Confused/Frustrated at 5 weeks out!
SkinnyDevi
Posts: 92 Member
Hi Everyone,
I'm 5 weeks post op today and I've lost a total of around 20-21 lbs. I know that everyone's journey is different and that we all lose at different rates but this seems really low to me for a VSGer. I also realize that traditional methods of weightloss probably would not have produced this result. That being said, it's still frustrating. I had a big drop of 12 lbs the first week and ~4 the second week. Since then, the last two weigh-ins have been around 2 lbs and this week I didn't lose a single thing. While I logically know that all of have different results, I can't get over the feeling of being frustrated with having a slow loss despite the low intake of calories (500 -700). I'm also retaining water which doesn't make sense to me. I guess I have this fear that I went through all of this and I'm not going to be successful. Did anyone else feel this way? Anyone have similar numbers and see success later?
Thanks!
-Devi
I'm 5 weeks post op today and I've lost a total of around 20-21 lbs. I know that everyone's journey is different and that we all lose at different rates but this seems really low to me for a VSGer. I also realize that traditional methods of weightloss probably would not have produced this result. That being said, it's still frustrating. I had a big drop of 12 lbs the first week and ~4 the second week. Since then, the last two weigh-ins have been around 2 lbs and this week I didn't lose a single thing. While I logically know that all of have different results, I can't get over the feeling of being frustrated with having a slow loss despite the low intake of calories (500 -700). I'm also retaining water which doesn't make sense to me. I guess I have this fear that I went through all of this and I'm not going to be successful. Did anyone else feel this way? Anyone have similar numbers and see success later?
Thanks!
-Devi
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Replies
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I totally get how you feel. I am 4weeks out and only lost 16lbs. The first week I lost 13, I thought that was amazing and awesome. Then, I didn't lose anything for the next 2 weeks, I just finally started moving the scale again this past week with 3lb loss. If you think about it, over a term of a yr most of the VSG patients lose around 100lbs, but that is a whole entire yr....I try to think of it that way, we have 111 more months to say we lost all that weight. We will hit many stalls and maybe a gain or two, but we have to stay positive and remember that in the long run only losing 20+ lbs in a month or two is actually still pretty awesome. I am on here almost everyday if you ever want to vent some more or exchange stories. Hope everything else is going good with you!0
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Things I've noticed-men lose faster than women, tall people lose faster than short, young people lose faster than the rest of us, LOL! AND people who lose a lot the 1st wk usually stall/reset faster. What helped me was recalculating my BMR, subtracting my daily calories from that and dividing that number into 3500 to get the average number of days to lose a lb of fat. For example, my BMR is 1360, if I eat 800cal a day then I burn 560. since a lb of fat is about 3500 it will take me 6.25 days to lose a lb of fat. I know the BMR is our at rest rate, but let's be honest, we all have the metabolisms of slugs at this point. Also, If you are not measuring/weighing your food you could be off by 300 cal a day slowing you down even more. We are genetically engineered to gain faster than we lose anyway. Don't get discouraged, you have already burned 73,500 calories!! Also you will retain water if you don't drink enough water-drink more water and you lose more wt. Make sure your urine is hardly yellow-if it is not, you are likely dry. I stalled at wk 3 so I feel your distress-but now I am normal wt for ht-losing slower forced me to deal more honestly with my food addiction. If you are finished medicating with food, taking your vitamins and hitting your protein and calorie goals you will get there.0
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They say consistency is the key and I have found that to be true. Having said that, I still feel like a turtle but at least a turtle that keeps moving in the right direction --- albeit slowly! I have often wondered if I am the "slowest loser" instead of the "biggest loser". Hang in there --- we will do this!
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At 5 weeks out, I had lost 21 lbs. There are so many variables that is just doesn't help to compare yourself to anyone else. Some people have a higher starting weight (or lower), some are taller/shorter, some were already exercising, and some are men. Yes, when I see people post who seem to be losing more or quicker than I am, I do get envious. But, I am losing and that is the important thing. Don't let you head get into a negative space. You are doing just fine. Keep up with the plan and you will have the success you want.0
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Im 3 weeks out and am feeling the same way. 11 pounds down since the day of surgery doesn't feel like much all things considered. Its nice to know I'm not alone in the slow lane. I was starting to feel there was something wrong with me! I know if I just stick to the program things will work, but I can't help but feel frustrated. I keep telling myself one day at a time!0
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I remember thinking I was failing as weight loss, constantly comparing myself to others success stories. At my 3 month checkup, I had only lost 35lbs. At week 1 it was 11lbs. My body seemed to rotate, 1 week lose a couple pounds, next week lose some inches and so forth. I have had two stalls that lasted 6 weeks each. That was really frustrating. I am 8 months out and have lost 75lbs total. My goal was 80lbs to reach a healthy BMI, these last 5lbs are really holding on for dear life. I have gotten to the point where I just tell myself to shut up and go with the process, as the process is different for everyone and my success is not measured by someone elses. I don't think I will ever be a size 4, but I can totally work with this size 8. In the end, if you follow your plan and get some exercise in there-your body will decide where it will end up and how fast it will get there.0
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We all lose at different rates. Mangopickle mentioned some of them. Another truth is some of us just lose slower than others. I have always lost slower than some on here. But as long as you are still losing, that's really what counts the most, you know?0
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Thanks so much for all the encouragement! As loribuckner1 said, "it's nice to know I'm not alone in the slow lane." After reading all of your comments, I took a look at my diary and realized that some of what i was eating was high in sodium and fat even though my overall calories was low. I'm going to try to change it up and find some better food options and see if that helps. Thanks again!!0
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SkinnyDevi wrote: »Thanks so much for all the encouragement! As loribuckner1 said, "it's nice to know I'm not alone in the slow lane." After reading all of your comments, I took a look at my diary and realized that some of what i was eating was high in sodium and fat even though my overall calories was low. I'm going to try to change it up and find some better food options and see if that helps. Thanks again!!
