Question:
Why do lightweights loose slower
I am post op .I had my surgery on March 17,2003 I weighed 251 and I am 5ft 3inches tall. I have lost 19 pounds in 3 weeks. from what I am seeing the lightweights always seem to loose slower. Is there a reason for that? — Catherine B (posted on April 9, 2003)
April 9, 2003
Your window of opportunity for weight loss is generally 18 months. If you
lost at a much quicker rate like someone who might start at 400 lbs., you
could lose all your weight within 3-6 months. Then you would continue to
lose and become underweight. Our bodies are very complex and it knows
where it wants to be. There are advantages to being a lightweight and
losing slow. You will have less skin to worry about and you will make it
to goal much quicker than someone who has a lot more to lose. Don't
compare your losses with others. I was the queen of slow losers, 17 months
post-op and I'm STILL losing!!
— Cheri M.
April 9, 2003
Catherine - I had surgery March 13 (4 weeks as of tomorrow) and have lost
24 lbs. You are doing great! Congrats on 19 lbs!!! I think the previous
poster is right about why we lose slower - but ask they said, it is a
hidden blessing - skin recovers better with slower loss. Many blessings,
Robin - Open RNY 3.13.03, 254/230/120 -24 lbs
— rebalspirit
April 9, 2003
Ah, yes the dreaded lightweight syndrome! lol. The way I see it (and I
could be wrong) is that a 450 pound person burns more calories at rest than
a 250 pound person. The heavier you are the more energy it takes to do
everything. So, before surgery, the 450 pound person might be using 3000
calories a day, at rest and the 250 pound person might only be using 1500
per day, at rest. After surgery, both people will continue to use less
energy (burn calories) daily...in accordance with their weight loss. So,
by the time the 450 person gets to 250 they will then only be using 1500
calories a day, at rest and the weight loss will seem "slow" to
them...like it has to us all a long! I only used generic numbers but do
you get it? Also, a larger person has more fluids stored in their body,
which is usually the first "weight" to go. I know it's
frustrating...but hey, you are off to a great start and every pound gone is
one step closer to your goal - no matter how "fast" or
"slow" it comes.
— eaamc
April 9, 2003
The short and simple answer to your question, why do lightweights lose
slower, is because we have less to lose. The good part is that we still
lose to goal and get there in good time. You and I started two pounds
apart and at the same height, so go to the bottom of my profile and you can
track my weight loss for the first year. I am now less than 10 pounds from
my goal.
— Cindy R.
April 9, 2003
— Amber L.
April 9, 2003
I believe someone said that yes we lose slower, but we still lose most of
it just like other post-ops. It's really not a bad thing, and you just have
to tell yourself when you get frustrated- when other time could I have lost
this much weight so fast! We were the same starting weight and I'm an inch
shorter. You can check out my profile about my weight loss. But I've lost
115lbs. in 10 months, and very happy. Sometimes it takes people 18 months
to lose that much, sometimes 3 months. It's all relative really- as long as
it comes off, right! Goodluck to you! :-)
— Lezlie Y.
April 9, 2003
My surgery was march 26 .. I have lost 27 lbs ,, I am 48 so not
young .. and 5 ft 4 not tall and my starting weight the day of surgery was
240 .. This will all slow down I am sure .. but I am thrilled with the
results .. even my complexion looks good ..must be because of all the water
verses diet coke :) I cant wait to really start walking more .
— ruthie
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