Question:
Not Following Dr.'s Orders; Bad Role Model But It Works!
I am 11 months out from open RNY & have lost 105 pounds. Just 10 pounds from goal. But I have lost all of this weight by not doing what I am supposed to be doing. I have not exercised the first day, but I am going to start so I can tone up. Never have drank water (couldn't stand it before the surgery & that didn't change afterwards), eat whatever I want when I want, including sweets, carbs & chips (of course, just not much of it)& could not tolerate any protein drinks or bars so I very rarely had any in the beginning but do try & eat alot of chicken now. I have been amazed that I can eat anything & not get sick. The only things I have to stay away from are carbonated drinks & coffee creamer. I live off of sweet tea. Has anyone else been able to do this? I know we really only hear from the ones who have been great & have stuck to their doctor's orders, but what about the ones who aren't very good at following advice, such as me? And please, I didn't write this to be bashed. I am just curious if there are others out there who have been able to do this. I know the way I have been for the past 11 months is not the correct way, but it worked for me & I am wondering if it worked for anyone else. — Lori M. (posted on October 18, 2002)
October 18, 2002
Hi Lori -
I too am having great results and not doing all that I'm supposed to do.
I'm 5 1/2 months out, down 125 pounds, feel great with no complications and
follow few of the guidelines. I eat and drink at the same time, I never
took protein drinks although I eat my protein first and eat very few carbs
with my meals. I eat a piece of cake when I'm at a party or ice cream when
I feel like it and I never exercise. I don't think I even need any plastic
surgery, although I'll never look like Mr. America! I guess I'm a bad
example for someone who's new to follow, but I think I'm living my life as
normally as possible and frankly I couldn't be happier. If you get bashed,
I guess I'll get bashed too! I'm happy that you're doing well. -Mike
— Michael N.
October 18, 2002
Hello. I too have failed to comply to the program. However, I don't really
fit into the same category as you. I had the stapling done. I have a
constant struggle with food and especially the head hunger. I am a year
into my weight loss and have a long way to go before I reach goal. I have
to get back on track almost every day! Little by little I have stretched my
stomach and can eat almost anything I want and eat a much larger amount. My
non-compliance is my own fault, and I was not prepared for the emotional
battle every day. I think your weight loss up to now is absolutely
wonderful!! It sounds like you are healthy. Try to beam in on your
emotional state when you do not comply to the program. This is the hardest
for me, but I will be an overcomer!!! Have a great day! Teri
— Teri P.
October 18, 2002
Nobody does everything perfect. Some just are more diligent and legalistic
than others. Not that that is a bad thing, its just that different things
work for different people. We have to find what works for us individually.
I could never tolerate the protein drinks or bars. Tried SO many of them,
even others' favs, blech! So that is where I didn't do so great. I also
have a hard time eating 'protein first'. I do get *some* protein in for
each day, but I probably never make it to 50 grams, maybe on a good day,
but doubt it. It has not affected me though. I did much better with H2O
intake when I couldn't drink very fast, I had to have it with me everywhere
so that I could sip sip sip. Now that I can drink faster, I don't have to
keep my water with me everywhere and I forget to drink it. Oops! Oh well,
I'm doing just dandy without 64 oz. of water daily. I read an article
recently in the paper (saw on national news also) where they have gone to
extremes as far as water recommendations. We should now count the water
from foods, as well as caffeinated beverages. Works great for me!
Exercise, now that has been a struggle for me. I walked daily early in my
post-op times, but when it turned hot, forgetaboutit. It just didn't
happen. I do go once a day most days now that it has become cooler, maybe
5 days a week, but I don't walk as far as I should. I just get bored with
it. I do stay SO active all day anyway, not the sofa tater that I used to
be before surgery, so I get in a lot of activity that way. And even though
I have been 'bad', I have made it to goal in less than a year. I eat
healthy foods in small portions, I still cannot drink with my meals, not
for an hour after, that just became habit. And I don't drink soda or sweet
tea. (Sweet T was my fav before surgery, didn't think I could give that up,
thankful that I did though). So to sum up my book here, we all find our
way with what works for us individually. We won't stick to something that
doesn't fit. We have to find a lifestyle that works for US.
— Cheri M.
October 18, 2002
Not going to bash you! I'm just envious!!! I'm pre-op (surgery scheduled
for Dec 18th), so I hope I have a similar experience!! :)
— Patricia E.
October 18, 2002
I am just 55 days post-op so but I have lost 50lbs and raraely do the right
thing. I eat lots of junk and carbs. I don't excersise but am pretty
active.
I am a lightweight so I think 50 is good.
I have been losing slow the last couple weeks. Don't know if this is
platue, eatting wrong, or b/c I am lightweight.
Any other lightweights losing and doing all the wrong things?
Bobbi: 5'1 207/155 now (starting BMI 39.9)
— Bobbi H.
