Six weeks out and scared??

[brooketw 6]

I had my sleeve surgery on May 24th and I’m officially 6 weeks out. I’ve lost 30 lbs and I’m feeling really great. No real complications or any pain or discomfort.

Here’s the thing: I worry I’m not losing enough in these beginning stages. The past few weeks have been small 1-2 lb losses and I feel myself starting to panic.

Not to mention, some days my pouch feels like it is teeny tiny and other days I can eat a bowl of Cereal or a few handfuls of popcorn and feel like I could eat MORE!

I’m following my nutritionist and surgeon’s calorie, Protein, and Water guidelines (600-900, 65+, 64+), walking daily, taking Vitamins, and talking to my counselor on a weekly basis. I haven’t started any serious activity yet, but I’m starting water aerobics this week.

All in all, things are “fine” but I still feel like I should be doing better and want this process to HURRY UP!!

Anyone else in the same boat?

[SummerTimeGirl 582]

Yup.

I am a lil over 6 weeks out (almost 7, actually) and only lost 34.9! I hit a plateau around week 2/3-ish that lasted like 12 days. Now the entire past week I seemed to have stalled again as the scale has not moved. Not sure why I'm having so many stalls so soon when I have a LOT to lose still (not like I'm at the end of my losing stage when I expect to slow), am doing everything right, etc. It sucks when you're doing everything you should be and it's going slow/stall. I get it. I expressed this to my dietician last week and she assured me I was doing everything right and that I was losing a good amount of weight. She was happy with my progress and told me NOT to compare myself to others and what they have or haven't lost. So I guess I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and see what happens.

Sounds like you're doing well too and making similar progress. Congrats!

[brooketw 6]

Thanks for responding! Glad I’m not the only one. I have a LOT to lose still as well so these stalls are frustrating.

[catwoman7 11,212]

the average WLS patient seems to lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the first MONTH, so at 6 weeks out, you're totally normal. Of course, you will always find outliers to that 15-25 lb range, but they're outliers. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people's expectations are shaped by shows like "My 600 lb Life", but you have to remember that those people start out with MUCH higher BMI's than the average WLS patient.

I lost 16 lbs the first month, and 28 lbs at the two-month mark. I only record monthly weights in my spreadsheet so I don't know where exactly I was at six weeks out, but I was probably about 23-24 lbs down at that point. And I ended up losing all of my excess weight, over 200 lbs. So you've got nothing to worry about. In the end, it's your level of commitment to the program that's going to make the biggest difference.

[catwoman7 11,212]

btw - after the first couple of months, I don't think you really lose weight much faster than you would without the surgery. The difference is, whatever you're doing actually WORKS this time (as long as you follow the rules, that is). You're not fighting biology the whole time like you were before.

Edited July 6, 2021 by catwoman7

[Drinkwine28 20]

my surgery was three weeks ago. I am 3 weeks out and have stayed the same for the last week. I did do inces today and there were loses there. I have read from many that this happens but it is still annoying. I mean eating 400-600 a day and to not see it move is just disheartening. I am also so tired still I don't how I would be able to walk and walk for exercise . Anyone else?

[SummerTimeGirl 582]

I was on full liquids for two weeks after surgery. It wasn't until I got into the puree stage (after the full liquid stage), when I was able to eat something with more substance, that the tiredness went away.

3 hours ago, Drinkwine28 said:

my surgery was three weeks ago. I am 3 weeks out and have stayed the same for the last week. I did do inces today and there were loses there. I have read from many that this happens but it is still annoying. I mean eating 400-600 a day and to not see it move is just disheartening. I am also so tired still I don't how I would be able to walk and walk for exercise . Anyone else?

[adventuremomof4 7]

It’s totally normal. I had weeks where 1-2 pds was it. Our body loses fast at first, then slows down and further out you have to work to get the pounds off. Be patient and trust the process. You don’t want to lose too fast and lose all your lean muscle mass or you’ll look like a deflated balloon.

[brooketw 6]

Thanks to all who replied! It's so nice having a community that understands your struggles. I know that there are a lot of areas I could work on. And checking here every day makes me feel really connected and motivated. Happy weekend everybody!

[STLoser 1,099]

btw - after the first couple of months, I don't think you really lose weight much faster than you would without the surgery. The difference is, whatever you're doing actually WORKS this time (as long as you follow the rules, that is). You're not fighting biology the whole time like you were before.

This is SO true. I had my 1 year follow up with my surgeon the other day and he was saying I've done a great job, and I said it's because now when I make an effort to lose weight I feel like my body isn't fighting against me. It's amazing! My weight loss has slowed down quite a bit, but it's still going down.
As long as you keep following the plan you will keep losing so don't worry!

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