Just curious...is there an average weight loss for the first month after surgery?

I know it's supposed to be 1 to 2 pounds a week, but since this is such a change, I was wondering if there is a big difference up front.

Not really. Most people lose more weight for the first few weeks but those averages are so very different from one person to another based on genes and metabolism. Plus the way people are instructed to eat after surgery varies a great deal. And one more thing, heavier people will lose weight faster.

Edited August 27, 200817 yr by Jodi_620

usually its one to two pounds a week once you are tightened to your "sweet spot" meaning tightened the perfect amount for you to lose 1-2 lbs a week.. from what I understand it takes most people awhile and several fills to start seeing results like that. I think the 1st month after you may lose because of the crazy healing diet.. but you shouldnt expect to lose.. because your body is adjusting to the trama of surgery and having the band.. its fluctuating in water and trying to cope with the lower calories.. so at first your body maybe like what the heck and try to store your cals.. but after it will get used to it and with the fills you will start to lose..

I wish they educated people more on this before they get banded because it breaks my heart to see people weigh themselves everyday sometimes more than once a day and not see results immediately and then get discouraged.. its not going to happen over night.. its not a magic pill .. just a tool.. sometime it takes even a few months until you lose consistantly. I try not to weigh myself so much and just be active.. I actually dont know how much I lost but I am down a size and a half

you will do great!!

I'm sure it also depends on your starting weight/BMI. If you have 70-80 lbs to lose, I'm sure your loss would be slower than those who have 200 or more to lose. Metabolism and age also play a factor as well as how much you exercise and calorie count.

Good luck!

I had about 85 pounds to lose to put me at the top of the "normal" bmi range. I lost 20-25 pounds in the first month or so. However, I followed the doctors instructions for post-op to a T while still keeping Protein high, calories and fat low. My loss was not typical early on for a lower BMI loser.

It varies so much from person to person. My doctor warned me that I shouldn't really expect to lose much if at all during post-op before any fills. She told me that some people even gain at this point . . . but I think she was just gearing me up to prevent dissapointment if this was the case.

Everything that I have read indicates 1-2 pounds weekly is the overall average. But an average is only an average . . . meaning that there will be plenty of people that gain and plenty that lose to offset each other. I think you have some personal control regarding the level of success you have at this stage.

Everyone is different. You are still healing and learning during this time, so don't get discouraged if you are not losing much weight.

I was not in the normal in this phase as i lost 18 pounds in the first 2 weeks after surgery. But you have to keep in mind that i was over 300 pounds. I think my body was in shock that it was not getting any food. At least on the preop diet, we were allowed one healthy meal per day. And, yes, usually the heavier you are, the more you might lose at first. After those 2 weeks, my weight loss subsided for a few weeks, then picked back up.

Just remember that everyone is different and you WILL Lose!!!

Good luck!! :cursing:

I was also not an average loser. I lost 24 pounds during the first two weeks on the liquid diet and have lost a total of 51 pounds since I was banded nine weeks ago. I began at 273 with a BMI of 39. I can tell you what I think has been the biggest factor in my success. I DO NOT WEIGH MYSELF. I recognized that the scale is not my friend and that if the scale says something other than what I think it should it is terribly undermining. I only get weighed at the Drs. I also decided that I do not want this whole journey to be about weight. It is also about my health and overall well being. My motto has become--- It does not matter how much I weigh, or how much I have lost, or what size I wear. What matters is at the end of every day I can honestly say to myself that I took good care of myself today.

Hi Bino,

this is a very difficult road to travel on and you have to be very much aware that the band is only a tool, i have been banded for 1 year and have lost 21lbs and have just had my third fill, i try really hard to work with my band and at times i get really low when i can't keep my food down and realize i have eaten to quick, there is alot of education to be learn't alongside the band and still a year later i am learning i am not in a great rush to loose weight fast my aim is to eat healthily and keep well and keep the weight off having the band fitted is the best thing i have done

Good luck. JC.

Joyful me that was very well said. I'm a scale person i'm obssesed with the scale and watching that dial move. An article came out today from a site I belong to and it was " Are you obsessed with your Scale" it was amazing to see that 42% of people weigh themselves daily. For some the scale is not a friend and It was till i received support from fellow lapbanders that i realized this is a change for the rest of my NEW life.:cursing:

I've already decided to toss my scale once I start my pre-op diet. I am very much a scale person (I will weigh myself at 2 in the morning when I get up to pee because that is when I weigh the least :huh2: ) Talk about undermining your progress! I know if I have access to the scale, I will be weighing myself constantly and beating myself up for not losing as much or as quickly as others.

Joyful me that was very well said. I'm a scale person i'm obssesed with the scale and watching that dial move. An article came out today from a site I belong to and it was " Are you obsessed with your Scale" it was amazing to see that 42% of people weigh themselves daily. For some the scale is not a friend and It was till i received support from fellow lapbanders that i realized this is a change for the rest of my NEW life.:cursing: