Did I make the right decision?

[linda305 173]

Hi, I had surgery 12-03-13 and was very excited. I read all the sucess and said this is what i wanted. It has been a month now and i only lost 10 pounds. I know everyone is different but people are losing 20 and plus within 10 days. I drink my liquids, i walk 30 to 40 minutes a day and try to keep up with my Proteins but no weight loss. Here I am a month out and only down 10 pounds. Look i don't need anyone grilling me. I'm looking for support. Please tell me I'm not alone. I see my nutrition tomorrow but just wanted some people that are willing to share their experience.

[Branmuffin 190]

My weightloss was pretty quick the first 6 weeks losing over 30lbs but I was on liquids the first two weeks post, then to purée until 6 weeks. Was your plan the same? Maybe it has something to do with it?

[VSG AJH 499]

No matter your rate of weight loss, lady, you're not alone. I too was on liquids for the first three weeks post-op, and I believe that contributed to my pretty rapid weight loss. Now that I'm on soft foods, the weight is coming off at a much slower pace. If you're following the plan, eating Protein first, keeping those carbs in check, etc., it will come off. Hang in there!

[unbesleevable1 420]

yeah, maybe it won't work for you. Maybe it will. You will never know until you allow it some time. Holy hell, have some patience.

[TheCurvyJones 721]

WHen you're right out of making the most enormous change of your life and it doesn't go like you thought it would, it's scary and nerve wracking. Holy Hell, have some patience isn't the most supportive response I've ever seen.

Here's what I know: The sleeve works, first of all. You may not lose fast and you may not lose like you want to lose, but the sleeve works. Patience is absolutely key.

Tell us about where you started-- Highest weight, start weight, current weight. How about inches? I lost TONS of inches but very little scale weight. I STILL lose slowly on the scale but the inches are where it's at. Are your clothes loose/baggy? Seeing any changes in your body that don't translate to scale numbers? Remember your NSV's - non scale victories- What doesn't hurt that used to hurt? what can you do that you couldn't?

What's your post op plan been like?

I know this is VERY hard but everyone else is EVERYONE ELSE. Not YOU. So don't worry about them....you have to focus on YOUR plan and YOUR body. You can't go back, so keep moving forward. Have a talk with your nutritionist about your food needs... at a month out I was jUST starting to eat solids, and I had lost maybe 12 lbs.

[McButterpants 2,846]

Hang in there, Linda.

I was sleeved on 11/14, so I'm a few weeks ahead of you. I stalled for 13 days between weeks 4 and 5. OMG, that was hard. I knew the dreaded stall was going to happen because I read about it. I wasn't prepared for it. I also wasn't prepared for me to be a "slow loser".

In the month of December I "only" lost 9 pounds. At first, I looked at that number and thought "was this really worth it?" Luckily, I had my 6 week follow up with my doc & NUT at about the same time. Here's some things I found out that made me feel better

- I've reduced my body fat by 5% while not losing my lean muscle mass (this is why pushing the Protein is important - muscles burn calories efficiently, fat doesn't, also muscle is more dense than fat).

- My blood pressure is lower than has been in years.

Also, I'm seeing changes to my body. I've been working out - about 60-75 minutes per day on the treadmill daily and I started doing the elliptical last week. I can see changes because I'm taking pictures on a regular basis. I took my measurements before surgery, but haven't taken them since because I can see my clothes are falling off me. That's a good indicator that I'm getting small even though the scale isn't going down. We have been programmed to only use the scale as a gauge of how we're doing.

With all that said, please, please be patient. Your body just went thru major surgery - it will catch up. Your brain wants it to move faster and that's natural, I think a lot of us do that.

Take good care, sweetie.

[Jerzygurl 372]

Try using my fitness pal to track your intake. You said "you try to keep up with your protein" Could be you're not getting enough.

I use my fitness pal to track every single morsel of food and liquid I put in my mouth. Once you get the hang of using it...it's a breeze.

I agree with Curvy too. Make sure, you're checking your measurements, NSV are very important.

Good luck..and hang in there.

[NMJG 1,266]

You are well within normal. Not everyone loses 20 pounds or more a month. Lots of us lose 10 lbs a month or even half that. However, To be sure you are making the most of your sleeve, follow the rules, because they really do make a difference:

1) get in 64 oz of liquids (non calorie) daily

2) get in at least 70 grams of Protein or whatever number your doctor recommended

3) try to walk at least 30 minutes every day or more

4) avoid sweet drinks, sugar, sweetened coffees, fruit smoothies, etc.

[gomekast 559]

It's hard at first for sure. I secretly cried for the first few weeks from emotions. My program advised me NOT to weight until my 1 month appt.

I know most gain from all the hospital IV fluids. I must've gained a good 10 pounds from that alone.

Just stay the course and all will begin to shift. Once it starts to shift it happens fast. I went down 3 sizes without really knowing it.

Also, I'm 10 weeks and my Mom told me yesterday that each week she sees me, I am thinner than the week before. I don't see it. But I'm also very critical of myself. I am my own worst enemy for sure.

Take some me time for you..relax somehow and just breathe deep. The more you stress the more your body will retain everything your putting into it.

[gmanbat 5,889]

I have been on this forum for ages it seems and have seen this question from many different people in different ways. It amazes me how our bodies are virtually alike but respond in such unpredictable and various ways.

10 pounds could mean a lot of different things. Metabolisms must adjust, fat goes down..muscle goes up, and unknown to anyone factors in our mind boggling complex bodies could be the culprit. If you compare yourself with super-fast losers 10 pounds is slow. In your case, given your set of circumstances and your body chemistry it could be ahead of schedule.

The preponderance of scientific data would suggest that if you keep doing the right thing for long enough, the excess fat will come off. Even a slow train reaches it's destination.

[Teachamy 1,042]

Good luck! You'll get there! I agree with looking at NSV's. All that walking is probably doing wonders!

[Ballermom 803]

The preponderance of scientific data would suggest that if you keep doing the right thing for long enough, the excess fat will come off. Even a slow train reaches it's destination.

I agree! I was in the slow Looser's group here. Because my weight has come off slower compared to the average sleever for the month I had Surgery. But, 95 lbs later I'm happy! The weight will come off. You will reach your destination. Keep working at it. Congrats on your Surgery

Edited January 2, 2014 by Ballermom

[linda305 173]

Thanks everyone for the positive responses. I really needed to vent a little and a listening ear.

[BestYet2Come 97]

Hi, I had surgery 12-03-13 and was very excited. I read all the sucess and said this is what i wanted. It has been a month now and i only lost 10 pounds. I know everyone is different but people are losing 20 and plus within 10 days. I drink my liquids, i walk 30 to 40 minutes a day and try to keep up with my Proteins but no weight loss. Here I am a month out and only down 10 pounds. Look i don't need anyone grilling me. I'm looking for support. Please tell me I'm not alone. I see my nutrition tomorrow but just wanted some people that are willing to share their experience.

Oh Dear, you are not alone!! I was sleeved on Dec 16th. My HW was 255, SW 241 and I am now at 229. HOWEVER, I have been at this weight since December 24th. And it even went up to 231 and back down a couple of times. It is killing me to think that I could be a slow loser also. But I do have faith that in the long run, the sleeve will work for me as I am sure it will work for you. Just look back at all the changes you have already made to your lifestyle. Most people on the forums will tell you that this is not a linear journey. There are stalls, ups, and downs. Hang in there. You are NOT alone and you WILL succeed. ((hugs))

[VSG AJH 499]

A few more days have passed, Linda -- how are you?

Edited January 9, 2014 by VSG AJH