty of protein daily. HELP!!!!    — vmize (posted on March 24, 2002)

March 24, 2002
Hi Vicki, I am right there with you. It can be discouraging comparing yourself to the 'fast lane losers', I have done it also. I lost 30 my first month, but have only lost about 10 each month following. I 'follow the plan' and supplement with protein also. I didn't think that the loss would be this slow early on. I have only lost 6 lbs. this month and probably won't hit the usual '10'. Many consider the honeymoon to last around 10 months, for us lightweights it lasts for 1 month before the weight loss crawls. But if you look on the bright side, we will get to goal a lot faster than the 'heavyweights'. I am not yet 5 months post-op and have 38 lbs. to goal and feel super ALREADY!! It may take me another 4-5 months to get to goal, but taking only 9 months to reach goal sounds pretty darn good to me. Keep your chin up, it will happen! ENJOY your journey!!
   — Cheri M.

March 24, 2002
Hello...I am pre-op so am not speaking from expertise, but I can only imagine how devastating it must be to have gone to the trouble and exspense of WLS only to be disappointed with an "average" weight loss, but I want to encourage you with a couple of thoughts/questions: 1. Will the 30lbs. you have lost, and all the future lbs. that you will lose, STAY OFF PERMANENTLY? Are you developing a healthy lifestyle, and a healthy relationship with food and your body? Are you noticing the weight loss in other ways, such as inches off, compliments from others, smaller clothing and shoe sizes? Do you have more energy and vitality? If you had comorbidities, are they disappearing? Finally, where will you be a year from now? Keep in mind in the "normal" (ie, non-WLS) world, 2lbs. steady weight loss is the best one can hope to acheive, with no guarantee that it will stay off...you are already losing at 1 and 1/2 Xs that...so good for you! Just keep doing what you are doing, and know that you will be thin in (practically) no time at all. (Now, having said all that, I am going to remember this ? so that I can refer back to this if/when I am disappointed with my weight loss!) Huggs, and good luck!
   — rebeccamayhew

March 24, 2002
First you started off at a lower weight than most. Second you always need to concern yourself with total calorie intake. There is nothing magical about this. You have to burn more calories than you take in. You mentioned you could do MORE exercise, ok, then do it. Get the cardio going daily. Not just walking around the block stuff. Those that exercise early and keep exercising get to goal.
   — Frank M.

March 24, 2002
Your averaging 3.5 pounds per week. When have you taken off that kind of weight and kept it off in the past?? I think everyone thinks there going to lose 10 pounds a week after the surgery and it really doesn't happen. I started at 248 so you and I are pretty close. I started to lose more consistently when I started exercising. I've been averaging a 3 pound weight loss per week since 11/5/01. I'm VERY happy with that.
   — Patty H.