October 18, 2002
I don't always eat perfect either and I cannot stand the protein bars or
shakes either. I immediately throw them up, so I figure it is worhtless to
consume them. Anyway, I pretty much eat what I want to, but I do try to
avoid sugar and carbonation. But, If I want some Frito's corn chips and
bean dip...I HAVE IT. Granted, only a few and I stop when I feel full...but
I eat like I normal person. I don't like feeling deprived. Power to all
those who stay so perfect on their Dr.'s orders...but my opinion is, that
very few will stay on it forever! Just ask your Dr. to stay on the same
diet for a week, and I bet he will go off! I think we do need to be careful
though about how much we eat and try to eat things that are good for us
most of the time. Our pouches are so small, that if all we do is fill it up
with junk and sweets, we will get very sick and unhealthy. I eat things
that are very good for me, but I also have an occasional treat! (open RNY
7/23/02 -72 lbs)
— Shawnie S.
October 18, 2002
I'm just the same as you. I am a little over a year out, below goal, and
less 125lbs. I have never exercised, never paid too close attention to
what went in my mouth, nor have I stressed over my weight loss. I do not
eat like I did before, not due to any concience effort of my own, but
gradual changes do happen. For one, I do not drink soda and have not had
soda in almost a year. I quit drinking it because it made my tummy hurt,
now I just dont like it. I live off sweet tea, maybe only a glass or two
of water on a good day. My only regret is that I didnt do better with the
protien. I have been trying very hard to correct this issue. By not
eating the protien that I should have, my hair (and Im sure many other
things) suffered because of it. It is just now starting to get better. I
am now making an effor to better myself physically in many aspecst. I am
doing it now because I want to, not because I need to. And that has made
all the difference in the world.
— RebeccaP
October 18, 2002
All of you wonderful post ops who are not following their surgons plans
and believe your doing well. I hope you are getting your lab work done
every three months. Because I have read of people dying from malnutrician
as well as having heart attacks from dehydration. If your lucky enough to
avoid this, I'd like to know how you are doing three years out without
having retrained your eating habits. I really do hope you guys are right.
— faybay
October 18, 2002
Although I do not follow all of my doc orders, i do put protein first, I do
get in all of my water, and I do take all of my supplements. If I started
on sweets, I know that I would not be able to stop. My worst thing is that
I am a popcorn addict. I eat light microwave popcorn at least 5 times a
week. But I do not do too much else that I am not suposed to do. I hope
that all of you that have not followed the doc's orders continue to do
well, and your old habits to not come back to bite you in your skinny
little butts!!!
— Vicki L.
October 18, 2002
I have had my labs done SIX times in the last 11 months!!! They are always
great for the exception of iron which I had a problem with as a pre-op.
They adjusted my iron intake and my labs have been great ever since!! My
albumin (protein) levels have been great along with everything else. I eat
healthy and take my vitamins. And since I've been at goal, I don't really
pay attention to when I eat or how much. I eat when I'm hungry and stop
when I'm full. And I keep losing weight. I became dehydrated when I had a
stricture. Muscle cramps, dry mouth, low potassium. But it appears that
my intake of fluids is fine for ME because I don't experience the least bit
of dehydration. Like I said before, we all have to find what works for us
individually! There should be no judgement with that!:~)
— Cheri M.
October 18, 2002
Ditto here,
I eat everything I want and stop when I'm full, I'm paying attention to
nutrition though and I was never a junk food eater, after the surgery even
less so, fast-food doesn't tempt me I usually crave very, very rare beef,
or fish and veggies, salads, soups.... but I'm a DSer and I don't dump so I
do take advantage of the sweets.... The only thing I'm very careful with is
the water and the supplements, I don't want scary malnutrition
problems.....Other wise I'm pretty much living it up...Blessed Be....Diane
— Diane B.
October 18, 2002
I'm afraid I have to agree with Faye. I'm not bashing, mind you, just a
little concerned for your health on down the road. It's not just about
getting thin, it's about getting healthy. There is a reason you should be
drinking all that water and eating the protein. No more preaching, just
please be careful. You want to be around a while.
— Kathy S.
October 18, 2002
FYI..I just wanted to let everyone know that I did have my blood levels
drawn two months ago & nothing, not one thing, was abnormal.
Everything was within normal ranges, along with a cholesterol level of 142!
Thanks everyone, for not bashing me! Life is SOOOO good!
— Lori M.
October 18, 2002
Just be careful, I had surgery 12 years ago and have gained 80 lbs now with
those kind of eating habits
— skyler218
October 18, 2002
I'm jealous! I'm 6 months out, down 138 lbs and really work at it! If I
eat and drink at the same time I will throw up, I can't have sugar or bread
or soda, struggle with my water and exercise! We all have surgery for
different reasons, I wanted WLS in order to change my eating and lifestyle
habits. Good for you that you can live a normal life! I'm envious!
— jenn2002
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