Newbie questions to the veterans

Hi all- I have been posting on this and the July 2005 surgery board. I just have a few questions as I come up on my 5th month since surgery. I know the loss slows down, but by how much? Also should I be able to eat almost a whole lean cuisine at this time? I am worried I am overdoing it. I still am losing around a pound a week, but not getting the big jumps any longer, and starting to get stalls. How do I know if what I am eating is too much. I, like all of us, am terrified this is going to reverse like eveything else I have tried since now. I started out at 256; was 250 the day of surgery and am hovering at around 197-98 now. Really appreciate you perspective. I know you guys get this all the time, but just want to make sure I am on the right track. thanks, Andrea

Andrea, At my fifth month I'd lost about 63 pounds - which is pretty close to your loss (I also started out a good bit heavier). I had pretty good monthly losses until my 6th month and since then I 've probably been averaging 1 pound/week. Now, at 11 1/2 months out I've lost 113 pounds. So, although the loss does slow down, take heart that all those pounds really do add up. I also found that I can eat more as I get further out from my surgery. In fact, I shocked myself by eating a full banana today. This was a first for me. I think the key thing is to remember to focus on eating protein first and making good food choices. Btw, you look great in your pictures! Mary 302/198/1??

Wt loss is individual really. Focus on water, protein, exercise, new lifestyle habits is all u can do! We can influence our wt but the body loses as it will! Do al u an and that is allu can do! Throw out the stupid scale, weigh weekly or even monthly otherwise it willdrive u nuts! At 5Mo I lost 84# but I started at 5'9'' and 275# 9day of surgery) I lost 45# pre surgery... So starting wt and ht matter!!! My wt loss was all in 7 mo but a freind of mine same starting wt/ht (but 10 yrs older) lost same wt in 2 yrs!? She struggled with many plateaus and small losses, mine dropped off rapidly who u will be is based on all u do and then the body decides the rest! HUGS! I can eat a whole lean cuisine and could at 7 mo out....Protein fills us up sits heavier and keeps us full onger.. Monitor food and dont eat/drink together keep away from refined carbs/sugars, and look at this as not a race but a joourney to develop healthy habits! Wt loss is a bonus, but health is #1 goal! WT LOSS DIFFERENCES There are so many factors to consider, heights, starting weights, men vs. women, individual metabolisms, age, and most importantly if you have any other medical conditions or are on medications!!! Remember the heavier people are the more they will lose (but the farther away one will be from an ideal bodywt..) and the lighter one is the closer to an ideal bodywt you will get, but the less they will loose overall! EXAMPLE: After RNY surgery research states most people can/will loose 50-78% of their excess bodywt...lets say both of these "hypothetical" people lose 75% of their excess bodyweight.... 1. A 400lb person at 5'6'' (a bmi of 64) who has 250# of excess wt (ideal is 150#) will lose 187.5# and weigh 212.5# and have a BMI of 34.5, 1 1/2-2 years after surgery. 2. A 300# person of 5'6'' (a bmi of 48) who has 150# of excess bodywt. (ideal also 150#) will loose 112.5# and weigh 187.5# and have a bmi of 30, 1 1/2-2 years after surgery. This is an example just to show that you cannot compare your wt. loss to anyone else's! Listen to your doctor; mine said a 2-7# loss a week. Some weeks I loose 5 others none! Plateaus are also individual, some people get them every other week, others once a month and some never! Go figure...we are each individuals and our bodies are stubborn and are going to do what they want! LOL....As long as you are following your recommendations for food, vits, fluid, and exercise everything will take care of itself! Stay positive and don't get overly focused on the scale and numbers! Get the scale out of the house and weigh once a week somewhere or only when you go to the MD...Do not give the scale all that power! Listen to your body, how you feel, your energy level, how your breathe, how your clothes fit...Measure yourself, many times we lose inches and not pounds! Exercise also adds muscle and this weighs more than fat, so initially you may see no loss or a small gain, muscle in the long run will help you burn more energy and be healthier...So hang in and don't worry! The loss will come; it is just different for everyone! Check out http://www.clos.net/predict-wt-loss.htm For wt loss predictions... Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"