Question:
20 lbs and no drop in size??
I had the Open RNY (157 bypassed) on May 8, 2001. I'm a short 5'2 1/2 to 5'3. Goal was to be in mid range of the Normal BMI which would place me around 129. A couple months ago I got to 160 (159.5 would have meant I lost half my body weight). But for the last three months my weight fluctuates from 161.5 to 169. I'm still in the HIGH OVERWEIGHT BMI range. (Yes carbs HAVE a hold on me- don't know if increasing protein will help me lose again but I'm doing better). Anyway to the point of my question, I have a picture up on my profile page when I was 182 and wearing a size 34 jeans. (Goal is 30). I've lost 20 pounds since then and STILL wear the same size! I understand at 319 pounds (or 300) that a 20 pound drop isn't much to change clothing sizes, however at 182 a 20 pound drop should have significantly changed my clothing size! My black jeans are a regular fit Wrangler. I just bought another pair of Wranglers (reg fit) yesterday and I'm still wearing a tight to comfortable 34. (Same manufacturer and item style so that isn't it). How in heck can someone lose 20 pounds (at a lighter weight) and NOT drop any sizes???? It's bad enough I can't get to goal weight, however I'm still two sizes away from my "clothing goal weight" and feeling really bummed out. Please understand that I am grateful for what I have lost and that I'm keeping in the mid to to low 160 lbs (so I'm maintaining) but if I can't get to goal weight, at least I'd love to get to goal size! By the way I was 123 in high school and wore both 28 and 30 jeans! Any ideas why my jeans did'nt drop a size with a 20 lb weight loss? Thanks. — Danmark (posted on February 6, 2003)
February 5, 2003
Daniel- Perhaps you have forgotten how determined you were to put those
black jeans on 20 pounds ago. I'm not a post-op so I don't have any
scientific explanation for you; however, I have lost weight before and can
remember trying my hardest to fit into that smaller size even if they were
oh so tight. Just a thought! Keep your head up and congrats on your great
weight loss!
— denisel
February 5, 2003
Oh, my. Do I have the same problem. Swimsuit, size 16. Jeans size 20. I
still have 24's in a certain brand that fit. Very discouraging. I'm not
sure what's up with the manufacturers, but I have decided that sizes are
just a number.....and sometimes an incorrect number at that! So, as long
as I am losing (which I am) I have decided that if it FITS, great, I don't
care what the number says. I know on Wranglers that the number is right
there on the back for the whole world to see. My DH scratches it
out.....not sure if I have been of any help, but know that this is an issue
for a lot of folks. Renee D
— Renee D.
February 6, 2003
Hi Dan,
Its very possible that you lost the 20 lbs from some other place then your
waist/hips/butt area. Have you noticed any changes in your shirt size or
the way they fit? Don't get discouraged! I am still pre-op, but from what I
have been reading, if you want to jump start your weight loss again, you
should increase your protein, water intake and exercise! Congrats for
losing as much as you have!
— preop_wendyd
February 6, 2003
Hi Daniel...probably you've lost in the legs/butt and/or other areas of the
UPPER body...but maybe no loss in the tummy/waist area. I'm having the
same problem. I keep trudging along, losing my 4-5 lbs. a month, but my
legs just keep getting skinnier and my tummy is still "out
there". So maybe it's the same problem we all have....the tummy seems
to be the last thing to go (if it ever does without plastics). I know it's
frustrating. Most likely another surgery (plastics) is not something you
would look forward to. Another thing...once we get into the 40s, folks
naturally get a bit more of a tummy going on, so that may be working
against you, too. I know it is for me. You've done fantastic with your
weight loss, Daniel...I won't say "be happy" with it, because I
know how self-critical we are. Personally I'm not going to be happy
without plastic surgery...and with my insurance saying no, and with no
extra funds laying around, it's probably not going to happen. By the way,
wearing a size 34 waist pants is something to be proud of. Wasn't there
an episode of Seinfeld where he was a size 33 (Levi's....where they print
the size on that leather tag on the back)? He was trying to scratch it out
and make it into a 32, but still....Look how fit/thin Jerry is in those old
episodes. A size 34 is only an inch larger than what he was wearing.
Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
February 6, 2003
I had to lose *45* pounds in order to drop a size...how sick is that?!
— fropunka
February 6, 2003
Boy, can I relate. For some reason, I have been stuck in a size 14
jeans/denim type of pants for months now, yet I went down to size 12 in
dress pants and even a size 10 in dresses! Makes ya wonder. I think that
we are losing bit by bit in other areas of the body but our sagging skin
affects the tummy area and for some of us, hips are the last to go...Its
frustrating, I know, but what can we do other than continue to try to get
the scale down there, and exercise to shape up what we have?
— Cindy R.
February 6, 2003
We are fashion twins, Cindy. I'm also still in a 14 for fitted denim
jeans, but in 12s for other types of pants and 10s for many tops, skirts,
and dresses. Clothing sizes are frustrating and have very little meaning
to me anymore in terms of weight loss success, but they're so danged
SIGNIFICANT anyway no matter how much I try to ignore them. Daniel, I'd be
whipping out the tape measure and going with *that*, if I were you, 'cause
those 20 lbs. came off from SOMEPLACE. ;D A tape measure is a nice,
objective, constant standard against which to measure yourself, whereas
clothing sizes are anything but!
— Suzy C.
February 6, 2003
Thanks all. When I was female I had a terrible fat A## and not much
stomach. Once I started testosterone I kept my huge fat A and also added a
huge gut almost overnight (within a couple weeks at most). Now I look
"great" from the "pouch uppwards" as most all my weight
comes off the top. But the butt and thighs don't want to cough up any fat.
Yeah, maybe you guys are right, it's coming off in other areas. I know my
lower legs are alot smaller. I hope I'm not destined to keep this fat A and
thighs the rest of my life. Plus I have tons of skin and need a full body
lift but with Blue Choice Option/Medicaid it probally won't happen. Anyway
thanks for your posts.
— Danmark
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