1 month out today and i'm only down 22 pounds. i lost more weight doing the beer and cigarettes diet after my divorce 15 years ago. what the hell?? i am suspecting that i am getting my period since i skipped it last month after surgery....but for as little as i am eating (probably 500 calories)....i can't believe the scale is not going faster. any words of encouragement out there??

I agree with @@VSGAnn2014 about "targets".

I learned quickly that my weight is going to come off at it's own rate and that is not necessarily the rate at which my brain thinks it should.

I also gave up on setting monthly goals for weight loss - losing 7 pounds instead of 10 in a month isn't a failure, you failed to meet a goal and that's dangerous for weight loss surgery patients. I went in to this wanting to lose 106 pounds and I wanted to do it in 18 months. I don't know if I will get there, but that goal isn't as important to me as it was a year ago.

I refuse to set myself up for failure any more - I have given myself so many deadlines in my life..."Lose 10 pounds before we go on vacation" "Lose 20 pounds by summer" "I need to fit into this dress before the party" Each time I failed and each time I felt bad...and that lead to each time gaining more weight.

We all need to set ourselves up for SUCCESS. Make your plan, execute your plan. That means planning your meals, shakes, Water intake, and exercise and following your doctor's orders for Protein, water and portion size.

Your story sounds familiar, wait it sounds like mine. I agree with mcbutterpants(love the name) and vsgann2014. You are successful even if you didn't meet that goal. It's down hill from here.

22 lbs. Is AWESOME!! Be positive........you lost 22......not gained it!!