I just had my 3 month follow-up visit. My nutritionist told me something unsettling. She said that differnt groups of sleeve patients lose weight differently. She said that youger folks lose better than older, that men lose more quickly than women, and that post-menopausal women (even those following the recommendations) have the most trouble of all. As I am 1. female, 2. middle aged, and 3. post-menopausal I have three strikes against my success. I realize that there are exceptions to every "rule"/guideline but, jeez, this really bummed me out.

I guess my final point is, if you are a member of my group (1., 2., and 3. above) don't squander your honeymoon period. It sounds like, for us, things will be harder from the get go and wont get any easier later. Waaaa. Perhaps this helps explain my 42 pound weight loss over my first three months. I am happy to have lost but (often) discuraged by the greater losses reported by others at similar days past surgery. I'd love to hear how "my group members" have done.

Anyone have any thoughts, especially any veterans who had surgery while "in my group"?

I think surgery or not, those groups have a harder time losing. Slow and steady wins the race on this one! I'm 44 so pretty much in the same boat, but hey, why don't we try and be the exception! You can't compare yourself to other's losses, it is too frustrating and not a good indicator. Unless you have every detail of that person's medical, eating, exercise and weight history, we don't really know the factors that go into it.

When have you ever lost almost 15 pounds a month ? You are doing great, continue on your path and do your best.

I am 10 1/2 months out and averaging about 10lbs a month post op. My nut told me I might lose a little slower since I lost almost 60lbs pre op.. I wouldn't change a thing it's a marathon not a sprint and I'll ride the wave as long as it will have me!

Good luck!!

I'm surprised that you see a 45 pound loss in three months as a slow loss! Seriously, would you have lost that weight without the sleeve? You have nothing to complain about. Keep up the good work!

Yeah, 45 pounds in 3 months is amazing!

well, you could be talking about me, Female, post-menopausal, and heading past middle age. I have lost 51 lbs in 5 months but so what, I'm happy that I could lose it, I don't care how fast it comes off as long as it does.I'm in smaller size clothing and I feel great except for the GERD, but if that's what it takes to lose so be it. Plus I'm happy and I don't feel deprived, I can eat just about anything, of course I restrict my carbs but I did that before surgery too, so no biggie.They say slow and steady wins the race and if it takes me 2-3 years to lose what I need to that's OK. I read a lot of the veteran's posts and lots of them have taken a lot longer than 6 months to get to goal. Relax, you'll do fine as long as you stick to the program.

I would totally be happy with 45lbs in 3 mos!!

yup this is me as well but I will not be discouraged. I have still lost more than I ever had and have kept it off. approx 90 since my surgery a year ago. I know I need to watch more closely what I eat and move more.. I like a challenge. You are doing great and will have some plateaus but it is still up to you. We knew even with the surgery it would still be work. no magic bullet..

Edited October 23, 201312 yr by sueBhoney

Hey, I'm in the "three strikes" group, too! Just had this discussion with my therapist and endocrinology APRN. Most of the nutritional research is on young men, and the guidelines are handed to us even though our bodies are different...

Despite your three strikes, you have done phenomenally well. If you compare yourself to others based on a single number, you are looking for reasons to consider yourself a failure...please don't get caught in that trap!

One of my favorite menopause experts, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, advocates weight training for us 'three strikers". Not Arnold Shwarzenegger weights, but something you can learn from a trainer and do at home. She says "I pick it up, I put it down. I pick it up, I put it down. I pick it up...." And she looks better and better!

BTW, I think I have a fourth strike...I am a band to sleever...

Wow, you just described me I lose around 2 lbs. a week. Kills me to see these folks who double my weight loss rate, but at least I'm heading in the right direction!

Thank you all, for your replies. It is nice to hear that

1. I am not the only "three stiker"

2. that other "three strikers" have had great success, and

3. that I am losing weight at a rate similar to my fellow "three strikers".

