Just got back from my 1 month viist with the doctor and he is concerned that my weight loss is so slow.  He said for "someone like me" I should be down about 28 lbs and am only down 18.  I knew I was losing slow, but still cannot figure out why.  Yes, he recommended I go to the nutritionist, but being recently laid off work, I need to call to find out how much the ins will cover and how much will have to come out of my very empty pockets.  I track every bite I put in my mouth on my fitness pal.  I'm getting in pletny of protein, more than the nut said I should get in,  My water could be better, but I get 64oz in a day.  I reminded him of my surgical consult where I told him I was afraid that I would become his first patient to not lose weight. (I have been dieting for 5 years and only managed to gaine weight - yes, even when I stuck to the plan exactly).  Now I'm fearful this will be true.

My friend tells me I am being too regimented because I track everything.  I have to track or I know I will not get my protein in.  I walk (almost) every day about a mile - even did a lot of extra walking over the weekend while camping with my family.  This same friend is one that had the lap band the day after me and is down 24 lbs right now - WTH!!!!  She is not counting protein and not getting the water in....

I would say if tracking helps you get your protein right keep doing it!  Don't let your friend stop you. Don't compare your loss with anybodty else's.  We are all different.  Increase your liquids.  Make yourself do it.  Since you are out of work, it is a great opportunity to make more time for exercise.  Try a mile every morning and every evening.  It is very common for things to slow down at week three.  Just stick with your plan and keep going!  You can do it!  18 pounds in one month is probably better than in all of your years of dieting.  Some days are harder than others but stay strong and stay on plan.  Good luck!

Thank you - wish I could do more exercise.  Right now my about a mile walk a day is all I can really do.  One of the main reasons, besides the obvious, for the surgery is that I am 45 and have severe arthritis in my knees.  My right knee is so bad that I need replacement, but the doctors will not replace my knee as I am too young.  The mile is hard enough right now - just hoping that as the weight comes off I can increase that.  I was also just released today for more exercise, so may try to see if I can do at least a few minutes on the exercise bike here and there.

First of all, you won't be the first patient to not lose weight, because you ARE losing weight.  I'm kind of suprised the doctor said what he did. (Not that I question the doctor's judgment, just saying.)

I'm not even sure I'd go to a NUT at this point, unless he had some real concern about your health that needs to be addressed.  Seriously, keep doing what you're doing.  You're losing weight. It's working. 

Don't compare!

And go back through yesterdays posts and you'll find someone who posted her pics because she was a slow loser, and yet--she's getting there!  Go look and I think you'll feel much better.

 Share your food diary and friend me on MFP (rhearob)  I will be happy to look at your diary and see if I can offer any suggestions.

Id like to be a MFP friend - RobynDiez

I'm wondering if perhaps a bit more exercise - further distance - more intensity, etc would help.

well, i guess if you are losing weight then you will lose but a little slower . plz dont compare your self to anyone .

In what ****** up world is 18 lbs in one month bad?

I wouldn't be suprised if you are losing slowly because you are doing such a good job walking and eating protien...you are probably building some muscles. Or at least not losing muscle mass like most bariatric patients do right after surgery. Like everyone else has said, it WILL happen. Be patient and keep doing what you are doing :0)

Ditto slim! 18 lbs is good in my diet world! Haven't had my surgery yet but please dont get discouraged! You are still losing.

Look at it this way, you lost more in one month then you have in 5 years of dieting...you must be doing something right.

Thanks everyone, your responses mean more to me than you will ever know! :)

I agree with the other posters.  Eighteen pounds in a month is a substantial loss! You're doing what you are supposed to be doing, and it IS working.  Everybody is different, and we all lose at different rates. If you keep losing at or near this rate, you will be down 100 pounds in 5-6 months.  That's tremendous! It's hard sometimes, and we get bogged down in the day-to-day, failing to see the big picture.  This is a marathon, not a sprint.  

Keep working hard and you will be happy with your results!!  

 Maybe you are eating/drinking too much protein meaining taking in more calroies then you should at this stage? But either way 18 lbs for one month is fabulous!!!!!!!!!! Let's face it, even if we lost 5 lbs a month for the next 2 years we'd be doig better then we were before surgery, right? it's about changing patterns and being will to make those changes and you sure sound like you are willing to do this. The weight will come off!! You are doing very well!!

lol I wish I'd lost 18 pounds in one month.  I've only lost 14 pounds.  You can't really say with this.  All we can do is do what we're suppose to and that's it.  If your working your program what else can you do?  Please measure...lol I did and I'm happy I did because the inches are comming off fast.

I started out at 284 pounds and NEVER lost more than 17 pounds a month - and that was for the first two months - after that I lost 6-9 pounds a month, never more, sometimes less. Still got to goal in about 18 months. Just keep doing what you are doing - I think you are doing fantastic!

I think you are doing great!! How is your thyroid? What is your T**** needs to be 3.0 or less for effective weight loss.

Thanks.  No problems with thyroid - it is checked regularly.  What is T****?

 Hi surgiversary sister!  I was sleeved on 4/30 too!  And I just saw my doc for the one month visit.  If it makes you feel any better, his records show that I "only" had a 20 lb loss.  So, I wouldn't worry too much about the numbers.  In the 3rd week, I had a total stall of about 3 days and I gained two pounds once.  

What about your portions sizes?  I posted a question about portion size and I did find out I was STILL eating too much.  I was eating 6 oz. and today, my doctor said I should really keep it at 2-4 ounces - 4 ounces is okay with him.  That includes everything for the entire meal.  He also said the sooner you get to regular foods, the better you will feel satisfied with 4 ounces because the dense protein stays in the sleeve longer and makes you feel satisfied longer.  

This get difficult doesn't it?  On one hand, we have to get protein in, so we drink maybe more shakes.  When we get to more solid food, we're supposed to phase off the protein shakes - WHILE STILL GETTING IN ALL THE PROTEIN!  It's a real balancing game, I'm learning.

Just be aware of your portion size and the rest of what you describe sounds good to me.

It depends on what I am eating - anywhere from 4 - 6 ozs.  My doc didn't seem to have an issue with 6 ozs. as i am not overstuffing.  I was just about ok with the weight loss and then he said he felt it should have been a bit more - ugh!!  I'm getting through it better now with all the wonderful, positive comments that everyone has been making.  I'm just going to go with the flow and I have an appt with the nut on 6/19 - we'll see what she says once she looks at my logs.  I am on regular food, as of yesterday.  And yesterday was the first day since surgery that I could actuallly get my multivitamins in without getting sicks.  I need to have my daughter take my 1 month pictures so I can see if I see what others are seeing :)