Just a comment about sodium in our bodies sodium retains water. Water weight is 8 pounds per gallon. Our bodies can retain a half gallon or more.
Randy RN0 -
5 weeks and 20 pounds is amazing. When I started I lost an average of 10 pounds a month,. be patient you will do fine.0
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I know it is easy to get worked up about the weight not coming off fast enough---trust me, I have been there. For me, it helps to focus on the fact the habits I am cultivating I will need to maintain for LIFE... the longer it takes for me to lose, the longer I have for those habits to really get cemented into my lifestyle-- and this is a good thing. Hang in there!0
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I went to my doctor today and I was saying I didn't think that I was losing fast enough (43 lbs in 5 months). She asked me what do I think I could do to change that. I had to admit that I was not exercising like I should be. She also said that I should be doing some weight training and that would also help to kick start the weight loss again. Hang in there. This is a life change and things don't happen overnight.0
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I've lost 88 pounds in 6 months--but I've really had several weeks at a time of very little movement (a half pound here and a pound there) and then bam! a 5 lb drop when I've done nothing different at all. It's hard not to get discouraged (or overly confident!), but it all seems to even out in the end. Speaking of the end--be prepared for <ahem> bathroom issues--to contribute to the whole loss/stall equation more than it possibly did before. Also, if you start working out, be prepared for water retention-related stalls, as well. I pretty much know if I'm sore the next day, I won't have a loss, either.0
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It's so nice to hear all of this!!!! I am 7 weeks out and have lost 35 pounds and have not had the ability to excersice and I am getting discouraged...my job is pretty physical and I have a part time job to so it's very difficult to fit it in but I am looking for some options soon! I just also realized I might be eating more calories so I got strict on 500 a day...does anyone else find it hard to get the shakes in? It feels impossible to me sometimes0
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jove102, is your Dr telling you no more than 500 calories per day? Seems low for anyone and SUPER low for someone with a physical job. Take care that you don't reset your metabolism in a place that's unmanagable long term.
Folks, don't be afraid to fuel your bodies with high quality food! Calculate your BMR and shave off some calories so you're in deficit and can lose slow and steady. You'll heal better, your body will perform better, your skin will thank you and you've a better chance to land your metabolism in a place you can live with long term. If you're really focused on that scale number going down daily, get off the scale! Cut back weigh ins to once per week and set goals around what you can absolutely control... Nutrition, exercise, protein. The weight will follow. Whether you're an exerciser or not, think like an athlete. Athletes eat and train, they do not diet and exercise.0 -
Nutrition, exercise, protein. The weight will follow. Whether you're an exerciser or not, think like an athlete. Athletes eat and train, they do not diet and exercise.
Thanks for this! Love the philosophy of eat and train instead of diet and exercise sounds so much more bad *kitten* and it just flipped this whole thing on its head for me 
Also, I'm 3 days shy of my 1 month surgiversay... Just pluggin along, 16 lbs since surgery. 38 lbs overall. Yup I'm a turtle but I also haven't felt confident before this that the weight would come off and stay off... So that is gold no matter how slow or fast the weightloss happens!0 -
bikrchik is spot on (again). I was NEVER given a calorie count by my Doctors. The focus was on fluid and protein intake. Eat high quality, protein rich foods first and make sure you get 60oz of fluid and the rest will take care of itself. Following those guidelines I gradually increased my caloric intake (naturally) until MFP actually stopped sending me warnings. Down 125 pounds and have been maintaining my weight (with normal fluctuations - completely different topic!)0
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I honesty cannot remember what thy told me as far as calories...I was eating 1500-2000 before surgey...so I guess I am paranoid that I won't lose weight...I take prednisone too and I feel like that works against me0
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I'm 5 weeks out also and lost 37 the first few weeks. I am now going between 2 and 3 pounds back and forth and it is very frustrating. I'm getting my water and protein in and very low calories.0
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jove102, is your Dr telling you no more than 500 calories per day? Seems low for anyone and SUPER low for someone with a physical job. Take care that you don't reset your metabolism in a place that's unmanagable long term.