If they have been successful at losing weight for the duration and have gotten to goal (even if goal was orignially ~140 pounds away!) I will keep my chin(s) up and stay strong.

Thanks, y'all. This truely is a support group and not just an information site. I had not fully appreciated the support until now. I am grateful and inspired.

I'm surprised that you see a 45 pound loss in three months as a slow loss! Seriously' date=' would you have lost that weight without the sleeve? You have nothing to complain about. Keep up the good work![/quote']totally agree. I'm down 12 lbs pre op in 6 weeks... Your doing great!

Keep up the good work, scootergirl!

I am female and 47 and not yet menopausal but I am hypothyroid. I have lost 35 lbs in 3 months counting pre-op. Months 2 and 3, I lost 6 lbs a month so not even averaging 2 lbs a week, and I am following all the rules and exercising lightly. I've already had 3 stalls of 12+ days each. My clothes are not even down to much smaller sizes, just a size or so down.

But I knew it would be difficult. Does it still frustrate me? Yes it does. I have to not read posts where people are saying how much they lost or I get disheartened. I know some people had more to lose than the 80 lbs I'm trying to lose. I understand why stalls happen. But I still get frustrated from time to time. I worry that I'm half way through my 6 month honeymoon but not half way through my weight loss.

Am I happy for fast losers? Yes I am. Do I want to b/tch slap them sometimes? Why yes! Yes I do

But the good news is that I can't quit. The sleeve is irreversible and it doesn't matter how I feel on any given day, I have no choice but to move forward and keep on keeping on. I suppose i could give up and cheat and eat around the sleeve but I have no desire to do that.

So fast or slow, this is the journey we're on. All we can do is control our behaviors, not the outcomes. I control what I put in my mouth. I don't control my weight loss. The days I can accept that and judge myself by my behaviors, I tend to be much happier

Besides, I've won with more than 3 strikes against me many a time as I am sure you have too.

I am female and 47 and not yet menopausal but I am hypothyroid. I have lost 35 lbs in 3 months counting pre-op. Months 2 and 3' date=' I lost 6 lbs a month so not even averaging 2 lbs a week, and I am following all the rules and exercising lightly. I've already had 3 stalls of 12+ days each. My clothes are not even down to much smaller sizes, just a size or so down. But I knew it would be difficult. Does it still frustrate me? Yes it does. I have to not read posts where people are saying how much they lost or I get disheartened. I know some people had more to lose than the 80 lbs I'm trying to lose. I understand why stalls happen. But I still get frustrated from time to time. I worry that I'm half way through my 6 month honeymoon but not half way through my weight loss. Am I happy for fast losers? Yes I am. Do I want to b/tch slap them sometimes? Why yes! Yes I do <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> But the good news is that I can't quit. The sleeve is irreversible and it doesn't matter how I feel on any given day, I have no choice but to move forward and keep on keeping on. I suppose i could give up and cheat and eat around the sleeve but I have no desire to do that. So fast or slow, this is the journey we're on. All we can do is control our behaviors, not the outcomes. I control what I put in my mouth. I don't control my weight loss. The days I can accept that and judge myself by my behaviors, I tend to be much happier <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Besides, I've won with more than 3 strikes against me many a time as I am sure you have too. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

You should be so proud of your attitude!!! YOU ROCK!!! Seriously..I need someone like you around me 24/7 so when I'm down you can smack me and say shut up...get a grip and move on!! I'm pre-op and I'm a lil scared I will not quite have that same awesome spirit you do. Thanks. You can do this and so will I!!

^^ I totally agree with what they said!!

I agree with JerseyGirl, slow and steady. I just turned 60 and am 5 weeks post op. I lost 20 pounds pre surgery and I have lost 24 pounds since surgery. I also have hypo thyroid, had a total hysterectomy 5 yrs. ago. With 44 pounds gone I am now off 2 of my 3 blood pressure medications! I knew it would come off slower than my younger sleevers but at least it is coming off which is something I could not do by myself. Hang in there