Who are these people I hear so much about?

I see tons of people complaining that they are slow losers because they haven't dropped 50-100 pounds in the first month since surgery and are convinced they are failing because of it.  I have yet to see anyone posting that they are losing more than about 30 pounds (give or take) in the first month even if they are super morbidly obese.  Remember people, there is absolutely no way for you to fail this early out unless you don't get enough fluids in and become dehydrated.  You will lose weight.  It will seem slow but in reality it's very quick.  To me, the most important thing you can learn through this process is that the scale does not define you as a good, worthy, or successful person.  You define that.  Breathe, relax, allow the process to happen, and follow the plan.  It'll happen. 

I've asked the same thing many times when someone posts about being a slow loser.  Most of the time they can't name one actual person.

Too many new patients have only remembered the "larger poundage weight loss" numbers from some posts. Wt loss will come, it only take patience and the willingness to follow your surgen's protocol.  The surgery alone will not take care of 100% of any wt loss. There are items that require pateint effort to make their surgery successful.  One major thing that too many new post ops fail to realize--the surgery is only a tool that works on your gut--it's the behavioral changes and the way your head things about food that makes your wt loss surgery most beneficial.  DAVE

Thanks Jane, I too was very worried about not losing a large amount of weight right after surgery.I did have complications the day after surgery and went in for a second time the very next day - Blood clot and needed 3 pints of blood. I did lose 18 pounds on the Opti fast however since surgery Dec. 06.11 I have only managed to lose 14 pounds in 23 days. Is this bad? What am I doing wrong?

 You're not doing anything wrong.  You're losing over .5 a pound a DAY.  that's pretty good.

Nope you aren't doing anything wrong.  You've lost over 1/2 lb per day.  It's fairly common the first week or two to lose 3-5 lbs per week (some vary) and then hit a small stall as your body re-adjust.  Also you need to consider you lost 18 lbs before your surgery, losing before counts so IMO you are doing amazingly well this early out!

Kuddos!

Thanks for posting this.. I was complaining and worried a week or so ago and then BAM I started losing more weight. I have learned that it will come off in its own time and not to stress it. I am 4 weeks post op this week and have lost just under 18lbs since surgery.

I'm not sure where people get their expectations of how quickly they will lose the weight, because even those of us who were SMO don't lose the massive amounts of weight in such a short period of time that some people seem to expect.  Surely surgeons offices are mot leadi people to believe that they are going to lose all of their 100 or 150 or 200 pounds of excess weight in just a few months!  Losing that amount of weight in 18 months or so is pretty amazing when you consider how long it took to GAIN that same 100 or 150 or 200 pounds!

The only people *****ally DO lose 50 pounds in a month are men (who generally lose MUCH after than women because of their additional muscle mass) who are SMO.  NO woman should ever compare her weight loss to ANY man's (I have yet to hear of a man who was truly a "slow loser", although they are subject to the same erratic first month and the early stall.)

Lora

No my surgeon didn't make me any promises. Where my hopes and brain got confused was all the Youtube videos of people melting in three months. I did a lot of research on surgeries and costs I'm amazed at all the online surgeon offices that do before and after pictures that people that have lost so much in so little time. Where are the ones that say you will sweat, pray, and be mad as hell that you paid so much money and spent so much time and go weeks without losing a pound?
I see why the vets get so frustrated I'm sure eventually I will be one too but there is so much build up online and we want it sooooooo bad that it gets frustrating at times.

I have built this mass of mine in 41+ years I'm giving myself three years to reduce it but the most important journey is I'm eating healthy, exercise often and I feel better than I have in years.
So until then I'm supporting everyone and praying for us all even the annoying misinformed ones because I use to be one too. :o)

 I don't know ladies and gent I may be the poster child for a "slow loser". I am 10wks out and have only lost about 25 pounds (not quite sure as to the exact number since I haven't been weighing myself lately). I haven't loss anything since Thanksgiving. I'm not worried about it because I know the weight loss will come eventually, however, I can't help but be a little disappointed .  In the mean time I'm following the plan, keeping my protein up, taking my vitamins and drinking my water, and trying to stay positive.