one year

Hi, this Friday will be one year since my WLS. I've lost 149 pounds, I'm not complaing but I haven't lost any weight really in the last few months. I can eat like normal almost. Not like before but a good amount. It scares me, is that normal? I can get a breakfast bagle with bacon egg and cheese from Mc Donalds and a hash brown and milk and eat it all, in about 30-40 minutes. I haven't been on this site in a long time, I've been messing up a little. Back in June I had some tests done and the doc said all my levels are excellant even a little higher then other gastric bypass patients. So dumb me figures, cool I don't need to take my vitamins anymore. So I stopped! The last two weeks, I've fallen twice, fainted once and was told by my family doc I seem to be mal nurished. Back to the vitamins. Maybe thats why my weight loss slowed down soo much. I weigh 225 I'm 5"8 so to me its not that bad, I'm just now going into a size 16! YIPPEE ! ! Anyone have any advice to give me please do.

Jaclyn, First of all, congratulations on your weight loss! It sounds like you are MUCH healthier than you were a year ago....with the exception of the malnourishment thing...get those vitamins in!! Second, I too am shocked by the quantities I am able to eat. I could eat the same amount as you describe (although the bagel might be too heavy for me) ...minus the milk as I don't drink with meals. I talked to the doctor about it and his response was that he operated on my stomach, not my head. We don't have to eat until we feel uncomfortable!! This is apart of retraining our brain. Basically we should always eat our protein first, then veggies & fruits, and quit when we're satisfied...not "full". He also suggested only allowing 20 - 25 minutes for a meal. I've been working at it...somedays are better than others! I thought my pouch is so tiny that there was no way I would ever be able to eat a "normal" quantity of food again, but that appears to have been wrong.....just as long as I'm NEVER able to eat what used to be "normal for me"! Since I can eat enough nutrition in just 3 meals a day, I do not do the 6 meals/snacks a day that others do....and I have my doctor's blessings, too. Basically you and I are just going to have to exercise more self control and make good choices. I have never thrown up from eating too much, which I know is common for others. I don't know why. But for me, I now have a protein drink for breakfast, normal lunch and normal dinner & occasionally a snack....and I am maintaining (or losing slightly) my weight (I'm at/under goal!)....so I guess this works for my body. My doctor has assured me I have NOT stretched my pouch or stoma (as others have said)...he said I could only do that if I basically ate most of the day long and kept my pouch "overfull" for several hours at a time...and even then its not a very stretchy material. My body apparently digests food more quickly than others. One thing you do need to be careful about is making sure you are not eating 30 min. before or after your meal...this will move things through more quickly, allowing you to eat more and eventually gain weight from increased calories. I have a friend who is 6 years post-op, who has gained about 50 lbs. She thought the "drinking rule" was only for the first year, and had started drinking with meals about 5 years ago. Now she is hungry alot and has gained weight, and her surgeon says its because she didn't follow the drinking rule. They even checked her pouch and stoma...they're NOT stretched! She just needs to follow the rules, and remember that they are for LIFE! Good luck on your continued weight loss. They say we can expect loss for the first 18 months. I would just buckle down and "go back" to how you were eating at 3 - 6 months post-op in order to "ride the weight loss wave" in order to lose as much as you can within the 18 month time frame. Just because our bodies allow us to eat alot, doesn't mean we need to do it!!! (I cringe as I write this as I had a crackers and cheese fest at 10 pm last night and I feel SOOOO guilty!) Good luck! Kathy 313 (highest ever)/294/155/154 5' 8"

Hi Jaclyn, We had surgery on the same day! Happy anniversary to us tomorrow! I'm down 146 pounds, REALLY wanted to be -150 at this point, but the last 2 months I've only lost 2 pounds. It's been tough lately hasn't it? I can't eat quite that much but I too am shocked sometimes at how much I can get in. I can eat a 6oz yogurt and not be stuffed. I can eat a bag of potato chips from the evil vending machine by my cubicle with no problems. Shocking!!! Advice? Take your supplements! Don't let it slip EVER! Also get back to basics, cut out fast food! I found myself going to Taco Bell and getting a mexican Pizza with no beef (I'm vegetarian) and I really think this has hurt my progress. If you're not already, start working out! I'm at the gym 5x a week and am totally hooked. I absolutely notice even on my scheduled days off that I didn't do anything physical that day. Come back to the boards! I still read these almost everyday for inspiration and to keep me on track. Get involved with a local surgery support group! We're all here for each other. I know I'm not telling you things you don't already know, but count this as a voice saying these things are important! happy re-birthday! Amy Lap RNY 10/22/03 5'9: 349/203/180??