rach1134

I am definitely a slow loser albeit a happy one because I am going the right direction. Since surgery in June I've lost 48 lbs. I want to lose 30 to 40 more bur have only lost 3 lbs this month. I need to kick up my exercise and eat more Protein.< /p>

Losing my hair is a minor worry. I would shave my head bald if it would help my weight loss. :-)

Oh so much to talk about with this..... Sorry, but I'm going to ramble a bit.
First off, there are risks and benefits to each of the three surgeries (as background I had a lap-band, miserable with it, prolapsed, lead to emergency removal, and now have a gastric bypass. I'm also a family practice physician assistant. I'm not a bariatric expert, but I've been around this a bit).
On average, lap-band patients do not lose as much as the other 2 surgeries. That is why surgeons typically don't recommend lap-band above a certain weight. That said, I know people that have lost 200+ pounds with the lap-band. Average weight loss is just that, an average. For everyone that loses 10%, there's someone that loses 80% of their excess weight. It's impossible to predict where you'll fall in that spectrum. Some of it is how good your surgeon is, some of it is how dedicated you are to lifestyle change, some of it is sheer luck. As far as the band, I won't say don't do it. I will say research your butt off. Again, weight loss tends to not be as much as compared to the other 2 surgeries. I would like to add that, while the band is known for it's reversibility, that is not entirely an accurate statement. My personal story was that my band prolapsed, stomach herniated (and before i get jumped for being a bad band patient, I wasn't a bad band patient....sometime crap just happens). I had an emergency removal and was supposed to revise to gastric bypass, however, once the surgeon got in to remove the band I had so much swelling and inflammation that he was not able to do the revision. They removed my band, sewed me up, sent me home to heal for 6 months, then I had my revision. I know of at least 2 individuals in my area that had band removal and had so much damage that they could not revise to another surgery....while the band is removable, I don't really feel the term reversible is 100% accurate.
Another point I'd like to share is 'invasive' truth be told, you're having major surgery. All 3 surgeries are invasive. The sleeve does not have the malabsorption issues or dumping associated with the RNY. However, they are essentially cutting off a large section of your stomach. The RNY does have malabsorption and possibly dumping (most people don't dump, I happen to be in the minority that dump easily, it's really not a huge deal if I watch what I eat). Yes they are making a small pouch in your stomach and bypassing and small portion of your intestine, you are getting some replumbing done with the RNY. That said, RNY is reversible (again, subject to scar tissue and such associated with previous surgeries) IF you need reversal. The vast majority of us will never consider reversal because we need this surgery to maintain a healthy weight.....(reversibility was not a factor in my choosing RNY).
I know people that have been hugely successful with all 3 surgeries. I know people that have lost almost nothing with all 3 surgeries. I know people that have had bad complications, hospitalizations, ICU admissions with all 3 surgeries. None of them are magic. None of them work without a commitment from the patient. It is not something to step into lightly.....
My advice, research, research, research. Find a surgeon that you trust and listen to what they say and what they suggest. Ultimately you have to make a decision that you are comfortable with and that you can commit to. But know that every day you spend morbidly obese is taking a toll on your body and your health. Most of us just cannot lose an maintain a healthy weight without surgery. Most of us have lost and gained a thousand times. There are some that regret the surgery but the vast majority of us wish we'd done it sooner. The RNY is right for me, I wish i'd done it in the first place. But I'm not you.
I wish you the best of luck with the decision and applaud your choice to start considering surgery. If you ever have questions I'm happy to try to help. Best of luck with this decision and congrats on trying I take control of your health. It's a tough choice but at least you're considering it. That's a step in the right direction.

You'll get there! Have patience and follow your program as closely as possible. And I know what you mean about losing before the surgery. In '09 I lost 80 pounds on Optifast but gained it all back within two years. In '04 I lost 75 pounds on Atkins and gained it all back within two years. In '95 I lost 50 pounds on WW and yup! Gained it all back within two years, plus some more! I'm GOOD at losing but I've never been good at keeping it off. The success rate for RNY gives me hope (along with education and working to make lasting lifestyle changes). Here's to a healthy future and enjoying life! :-)

There are so many variables (age, amount to lose, gender, is this a revision or first surgery, etc.) as to whether one is a slow loser or not. Is it temporary stall, will our loss speed up and are we weighing ourselves too often are all questions I ask myself. I'm 7 weeks post op, have lost 20 pounds post op (52 total so far). I thought I was a slow user until this past week when 1/4 of my post op loss happened. I've never lost so much weight in a week before. Trying to take the long view and trust that if I follow the guidelines, I'll lose. Plus these 52 lbs are now gone forever! Reason to Celebrate for sure!
Molly

