To ALL other 8 month POST OPS!!

I've lost about 123 lbs and am several pounds below the bottom of the range my surgeon set. I'm working with a nutrionist, but I have to resort to powdered protein to get enough calories in each day. I can only eat about 1.5 oz cereal or half a sandwich at a time. I can't eat and drink together at all. I eat a fair number of times a day because I do dump with one extra bite. This makes it nearly impossible to get in all the fluid that I need.

Sharon .. you have done excellent ... and I bet the cup of food is more soft than dense protein ?? I have lost 139 pounds.. for the most part I do not touch red meat of pork.. I just can not tolerate it .. so I make up for it with chicken .. I can do about 2 oz of poultry or seafood .. If it is a soft food .. about a cup.. maybe ... sometimes I think my little drain whole is too small .. good thing as it keeps me in check . And honestly it takes a lot to stretch your pouch .. years .. I hear .. you are doing great .. Natalie

Hey Sharon, you are doing great! I know what you mean...but, I think I can eat just about anything I want. I have lost 70 lbs. which is great, I know. But, have not lost anything since October!! I know I am eating too much. What is a revision? I can eat normal again. Sometimes I do get sick, but, not often. I kindof go through stages!! I am so embarrased! I went through this sugery, only to start eating again like normal?? No way!! I guess I need to be talking to my doctor. What about this cottage cheese test? I have heard about it...but, has there been a doctor that has recommended this? Or just other people? I would like to know more about this. I may be calling my doctor in the next week or so. Cause this is getting very discouraging!! Jeannie

Jeannie, I have heard abou tthe cottage cheese test since the beginning. I have heard that a lot of people's Dr.'s have then try it at the beginning so they can see how small their pouch is and then after so many months so they can keep track if it has changed at all. Julie S.

Hi Sharon, don't be discouraged ,be happy.That is weight that is gone and you did it. Everyone is differant on how their weight lose goes.When you hit that plateu it's very tough to be opptomistic,but up your protein and water and of course the dreaded excercise.That's what moved my scale after 2months.Sometimes I can eat over a cup of cottage cheese and then sometimes I'm lucky if I can do half,it's always changing.I have lost 165lbs and haven't been excercising but I had to start,which is hard for me I just don't enjoy it. I don't think you need a revision...I'm not real sure how it works with the stretching of the pouch,but I think it takes alot to do it. Well be proud of yourself and keep up the good work. God Bless, Angi 360/195/130

I agree with the rest...90lbs is WONDERFUL!! My friend also had a revision and it is because she was able to eat a lot and never ever got full. The food would go through her so fast that she was always hungry. She lost about 70lbs in the first 6mo but then started gaining. They did a scope and found out her stoma was over 2x as large as it should have been which allowed her pouch to empty too quickly. These are very extreme cases and I have only heard of one or two. Plus her ins. company paid for it only because she still had a BMI of over 40. You have done a great job losing the 90lb so far and it sounds like you have been on a long plateau. I would start counting your protein grams and water to make sure you are getting enough in. I know for me when I get on a plateau I have to start drinking 1-2 protein shakes and up my water because it always happens because I have been slacking. At a point in our journey we also have to start exercising (if you didn't do it the entire time). Remember this is only a 'tool' and not a magic bullet. Sometimes we all forget that at times. Especially at the beginning when the weight seems to fall off. Also you didn't mention how tall you are or how much you started at. Sometimes when you start off at a lower weight it comes off slower. I wish you the best of luck and keep us updated. hugs.... Julie S. 268/265/158/150/130 high/start/now/dr. goal/my goal 4may04 open rny TT approved...haven't scheduled it yet though!

Thank you Julie! Congrats on your TT approval!! I am praying that my insurance company will approve one as well. I had an apron before my weight loss as the results of having twins, and they knocked evrything out of whack, lol. Since my weight loss it is absolutely horrific. I beleive pictures alone should convince any board to approve it, not to mention that I have rashes quite often. WHat did you have to provide to the insurance company for approval? Is it a total TT or just a panelectomy? Not sure about the spelling. Have a great day and keep up the good work. I appreciate your support. Sharon

Sharon I have lost 80 lbs so far, and I'm at a plateau right now, haven't lost a lb. since October. I know that I need to increase my exercise and protein, but I am so lazy about it. My surgeon said that I am right on track and that at 6 months, he felt that I might be losing too much too fast. But I have a smal frame and have lost more inches than weight. I weighed 212 @ 5' 2"...I went from size 16-18 to size 4-6. In October I was wearing size 8, but now 8s are too big for me, but I have not lost any weight since October. As a matter of fact the doctor's scales said that I had GAINED 1/2 lb! So I am happy about that. I can eat almost anything, just not a lot of food. I usually don't eat dinner, maybe drink a protein shake or eat some fruit. I might also have some a bowl of low carb, high protein cold cereal because I love cereal. I think you are doing great Sharon and 90 lbs is really good! Good luck to you. Hettie RNY/Lap 212/132/125 5' 2"

Hi Sharon, Thanks for posting this. I feel the same way. I feel that I am eating too much to. Some days I can eat the house and somedays I don't want much. But I still seem to be losing. If not pounds, then inches. I have not lost much since December. I have lost 94 pounds total. I have gone from a tight 22/24 to a size 12. When people ask me about my weight lost, I tell them that I need to lose 25 to get to goal. They look so shocked and surprised and say "where is it going to come from--your getting too skinny now?" I didn't know that a size 12 was too skinny. LOL!!! I don't know what will happen by my anniversary date (May 17th), but I am happy. I know I need to drink more water and get more exercise in. I am like a bear in the winter and I hibernate. I will get out and walk more when the weather starts warming up. Take care--Sandra

I had my surgery 5/3/2004. As of today I have lost 122 pounds. I can't believe it! But then again I still get discouraged. I lost my dear daddy in December. So I didn't eat for about 4 days straight, and that really screwed me up. I am just now getting back on the wagon. It took me over a month to lose about 11 pounds. Some meals I feel like I could eat the whole house, other times I hardly want anything. Sometimes I feel like I am eating too much, but then when I look at it compared to how I used to eat, I just about laugh at myself! I guess I shouldn't complain, this is the first chunk of time since my surgery that I have really hit a plateau. Everyone where I work has had this done (seems that way), some of them lose so fast, they don't take vitamins, drink sports drinks all day,all of that, and are still lighter than I am. Granted, I was bigger than they were going into surgery. But still. I do love my water though, but have to get back to drinking protein drinks. And need to start back with exercise also. But overall, I still feel this is saving my life. And my daddy was so happy and proud of me. When I feel like giving up, I just think of him. Thanks for listening, surgery mates! Valena Lap RNY 5/3/2004, -122