A little advice from a 2 yr post op...

Hi there all!!! Ok, so my best friend had RNY WLS surgery 2 yrs ago, and on our anniversary month (Dec 22, 2005). She is down -147 lbs, weighs 144 lbs, and is a size 4 (not bragging, those are just the stats on her). She follows Dr. Baker's post op guidelines (Fridley, MN) for water, vitamins, protein, and exercise. Anyway, she and I were talking about how frustrated I am in wanting to get rid of the "last 15 lbs" we all seem to be talking about on this board. She reminded me that we are all less than 12 months out, and at 14 months out herself, she was a size 10. She said for all of us to be patient, hang in there, work our programs, and know that with time the extra weight will go where it needs to....out! Just a little nugget of wisdom to share with anyone who may be wanting to purge those last lbs.... Anyone else have friends or family who have been post op longer than us that may have shared some helpful support? Best, Megan

Thanks for the encouragement. I am trying to be patient I do not have wisdom that has been passed to me from a post op, but I can tell you what I have learned NOT to do from a post op who has gained back all the wait after 5 years. DO NOT drink pop, DO drink with your meals, DO NOT get your body used to sweets and fatty foods again. DO NOT eat more than you should and stretch your pouch. I am really following those guidelines because I do not want to gain this weight back in 5 years or ever again. Terisa

I do not have anyone to offer support but you guys(December Babies). I have no rush what so ever to get rid of those last pounds, they will come off when it's time. The longer it takes me the better b/c I do not want to loose much more weight anyhow. Bea

Thank you for that! I am more than a little frustrated with myself.....and it is good to know that there is still room for loss........

Megan, thank you for posting this. Good advice like that is always helpful. I plan to mention my grazing problems and troubling sweet tooth tomorrow at my appointment and see what my surgeon's opinion is of the way I've been eating (using a lot of sugar-free products to satisfy those sweets urges). Your friends advice to be patient and hang in there is especially good. My surgeon says the optimal weight loss window is up to 18 months but can continue after that with proper eating. It CAN be done and you will do it in your body's own good time. Molly

Molly: Me too! My appt is tomorrow and I am all over those SF Werther's!!!! I can't stop eating them some days....it's ridiculous!!! Let's start a SF foods support group.... Megan

Oh yeah! I started out with the small stuff: a Baskin-Robbins chocolate/mint sf hard candy a day. Then it got a little more intense: a sf Dove Chocolate a day. Then the Dove started to take over and make me want more, more, more so I went cold turkey on them for a few months. Then I let them back in and they weren't so wonderful but the York SF Peppermint patties got hold of me. I don't mainline them, I make them last about four good bites throughout the day. One takes a long time to eat but I have to be careful because this feels like the hardcore stuff now and I don't want it to get out of control. Molly (whatever you do, keep away from the Valor SF chocolates from Spain....OMYGAWD GOOD!)

Megan, I'm so glad you posted this info, as it really is a common thought at one year. Ro

My best friend is 5 years post op and still at goal and under. I'm going to have to bug her now and find out how long it took her to hit her goal weight, and if she still behaves herself according to her surgeon's guidelines.