Where were you at six months post-op?

Clementine · 05-02-2006, 10:11 AM

My sixth month anniversary is coming up this week and I have mixed feelings. I'd love to know where others were at this mental milestone!

I have lost between 35 - 40 pounds. My goal at six months was to be sixty down. The good news is that never, ever have I lost 35 - 40 pounds and kept it off for six months with Weight Watchers or any other program. I feel the pounds are gone for good, and progress is progress.

The "less good" news is that I had a real hard time getting restriction with my bigger band. I waited over five months (and five fills) before I felt a single thing. I do have restriction now, but I'm struggling to get/stay motivated. I was so careful with my food choices in the beginning. Then I got lazy (and frustrated) and now that I finally have restriction I'm battling many bad behaviors that I've developed. (Chips, chocolate, and ice cream go down just fine, you know.) Even with my loss I have not changed clothing sizes, and no one has noticed any change in my appearance.

I'm in the same boat as everyone here.......trying to get my ample rear in gear on the exercise front, trying to choose broccoli and grilled chicken over loaded baked potatoes, and trying to stay in the game mentally by reminding myself how very possible it is to be successful. ;)

SO...........where were YOU at the six month mark?? Thanks for sharing.

"Just" Paul · 05-02-2006, 10:20 AM

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Suzi D · 05-02-2006, 10:21 AM

:help: Hello! I can totally understand your frustration. My surgery was a little over 5 months ago and I've only lost about 41 lbs. My husband says you can tell, but I don't feel too much of a difference. I do have some clothes that are getting baggy, but they're not as big on me as I would have hoped by now. This is very frustrating to me. I too have slipped and had food that I shouldn't. My band is really weird, I can detect restriction with some foods, but not all. When I go in for a fill they tell me I'm restricted enough, but I feel like I could be more restricted. I guess if it were any tighter I'd probably have more reflux problems, etc. The doctors office also seems pleased with the progress I've made thus far. My husband tells me ALL the time that the slow weight loss is due to not getting enough exercise. I know he's right, but I don't have a lot of energy yet, so serious exercise is out of the question until I start feeling better.:notagree

HeatherGurl · 05-02-2006, 10:26 AM

Clementine~
It sounds to me like you are going through all of the normal things us bandsters go through. Like you said... when have you lost that amount of weight before and kept it off for 6 months?

Once you get the sweet spot things should get easier... well for me it did. After my last fil, is when I really noticed things changing. I am eating all the right things, but I do allow myself something if I really want it.

If I try to eat something when I am not physically hungry, I get sick. That is the sweet spot for me.

You are losing well.

JAYGERL05 · 05-02-2006, 09:17 PM

At 6 months i think i had lost 43 pounds and was weighing 199-197, kept fluctuating. May 7 I will be 8 months for me. Currently at -50 pounds. I fluctuate alot. I can lose 5 pounds in 1 week and gain back 3 and stay at a stand still for 2 and then lose back 3, just back and forth, 193 today and hoping to be 180 by June 1

Jachut · 05-02-2006, 09:33 PM

At 5 months, I've lost 18kg which is about 40lb, pretty much half my excess weight. I expected to have lost more, but when you average it out its actually pretty good weight loss.

The main things I've achieved are I've regained my health, my mental control and organisation of my life in general, gained huge increases in fitness and can now fit into regular store clothing.l

If I were to never lose another pound I'd be thrilled that I did this and with the results. However from hereon in its all cosmetic and I am keen to keep going to look better.

lianna · 05-02-2006, 09:44 PM

I just had my 6 month anniverisary on May 27th! I was down 37 lbs. I feel much like you do, wish it was more but then again it averages out to about 1.5 lbs per week. I am happy as long as at comes off! I figure I may not get to goal as fast as some, but I will still make it to the finish line!

Congrats on 6 months, hope you will find it easier to break those bad habits with better restriction! You WILL get there!

ladysplenda · 05-02-2006, 09:53 PM

At five months I have lost 50 lbs.It is slowing down and I really have to work harder at it.The doctor said I would only lose another twenty pounds.
Start 218 I want to get down to 130. I am not giving up thet easy.Size 22 now a size 14. I am wanting a size ten. It may take a tummy tuck to get there.

Dragonwillow · 05-02-2006, 10:04 PM

I'm right there with you....just over 6 months for me and I'm down 42lbs. I'm frustrated to say the least. Have been crying most of the day because I feel so frustrated. Looks like 40lbs is pretty normal since alot of us are right about there at 6 months.

Question...what things do you keep track of food wise? Calories, protein, carbs, fat, sugar....and if you are keeping track what are your targets for the day? I'm having a real tough time with this. I can keep calories low, protein high, the others are just plain frustrating and make me feel deprived and punished to restrict them too much. The nutritionist thinks thats why I'm not loosing more...hence the crying jag.

piperbaby · 05-02-2006, 10:16 PM

I will be 6 months soon and am where you are too. I have been actually feeling a little frustrated by after reading this it seems like 40lbs is about the norm for all of us. That makes me feel better.

sunsett · 05-02-2006, 10:21 PM

It seems to me from looking around on here that these # for 6 months are average.
I am 7 months out and down 61 total. I go down 1 and then up 3 then back down to the low and lose another pound then up 3. It is crazy, but that is just the way my body is.
Stressing out about it all can't help. Weight lose as you all know can be a visous cycle of emotions due to an object that has #'s on it. I have thrown 3 out the window.

We may lose slow but we are losing! Think about where you were 6 months ago. Remember huffing and puffing. Shopping in the women sizes and thinking there was no way I'll ever get out of this department!! Now you can look and say I'm not where I want to be but I"m well on my way.

Congrats to all of us for chosing to make our selves healthier and in the long run happier.

doubletrouble · 05-02-2006, 10:21 PM

I am 8 1/2 months out and I am 3 pound shy of 90. The last few months have been very very hard. I have been at a plateau. I think I am about to go over that hill though. I have changed my exercise from walking to jogging and have lost 7 pounds in 5 days :>

Nana~ · 05-02-2006, 11:30 PM

Thats about what I lost too, Sounds like your doing fine :)

Jachut · 05-02-2006, 11:52 PM

40lb averaged over 6 months is over a pound a week, its GREAT weight loss. But I guess I expected more like 80.

When my surgeon said to me I'll see you in about July (he works with another wonderful doctors who does the fills and general check ups) I thought "I'll be at goal by then". Um, probably not, lol.

fee · 05-03-2006, 06:22 AM

im 6 months post op next week and have lost 27kg....dunno what that is in pounds

as long as we are losing thats the main thing

each one of us is different and some might have a faster metabolism than others and exercise more:)

dont be disheartened......just think where would we be now WITHOUT the band

i know i wouldv been atleast 35kg heavier than what i am today