WLS vets: help me understand the honeymoon

Just curious...
I've seen people post advice to newbies to take advantage of their honeymoon period, the 1st 6 months after surgery, because after that, weight loss slows way down. How much slower is it? I am about 3 months out and I am losing about 15lbs a month now, and for some delusional reason I thought I'd be losing close to 30lbs a month for the first few months... (dingy I know,and glad I'm not losing that rapidly) anyway, I'm wondering if 15lbs a month is something I am going to be able to maintain after 6 months post-op? By no means has my journey been easy, I am tracking my protein, water, carbs, and exercising 5x a week... which I can maintain, but I can't fathom not getting this great reward of ongoing loss after 6mos with all the hard work I am doing. Any thoughts?

Ok dude - listen up..........

the 'honeymoon' phase is what you make it.  It's not just the first 6 mos - it's generally the first 18-24 when you will lose, period. 

When was the last time you lost 15lbs a month?  So you're disappointed it's not 30?  LOL!!!  Calm down.  There are many reasons why people lose more - the most major is that the higher losers weigh more.  I lost 30 a month at first - but hell - i had 200 to LOSE!!!!  A 'lightweight' with only 120 to lose will lose less - but can still get to goal, just like I can - with the right effort and work. 

and NO you will NOT keep losing 15 a month no matter WHAT you do (well - if you started smoking CRACK you could probably keep it going.....) because your body is going to adjust and shift based on its adaptation and needs as you continue to get further out from your surgery date. 

Bottom line - the honeymoon is the timeframe in which you can optimize your loss because you body hasn't totally adjusted to its new 'formation' and you can therefore lose more rapidly with less overall effort - the tool will do MOST of the work for you - later on - YOU have to be more on point - because the tool will not always compensate for every indiscretion.......

got it?  GOOD - now STOP obsessing, keep up your water, protein, vitamins and exercise and ENJOY the journey!!!!! 

**this newbie message has been brought to you by the Mack for Smart Newbies Knowing How to Work Their Tool campaign**
My name is #1 Mack Mama and I approve this message..........

MM I swear your hyper ass need a whupping!!  LOL!!

  Man - yall just don't KNOW!!!!  I REALLY want to start a thread kickin it with tha Juice and see how crazy STOOPID the both of us can get - THAT would REALLY have yall goin!!!!!!

and what *I* need a whuppin for?  SHE asked the question!!!!!!  you KNOW better than to ASK and not EXPECT tha truth - tha REAL DEAL!!!!!  LMAOOOOOO hey - I did good! I didn't yell at her or nuffin. 

I want in.  I want in. 

Yes.

You, Aaron, Jim Brown and myself would tear this mofo DOWN.

Her question was a good question and your response was really good too. Sometimes we newbies need a reminder to keep things in perspective. I think its normal to want what you want quick. That's the society that we live in but we must recognize that this is just a tool to help us get healthier and lose the weight. Not a magic pill that we take and one day look like big bertha from down the street and the next look like Beyounce. Very good response MM.

GM

Please please please take advantage of the honeymoon phase; once you hit 6 months (IMHO), you slow down or you may even stall (I started stalling @ 6 months).  It's only because your pouch is healing and it has gotten slightly used to the regimen.  You will still lose weight in the honeymoon phase but not as much in the beginning.  You may be able to keep the 15 lbs per month weight loss after 6 months but you may need to change it up a bit!  Hope this helps...

Thanks for posting this... I was wondering the same thing myself.

*taking note about what MM said about CRACK... just in case I get desperate!*

that crack thang would work for real - I just couldn't cost justify the side effects of selling all my shiot and having ashy azz lips - the chapstick ALONE could bankrupt a sista!!!!!



NOT a cute look!!!!