I am losing at a rate slower than I often would when dieting before RNY. But you're right...consistent weight loss, whatever the rate is the most important thing and thats why I chose WLS to help me. I could lose 50-60 lbs in the past, but it always came back with interest. I guess at the start ( week one) I assumed I should be losing 5-15 lbs per week like some of the others on here. I was also a little anxious that I'd taken such a drastic "last resort" measure and that it may not work. Ive failed miserably at getting anywhere near a healthy weight since I was 12 (im now 34). I need this to work.
Of course ive quickly realized that playing comparisons is futile and the most important part is focusing on my plan and my own individual journey. Im much more relaxed about my progress now. And yep. ..im hoping the slower loss helps maintain skin tone that's for sure!
Thanks for posting. It's great to hear from someone who was also impatient at the start who lost consistently and is now rocking size 12...soon to be 10! I can't wait for the day I can say the same thing. I can't imagine it! I haven't been that size since I was a child.

I've been stalled for over three weeks now, I think. When I went in to see my surgeon on 11/5/13 he had me, or wants me, to continue only with Protein and Fluid until March. I'm not losing as fast as actually didn't have that much to lose per him. So he states it will be slower, but I can do it. I have to believe him because this is what I want most to get down to goal. I will admit if I would exercise more I probably wouldn't be in a stall. The best thing though I did lose 25 more pounds since surgery on 9/11/13. Plus I'm loving the new me.

so, I'll make stretch here and you are averaging losing a pound a day...that pretty freaking phenomenal. Your body is adapting to some huge changes...relax and give it time. (PS I've lost 60 in 9 months....enjoy your success)

I tried to be patient and not panic. Unfortunately I'm finding myself wallowing. I've lost a total of 5 lbs since my surgery which was 10/21. Even the people who refer to themselves as slow losers lost more than this. Im seeing my nut and surgeon in 4 days. Im following everything as prescribed by nut and surgeon. I'm logging my food. Cals are 700-900 per day. Protein at 65-80 gms daily. I'm exercising daily for 45-90 mins.
Ive read other blogs online where RNY didn't work for people and they never really lost weight or it took them 2 years to lose 40 lbs when they needed to lose 120.
Someone please share if they also started excruciatingly slow but then the weight loss ramped up later on. I need hope!!
Panicked venting over. Thanks

Hi all....Saw my nut yesterday and surgeon today. Essentially they said the same thing..." you WILL lose". I gave them all the numbers of how little ive lost; the stalls, how I've been doing everything right. They both gave me this "knowing look" as thou they had heard my concerns a thousand times before. Neither of them were concerned, in fact both were quite happy and they both said it'll happen and to be patient. I was told to stop weighing everyday as the psychological game we play with ourselves when we don't see a number we would like or expect can really play havoc.
My surgeon answered all my questions and made me feel at ease. He said I'll be seeing big changes over next 3 months and to trust the physiological and hormonal processes our RNY bodies undergo to shed the weight. So I have given away my scales and will weigh once a fortnight only. He said out if all his patients there was nobody who didn't lose as he expected. He said some patients certainly lost more than expected but his slower losers were mainly severe diabetics battling debilitating arthritis, and they still lost significant weight.
I feel relieved. I was convinced I would be the person surgery didn't work for at all. Time to take a chill pill and concentrate on my plan. .so that's what im gonna do.
Im now allowed crackers and toast! As well as salad and nuts. Got to have ny Protein first of course, but my food plan is nuch more varied now. It's great.
Rachel

Hi guys. There are a few threads on here where people are talking about how slowly they think they're losing, compared to others. Of course, we're all different, we all start at different weights and we all do some things differently (calorie intake, exercise etc).
And I don't mean to start this thread so we can compare ourselves to others, that's not the point. But rather, this could be a thread where we can keep encouraging each other and people who are worried they're not losing as fast can see and be reassured they're not alone :-)
I think it's so interesting that our nuts/docs aren't worried and tell us how they've heard it all before and it will happen etc. It's reassuring but also kind of weird - what do they know that we don't? Lol.
I know that if I continue to lose at 1 lb a week, I'll be where I want to be this time next year. I can handle that, especially as I don't feel deprived and I don't feel like I'm dieting.
If you are losing slowly, please know that you're not the only one and please post your feelings :-) Lx

I stalled for 12 days starting in week 2, and then stalled again for a week at 6 weeks out. Im 10 weeks post op and as of this morning Im down 45lbs! Keep the faith no matter how hard. It WILL come off. We are all so beaten up emotionally about the scale moving down due to our issues with weight it's hard to have faith in losing when we have all gained so much before. Just keep looking up success stories and think positive!

