[wendy]

Let me tell you about my background:

I had a baby in 1995 and gained 25 lbs. After the delivery, I received a depoprovera shot at which time I gained another 45 lbs over at least a year. I was unable to loose the initial weight nor could I lose my 9 month belly. After 3 years, I had a complete hysterectomy and still not losing any weight. The depression grew. In 2000-2003, I hired a personal trainer and weight trained 3-4 times a week and cardio everyday 5-6 miles of walking and 2 days of water aerobics. After a year of intense concentration, I did not lose any weight. My trainer referred me to see a doctor. At that time, I was diagnosed as hypothyroid and insulin resistance. After receiving medication, I tried another 2 years as hard as I did when I first started. I gave up after 2003 when again no weight loss and no inches.

I was so depressed of people asking me when I was going to deliver my second child since I still looked 9 month pregnant. I spent $13,000 to undergo a tummy tuck just to feel better.

Well, I decided to undergo WLS. My surgery was 11/2/06 and I weighted 216.5 lbs. I had a BMI of 38 with multiple problems that qualified me. My doctor thought I would be successful by 6-9 months. Well, after 5 days, I lost 7.5 lbs. After 2 weeks, I weighted 200 lbs. That was 11/17/06. My next appointment is 12/15/06. I am not losing at a rate that most are losing. I hear that by their first month's appointment they have lost 29 lbs. (I started cardio on 11/24/06 with the walking. I continue to increase incline and speed. I have lots of improvement from where I use to be.)

I am afraid....I haven't felt any different since 11/17/06. I would appreciate your support and encouragement to understand what all I need to do to succeed. When I find my flexible ruler, I will measure myself.

Thanks,
Wendy

[bren]

I know it can be discouraging not to see the scale move but just remember everyone loses at different rates. I'm sorry you had to go through so much in the past and I hope this works for you. Just don't look at others weight loss and compare yourself to them. Hope we (the boards) can be of use to you!! It has been my lifesaver

[Kat]

Hi Wendy. Sorry your having such a hard time of it.
Is it OK with your Doc that you are exercising so hard so soon? My Doc wouldn't let me do what your doing 'till 3 mos. out. remember you just had a lot of cutting inside and things need time to heal...It's better to take things slow. I don't mean to sound preachie, just would hate to see you with any more problems.
I lost fairly slow for the first few weeks too. As a matter of fact, I actually gained weight during the first 10 days. As far as not feeling any different, that takes different times for all of us. I have read many posts here where people have felt no difference in 4 mos. I was at the gym training last week and was surprised at how I looked and how I fit the machines. My head is not up to my body yet.
It has to be a real mind bender to do what you did before WLS and not have much success. I hope that you have the thyroid on track now and that your WLS journey is a good one.
Everyone here is in your corner so keep on posting! Keep the faith.

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, Wendy, thank you for joining us.
And, congratulations on joining the loser's bench!

As for your losing.
The first thing to do is to take a couple of deep breaths and relax.
Don't panic, don't push too hard, as a matter of fact.
What are your surgeon's exact instructions?
This early out, as Kat says, it is better not to attempt anything new without checking it out with your surgeon. If you exercise too much too early out, (even if you don't feel tired out) one of the things you could risk are hernias, though I have no intentions of scaring you.
Your body will not lose as you will it, it will lose as it is necessary for your physical well being, your body has a mind of its own when it comes to how much/when you lose with this surgery.

If getting on the scale everyday discourages you, then you should limit getting on the scale to once a week. Some people even refuse to get on scales except at their drs office.

Always keep in mind, you will not lose as you imagined, or think you would like to, but you very certainly will lose. For a year to two years or so, you will not be able to eat as you used to, and that in itself will have you shed the weight. The most important thing to do during this period is to learn healthy eating habits and healthy life style, as, after you lose due to the surgery, your maintenance is going to depend on those healthy habits. The further you go, the more you will find out that this is as much a mind game as anything else. It will serve you better if you have a clear mind as to where your goal is, and not to concentrate on every single bump you hit.

Also, your insulin resistance will most likely improve with your weightloss, but your hypothyroid issue is essentially unrelated to weight loss or gain in the sense that weight brings on the condition, rather, it is the condition that causes weight gain, so that will have to be treated for as long as your endocrinologist sees fit.

(((((((HUGS))))))) May your journey go well.

[macathrt]

Hi Wendy, I'm glad you found this site. There's lots of great info. here and the losers here are great too! I'm so sorry that you have had such a hard time of it in the past. I'm praying that you are on the right road now.

I also had my surgery on the 2nd of Nov. I had Lap RNY. I saw the surgeon on the 15th of Nov. and was down 19.2 lbs. then for my one month check-up on the 6th of Dec. I was down another 5.8 lbs. for a total of 25 lbs. I too thought I was going to lose at a faster rate, but from the losers here,I hear it is much different. I'm told that everybody is different and will lose at a different rate. Listen to the Doc as well as other responders, there's lots of wisdom behind what they say.

With that said...Keep your head up and take one step at a time .
I'm here for you, feel free to call on me at anytime.

Lots of
Debbie

[wendy]

Thanks so much for your words of wisdom!

I am definately happy that I joined this website!

I will let you know what my doctor says on 12/15/06.

Happy Holidays,
Wendy

[cabbie]

Wendy I think I only lost 22lbs my first month. Alot depends on your body and how much weight you have to lose. The less amount you have the slower I think it happens. You are doing great and before you know it you will see a difference. It will take a long time for your head to catch up to your body. Mine still hasn't and I had mine in July. Be patient and like everyone is saying DON'T OVER DO!! Take care and you are doing great!!

[CraftHer]

Wendy,

I also had insulin resistance and hypothyroid. It was impossible for me to loose weight. After my RNY, I lost 15lbs the first week, 5 lbs the second and then nothing for 2 weeks. It was discouraging. But I told myself that the "average" weight loss is 1-2 lbs a week and after the first month, I had lost enough weight for 10 weeks!

Hang in there, follow the plan and keep your dr. updated. You're doing great.

[FemmeMode]

....I completely agree with CABBIE & CRAFTHER!!!

The rate in which you loose has a lot to do with how much you have to loose. I was 333#'s....and lost REally fast at first...and now at 215 am loosing about 6-7#'s a month!!

I was loosing sooo fast at first, that when my weightloss slowed to 6-7#'s a month....I was depressed! I thought...."how am I gonna get all this weight off??" I still have 65#'s to loose....so, it can be a little freaky thinking - "OMG! What if this doesn't work for me the way it does for everyone else?"

Also...I get nervous about "what if I gain my weight back??"~ Just hang in there...you are still soooo early in the process! Doc Sanae, here on this board wisely said to me early on when I "thought" I was on a stall....
"do you think you are the ONLY one who this surgery will not work for?"
So...I say that to you....

Just know...you are not the one that is going to NOT LOOSE WEIGHT...it may take you a little time...but 5#'s a month...over 12 months is 60#'s ...which would put you at 155#'s!!!....and your honeymoon period is for the first 18months...
What is your goal??
Just curious!

Congrats for being on the LOOSERS side!!

[Pillows]

Best of luck sweetheart. I hope that all goes well for you and yes you came to the right place.
Janae