Hi guys,

I talked to my surgeon's nurse today and she mentioned that in the weeks right after the bypass patients are losing 7-10 pounds per week. Is that what you all have experienced? Was that actual fat lost or some Water weight too? I guess I'm surprised. I didn't think there would be so much weight loss immediately after surgery. I thought that would come when I feel well enough to get back into the full swing of exercising again (she says I'll feel like I have the flu for about six weeks, so I figure I won't be up to my normal level of activity until then).

Btw, sorry if this is posted in the wrong place! Wasn't sure if this should fall under pre- or post-op discussion category.

Thanks!

The quick weight loss actually started for me during the two week liquid diet before surgery. Then after surgery, during the all-liquid phase, the weight loss was also quick. That's where I am now.

Losing 7-10 pounds a week seems about right, mostlly because your calorie conumption is lower than you're used to.

I was also very cranky, and very hungry during the liquid phases. Very bored with what I was eating, because there was no variety. But, the weight needs to come off, so the work and inconvenience needs to be endured. It's like a rite of passage. There's a tradeoff.

But, the weight does come off. And health should improve as a result. Good luck!

I had the sleeve. I lost 25 lbs. right away. Like in 2 weeks. Then I got stuck for a week, I just lost 2 more lbs.

The weight loss will vary by individual and the type of surgery. Generally an individual will gain a few pounds in the hospital because they pump your body with fluids. So you first have to lose that weight. Also in the beginning your body is in heal mode.

I had a RNY. Once I started to lose weight, it came off quickly. Sometimes at a rate of 2 pounds per day.

I've was expecting losses of 7-10 pounds a week for the first month post op.... My nurse practitioner promised the pounds would "melt away" in the early weeks.

Not so for me!! My two big losses in the first post op month was 8# & 6#. 2-3#'s a week has been what my body has been sticking to ever since. I'll say I was bitter that the melting promise didn't happen... But it's been consistent losses and no stalls (knock on wood)!

I think it depends on so many factors (age, gender, how much weight you have to lose, whether or not you lost weight before the surgery, etc) that it's hard to say what's normal. I lost about 40 lbs during the year leading up to the surgery and then another 15 lbs during the two-week pre-surgery diet. The first month post-surgery I lost 16 lbs and then it's been about 2-3 lbs a week since then. But then a lot of the weight people lose at the beginning of any diet is Water, so I would have lost a lot of that before I actually had the surgery. Plus, I'm also a post-menopausal female - a group that's known to have a tougher time losing weight - so that may be playing into it, too.

it seems like a lot of people lose around 20-25 lbs the first month, and then it drops into the teens for awhile. So the numbers she gave you may be a bit optimistic - although I'm sure you can find people who *do* lose that much (and she would certainly know better than i would - I just read boards - she actually works with patients, so...)

This is the same reply I just posted in a similar post...

Hi there! I had my surgery 5/1/15. I lost 30 lbs prior to surgery and the first month I lost 37 lbs. I was elated!! I then hit a plateau once I was allowed to start exercising again after my 1 month follow up. I had to keep telling myself that I am losing inches and not pounds and I definately saw the change in my clothes. I went on Monday, 7/27/15 for my 3 month check up and dropped 13 lbs since 6/1/15. Sure I would have loved to have seen more but I am down 1-2 sizes since then. Try to remember that it's not always the # on the scale. You will be building muscle as well and that adds more weight.

Sounds about right, although everyone is different, I just had surgery 6 days ago (7/27/15) and have lost 15 lbs so far.

I had surgery 6/30. RNY. Lost 24 lbs in the first week (including the 2 days liquid pre op).

And..... nothing since. I've been in a 3 week stall. Everyone says its normal. I saw my dr a couple of days ago for my one month follow up.

She said once I start taking in more calories it'll start dropping. I've gone into starvation mode and my body is waiting for more nutrition.

Ok. I'll be patient...

This did not happen to me at all. In fact, I weighed more than when I went into surgery for a t least a week before I started losing. Mine has been mostly pretty steady though. Had one stall lasting about 5 days but that's it. Otherwise 2 to 3 pounds a week (I think I may have had 8 pounds one week and then hit the stall). I am 8 1/2 weeks out and down 27 pounds since surgery (12 more pounds the week before in pre-op liquid diet). I will say that seeing some of these massive losses and then complaining it's not enough really frustrates me and I can't help but compare myself to others. However, the further out I get, the less I worry about it. I know I am working the program and the weight will come off if I stick to the program. After all, when is the last time I lost 27 pounds in 2 months? Umm pretty much never. My best advice to you is to not get hung up on what everyone's weight loss in pounds is. (Saying this to myself as much as to you.).

I'm really glad to hear I'm not the only slow loser. I'm following the plan to a "T", so that's not it. I think some people just lose slower than others for whatever reason. One good thing about it: at 2-3 lbs a week, people might actually believe I'm doing it just through diet and exercise (I haven't told many people outside of my family that I had surgery - and I wasn't sure if I'd need to tell people down the road or not. Maybe not!!). As long as the weight eventually comes off, I'm happy.

Had my sleeve surgery 29 July, down 6 Kilos (13 pounds?) in 6 days. No pre- op diet. So far am happy with results.

Edited August 3, 201511 yr by Hassan_AZ

I had RNY on 7/15. I lost 35 lbs during the 6 week liquid diet(veterans insurance/hospital requires 6wks). I weighed myself earlier in the week and I'm down 17 lbs since surgery. I feel like I'm at a stall in the last week too but my doc and fellow patient said its normal...they said 3-6 lbs a week.

I was looking about 5.5 to 7 lbs a week. I've lost 71 lbs so far. That includes the 20 I lost the month before surgery. For now (9 weeks post) I've slowed down a bit.

So here's the breakdown I have from my NUT and how to calculate it:

Obtain your Surgery weight & "Ideal body weight"

Subtract the two for your Excess weight.

Use this equation to determine the % of excess body weight you are loosing:

[(pounds lost)/(excess body weight)]x100

Expected weight loss:

2 weeks ~5-10%

6 weeks ~10-15%

3 months ~20-30%

6 months ~45-55%

12 months ~60-70%

18 months ~75-85%

It's going to be what it's going to be.

The weight will come off where it comes off.....no such thing as targeting specific areas where it comes of first.

A lot of initial weight will be "Water weight".....sure. The only way I know of to reduce the percentage of post-op "water" weight loss vs fat loss is to lose that "water weight" before you have the surgery. Some of us have 6+ months of pre-op time to do so.

It's discouraging to see how few seem to lose weight during the months leading up to the surgery. I'm not referring to the liquid diet immediately before surgery.....but the months that lead up to that......the months that we are working with our nutritionists.

Some have tremendous restrictions and physical limitations and can only work on their calories consumed. They need the relief in order to really get themselves kick started and in motion. I get that and feel badly for them.

Others, though....have full capacity for exercise and just do nothing. It seems to me that if they can't get results leading up to their surgery then they'll likely have limited long term success. They seem lazy and awaiting a miracle.

Sorry, I'll quit griping. It just gets difficult reading through some of the posts of people who whine and complain that they didn't lose 700 lbs in 12 months and want to dwell on the hardships and complications of WLS.....yet expend so little effort towards doing something to ensure their WLS success other than show up for the surgery.

This is just a general rant and directed towards no specific members.....just the comments I see that seem to support laziness and whining. I know that I've been guilty of both this past year. It is very inspiring to see folks who hump it hard and work on both sides of the equation......burning calories in the gym as well as low calorie intake. No excuses....they just do it.