Am I losing quickly enough?

[alishams86 12]

I had surgery 12/7 and since then I have lost 36 pounds. I feel like I should have lost more by now. I also feel like I've been stuck at this current weight for ever! I've made an appointment with my NUT and have started keeping a food diary again but I just feel like I am doing something wrong. I could defiantly do more on the exercise front and with it starting to warm up more I'm adding more activity to my life I just feel like I'm missing something. What is the normal weight loss for 14 weeks post op?

[Cervidae 2,389]

Unfortunately, there is no "normal" rate at which everyone loses. It's dependent on a whole long list of things, including age, starting weight, activity level, hormones, type of surgery, weight lost before surgery, recvoery from surgery, other, pre-existing health issues, the amount of Water you consume... the list goes on. The amount of variables makes an "average" a rapidly moving target, so don't stress out just yet.

All that being said, 36 pounds in three months is not really in any way bad. About 12 pounds a month, plus you have to take into account that you probably had Water weight to lose in the beginning. I'm still in the high 200s and I've lost 10-15 pounds each month for the last two months. I've also had multiple 2-5 week stalls in the past several months. Generally, people don't stall or slow down this much this soon after surgery and at this high of a weight. It's incredibly frustrating, but in the end, I'm doing everything right, and there's no denying my health is getting better. Even though I've lost only 11 pounds since this time last month, my body shape is changing drastically. I can do more intense cardio for longer, I need less sleep, I generally just feel much better. So weight isn't really the only way of measuring things.

Are you getting at least 64 ounces of water a day? 60+ grams of Protein? What's your caloric intake look like? Have you been eating things with a lot of carbs? Are you getting at least a little exercise every few days? Lastly, are you sleeping enough (this one is SO important!)? If you're doing all of these things the way you've been instructed by doctors/nut etc, then you're headed in the right direction and in 6 months you'll be pretty amazed that you worried about these things in the beginning.

You're doing well! Focus on your health and well-being, and the weight loss will follow. Hang in there.

[otillie03103 123]

It seems you are averaging a little more then 10 lbs a month which is how I have been losing since my surgery too. I don't think you are losing too slowly at all. I was told at my 3 month appointment that I was where most 6 month post op patients were in terms of excess body weight percentage lost. There are many people in my support group that also are losing slowly. Stalls are normal and I have had a few, but I notice inches lost during this time more so then when the scale is actually moving. How many calories are you eating on average daily? What type of physical activity are you doing? Are you getting in all of your Protein and fluids? I also sometimes have to switch up my workouts and add more weights and reduce the intensity of my cardio for a while. Recently I picked up kettlebell workouts and what a total body workout it is! I actually really enjoy them.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

There is no normal.

It sounds like you are doing great as far as I can tell.

Are you following your program?

Are you getting in all of your Protein in every day?

Are you getting at least 64 oz of Fluid every day?

Your NUT is a great resource for talking about your goals and the best way to reach those goals,

Embrace the Stall!

http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

[deedleblay 29]

Average weight loss can be so varied. I had my surgery shortly after you-Dec. 16th. What has worked for me is just trying different things to see what works for my body. I have been trying to stay under 1200 calories on days I work out and 1000 on days I don't. This is just so different for each person. You could try getting more Water, adding some green tea or green coffee bean, eating Breakfast or not, low carbing or upping your Protein and definitely getting some sort of exercise. I found out I love doing Zumba at home, which I would never have done before surgery. I tell myself as long as I am losing, even 1/2 pound at a time, I am still making progress. I have lost a total of 48 pounds since the presurgey diet and 36 pounds has been since surgery. So our numbers are similar. Keep going, you can do this!

[samcl1 52]

I had my surgery on 12/15/15. I am down 36 pounds since surgery and 47 from the start. I'm thinking that's about where we should be.

[jj7481 363]

It sounds like you're on the right track. As long as you are getting your 60+ grams of Protein and 64-72oz of Water per day...you're doing exactly as you should. One thing to note is making sure each meal has less than 20g of carbs with emphasis sugars being no more than 4g. I'm in stage 4 and this is what my nutritionist has set forth as far as my diet.

Also, are you portioning out each meal? Making sure that you are getting 3-4 meals of no more than 6-8oz servings?