I'm now 4months post op & only lost 57 lbs so far & still get stalls so be patient. .

Ok, I've started it. It's in the Post-Op Forum and called The Slow Losers Thread :-)
Please add what you can. Lx

Im losing one pound per week. You are doing well, but I totally understand the angst! Some of us have to be very patient but hopefully this will pay off in less loose skin. :-)

Ita really awesome to meet other slower losers. It can get so depressing seeing/reading about others huge losses and wonder why your body isn't doing the same. I've now learnt that comparing myself to others stops me from focusing on my own journey. We'll get there...albeit a little slower than others. Maybe our concerns are unfounded and our weightloss may amp up further down the track.

I am so happy to hear I'm not the only one that is a slow loser!! I am 3 weeks PO and have only lost 5 pounds too!! It is so frustrating!! Everyone keeps telling me to be patient but I can't help it I want it off!!!!! Lol!!

I love a short skirt my thighs have always been Huge also I would never put on a long skirt lol but they are much smaller not to saggy but my arm and stomach that another thing I don't care I'm 35 oh well I know I will never have a flat stomach never really cared a smaller flabby one I'll take lol

I'm so glad this has happened to someone else. What do they know that we don't, lol. My team are so unconcerned about the fact I'm losing weight so slowly, it feels reassuring but weird. How do they know I won't be the only person in the world who doesn't lose weight after bypass lol

Im anxious to hear what your doctor tells you.....
I understand all of the information about your body being in shock, transition....but I bet this is terribly frustrating for you- regardless of the reason.
Keep your chin up my friend!!!
...Chelle

I started very slowly. I even gained weight between weeks two and three! At my 6 week checkup today today I asked about it. The PA said that it's Fluid retention and fairly common. Over the last week, my weight loss has picked up a bit. Hang in there and measure yourself. You've probably lost inches.
Molly

The joys of the journey! I was a slow loser when other folks were posting about losing so much in a weeks time I would want to cry. I had stalls. I was only seeing 8lb a month loss at times but idk it's like the last 2 months it's started back in over drive and I'm losing faster and more. I actually lost 4lb in a 2 day time frame last week! Goal is in sight! Trust in the process and it will happen. It's so frustrating and sometimes it's hard a bit when it feels you aren't going as fast as some of the others. I am 7 months almost now and I remember just wanting time to fly by so it would mean more loss. Now I'm so proud of how well things worked out...even when I almost couldn't believe it would. I don't want y'all to feel bad or that you are doing something wrong, or that it isn't possible because it totally is! We just all have our different bodies that react in different ways. I can't wait to watch your journeys more along the way and hear the excitement when you get there!!! Good luck!

Also feeling a lot more energetic and I took my measurements and ive lost a good amount of inches - I cant wait till my huge size 11W feet start to shrink. Oh to be a mere size 10 regular shoes!

Hi all....Saw my nut yesterday and surgeon today. Essentially they said the same thing..." you WILL lose". I gave them all the numbers of how little ive lost; the stalls, how I've been doing everything right. They both gave me this "knowing look" as thou they had heard my concerns a thousand times before. Neither of them were concerned, in fact both were quite happy and they both said it'll happen and to be patient. I was told to stop weighing everyday as the psychological game we play with ourselves when we don't see a number we would like or expect can really play havoc.
My surgeon answered all my questions and made me feel at ease. He said I'll be seeing big changes over next 3 months and to trust the physiological and hormonal processes our RNY bodies undergo to shed the weight. So I have given away my scales and will weigh once a fortnight only. He said out if all his patients there was nobody who didn't lose as he expected. He said some patients certainly lost more than expected but his slower losers were mainly severe diabetics battling debilitating arthritis, and they still lost significant weight.
I feel relieved. I was convinced I would be the person surgery didn't work for at all. Time to take a chill pill and concentrate on my plan. .so that's what im gonna do.
Im now allowed crackers and toast! As well as salad and nuts. Got to have ny Protein first of course, but my food plan is nuch more varied now. It's great.
Rachel

On the iPad app, I discovered that if I go to the second to last page, then to the last page I can see the most current posts.