Folks, don't be afraid to fuel your bodies with high quality food! Calculate your BMR and shave off some calories so you're in deficit and can lose slow and steady. You'll heal better, your body will perform better, your skin will thank you and you've a better chance to land your metabolism in a place you can live with long term. If you're really focused on that scale number going down daily, get off the scale! Cut back weigh ins to once per week and set goals around what you can absolutely control... Nutrition, exercise, protein. The weight will follow. Whether you're an exerciser or not, think like an athlete. Athletes eat and train, they do not diet and exercise.
bikrchk>> Thanks for the post, it is also a good reminder for those of us further out from surgery. Love the eat and train, not diet and exercise. (*)
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Devi, have faith. I know it is hard. If memory serves me correctly my 6-9 month time frame I only lost 7lbs. I was devastated that I had failed at yet another thing in my life. However when the nut and I sat down and started to look at things and tweaked my food and exercise ( lack of) and here I am 4 years later, still continuing to loose. ( I had a lot to loose) So my point of this is that we are trying to get healthy and not worry so much about the number on the scale (a hard lesson for me to learn) Take your measurements as well, because when the scale doesn't move, I will bet that you measurements have changed. Stay strong the process works, there are many of us veterans here to prove that. All the best!0
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I feel u I'm 4 weeks out and down 27lbs and I constantly worry that I'm doing something wrong cos I want results now but then I remember I can't even remember the last time I lost 5 lbs let a lone 27lbs so I'll take what I can and work my butt off to make it more0
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After month one, I don't think I've had another month over 20 lost. It's not a race but about change and preparing for a new lifestyle we know that doesn't happen overnight.
I had the same thoughts, wanting to compare my loss to others. It's hurtful. What is, IMHO, is asking those questions..how did you continue, what helped you after the first month, and seeing all the reasons above, then doing some self reflection. Look at your logs, think about water, protein, exercise and make adjustments if needed.
And as 5beautifuldays mentioned How your colon behaves plays a part. when my body isn't ready have a movement, I can see slight increases in my weight. Then I go, And a day later between that and everything I'm doing, I'll have a few consecutive loss days.
(So there folks that friend me and see my loss on your home feed. When I stall then lose, you know I got lucky on the toilet. LOL)0 -
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(So there folks that friend me and see my loss on your home feed. When I stall then lose, you know I got lucky on the toilet. LOL)[/quote]
Now that there is funny, but oh, so true!!
I still have to use Miralax every third day or so just to be lucky LOL
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Good morning everyone! Thanks for all your encouragement and advice. I'm happy to report that the scale has finally moved and I'm down almost 2 lbs. I took your advice and looked at my diary and realized my protein and water numbers were low. I really made an effort to increase them and it seems to have worked! The only downside of all this is that I realized I still need to do protein shakes to meet my goals...at least for now!0
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I've only lost 40 lbs in 6 months so it hasn't been fast for me either. I'll stall for weeks at a time. Part of my problem is not making the food changes I need. I still like all the same foods and the thought of eating fish grosses me out and its hard to find premade stuff that is on plan and tastes good.
I need to learn how to find lower calorie foods that I like and cut out the carbs. Carbs have always caused me issues and still do.0 -
I am frustrated, too. I have lost 22 lbs since surgery and it just feels like I am stuck. I regret EVERY single time I told someone to just relax when they have a stall. Stalls are BRUTAL. I have not had the scale move in eleven days. I feel like shaving my head just to see some movement, but that's not a fat loss.
I did measure myself and have seen some movement, but I think the main thing is an oncoming period. Since I am perimenopausal (the stage before menopause) my periods are very weird and sometimes just throw me into turmoil and then don't even come. It's like gearing up for a blind date and then being stood up.
Each day is a struggle while I do this thing where I start my day on the scale. I need to get it out of the bathroom and out of my mind. Since surgery, I am down from a 22 to an 18. I need to get my head on straight and stop messing with myself.0 -
I think one thing that has helped me is to give myself permission to be frustrated and upset so long as that doesn't translate into bingeing. One of the most important things I have learned is to let myself feel how I feel and not try to smother the feelings with chocolate. Stalls will come. Its how we react that really makes the difference.0
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I'm 4.5 months post op. Month 1 lost 31 lbs, month 2 lost 6.8 lbs, month 3 lost 7.2 lbs and month 4 lost 6.9 lbs. I'm thrilled with my progress. I'm not sure if it's fast or slow, and I don't really care. All I know is I'm off medications and BiPap machine, I've dropped 4 dress sizes and I feel great. I've always heard that healthy weight loss is 1-2 lbs/week, so my body has settled into that range. I just focus on getting my protein and water each day and making sure I have some level of activity - either gym or walking. I just got my 3 month lab results and all came back in the normal range. So I'm just gonna keep doing what I'm doing.0
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