Question:
Will I ever get there?
Surgery (lap RNY) was in April (eight months ago) and I am now down 70lbs. of the 110lbs. I needed to lose. I am really starting to get worried/depressed that I won't get this last 30-40lbs off to become once and for all THIN, by my year window of opportunity, if ever. Granted, I have only recently started to do things "right" (i.e., water, exercise, etc.) and it's made a slight difference, but I'd like to hear from other "slow losers". Was anyone else in my boat...so close, yet still so far? Did you make it to your goal? If so, how did you do it, and how long did it take? Any and all comments are welcome. Thanks! — rebeccamayhew (posted on December 26, 2002)
December 26, 2002
I'm there now. I've been on a gain/lose scale. I gain 1 lose 3. I can't
seem to get that last 20 pounds off. I'm losing inches, but the weight is
hard. I think a lot of mine is the excess skin.
— dolphins94
December 26, 2002
Hi! First let me say congratulations on your great weight loss. I'm not
sure if I have an answer to your question or not but maybe a bit of
insight. When I started the journey I had a goal size in mind (6) and a
goal weight (120) too. I never reached either. I stayed freaked about
this for awhile. I was so very happy with my weight loss but I still kept
waiting for the last 20-25 pounds to come off. I wore some size 8's,
mostly size 10's and a few size 12's. And I waited and waited and waited.
Then I tried dieting and I'd lose a few pounds only to gain them right
back. I finally realized and accepted that I was never going to be a size
6 without being the dieting queen and I never want to be that person again.
I ended up taking a long, hard look at myself and realized that after
being a size 24/26 being a size 10 was almost perfect. So I wear some
12's....who cares????? Sometimes I wear an 8!! (Liz Claiborne is about the
only manufacturer that allows me to wear and 8 - Thanks Liz!) But
seriously - I think you are still pretty new to "the game". You
still have that window of opportunity to lose more weight. But, your body
may be telling you that it's happiest and healthiest at your current
weight. You may have reached your sweet spot or you may still easily lose
weight. However, I looked at your pics and you look GREAT! Regardless of
where you end up - I think you'll ultimately find happiness in the person
you've become and you'll feel so proud of yourself for all your amazing
accomplishments! Keep up the good work and happy holidays!
— ronascott
December 26, 2002
Rebecca: Please reread Rona's answer again. She is right on the money! I
had my surgery 3/4/02 with a goal loss of 120 lbs. To date, I have lost
109 lbs. and am ecstatic. All my Christmas clothes were a size 8. Last
year, I was in a 22 - 2X. If I don't lose another ounce, I'll still know
that my surgery was a complete success. Sometimes, I think we get obsessed
with the "numbers" and lose sight of the overall picture. Relax
and enjoy your blessing!
— ZaZa F.
December 26, 2002
Hello...slow loser here! I had lost 70 lbs. in about 8 months also. I
can't remember exactly, my weight loss is tracked by date on my profile, I
shoulda checked it before responding. Anyway, since that time, I have lost
'only' about 25 lbs. in probably 5 months. It really slowed down after the
6 month mark. But I am still losing slowly. My inital goal was to get to
135, losing 110 lbs. I have lost 96 lbs. and am at a healthy weight,
normal BMI, and normal body fat%. I didn't really know WHERE I wanted to
end up, because I have never been here, so my 'goals' were just a fantasy
guess. And I do hope to lose 10 more lbs., if not, I feel fine. I am so
thankful for this wonderful surgery, I'm healthy, finally.
— Cheri M.
December 26, 2002
I was a slow loser who plateaued ALL the time. At about 8 months out, I
noticed a dramatic slowdown in the weight loss, which is normal. I had lost
105lbs by that time but still had 40 to go. Well, it has come off except
for the last 10lbs. I'm having PS in March and that will take off the last
10 then I will be at my goal. You will get there too! Its hard to let go of
that feeling of 'failure' or 'this is it, I'm done'. Everytime I was on a
plateau, I would think that but then the scale would move again. As the
other poster said, "Do you feel better? Healthier?" That really
is the bottom line, isn't it? Try not to focus on the numbers so much.
— Kris T.
December 26, 2002
Ooops, checked my dates, and it took me 5 months to lose the 70, so it has
taken me an additional EIGHT months to lose 26 lbs, geez that IS slow!! I
should be crowned slow loser of the year! But our bodies know what they
want to do and what weight is healthy for us. Try to be patient, I know,
follow my own advice right?
— Cheri M.
December 26, 2002
Hi. Thanks for the answers, and please keep them coming, because of course
it is helpful to know that I am not alone. Of course I feel much more
human, and could conceiveably remain just the way I am now and be
"happy" with it, but there are two reasons why I ask this
question (and feel that I am not "done" yet)...#1: I was
recently asked if I was going to have a baby. Now, I realize the angle I
was standing in and the phase of the moon may have been conspiring against
me, but I do not EVER want to be asked that again, unless they are pulling
a baby out of me and #2: Whenever people ask how much more I have to go
and I say "Oh 30-40lbs..." nobody even bats an eye. None of that
"Oh you're thin enough" stuff like somebody else is asking about
today...I mean, I am not really discouraged, but I am hoping/praying I
haven't messed up my metabolism or something thru this surgery so much that
I won't be able to get there, if I play by all the rules. I mean, I don't
care if it's slow going, or what, I just want to know that it can/will
happen, and am interested in others' (similar) experiences. Hope we're all
having happy holidays! Love,
— rebeccamayhew
December 26, 2002
Hi Rebecca
I am among the "snail losers" and can totally relate to how your
feeling .. But I have now realized that its not the size or the goal weight
that matters its how you feel inside. I started at 280 and now i fluctuate
between 152-154, wearing a size med shirts sometimes large (I like my
clothes lose fitted) and a size 10 pants and yes thank you liz for letting
me wear 8s too. I feel soo awesome that I dont even care if I lose anymore
weight. My goal weight was 140 but according the chart I should be 127 I
am neither so what I am still a happy camper! you are doing fabulous keep
up the good work and good luck with the rest of your journey!
— Deanna Wise
December 26, 2002
Rebecca--I can totally relate to your situation. I'm 6 months out and down
almost 80lbs which I am soooo happy about but wish it were more like the
others that post but I realize that I'm not them and I have to do this to
fit my lifestyle. Have I made mistakes--yep! But the one thing is I am in
control of my eating and not the other way around which is the best thing
that could happen. As for doing things right--in the literature my surgeon
provided the best way to jump start yourself is to go back to the inital
first two weeks post op---liquids,pureed,soup, etc. It may be a
"reset" for you. I'm going to try that myself and see what
happens! Good luck & God Bless
— Bambi C.
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