Question:
need encouragement
If you've been where I am and had a successful goal attained, please write. Started on 12/13/02 at 246.7, now stuck at 208. I have ti fight hunger some days. Other problems are forcing myself to not overeat and am only now throwing up every few days. I fear I won't make goal at this slow rate. — elaine27 (posted on February 20, 2003)
February 20, 2003
I think you are right on track. Us lightweights lose slower. But, if you
think about it... if you lose at the rate you are going at, you'll be at
goal before a year. I started at 242 and now I'm at 203, so I know what you
are going through! Hang in there!
— Diana L.
February 20, 2003
You will definately make you goal! I started at 250 lbs. 8 1/2 months ago,
and now I am 145 lbs. only 15 lbs. away from my goal in less than a year.
40lbs. lost in 2 months is excellent. I lost 30 my first month, then about
10 each month thereafter. Plus, I've had atleast a dozen plateaus, it just
happens! Don't get discouraged, I know it's frustrating, but your body is
just adjusting right now. Some days I am starving, some I have to force
myself to eat, i think that's normal. I'm sorry you are throwing up, maybe
not eating slow enough? But maybe you are- sometimes, people's new stomachs
just don't agree with food, but that will eventually pass as well- don't
worry! You're doing great! congrats :)
— Lezlie Y.
February 20, 2003
Let me preface this answer by saying I'm not angry at you. I feel your
pain, honey, I do. But I get so angry at the attitudes that we've all
absorbed over the years...I see so many questions of this type, and they
not only break my heart, but they infuriate me. I had lap RNY on 10/21,
and I'm only down 54. I started at 259. I don't think I've lost 5 pounds
in the last month or 5 weeks or so. And while it can be HUGELY frustrating
(and believe me, there are times where I've wanted to post a similar
question to the one you've posted), I also am enormously cognizant of how
far I've come, how much healthier I am, and how much better I look. Not a
day goes by that isn't easier in some respect because of this surgery. Do
I want to reach goal? Do I want to be thin? OF COURSE I DO. But will it
be the end of the world if I don't? No way. Darlin', you're new to this.
Give yourself a break. Your body will get you to the point it is supposed
to be at. Keep practicing not overeating. Talk to someone about the
hunger. The vomiting will pass. All of this will happen over time, not
overnight. For the time being, though, please (and this goes to all of us
out there who beat the crap out of ourselves for not losing fast
enough)...be proud. I'm proud of you.
— Tamara K.
February 20, 2003
Hey Darlene!!! Yet another slow loser here!!! My surgery was on 11/15/02
and I just had my 3-month checkup last week and was only down 29 pounds.
Yeap, you read correct... Only 29 pounds!!! I've been eating only
protein, no snacks, 3 meals per day at exactly 2 ounces per meal and at
least 70 ounces of sugar-free/caffeine free fluids. Granted, I wasn't
burning the world up at the gym but I've definitely increased the activity
since I discovered only 29 pounds gone!!! I know I'll make it to goal and
if the Queen of Slow Losers here can do it, I know you can too!!! The best
thing you can do, IMHO, is to establish a good support system so that when
you have that uncontrollable hunger you can call in the reinforcements and
they can help you through the tough times!!! Good luck Sweetie, I have
faith in you!
— Dena C.
February 20, 2003
Darlene, if you haven't learned this by now, some of these posts ought to
clue you in, we all lose at different rates-even those that start at the
same height and weight. The key here is that we ALL lose, at our own
rates. To compare your weight loss to others will not only drive you nuts,
it is futile. So stop it right now. Remember you are a lightweight and
therefore will lose less than those with lots more to lose. I, too, was a
lightweight, started at 249. At one year post-op, I am at 154. There are
others who have lost more than me in less time, and I say, so what? I'm
very happy where I am at, and so will you. Overeating is a bad thing-a
good way to help that is to measure your food ahead of time and only put
that amount on your plate. As for hunger-we all experience it eventually.
I say, when you are hungry, eat. Just choose good foods to eat-you may
want to consider eating 5 or 6 small meals a day, things like cheese and
crackers, a protein shake or bar, some fruit, chicken strips etc.
— Cindy R.
February 21, 2003
I'll comment on the vomiting issue...it's not normal with this surgery to
vomit UNLESS you've overeaten, and there's no room in the pouch. If you're
not overeating and still vomiting, then you need to bring this issue up
with your doctor. Vomiting all the time can POSSIBLY cause a staple line
disruption. Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
February 21, 2003
Are you measuring? I have been at the same weight for a couple of weeks
now but my clothes are decidedly looser and I am fitting into clothes I
have not been able to get into for a long time. I am only just about 7
weeks post op and seem to have my losses in 5 lb spurts (but have only lost
23 lbs since surgery). The inbetween times kill me so I have decided to
stay off the scale. Albeit I am not measuring either (I find it difficult
to get that right as well) but am now using the pants-o-meter which is the
trustiest measurement I have found so far. In fact, this week, after I
went into another set of clothes I got on the scale thinking it HAD to have
changed and I HAD to have lost some more weight but I didn't lose anything
else. I am learning the lesson of the evil scale. It's not for me and
bites me every time I go near it. I'm ready to throw the damn thing out
and just weigh at the drs.
— susanje
February 22, 2003
Pat yourself on the back. Honey, you've lost a lot of weight. If you are
like me, it is weight you couldn't lose before your surgery-- so you've
made great strides. Accept that and be happy. Keep working, and you will
lose more.
You've lost nearly 40 pounds in 2 months (plus 1 week). Our maximum loss
period is about 6 months, but our whole window is 18 months to 1 year. Of
course you will lose lots more! It is very possible you'll get to goal or
near by. <br> However, you have to stop thinking that you will only
be successful if you hit goal. Fact is, this surgery is considered
successful if you lose half the excess weight-- and you are almost there!
Give yourself credit for wherever you end up, whether or not it is
"goal"-- after all, that is just an arbitrary number!!! Whatever
you lose is weight off, improved health and (incidently), marvelous for
your looks. Celebrate what you do, don't focus on where you think you
should be.<br>
I had surgery about a month after you-- January 15-- and I've
"only" lost 21 pounds so far. Do I think I'll have lost as much
as you when I'm as far out? No-- but I'll be happy with what I've lost. In
fact, I'll be estatic.<br>
Right now I'm down to 201, from 222. I want to get to 130. However, I've
accepted that I may not get there, as hard as I try. It just may not be in
me. If I can lose 50% of my excess weight-- and I can-- I'll be about 175,
which is less than I've been in 13 years. I'm already down lower than I've
been in 6 years. So I'm already a success-- and I will continue to be even
if all I do is to keep off what I've already lost.
<br>
Take joy in what you accomplish. Enjoy life. Keep eating right, and you'll
continue to lose. But don't stake your happiness on making it to an
arbitrary number-- or you'll miss out on a lot of the good that you are
doing for yourself.<br>
Good luck, but above all, be happy. Beth
— Beth S.
Click Here to Return