Question:
I am 8 months post op and have only lost 81 lbs. Too slow??

I started out at 290 and am now 209. I have not lost a single pound in over a month. Why can't I get under 200 lbs. My goal is 150. Will I ever get there. I still eat very little. About 1000 to 1200 calories a day. Is this too much. Somebody HELP ME!!    — Lgcunningham (posted on March 3, 2004)

March 3, 2004
I eat 1200-1500 cals a day w/ 1 hour of exercise. Since I stepped up my exercise to once a day (from 3 or 4 times a week), the pounds are flying again. I say up the water and exercise like a mad woman. As far as averages. The 8 mos average loss is 69-128. You are in the normal range. People on this site are very food centric when I think (my own opinion) is that weightloss is 50% exercise 40% food 10% malabsorption.
   — mrsmyranow

March 3, 2004
My surgery was on July 1st and I have lost 89#. I have worked my behind off for the last couple of months burning 300+ calories off a day.
   — lindadougherty

March 3, 2004
Hi Lori, Congrats on your weight loss so far. At 9 mos. out I was down 76 lbs. So everyone is different. In my opinion, and as far as my surgery has told me; he said don't put a number on your weight loss, just do what you have to do. Someone had mentioned on here that you are in the normal range. As far as I'm concerned--- to my knowledge, I never knew there are ranges. (As far as averages. The 8 mos average loss is 69-128. You are in the normal range.) Myra-- where did you hear about the ranges???? I just had my 1 yr. anniversary on Feb. 14th, and my checkup was Feb. 24th. I had gained 6 lbs. I am pissed, but I am just back on track. I know why I gained, and the surgeon and nurse agreed that water retention was related since I was due for my period any day. I had never seen my surgeon for a checkup; right before my period. He told me there are no ranges. You lose what you can. If there are areas to improve on- then try the best to improve them. I asked him if I should make a gaol for myself and he said that I don't need to. Just work at using the "tool" and then go from there. So Lori, check my profile out on here- just click on my name and you can read about me. I am going to read your profile. Once I started increasing my exercise as I power walk about 30-45 min. 4-5 times a week. Good Luck to you Lori, and everyone else! Bonnie
   — Bonnie R.

March 3, 2004
I started at 250 and had lost 83 lbs. in 8 months. My goal was 140, and I ended up at 145 (I say the leftover is skin:). I did lose the rest by a years time, and have fluctuated the second year. I remember a couple of plateaus I had in the first year also. I had one that was 4 weeks and one that was 6 weeks. Those slow times are no fun. You will lose more. Keep up the good work and be patient.
   — Cheri M.

March 4, 2004
Hi Lori-glad you posted the very same question that I have-I am 7 months post op and was 292 lbs., now 210. I, too, think my goal weight would be 150. I feel like the weight loss has been very slow lately and I have plateaued something awful. What makes things harder is my husband had surgery 3 months ago and has already lost 75 lbs. He reminds me that he is catching up to me and I work out 5 days a week, he doesn't work out at all! I think we are both doing well and I know it is hard not to compare weight loss to other people. My surgeon said at my 6 month appointment that we have to work on our mind because it is very powerful and if you think you aren't going to lose, you won't. I am trying to work on it but it is difficult and I don't know how to remain positive when the scale does not move. Maybe you have a thought on this and can share it with me and vice versa. The support really helps. Jeanne
   — Jeanne J.

March 4, 2004
You are definitely not along! I am 8 months and 4 days post op. I have lost only 75 pounds. I am 200pod. I can not wait to get out of 200's. I can honestly say I have not hit any platues. I lose something every week. It is just so slow in numbers. It also depend on the time of the month. It seems like I lose more the week before and during my period. I also know I lose better when I drink more water and do more protein shakes. (sometimes I am not the best with that) I am happy from where I have came and I have no doubt that I will make it to goal. My goal for me is 165-170. That is about 30-35 pounds. Keep working at. You have more time. We can do it. Keep doing the right things. Eating right, drinking water and getting in protein. We will do It!!!!!!
   — Just P

March 4, 2004
Hi Lori, :O) You are not alone. Congratulations on making it this far!!!! Just think, if you about the fact that if you hadn't had the WLS, you probably would have gained. You are doing great. I am sure that this plateau will pass. I am in a plateau for about 3 mos. now. I just had my 1 yr. anniversary on Feb. 14th. If it makes you feel any better, and to know that someone else is empathetic--- I am. At my 9mos. post-op this past Nov. I was down 76 lbs. My surgeon told me I am doing great. Everyone loses differently. At my 1 yr. checkup on Feb. 24th- I had gained 6 lbs. I had never gone to my surgeon right before or after my period, so I was told that water retention contributed to this. I am glad that I see that I am not alone and that there are others on here who lose about at the same rate as me. You are doing great and you have come so far! It looks to me like you are doing great! I want to break 250. I was pre-op at 352 lbs. I am now in the lower 280's--- 270's. Here is also some advice--- don't get on the scale constantly. I am not saying you are. My surgeon and nurses told me that I shouldn't even weigh myself. Sometimes I get hung up on the scale thing and constantly get on it. Anyway, click on my name if you wish to view my profile. Best wishes and good luck to all reading! Lori--- Good Luck! Bonnie :O)
   — Bonnie R.

March 5, 2004
From my experience, you do better the slower you lose. I have lost 82 pounds in 8 months. I now weigh 148. I am only 5 feet tall! I have had very little hair loss, and I look very healthy as opposed to others I have seen. I know it is hard not to compare yourself to others but we are all unique individuals. Good luck and God bless you. Amy Perdue
   — Amy P.

March 8, 2004
Hi, you are not alone. I am happy to know i am not either.. i started 5/12/03 at 274.5 and now almost 9 months out i weight about 210-212. I lost only about 65 lbs and wear a size 16. i started at size 22/24. I have a lot of muscle amd am a stocky built. I exercise alot.! this may be why I haven't lost more weight, but have lost inches. my body fat when i started was 47 percent and is now 39 percent. I am so anxious to get under 200 lbs....I can't wait!
   — christina L.

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