Loser
You may have no "honeymoon period". You may take months to loose that first fifty pounds. It may make you angry and frustrated. People including medical professional jack@$$es may accuse you of not sticking to plan. You may feel buyers remorse about wls. You may be tempted to stray from plan to crash diets or cheating since you are not losing as expected anyway. These are normal reactions to disappointment.
Few post about this issue while the folks that loose it all in under a year claim their bragging rights. Hold to your plan. Talk to your wls medical team as this is what you are paying them for. If they are no help, do your own research on healthy post op plans. There are too many versions out there to count.
Perhaps your physicians plan is just not best for you. My Dr made a minor modification to my plan while the nutty nut assumed I did not lose because I was cheating. His understanding of hormones and metabolism made some difference. The rest was my own research. Many of the nutritionists we depend upon are not registered dietitians just as medical assistants who weigh you and take your blood pressure are not nurses. They have some training, but often they are not licensed regulated professionals.
Most important in my opinion, screw the nay sayers. It remains a fact that the multi billion dollar diet industry depends on the greater than 95% long term diet failure rate. WLS across various types has an over all long term success rate exceeding 90% based on numerous clinical studies. Most studies use lifetime maintenance of 50-65% of excess weight lost as the criteria for success. As follow ups extend over longer terms, this increases in significance. Media fueled by wl industry advertising would rather push negative anecdotes than the truth.
Those who criticize us buy into this. We are shamed for our obesity and shamed again for addressing our obesity in a manner that is proven effective. The shame is not ours. It belongs on those who critique us because they have bought into the advertising and media spin on wls.
Bottom line: Fast or slow you can and will loose the weight as long as you remain committed. I was painfully slow to loose and still struggle with spurts increased body fat. It took me 135 days to loose the first 50 lbs post op; 508 days to loose 97.5 lbs to my goal weight. This is with regular exercise, both cardio & strength. I struggle with a 10-15 lb weight swing that three Drs insist is uncontrollable. I won't accept this. Three years our I refuse ever to buy a bigger size and I use a tape measure so as not to fool myself.
You will loose it. You may have no control over the time frame. You will keep it off. You do have control over how you adjust to this disappointing reality. STAY STRONG!
.
MSW Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass: Eat sensibly & enjoy moderation
Links: Are you a compulsive eater? for help OA meets on-line Keep Coming Back, One Day At a Time Overeaters Anonymous
LV'N MY RNY. WORKING FOR ME BECAUSE I WORK FOR IT.
While this provides restriction, and doesn't allow you to eat as much, you still absorb all the calories you do eat, so you still need to be careful not to make high calorie choices.
I have the duodenal switch, and my massive weight loss and maintenance is due to malabsorption (see www.dsfacts.com). I will have to do heavy vitamin and mineral supplementation for the rest of my life, at a level that would create vitamin toxicity in unaltered folk, and even folk with VSG, like you. The VSG is the top half of my surgery, which provides the same restriction for me that you have.
I'm sure you will be successful, but if you find that you're having some difficulty maintaining all but a minor gain, you might want to look into having "the switch". It's not for everyone.
Congrats on your weight loss!
Dear StillFabless.............One month!.............Seriously?????....... And you've proclaimed defeat...........One month!............It's way too soon in the game to jump on that band wagon. I know you've been on this board long enough to know that we all lose differently. And the #1 mistake you can make is to compare your journey to others...... Which you are doing. It's been A MONTH!!..(or less) Listen to MSW......She gives such great advice and perspective. Your body is still adjusting to the surgery. Stay with your program, do what you know you are supposed to do and exercise a little more patience. It's only been ONE MONTH!............(Or less). It will work, if you do your part and work it!
Stay strong and committed! You will lose the pounds in due time and succeed!!.......You are a loser you know.....(In a good way..............16 lbs is a great start).........Keep it moving!
JJ
Surgery date May 7 / 2012
Highest 312 lbs - Pre Op 297lbs - now 199 lbs
I know now that my location was never my destination.
Blu-Diva