Not losing lbs but down sizes?

[Eeyore 0]

Hi everyone! I hope you experienced bandsters can offer some advice and thoughts on this.

I've been holding off on buying new clothes for work believing and hoping that I'd begin to lose weight and 1) I could wear some of my old clothes and 2) I could not throw my money away on clothes that I wouldn't be able to wear in a short time frame (because they would be too big). Anyway I finally gave in today because frankly I feel like I look like I slob at the office all the time and constantly wearing the same things over and over again. I've had one fill so far and haven't lost a single pound (I keep recycling the same 3lbs though). I'm due to go in for another next week but I really have lost faith that #2 will be my lucky number. So I went shopping tonight and found I could fit into clothes 2 sizes smaller than I usually wear. I was so excited I ran home to jump on the scale and was baffled when it read the same thing as it did 2 weeks ago! How is it that I can wear a smaller size but haven't lost a pound? Is my fat moving around or something? Are sizes getting bigger?

Also, I'm sort of scared to go to my dr next week given that I haven't lost anything since the last time I was there. Is she going to be mad at me? Ridiculous question perhaps but it still has me concerned. I feel like a loser as it is, I don't want to hear it from my dr too (not that she has ever done anything like that to me) but still concerned.

Thanks everyone!!!

[hopefulmom25 0]

Have you been exercising? Doing any strength-training/weights? If so, muscle weighs more than fat. So it could be that you've replaced fat with muscle, making yourself smaller and leaner, but not making the scale move.

[Eeyore 0]

That's a good point. I've been exercising more but haven't done any strength training. Its just strange!

[Sarah.R 2]

One thing I don't think people realise is that the centimetres are more important than the weight overall, the centimetres you loose around your stomach are more important

[emily111 3]

I was just going to post a question about not loosing... Im only 3 weeks out and have not lost anything in 1 week. I count everything my calorie intake stays below 500 and I get all my Protein :cry_smile: But I started exercising 1 week ago also so Im guessing im building muscle. AT some point I think the scale has to move lol I mean how long can my body go on so little without letting go of the pounds? I dont know lol

[notateechanow 7]

I think I posted something similar to this back in January or February. After 2 and a half months, I was down a few sizes, but barely lost any weight. I went to my doctor as scheduled and finally expressed my frustration. He was tremendously supportive and also had me meet with the dietician again. I continued working out (though I did cut back to 45 minutes a day) and was told to eat more.

If you're not maintaining a journal of food and exercise, I would strongly recommend it. I was able to bring mine to the dietician and together we realized I needed more calories--Protein, specifically--to lose weight. This isn't an exact science and not everyone is the same. However, if you keep copious records, you can find trends and consistencies that will enable you to make better sense of your body. I am now down nearly 60 pounds (in February I worried this wouldn't EVER happen!) about 8 months out from surgery. Ok, I didn't lose as fast as others, but I'm well defined and very muscular. Keep doing the right thing...follow the diet and exercise regularly. I know it's hard to persevere when the scale isn't working in your favor, but start acknowledging the Non-scale Victories. Celebrate following a routine. Buy new clothes to reward your new body! You'll get there--it will take a while, but don't give up! Keep at it and eventually your body will give you the results you want! :cry_smile:

[Eeyore 0]

I think I posted something similar to this back in January or February. After 2 and a half months, I was down a few sizes, but barely lost any weight. I went to my doctor as scheduled and finally expressed my frustration. He was tremendously supportive and also had me meet with the dietician again. I continued working out (though I did cut back to 45 minutes a day) and was told to eat more.

If you're not maintaining a journal of food and exercise, I would strongly recommend it. I was able to bring mine to the dietician and together we realized I needed more calories--Protein, specifically--to lose weight. This isn't an exact science and not everyone is the same. However, if you keep copious records, you can find trends and consistencies that will enable you to make better sense of your body. I am now down nearly 60 pounds (in February I worried this wouldn't EVER happen!) about 8 months out from surgery. Ok, I didn't lose as fast as others, but I'm well defined and very muscular. Keep doing the right thing...follow the diet and exercise regularly. I know it's hard to persevere when the scale isn't working in your favor, but start acknowledging the Non-scale Victories. Celebrate following a routine. Buy new clothes to reward your new body! You'll get there--it will take a while, but don't give up! Keep at it and eventually your body will give you the results you want! :wink_smile:

Thank you for the wisdom and support. I am still amazed that this could happen and I wish I had kept track of my measurements, but I guess I can start now and see how it goes. I haven't kept a food journal but think I will start. I have no idea how much I should be taking in, the only instructions I had on that was on the pre surgery diet. I only have a week till my next appointment but its a start.

Thanks again everyone!

[notateechanow 7]

Ask your doctor at your next appointment for a post-surgical "diet" or guideline. This will give you an idea about how much Protein, sugar, etc., that you should be consuming daily. I was given 2-3 different "plans" before leaving the hospital, but never figured out whether I was supposed to be on 1,000, 1200, 0r 1500 calories until I asked later on. I guess they forgot they gave me morphine before telling me all about it!

There are a few good websites that will allow you to track your intake and exercise for free. I know some use dailyplate, caloriecounter.com, etc. I'm sure people on here will give you some suggestions! I only wish I took pictures to mark my success. I was worried I'd fail at this, too, and never even told my family I've had surgery. I think maybe only 3-4 people know....I kept track of my weight at the appointments to I could document that, and I keep records of my measurements at the gym. Good luck. The Lap Band is a great tool if you work consistently WITH it. Don't sabotage your efforts by not keeping track of all of your hard work. Be well. :w00t:

[Eeyore 0]

I cowgirled up and went to the Dr. for my fill yesterday - and I laid it out for her. She was so great and gave me some encouraging advice. I told her about how I seem to be able to fit into smaller clothing but haven't lost a single pound and I am feeling fustrated and like I'm going nuts.. She told me to consider it a NSV and Celebrate it and not to worry that the scale will follow. Essentially she says that my body is repositioning as I'm toning up (thanks to my new passion pilates) and that this is a good thing. We also talked Protein. Admittedly I've been pretty bad about this and have been focused on calories and fat and not as much as Protein. I find it difficult to count anything when I tend to eat things that don't have labels on them, so I just try to make good choices. Anyway, she recommended the Isopure drinks so I'm not taking in a ton of calories but will be getting a good dose of protein. I'll have to go pick some up today and see how it goes.

Thanks to everyone!!!