Newbie needs advice

Hello All, I am new to this board. I have been posting on the Minnesota board, but I would like to talk to people who have had the same surgery as I have. I had VBG on November 30th. So I am 10? days out. I would love any advice you can give on weight loss and healthy habits and all the stuff you pick up along the way. How fast does the average VBGer lose? Most people have had the RNY and that is different enough that I want answers from someone who has had the VBG. I have lost 16 lbs from my preop weight (by far not my highest weight) - is this good? Any help would be lovely. Thanks, Heather

Hi, Heather: Welcome to the VBG Forum! YOU ARE DOING GREAT!! I had VBG on March 16, 2004, and have lost 80 pounds to date! I walk about 2 miles per day; drink LOTS AND LOTS of water; eat as much protein as I can (25g of which are in a protein shake mixed with skimmed milk every morning); and take my vitamins (I eat chewable multi-vitamins; chewable "C"; and chewable calcium EVERY DAY, WITHOUT FAIL!) I have 40 pounds more to lose, and anticipate being at goal by March of next year. I feel better than I have in 20 years! This is the best thing I have ever done for myself! As you know, everyone loses weight at a different rate. I've hit a couple of plateaus, and those are normal. I figure if I just keep doing what I've been doing, the weight will come off. I'm kind of dreading the holiday season, but I've got a positive attitude and I think that's the most important thing. Have a great holiday and KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE!! Mary

Welcome Heather! Congradulations on your weightloss so far It only gets better from here. I am almost 3 months out and I have lost 50 pounds. I don't have any secrets to share except that you will find your own tricks that work best for you along the way I do advocate getting into an exercise program as soon as you are cleared by your surgeon. Walking is great, but adding the resistance training helps to boost your lean muscle mass which will help with weightloss and maintenance. Good luck to you on your journey! Oh and to answer one of your questions, I was told by my surgeon that the weightloss for VBGers is comparable to RNYers during the first year, but it is really important for VBGers to really change our relationship with food because we don't have the help of malabsorption over the long term Hugs, Sara 364/356/306/175

wishing you the best on your journey

Welcome Heather, I was one year past my surgery date on November 17th. I was 257 and am 141 now. My goal was 144. I have been staying steady despite the holidays. I try to eat slowly and chew my food for at least 30 seconds. Believe me that helps more than you know for you get full faster. I thought I would never get hungry but believe me you still do. Just remember you must always stay on top of things for this surgery and the rny are just tools and it is possible to stretch your pouch on any of the surgeries, believe me I have seen it. First of all you must work to change your behavior patterns. That is one of the most important things. Eat the amount your doctor allows. I use the little Fiesta bowl that is very small and fits on the Fiesta plate. I have learned to eat several small meals a day. My doctor says never let yourself get hungry. It works reallly well for me. You can actually lose weight this way. Try to stay away from fried foods and sugars when you are able to have them, just good nutritional habits. When you are able to, exercise. That will be very important. My vbg was the best thing I have ever done. It has given me a new lease on life. I have eaten a little more these holidays, but I haven't gained but I am not going to get complacent and I am trying to stay in control. Believe me 16 lbs is very good but also remember everyone is different. Try not to be in a hurry. The slower you lose is actually the better but it is always hard for us to absorb that because we are in such a hurry to get that stuff off. Believe me I was the same way. Just always keep working on your behavior, recognize your danger spots and deal with them. Dianne

Hello Heather, Dr. Rupp was also my surgeon. Sounds like you are doing fine. I don't think there is any certain weight loss you should be at 10 days out. Some people lose more, some people have gained from being in the hospital with all of the fluids and some people have lost less. One can just never tell. Redifining your relationship with food will probably be your first hurdle. At some point when you see regular people eating you will marvel at all of the food they are able to consume. I know that I do. My one recommendation would be to find some type of exercise that you like to do as soon as Dr. Rupp has cleared you to begin. It certainly helps speed up the weight loss and helps you by changing to a healthy lifestyle habit. I personally am not pleased with Dr. Rupp's aftercare program. After I saw him for my first post-op appointment I have never seen him again. Basically I go every 3 months and pay my $20 copay to be weighed in by Joyce, tell her how much/what I have been eating, etc. The appointments take about 20 minutes. I have HealthPartners insurance as well. I go see a general Therapist that I began seeing when I was first diagnosed with depression. I see her every 3 weeks. Our general plan for my visits is to address my eating and exercising and to keep me moving forward with my weightloss. Best regards -- I hope it is all smooth sailing for you! Enjoy the ride! Sharon -125# 340 start (size 32) 215 today (size 18) 170-190 goal 5' 3" -- age 37

Heather- I went for my 4 month checkup last Friday and I was down 61 pounds. I am five feet tall and my surgeon told me I had lost 35% of my excess body weight. He also told me that most people double their 4 month loss at the end of a year so at that point I should have lost 70%. Then he said most go on to lose 10% more. Something occured to me tonight that I hadn't thought about...One person may lose 20 pounds in one month and another may only lose 10, but you have to consider the loss in comparison to your previous weight to see what % you have lost. I have compared my weight loss to some of the RnY posters and with the exception of a few I'd say I'm pretty close to the same loss amount. I lost 19 pounds my first two weeks so I'd say you are doing great at 16 pounds. I walk about 2 miles a day and I try not to snack. I eat a lot of the same foods, but just a lot smaller quantity. My biggest advice to you is to stay off the scale. After my appointment Friday I was down another 2 pounds, but now I'm about where I was at my appointment. If you weigh too much (like me) then you see all the fluctuations instead of the end result. I have had plateaus but then one day I'd all of a sudden drop 4 pounds. Very strange, I still don't understand it. The hardest thing for me at first was what to do in social situations, but now I don't think a lot about it and know what I can eat when out, etc... My best friend shares with me at restaurants which makes it a lot easier to order. I started losing hair (shedding) about 3 weeks ago. My surgeon said it can be caused by stress (which surgery and anesthesia are) or malnutrition. He said most people aren't malnutritioned, but that he saw hair loss more in his bypass patients (he no longer does bypass). So I am going to try and force myself to eat a more balanced diet just in case. Feel free to e-mail me anytime if you have any questions. Natalie 281/220/125 (30)