I feel stuck

[maria elena delgado]

Hi, I had my surgery on November 10, 2010 my starting weight was 238 lbs as of today March 22, 2011 I weight 186 bs I thought I would loose weight faster, I have a friend that lost 96 lbs in 5 months, so that has me a bit worry, I don't eat much as a matter of fact with my busy life that might be the problem, I forget to eat, a rearly feel hungry, I know I should eat a few times a day but I dont have time or I forget...water is also an issue because I dont drink that much water I had a kidney infection..yuk I started working out, well I should say walking, I am walking 2 to 3 miles a day with hand weights. I feel great and have lots of energy, I do take my vitamins everyday and I added Biotin for my hair because I am loosing that... that sucks... Anyhow I feel a bit down cause I wish the weight would come down faster.
Any suggestions..
Thanks

[bjcarey2005]

If you don't fuel your body with food (espically protein) it will be hard to lose any weight at all. For you see, your body will instead "hoard the fat" because it will believe it is in "starvation" mode. This operation was just a tool to aid in weight loss, but if you don't follow the plan, it will be hard to hit your goals.

You should be eating at least every two hours, there are all kinds of healthy quick snacks that you can make time for. I keep a small bowl of dry cheerio cereal on my coffee table. I cut up watermelon, fruits and have them ready to go in the fridge. Grab a yogurt, a glass of milk, a piece of cheese - I have found the more protein i eat, or healthy snacks the faster the weight falls off. I think you should regroup, make a health plan and start anew!! I wish you well on your journey! Huggles

~Bren~

[peggy541]

Hi Mari! First I have to say that I'm only a week and a half out but you sound so worried that I wanted to jump in and say that if you read around on this site, you'll see yours is a common complaint and others have been equally frustrated (and sometimes have a much slower loss than you're having.) But you're down 52 pounds, if I did the math right, and I think that's amazing all by itself! Everyone loses differently but there's tons of great advice on here, including that you have to eat enough food which you already mentioned. Hang in there and keep up the exercise and I'm sure it'll start falling off again.

[Nana Renan]

The WISH that the weight would come off FASTER is universal!!! But its not reality.

Those people who lose TREMENDOUS amounts of weight rapidly, were probably taking in 3000 calories a day (or more!!) BEFORE starting their pre-op. If you were already watching what you ate somewhat (and weren't a lot of us perpetually on a diet of some sort...?) then your body isn't going to drop weight as quickly.

That's my problem. I'm six weeks out -- I've lost 11 lbs, and then gained bact TWO, for a whopping NINE lb loss!

Oh, well, just gotta be patient!!

[accordingtome]

give it time and don't forget your protein!

[mom2dms]

It's true...you clearly aren't eating or drinking enough. I too have the same problem. Keep in mind too, that your friend may have had more weight to lose than you did to begin with which will come off faster, initially. I haven't ever had the huge drops in a week that my friend who has had the surgery said she had...she averaged 10 lbs per week...I WISH!
I started out walking, but even as quickly as my short legs could make me walk, my heart rate wasn't getting up in the aerobic zone so I was basically "maintaining" weight rather than burning calories. Maybe go longer, walk faster or try to jog will help.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

[Teedeeme]

When I read your post, I had to check twice to see if I had written this in my sleep. LOL I too had my surgery on Nov. 10th, 2010. I have been at an almost plateau for a month and a half. I lost 20 in preparation for the surgery and have lost 67 since. I have about 40 some more to get off. I also do not get enough protein nor enough water. Too me, in my feeble mind I think if I eat those protein rich calories, then I will lose even slower. I eat very, very little and probably get maybe 32 ozs of water a day. At least you are exercising, I have been slack on my walking. One week I won't lose any, then the next week I will lose 2 lbs and then put one back on the next day. My surgeon says stay off the scales but I feel compelled to get on them everyday. I am, as of tomorrow, going to have a protein shake at breakfast and one at lunch. That will be a total of 29 grams of protein each time. Then dinner will be very light. I'm going to find out if this is why I have been stuck at this weight for so long. It seemed I was losing at a rapid rate and then one day my body just decided to stop. So I am right there with you as far as the frustration goes....

[tniagirl]

Check with your doctor or nutritionist and find out what your calorie intake should be. I was told to get used to carrying water around with me all the time. ( are you drinking protein water? kills 2 birds with one stone ) go to support meetings if you can find one, or keep reading here. Everyone has great advise on what works for them. It takes a lot of planning to eat right. good luck

[shan]

Hi, I had my surgery on November 10, 2010 my starting weight was 238 lbs as of today March 22, 2011 I weight 186 bs I thought I would loose weight faster, I have a friend that lost 96 lbs in 5 months, so that has me a bit worry, I don't eat much as a matter of fact with my busy life that might be the problem, I forget to eat, a rearly feel hungry, I know I should eat a few times a day but I dont have time or I forget...water is also an issue because I dont drink that much water I had a kidney infection..yuk I started working out, well I should say walking, I am walking 2 to 3 miles a day with hand weights. I feel great and have lots of energy, I do take my vitamins everyday and I added Biotin for my hair because I am loosing that... that sucks... Anyhow I feel a bit down cause I wish the weight would come down faster.
Any suggestions..
Thanks

I'm afraid u are not taking in enough food which is causing your body to hold on to everything thinking u r starving. Try taking in more calories or drinking protein shakes. Good luck

[kitsonk]

Nana Renan as always has some good advice. I know that before surgery I was in the 3000+ calorie range which is why my weight loss has been great. You shouldn't compare yourself to others, because there are so many factors involved, like height, starting weight, gender, metabolism, genetic factors and lots of other things.

Your amount of weight loss is very acceptable. I wouldn't necessarily call it a plateau. Hair loss, while sometimes unavoidable with WLS, is usually a sign there isn't enough protein in a diet. Also, you may have hit your new natural weight. One thing I don't see you mention is exercise. Do you have a regular exercise regime?