Slower than I expected

[TheNewKris 8]

Hi everyone! I am relatively new to this site, but I have gained so much knowledge from you wonderful people. I was hoping I could get some opinions about a couple things. I had my RNY on 11/9 with a starting weight of 289. As of this morning I was 283.8. I see so many posts on here about these massive drops in weight, and mine is going super slow. Also, I have absolutely no problem getting in fluids. They don't make me feel full, and it doesn't take that long to drink it. As far as food, I eat about 500-600 calories a day (puree stage) and I know I'm done when I just don't want anymore.

I guess I am just nervous because I read so many people saying how they can barely eat/drink, and I haven't had that problem at all. But I am worried about my slow loss. I'm not cheating and I'm getting in my Protein and fluids, so I'm really not sure what is going on. Has anybody else experienced anything similar in the early days?

[Cervidae 2,389]

6 pounds in ten day is still a fast loss. Factor in the extra pounds from the fluids you got at the hospital, and you've probably lost at least a pound a day. That's in no way slow. It just feels slow because some people lose even more than that.

I lost very slow in the beginning, or so it felt. My room mate the day of surgery had the same procedure at the same time, and she began at a good 100 pounds less than me, and she has lost almost 20 pounds more than I have. However, this is the kind of thing you have to look at objectively. It feels like I'm a weight loss snail, but if I look at it objectively... 60 pounds lost in three months is a LOT. It would be alarming if I lost over half of 100 pounds in three months in any other situation. With wls it is still wildly successful.

Just be patient, and remember why you're doing this. If your main goal was to melt off the weight as quickly as possible without regard to your health and emotional well-being, then you're not doing too well. If your goal was to better your body and begin down a long road that leads to happiness and health, you're doing really well! You've already gotten past the really difficult/painful/dangerous part. Now you just get to learn and grow (or rather, shrink) and watch how much better things will become for you as you regain control of your body.

As far as eating/drinking quickly, I did too in the beginning, as well as many others. The nerves in your stomach are still healing, so it's not uncommon for some people to feel much less full than others. You're sticking to the plan and not cheating, and that's what matters. You'll find very soon that these anxieties and frustrations about losing slower than some people won't matter at all to you. What will matter is the huge, wonderful changes that come about from all of your hard work.

[queencity 62]

I had surgery on Nov 9th and i am still on full liquids. Dont get me wrong, i wish i was on pureed foods. You will lose on your own pace as long as you are following the surgeons advice.

[L.Harmony 64]

I had my surgery on Oct 28 and I'm also losing slowly. It's upsetting to me when I completely changed my life and it still feels like a major battle. I've been told to be patient with my body, my body is still healing and not to worry and give my body time to adjust to the change. I bet you have already heard this, but know that your not alone in the frustration.

[winklie 518]

There are so many factors that go into weight loss it is nearly impossible to predict how much any given person will lose in a given time-frame. Carbs, Exercise, Kinda of food being eaten, the quality of the Protein shake you are drinking, your metabolism, initial weight all of these are factors.

I started fast and slowed right down and got quite miffed about it. However I am losing weight, and there are two things I was told. First, the massive quick weight loss begins around the 8 week mark, when you go back on an unrestricted diet. You can drop the Protein Shake and get your Protein from natural sources, along with adding in veggies etc.

The second factor is losing slower is in a way better. The slower you lose, the better the chances that your skin will tighten up and you will not wind up needing plastic surgery later, or if you do it will not be as significant.

So long as the scale goes down each week, and you are following the program, you will do fine. Millions of people have have this surgery over the last 20 years, the Surgeons know what they are talking about (most of the time) and follow the instructions of your NUT no matter how odd they may seem. She/he/it specializes in WLS, you are not the first person to walk through the door, nor will you be the last.

I wish you well.

[Djmohr 6,965]

I would simply say your ally are right on track. The first 8 weeks your focus needs to be on healing and less about weight loss. The weight will come off when it is ready, I promise.

Keep doing what you are doing 64 oz. of liquids, 1 gram of Protein for every inch you are tall and limit carbs/sugar.

You are actually doing great!

[quiltermom65 38]

I lost 13 lbs in a month. That's slow to me but others say people lose at their own time frame. I guess I just need to exercise more and take it one day at a time.

[winklie 518]

@@quiltermom65

Exercise is key. The more the better. The more the better you feel. The better you feel the more you will want to exercise, it's a loop.

[60&goin4it 931]

@@TheNewKris I was feeling the same way you are! I had my RNY Oct. 8th. At my 2 week appt. I had only lost 5 lbs. I was so depressed because of all the other great weight loss. I decided then not to weigh until my 6 week check up which I just had on Nov. 19th. I had lost 18 lbs since surgery day. Thats 3 lbs a week. Better than I could have ever done on my own without starving. I too was wondering about the fluids & food, I am just like you. I even wondered if they didn't make things small enough. I only eat the amount they suggest & they just increased my food intake from 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup. I can tell you I'm getting too full, I can tell by the tightness & bloat feeling I just stop. My Doctor is very happy with my weight loss, & said there is so many different factors that go in to the loss. Some people on here have sleeve v RNY, or have hernia repairs or have maybe more weight to loose or have more muscle mass. I just turned 60 & I'm sure my metabolism isn't like a younger person. Only weigh yourself 1x a week, & if the scale doesn't move & your doing what the Dr. said, eating & walking what he wants you to, it will eventually show on the scale, it will come off! Can't wait to hear your progress! We will get there!!

Edited November 22, 2015 by 60&goin4it

[tootie09 13]

Winklie, tell me more about the 8 week thing you are mentioning in terms of when the massive loss starts? Thanks! ????

[winklie 518]

@@tootie09

My NUT was telling me that stalls and starts tend to happen right around the time of a new diet phase, makes sense, new foods, body reacts in different ways, Week 8 is phase 5, unrestricted diet. One of the biggest goals is to get you off Protein shakes and have you get your Protein in food form. More hard to digest meats etc, also the inclusion of a lot of new fibrous vegetables that tend to not get digested as fully., So at week 8 remove that quick to digest Protein shake and start eating a lot of meats, veggies and fruits, less "soft carbs" and more "complex" food. This combination leads to a greater weight loss. That is what they have found anyway,

[TheNewKris 8]

I can't thank you all enough! I was really getting discouraged and feeling like I was doing something wrong. But I know this is a marathon not a sprint and I need to stay patient.

I also got my butt back in the gym. It felt good getting active but my endurance dropped a little since its been about 3 weeks since I've gone. I did this to get healthy, and exercise is a big part o that!

[winklie 518]

@@TheNewKris

I take a 6.4 mile walk every morning. I hate it at times, but keep my eye on the bigger prize. Just exercise, do something, anything and build from that.

[Smallfry06 51]

Hi

I had mine October 12 I was 203.5 and now I'm only 189.3 I can't seem to lose any weight I have been stuck at this weight for two weeks. And I have been drinking Water more and more. I'm frustrated just as much.

[winklie 518]

@@Smallfry06

You are right on time for the 'dreaded three week stall' try searching, there are a million posts about it. Stick to the program, and you will be fine. I know I hit the same stall at the same time. Now back to 3-4 pounds a week.