Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How Much Did You Lose Before People Noticed?



Recommended Posts

I am 3 weeks post-op, almost 40 lbs down, lost 8 inches from my waist and 4 from my hips.

No one who doesn't know I had the surgery has noticed or said anything. It's kind of disappointing. I have, however, gotten about 25 compliments on my not new coat. I wonder if people just notice I look better but can't put their finger on what it is?

How much did you lose before people who didn't know you'd had the surgery noticed that you were losing weight?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For me it was at 50 pounds lost. I think you are right. People notice something different but just cant figure out what it is yet. Great None scale victory! go you..............

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I got maybe one compliment before 50 pounds down. Most came after that. But early on I was frequently told how good my skin looks, my hair, a few more compliments on outfits. I agree - people notice a change, but can't put their finger on it. Hey - I'll take it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It was the 50 pound mark for me as well, and the comments still keep coming. Keep going, stay motivated, keep your follow up appointments and your nutritionist appointments, as well as following your eating plan and success will be yours!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I get comments saying I look more rested, lol.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

About 50 pounds. At 30 lbs, my primary noticed that I looked 'healthier'. I had to tell him that I was aleady post-op and was starting to lose. At 50 lbs, my pain specialist, who I see quarterly, did not recognize me. When he and his nurse did the "time out" before my procedure, they had to do a double take. The doctor thought they had the wrong patient on the table and took a couple of minutes to check my record! Hah! Loved it. At a family gathering at 8 months and 65 pounds down, NO ONE even said anything, not even about the itty bit of food on my plate.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

A lot of people are afraid to hand out compliments, for whatever reason. Weird, I know.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At 60 pounds was the first time anyone said anything, although now they recognize it all the time. I think the reason it took so long is people don't want to offend you if they aren't 100% sure that you lost weight. Also one person told me that she was afraid to ask me if I had lost weight because last time she asked someone their reply was "well yeah I have cancer so I lost some weight". She was scarred for life after that, lol, and no longer asks people about their weight loss.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The first 20 I lost preop wasn't even noticeable to me. I was probably down 40-50 pounds before I started getting questions and comments. But I was also bundled up in winter clothes those first 3-4 months so once spring hit, it became VERY noticeable. And then I got a lot of "oh, have you been sick?!" And even a couple "do you have cancer?" Not a lot of boundaries here in rural Idaho.... Just the way I like it ????

Edited by Kindle

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told by a nurse friend of mine people usually start noticing when you've lost about 20% of your original weight. Idk how true that is. People who know about my surgery notice but no one else has said anything to me but I've only lost about 30 lbs.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

wow 37 # in three weeks! that is amazing. you go girl. it took me way longer than that to get some substantial weight off. watch out, stalls are normal as your body adjusts and rearranges stuff. it only took about 20# or less for people to notice but I am 5' so every pound shows, good and bad. it is sort of discouraging to think anyone has a right to judge your weight or even comment, but that is our culture. mostly people just said, you look good. so, I looked bad before?, is what it makes me think. and am annoyed that people monitor me. but then I got used to the compliments and wanted people to say something. geez, me, you cant have it both ways!!! when I started coming in to work and my scrubs were falling off me, people noticed. when I took in my pants, people noticed. I still feel fat tho, and still have plenty to lose at halfway. Celebrate every milestone, every big and little victory, and for goodness sake buy some new clothes and bras as you need them. you deserve it and you are not going back. love sara and the fur gang

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm down 52 lbs since July 9th (though only about a week and a half post-op) and no one has said a thing. That 52 lbs is almost 20% of my original body weight. But heading into winter, I'm also bundled up a lot. I'm definitely noticing it in my face though.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm almost down 40 and it's hit and miss who notices (or at least who says anything). I agree with a couple other comments, I think most people are just afraid to say anything as to not offend. Kind of like asking someones who's pregnant (or not) how far along they are :P

Edited by Babbs

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I got sporadic compliments starting at around 40 lbs. Now that I am down 100+ lbs I have people noticing literally everyday at my work. Some of our patients even think I am a new employee. Lol. It never gets old.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×