Question:
I am seven months post-op and only down 80.5 lbs. Is this not enough?
A close friend of mine that also had the surgery said that he'd lost 130lbs at seven months post-op and that I should have lost more weight. He then elaborated I only have five more months to lose weight. I do excercise faithfully at least 2 to 3 times a week. I had been feeling good about this loss until he told me that. Especially being that my weight before the surgery was 387lbs and my goal weight is 150-175lbs. — [Deactivated Member] (posted on August 19, 2003)
August 19, 2003
Hi Sheniqua, one of the biggest problems that WLS patients face is
comparing themselves to other WLS patients. You've lost over 10 pounds a
month - that's very significant. Men generally lose faster than women.
Possibly you're eating fewer calories than you should, particularly since
you're exercising. Possibly you need to bump up your exercise to 4 to 5
times a week. There are many factors that could put you in the "slow
loser" catagory. However, you ARE losing and that's the important
thing to remember. Do you have only 5 months left to lose? Of course not.
Your pouch/tool will remain functional for the rest of your life if you
simply follow a healthy eating plan. For the time being though, try to
stop comparing yourself to anyone else. We're all individuals and lose at
our own special pace. Keep up the good work - you'll make it! Best
wishes.
— ronascott
August 19, 2003
Sweetie, if you continue to lose slowly and steadily you have an
opportunity to continue to lose past 12 months. But historically, we have
a six-twelve month 'honeymoon' period that it's best to lose as much weight
as fast as possible. During this period it's the time to develop good
habits and retrain yourself for long term success. Exercise is just as key
as food, but both of these means making changes if the weight is not
dropping as fast you would like. Most folks find that after their
honeymoon ends, hunger returns and it becomes more like a traditional diet
than a tool. But that doesn't mean you have failed!
I am 8 months out today. I've lost 130 pds and I am upping my exericise
and protein intake even more now than I did at a couple of months out. I
started at 362, so I understand how much you have to lose. I honestly
would be very dissapointed if I had lost 80 pds in 7 months. I have very
aggresive goals and I want to lose at LEAST 175 pds in my one year period.
I'm very focused on this and I do alot to make it happen. If you want to
lose more weight this year, I think you can 'turn it up a notch' by taking
a hard look at what you eat, make sure you are following all of the pouch
rules and up the exercise in intensity and probably go to 5 days a week.
You can continue to lose weight and lose weight faster if you want to. I
don't think that at 12 months the gates lock down magically and our fairy
godmother throws out the key to the non-obese kingdom. But I do think it
takes more work then than it will now this first year to get signifcant
result. Good luck to you.
— Susan F.
August 19, 2003
Hi, Sheniqua. You are doing fine. I was a slow loser at first also.
Everyone I knew who had had the surgery was losing twice as fast as I was.
But in the end, we all got to the same place at about the same time. By
losing slower I feel I might have done better with skin hanging issues. Be
patient it will pay off, it did for me. I went from a size 22 to a size 6,
and I am at goal. Patt Meadows e-mail: [email protected]
— peppermintp
August 19, 2003
I agree with the others. You're dong fine, continue to be happy! As long
as you're getting in your recommended protein each day, limiting refined
carbs (sweets, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, junk food), getting 64 or more
ounces of water, taking your vitamins, and staying active, you're doing
FABULOUSLY! If you aren't doing some of those things, then start to get
back in line with them for your health. Remember, this isn't a race.
You'll lose your weight in your own sweet time (and isn't it sweet!).
— Vespa R.
August 19, 2003
Oh, Honey, PLEASE do not listen to such crap! 80 pounds in 7 months is
fantastic and don't you let anyone tell you otherwise. For one thing, men
tend to lose faster. We all lose at different rates- many things factor
into this. By 4 months, I had lost 100 pounds and everyone was freaking out
about it, telling me I was losing too fast (even my doctor was concerned).
Lately I have had a couple comments made to me about how I should plan to
lose more than I have (I am 4 pounds from my goal of 160). People need to
just shut up and let us be. If I haven't learned anything this past year, I
have definitely learned that people (whether they mean to or not) love to
knock us down. Its not good enough that I have lost 157 pounds. But because
I haven't lost much over the past couple of months, then uh-oh, Karen is
doing something wrong. Nooooo- I am close to my goal and the weight loss is
slowing down. And by the way, your "friend" is misinformed, so
please read up here and elsewhere and disregard what he says. You are doing
great!! Be proud of yourself!!...........Karen (lap rny-9/20/02- down 157
lbs.)
— karmiausnic
August 19, 2003
Its true that men do lose faster than women. The others are right, though,
continue to feel good about yourself. You've done well! There will always
be someone who loses faster than you, and there will always be someone who
does not lose as fast as you-we all lose at our pace. And the loss
continues past 12 months to at least 18 mo and beyond depending on how you
work your tool. The tool part is on your end. Are you following the pouch
rules, not drinking with or after meals, getting in all your protein and
water, keeping snacking (carbs and sugar) low, and is your exercise heart
pumping cardio (which is the only type that burns calories)? If not, you
have the power to change.
— Cindy R.
August 20, 2003
Good enough for what? If its good enough for you, then it is. As others
have said, stop comparing your loss to anyone else (and I know we all do it
-- I do too) but especially a man.. seems like they just give up lunch and
become thin!<br><br>I do think you'll have to exercise more,
though to get to your goal. I think 2 to 3 times a week is a great way to
maintain, but I think you'd do better to exercise more often. I'll admit
to being addicted to my gym (something I never EVER thought I'd say) and I
go at least 6 days a week on a good week. If I am traveling, sometimes I
miss a day or two -- but for the most part I like to get there about 6
days. I do cardio each day and about 5 days I add some weight training to
my work out. WOW! Writing that down now sounds like a lot. I have to
say, exercise will speed your weight loss and good habits in exercise will
help you over the years to keep it off. Good luck! 80 pounds is GREAT!
— Lisa C.
August 20, 2003
I can't even begin to imagine in what universe losing 80+ # in 7 months is
a slow loser. Go celebrate your fabulous progress!!!
— **willow**
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