Question:
when can I expect to lose more?

I am now 6 weeks post-op and I can't seem to lose any more than the 39 lbs I lost at 4 weeks. I am exercising and eating the right things. I am having trouble with getting the protein drinks down, but I do through the course of the day. When can I expect to start losing again. I am getting discourged.    — Mary Lee R. (posted on May 16, 2002)

May 16, 2002
Dont sweat it!!! Congrats on the 39 pounds so far!!! I hit my first "plateau" at about 4 weeks post op. It lasted about 3 weeks. UUUGGGHHH!!! I thought I failed at another attempt to lose weight. I am now 7 months post today. I have lost 81 pounds. I started at 230 and am now at 149. My "ideal" weight is 147, but my personal goal is 135. I am soooooooo close to goal. Starting BMI was 36, current BMI is 23. I am 5'7". Dont worry, the weight WILL come off. Your body just needs time to catch up with itself. I still hit plateaus all the time. Sometimes I think I am on a plateau more often than not. Dont worry, you will start to lose again.
   — skymaxjr

May 16, 2002
Mary Lee, you are 1.5 months out of surgery, and you've lost 40lbs. By nature, this is almost darn near impossible, your body is feeling the effects and it is going to put the breaks on, making it very tough to lose large amounts like that again. Curious to know just how much you DID expect to lose in just 1.5 months???? You may experience plateaus often over the next year, accept it. PS- Throw out your scale and quit obsessing over a number. You may lose inches, not pounds- and that is never clearly reflected in a scale....
   — Karen R.

May 16, 2002
I suggest that you only keep track of your monthly results. I was a daily weigher (and still am),but only counted the monthly weight loss. I would some weeks not lose anything then the next a lot. It will average out. You need to relax! You have done VERY well your fist month. I only lost 23 my first month and eventually got to my goal. You lost 16 more and it WILL continue to come off.
   — ZZ S.

May 16, 2002
Everyone loses at their own rate. Some lose fast, like you, (yes, 39 pounds in a month is fast!), and others lose 1/2 that much in the same time frame. We are all different. I, too, hit a plateau between weeks 3 and 4 that lasted a few weeks. I have had a few other plateaus since then of varying lengths. They budge when the body is ready to give it up. Just stick to your rules-protein, protein, protein, and water, water, water, and throw in some exercise and you'll see the weight loss in no time.
   — Cindy R.

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