When did you start to see the scale move?

[prdmommyof3 0]

Hello fellow banders!

I am 3 weeks post op tomorrow...and getting discouraged because I haven't seen the scale moving in the right direction. Now, I had the HUGE and QUICK weight loss of 10 pounds about 2 weeks post op...but nothing lately. I asked my Dr if this weight loss was typical, and he said, "This is the most rapid weight loss you will see, so don't get used to it."

It kind of bummed me out.

If this is the most weight I'll lose in a month EVER, then why do I see so many of you inspirational banders losing so well? I wonder what (if anything) I'm doing wrong? I'm still on liquids...get to start my 2 weeks of mushies tomorrow...and then have 1 week on solids before revisiting my Dr. to see if I'm ready for a fill.

So....my question to you is...

How long was it POST OP before you started losing weight at a steady pace?

Thanks!! :ohmy:

[JoJo1 0]

I lost 9 1/2 lbs my first week, then about a pound a week since then. Your perception of time gets screwed up when you get a band. You only think everyone on here is losing much faster. They aren't. Average is one pound a week, so you are starting out ahead of the game. One thing that helps me is I put the scale away and only get it out once a week. Typically, I lose 2 lbs and then don't lose the next week. I don't have periods any more, so I don't think I have Water fluctuation, but it just works that way. I know I would go crazy if I got on the scale every day, thinking I was doing something wrong because it didn't move today.

Also, you are so excited to see a difference, you want it to happen now. All of us want that, but you will be much better off if you stay around one or two pounds a week. My sister in law is losing weight right now, and she asked me what I do about sagging skin. I wondered about it because I don't have any, so I googled it. What I found out, is that you will have a much less chance of having sagging skin, if you lose it slower. They said 1 lb a week was ideal. Since that is the rate I have been going since the first week, I figure it has something to do with it. I don't go to the gym, I only walk, so it isn't any magic exercise I am doing.

You will lose at a more steady rate after you are on real food. liquids go straight through so you can add up the calories without really knowing it. You also need to reach restriction, which if you have been reading the posts here, can take awhile. It depends on the agressiveness of your doctor, and it also depends on how much you need to reach your sweet spot. It is different for everyone, so you can't get any solid answers from here or from your doctor either. Try to be patient. In a year, you will be thinking you did the very best thing ever for yourself. In the mean time, start walking or doing some form of exercise even if it is only a few minutes a day. It is huge for weight loss success!!! Hugs!!!!

Edited April 20, 2010 by JoJo1

[Katy517 1]

Thanks for posting this thread. I've been concerned with this aspect too. I'm five days post-op and have been walking since the day of surgery. I expected a somewhat large weight loss after surgery, but instead gained four pounds from admittance to discharge. It felt kind of like starting all over with the pre-op diet.

[prdmommyof3 0]

Thanks JoJO for that reality check. I guess I'm just desperate to see the effects, I'm not really taking into consideration that in 6 months, I COULD be 40 pounds lighter, which is a lot of weight. It will come...it will come...

I have to keep reminding myself...It's only been 3 weeks!

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

If you go back and look, many of us have complained, whined, wimpered about how much we gained day of surgery...for me it was 6-7 pounds due to IV fluids for 24+ hours straight...and it took me about 5 days to get rid of that and back to "normal"....Since then I'll lose 4 pounds in 1 week then 1 pound for a week or two then none for a week or two, then 3-4, repeat...1-2 pounds a week consistantly is realistic and nothing to be upset about. Be proud that you're losing 1-2 a week. Also, you're so close to surgery your body is still adapting and your metabolism is adapting. When I do liquids I lose quickly for 7-10 days then come to a screeching halt for a while....I've calculated it and when I'm on my docs liquid diet I average about 600 calories a day, my body doesn't like that and the weight loss stops, totally.

Keep your chin up, 10 pounds is great!

[RavenClaw779 2]

I am so relieved to hear everyone's comments - I'm in the same boat as the prdmommyof3 and wondering what I'm doing wrong. I'll try to be more patient - fill#2 is next week.