Question:
i am a little over 2 mo post op and only lost 30 lbs.

i am using a thighmaster as well as an Ab-Doer. but still not a marked increase. i am so frustrated and sad. i went through this whole thing for 30 lbs?? i don't eat sugar and struggle to eat enough protein. i've cut down to eating three times a day. what do i do now? i did'nt expect to lose 100 lbs by now but did expect to do better then 30 lbs. any suggestions?    — becky M. (posted on June 4, 2003)

June 4, 2003
You might want to try more cardio exercise...the Ab Doer and Thighmaster aren't enough. Walking is good for starters. And 30 lbs. in two months isn't so bad either! Just keep doing what you're doing...diet, water, exercise...and you'll get there. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 4, 2003
Hi! Hopefully, I can be a bit of encouragement... I am almost 13 months post op and I was a very slow loser. When I went to have my staples removed I was so disappointed to hear I had lost a measly 14 pounds. I was p*ssed actually. Afterall, I went thru major surgery, wasn't eating, sipping on liquids and lost ONLY 14 pounds!! Life didn't seem fair, especially when another women ahead of me who had the surgery the same day I did came out beaming with joy and told me she was down almost 40 pounds. Anyway.. I didn't know it then, but I do now. I was blessed with slow weight loss. Yes, I said BLESSED. It gave my skin time to shrink with me. I don't have the saggy arms, legs and neck problem that alot of people mention. And I don't "need" a tummy tuck. NO, its not flat but I can still wear a 2 piece without being embarrassed to be looked at. So be be patient. In the long run I think you'll be pleased. Continued success to you!
   — blueyez2668

June 4, 2003
Neither the thighmaster nor the Ab-Doer is going to burn anything significant by way of calories; those are primarily toning "machines," not cardio or fat-burning exercises. To burn fat, you need to get and keep your heart rate up in a fat-burning range for at least 30 minutes (or as close to it as you can get). Walking, swimming, biking, etc. -- or whatever you can safely do at this point, exercise-wise -- should be considered basic to your exercise regime, more important that the other stuff.<P>At two months post-op, I wouldn't be changing my eating routine just to try to get the scale to show faster weight loss. The objective here is re-learning your eating habits while the pouch is still young. That won't be a top priority if you are fixated on the scale.<P>I know you've heard this, but it took a lot longer than two months to gain those thirty pounds. Beating up your body, post-surgery, with too few calories, or too few feedings, is not the way to maximize your chances of long-term success with this surgery. Only in the world of WLS do people complain about losing thirty pounds in two months. Everybody goes nuts with worry after surgery, about how well it will work for them, but you have to recognize that you *are* just a little bit nuts to get through this phase with your important objectives intact. If that means staying off the scale for awhile, do it.
   — Suzy C.

June 4, 2003
Hey, 30 lbs down is the equivalent of 105,000 EXTRA calories burned in that time! Not bad! I agree - you need to start moving because you are about done with the honeymoon phase, and it gets harder. If you can't walk, try riding a bike - anything that makes you really use your big muscles in your thighs and butt will burn the calories (and no, thighmaster doesn't count - that will help tighten some muscles but doens't count as an aerobic activity.) You aren't done yet!
   — koogy

June 4, 2003
All is not lost, you just need to make a couple of redirects and be patient! I started at a BMI of 43 and only lost 15-20 pounds in the first three weeks then NOTHING for three weeks. Early plateaus (I came to find out later after I beat myself up for 3 weeks) are very common. You just have to keep at it: Stay active (walking or other weight-bearing exercise is best), keep drinking plenty of water, and keep eating. YES, YOU HEARD RIGHT! It is really important to keep your body out of starvation mode. If you start cutting out food at this point your body will think it is starving (and it will be!) and hold onto every ounce of fat it can. The best thing you can do is to eat a little every 2-3 hours: Protein first, then fruits & veggies, and other stuff if you have room. I know the protein may not go down very good right now but this is a time to retrain your body to "eat to live" instead of living to eat. Think of protein as fuel. You wouldn't expect your car to run without gas. You have to fuel your body for it to function correctly. I know it is hard to be patient right now--especially at this stage where it seems like everything converges to turn you into a big, cranky bundle of nerves and hormones--but be kind to yourself. You have been through major surgery, so cut yourself a break and give your body a chance to get used to some of the changes you've imposed upon it. It will get better, the weight will come off, and you will look back on this and laugh. See: I'm looking back and :D!
   — ctyst

June 4, 2003
Beckie, Suzy C is right, you need cardo types of exercise-get that heart rate up there- to burn calories. And Cheri is right that you need to eat more often, not less often. Your body needs food to fuel it and protein is the way to do it-eat every few hours. And, also, do NOT compare your weight loss to others. I know it is hard but if you continue to do so, you WILL drive yourself nuts. Everyone loses differently, and even those on the same diet, same height and weight, will lose differently-its just fact. Some are capable of losing 100 pounds in a few months and for others it will take a year-we all get there in our own good time. Just stick to the pouch rules- drink more water, eat more often and EXERCISE. You will continue to lose at your own pace.
   — Cindy R.

June 5, 2003
Everyone has given great advice. One thing to keep in mind is that the exercise must be enough to get your heart rate up there. If you're having heart problems, I'd get that looked into immediately. As for your diet, don't eat less often...try eating small portions more often. That was the thing that worked for me. I wasn't eating hardly at all (just wasn't hungry). I hit a plateau that was driving me nuts. When I started eating more often I began losing again. The abdoer and thighmaster are great for toning, but not burning calories or getting the heart going. Walking with a young child at your side might not get you going either. Is it possible to bike ride and put a kid seat on the back? That would help? Or does your child take a nap you could do walk/run then with him/her in the stroller? Good luck!!!!
   — Diane S.

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