VERY INTERESTING WLS ARTICLE

I got this from my friend who lives in TX (Houston area) thought I would share this with you all too. It was published in the Houston Chron. Here is the article -minus the pics DIET / Hitting a wall / Bariatric surgery patients sometimes reach weight-loss plateaus By MARY VUONG STAFF Regular dieters know the plateau well. They're humming along on a weight-loss plan, when they hit a wall. Suddenly, the scale stops cooperating. They've plateaued. This affects dieters of all stripes, but it's particularly dramatic for bariatric surgery patients, whose severely restricted intake prompted such noticeable weight loss in the beginning. At this stage, some people shift to weight maintenance. Others want to continue losing vanity pounds or to give themselves a cushion should they regain. Others still have more to shed to reach a healthy BMI, or body mass index. Yet whether it's to jump-start weight loss or just hold steady, patients need to keep a close eye on their food and exercise habits. "Now, even if you're 400 pounds and you start losing weight fairly rapidly ... survival instinct tells the body that you're starving. The body starts doing things to conserve energy and that's why you hit plateaus," says Dr. Neil Hutcher, president of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Here, he adds, the "patient has a decision to make. That is, are you going to work for what you want?" Plateaus are individual. They may occur after the first 100 pounds of weight loss or 1 1/2 years after surgery, says Leicia Teixeira, a registered dietitian at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital who works with bariatric surgery patients. Patients can become more tolerant of higher-calorie foods after 12-18 months, says Jennifer Naples, a registered dietitian at Methodist Hospital's Weight Management Center. She emphasizes controlling portions, planning meals and sticking to low-fat, low-sugar and high-protein foods. That's exactly what Sherry and Ron Morton of Fulshear do. Sherry has lost 113 pounds since her surgery in March 2005, and her husband, who had the procedure two months later, has dropped almost as much. Though Sherry is 20 pounds from her ideal weight, she has shed only 2 pounds in two months. The couple - Ron, 64, is retired and Sherry, 60, works part time - are frequently on the run. When a recent trip to New Mexico lacked the snow needed for skiing, they headed to the mountains to ride ATVs. They have another vacation planned that will involve lots of sightseeing in Europe. When they're home, Ron does yard work and the couple swim and bike. "We're constantly busy," Sherry says. That's a good thing, because physical activity is essential to maintaining weight or escaping a plateau. Teixeira recommends an hour of cardio and weight training five times a week. "I've learned if I don't exercise as soon as I get home, it won't get done," says Jennifer Cherry, whose weight-loss journey was featured in the Houston Chronicle in 2004. She's 95 pounds lighter these days. In February, Cherry, 54, said she wanted to drop an additional 22 pounds, but would be pleased anywhere the scale's needle stopped. Turns out her weight then, 162, is still her weight now. "I know I said I'd be happy wherever I end up - turns out I'm not so happy here," she admits. Cherry has "slightly decreased" her intake and become "super religious" about physical activity, whi*****ludes exercise videos. Zola Lander, 48, underwent surgery two years ago and reached her current weight, 146 pounds, early this year. She used to walk for exercise, but this year joined a gym, spending three hours a week on the bike, elliptical trainer and treadmill. Lander has a BMI of 24.29 and feels good where she's at. She also became nurse coordinator for the Weight Management Center after surgery. Lander ate about 800 calories a day the first year after surgery. She estimates that's increased to 1,500, but she tries to keep her sugar and fat intake below 10 grams each. Watching what she eats will be a lifelong task, but that's not to say she wouldn't allow herself a small square of cake should the occasion call for it, she adds. As for weight fluctuations, each patient has a different comfort zone. "I don't freak out if it goes up 2-3 pounds," says Lander, who weighs herself daily. Same with Sherry Morton. But 5 pounds? That would call for action. For Cherry, who weighs herself less often, the number is 2 pounds."I should probably be more flexible, but it has been a long, hard road going through surgery and losing this much." Teixeira discourages patients from stressing out if they reach their target weight, then creep up 5 to 10 pounds. "It's OK and acceptable to see a 2-pound fluctuation on a daily basis just (from) fluids," she says. Hutcher considers "5-7 pounds totally within normal limits." The patients recognize the surgery is only a starting point, not a solution. "It's not a magic pill," Lander says. "You still have to work at it." Sherry Morton Weight loss: 113 pounds Status: Sherry would like to lose 20 more pounds, but says she'll be fine if she doesn't. Ron Morton Weight loss: 102 pounds Status: Ron wants to drop another xxpounds. "Strategy: "The Mortons eat and drink what they like, but in moderation. They stay active through yard work, biking and swimming. Zola Lander Weight loss:"" 209 pounds "" "Status: "Two years after her surgery, Zola is happy with her weight. "Strategy: "Even maintaining is hard work. Zola used to walk for exercise, but now hits the gym for an hour of cardio three times a week. Jennifer Cherry Weight loss: 95 pounds "Status: Jennifer thought she'd be happy wherever her weight loss stopped, but she's not. She wants to shed an additional 22 pounds. "" "Strategy: "Jennifer is religiously sticking with her exercise routine set to workout videos and is strictly watching her intake.