Question:
How can I best maximize the

Hi! I've been watching from the sidelines for awhile now. You guys are a very informational and supportive bunch!I have learned alot from you all. Now I have surgery coming up Dec.2nd(RNY) and I have a question that will help me make my plan for success post-op. Is there any way that I can maximize the sixth month "Window"? I have about 200 lbs.to loose and am wondering what would happen if I stayed on protein shakes longer before going to solid foods? I'm just afraid that as I go through the stages of foods to solids, that I might not be able to loose enough in the first six months and will be dragging around the other 100lbs until I can DIET it off. I know I will always regret it if I do this surgery and could have done something to get most of it off and didn't do it cause I didn't try it. I know it's important to follow the Dr. orders, but is there any harm in stretching them out a little longer? Maybe by staying with shakes or pureed foods longer? Thanks for any advice.    — Connie O. (posted on October 28, 2003)

October 28, 2003
I can't advocate doing what you're suggesting although I'm sure you'll talk to your doctor about it before doing anything quite so drastic. I had about 250 pounds to lose preop and have lost 200 at 15 months (and hope I'm not done yet!) - been steadily losing about 10 pounds a month since the 6 month or so and that is with eating and zero protein shakes. I truly believe in real food and others truly believe in real food plus supplementing. I haven't heard of anyone living on a liquid diet for that long though except under very strict doctors care as with the Optifast liquid diet (where people went into renal failure and some died!). Ok, off my soapbox...I just wanted you to know that you can be highly successful and EAT some real food :>) Good luck to you!
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 28, 2003
I can understand you wanting to maximize your 'window', but I think that what you are suggesting may be counterproductive. The limited eating that we are forced to live by puts your body in starvation mode in the beginning. This is why most new post ops have a plateau at three weeks, its you bodys way of saying....ummm hey!!! If you are not getting the calories or nutrients you need, you body will most likely fight back. The best way to maximize your window would be to eat sound nutritional foods and avoiding the ones that we all know are bad for us. The problem that most have, in my opinion, is that they get to the point where they CAN tollerate any foods and eat the wrong choices. Thats not a slam on anyone, I for one am guilty of that, its just what sometimes happens. If you are committed to your goals you will succeed. I wish you the best with your surgery!
   — RebeccaP

October 28, 2003
Well, first, remove fingers from panic buttons. All of them. Wave them around & let me see them. OK, dont' know where this 6 month thing came from. I know peope still dribbling wt after 3 yrs. Not at hyper speed, no, but moving. I lost til 14 months, then floated around for another 6 before parking. I'm 9 yrs, will do protein shakes as long as I can buy them. But I wasn't sure if you meant doing protein shakes ONLY or also with a reasonable eating plan?
   — vitalady

October 28, 2003
Michelle, I asked this same exact question to my surgeon at my one month check up yesterday. His response..."This is not a race. In reality will you be at your goal weight in 6-12months if you do protein shakes and low low carbs..YES! However what happens then, you will not have developed healthy eating habits that will help you maintain your loses for the rest of your life. I'd rather see you eat a portion of pasta and know when to say stop than live on protein shakes." The bottom line...this surgery is a tool to help you develop healthy eating habits for the long run. It just so happens weight loss is a wonderful side effect that goes along with it. Slow down, relax, enjoy your journey..you will lose!!!!
   — Michelle B.

October 28, 2003
Well you could take the proetin shakes longer than you are supposed to. However, I understand your concern, I too, have to loose 200 pounds. I have already lost 103 pounds, and I am just 4 months post op. My advise would be, don;t get caught up in a liquid diet. The goal is to try and become as normal of an eater as possible. I have not tried sugar, and will probably stay sugar free. My doctor suggested that I should try sugar, but that is my choice. I think once you have the surgery, you will see the weight loss. Unless you are eating pure fat, I think you will see a loss no matter what you eat - at least in the beginning. I eat pretty much normal foods, and am still loosing. Everything will be fine.
   — Girl from B.

October 28, 2003
I think if you watch your calorie content (about 800 per day) and also exercise for 20 to 30 minutes 5 days a week, you will see quite a bit of weight loss. I started out at 248 so I was a lightweight and I had lost about 90 pounds by month 6. Exercise is one of the real keys. It not only helps to lose weight it gets fat off your body and firms and tones you up.
   — Patty H.

October 28, 2003
A great way to maximize your window is to not stretch your pouch. Measure your food from the start and keep a food diary. Studies also show that those who see a nutritionist as part of their post op plan lose faster adn more steadily. Most people can eat more at the end of 6-12 months because they have stretched the capacity of their pouch but it is not neccesary and with 200 pounds to lose not smart. I still eat less than 1/2 a cup at a time but now that I am near my goal I just eat a little more often and still keep it all protein. I think that people test out so many things (carbs, sweets,etc...)way too early only to find that they can tolerate them and in doing so they sabotage their window. Stick to the plan and you will lose it all. Read profile after profile and you can get a lot of information on how the very successful folks here did just that.
   — Carol S.

October 28, 2003
In my opinion, the best way to maximize your window would be to follow your doctor's instructions to the letter. These rules will be something like: following a low carb diet, exercise, supplements, at least 64oz of water, stop eating when satisfied. It's not a race to the finish line - there is no finish line.
   — Yolanda J.

October 28, 2003
My pre-op wt was 400 lbs, so far I have loss 147 lbs,in 10 months. I have much to loss, but I'm not worried about it at all. I focus on getting in my proteins, by eating meats, I don't buy protein drinks or mixes. my blood tests are ok each time it's tested. I focus on getting my 64 oz or more water each day. My exercise is walking 2 to 3 miles a day. plus sometimes my exercise bike, or ski machine. Plus taking my vitamins and doing what my doctor tells me to do. You will loss as long as you watch those CARBS. no snacking on bad foods, other words being strict with yourself helps you stay on track. Best wishes to you on your wl journey.
   — Naes Wls J.

October 28, 2003
Connie, in my honest opinion, it is not just about the food. Yes what we put into our mouths plays a big role, but I think you have to give equal time to exercise. The physics of weight loss comes down to burning more calories than we eat. My doctor told me that weight loss will stall if you don't exercise. For the first 6 weeks I walked a ton (6-8 miles a day) If I wasn't eating or sleeping I was walking. I joined a gym and when he gave me the thumbs up I started working out. I decreaseed my walking and added a LOT of cardio and weight lifting. I work out 4 days a week. This has truly helped me. I am considered a lightweight, but am way ahead of the curve in terms of my weight loss. The key things I focus on each day are getting in my protein, drinking all my water, and exercising.
   — jmusser

October 29, 2003
I think everyone here will agree that it's best to follow your doctor's orders - which will most likely be eat protein first, drink at least 64 oz of water, exercise. That is probably the best way to go. A lot of docs are not in favor of supplementing with protein shakes, etc., because we need to learn to eat properly. I'm using them sparingly myself, because I find them unappealing. All that said, the first 6 months or so, I don't see how you could not lose weight, except if your surgery wasn't done properly. My son, bless his heart, had surgery on May 5. He's not the most disciplined person in the world, and he's probably eating and drinking stuff that a lot of post-ops would blast him for. But he is taking his vitamins, eating enough protein and keeping hydrated. I don't think he exercises much, but he's lost 125 pounds of the approximately 200 he would like to lose. His doctor feels the "window" is probably open for up to 24 months after surgery. So try to relax, learn to eat better, get your exercise, and you will lose. Best of luck to you with your upcoming surgery.
   — Carlita

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