Hey all

Hi all, I started at 468 and I too just found this board. I was getting discouraged on the RNY board because most of the people on there only have to loose 100 or so pounds. I have to loose 300lbs.  I have a problem. My pouch seems to have increased and I can eat more than I did at first. I am worried something is wrong. I want this to work for me. I want this to be the thing that changes my life.  I do have concerns. Has this happened to anyone else? I also need to increase my exercise. I just need some encouragement.  Thanks Tommi

Hi, Tommi and welcome to the BMI Over 50 forum - we're a real friendly bunch and I'm super glad you found us.  Those with high starting BMIs face a different journey than our "lightweight" counterparts, and it's nice to have a group of folks that really understand where you are coming from.   It's normal for your pouch to stretch out over time.  Immediately after surgery, it's about the size of your thumb.  After a year, it should hold 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food.  So it's normal to be able to eat more over time.  You'll also be able to eat more if you're eating "slider" foods - things that chew down to nothing that can easily pass through your pouch.  That includes things like potatoes, yogurt, crackers, etc.  If you eat dense proteins first during your meal, they'll stay in your pouch longer and you'll feel full longer, thus eating less over time. 

For exercise, walking is a great start.  It's easy and it's cheap, plus you can do it at your own pace.  I like going to the gym, but some folks don't like that environment.  Other folks like workout DVDs so they can exercise in the privacy of their own homes.  Just keep poking around until you find something you like and that you'll do consistently.  For me, exercise is key to keeping off the weight I've lost, so I encourage you to embrace exercise!!!

Again, welcome to our little corner of the internet -

Kellie

Tommi, I agree that the density of foods makes a big difference in how full you feel.  I can eat a much larger serving of soup than of a solid food - especially any kind of meat.  Remember that liquid passes through quite fast, so it is not that your pouch is holding that entire cup of soup, the liquid part of it was just processed faster. When I first started out, walking was the only thing I could do and it didn't take much distance for me to be spent.  On my very first walk in the neighborhood after coming home from surgery I literally collapsed the instant I came into the house - so glad I made it thru my front door and didn't embarrass myself in public.  My leg muscles just could not support me and down I went to the floor and let me tell you it wasn't very easy to heave myself up into my trusty recliner.  I am now using DVD's (the Richard Simmons ones and Leslie Sansone's in-place walking).  I still haven't gotten up the confidence to go to a gym.  Frankly, exercise is something I have to make myself do.  I don't like to exercise and am doubtful that I will ever find it a fun thing to do.  I truly envy those who start to enjoy and look forward to it.  I'm afraid I just view it as a necessary thing to do. Keep on following the guidelines your surgeon's office gave you -  bet you will do just fine.   As one newcomer to this board to another - welcome. Shirley

Hi Tommi I had surgery on 10/18/06, still feel like a newbie.  My starting weight was 492 and so far I've lost approximately 230 pounds.  Still have ATLEAST 100 more to go and am getting really discouraged at the amount of time it's going to take to hit that goal, if I ever hit that goal.  Don't get me wrong, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine losing 200 pounds in a year, and am still shocked, but looking ahead, it's discouraging.  I can eat more than I could before, but I try to make wise decisions.  It's really easy to fall back into old habits, I face those demons every day.   I do agree that it is discouraging visiting the other boards and hearing everyone hit goal already.... Keep your chin up!!! Michelle

Hi Tommi, and welcome! I also could stand to lose around 300lbs - My goal is 250lbs lost, but 300+ was my :"excess weight" as I started at 440 and only 5' tall.  It is a whole different ballgame than the people on here that only have 100 or so to lose, and this is a great place for people like us to get support and to read amazing success stories to keep us inspired. I am not a huge exercise fan either - although I've always had including some sort in my life, I've never been very motivated.  Its annoying because I FEEL so much better after I exercise but its still so hard to make myself do it.  Ugh.  Some people on this board post their daily activity and I find it does help me a little because I feel sad if I don't have at least a little something to post.   I've also just recently started a thread each day on what what we eat, and you are welcome to post there if you log your food. I've also noticed that my pouch can accept more food, but that is natural.  Its still not very much food, and if you make good choices and eat dense protein you feel full longer.  I am amazed how much salad and fruit/veggies will fit in there but I guess they squish down and have a lot of water so they are probably a slider food too.  The same with soup.  But with something dense like a chicken breast, I can only eat less than half of a medium sized one.  The only good thing about the pouch getting bigger in my opinion is that its getting a lot easier to drink enough fluid. I don't think you need to worry unless you are finding you can eat a whole lot of food without discomfort.  Best Wishes! Jenn

You all are Great!!!!!  Thanks for being Awesome. I will be talking to you all often.  Tommi

hi tommi just wanted to chime in and say welcome to you, too! i guess i might be one of the "oldies" around here as i'm 3 years out from my surgery. i can so relate to what you're saying about the 100 lb people -- this BMI over 50 board didn't exist when i first started coming here. i started out on my surgery month board, and soon there were lots of people who had met their goals, and i was just getting started! currently i've lost 280 lbs. regarding the pouch size, i agree with everyone else. i can eat substantially more after 3 years than i could in the beginning, but my pouch does still work. it's not anywhere near capable of holding what my stomach could prior to surgery. and the density of the food consumed makes a huge difference as to what the capacity of my pouch is. this is a nice, friendly group of people here who can relate to each others situations well. hope to see you around! deb

Hi Tommy -- just wanted to say hello.You've found a great forum!!  I'm a pre-oper and have found invaluable advice/support/suggestions/and comedy on this board!  Welcome!!! Valerie

Hi Tommi, I started at 392 and also find after 4 months po that it is easier to eat more and a more variety of things, I like the exercise board here topost my daily amount on it keeps me going. If I don't want to go to the gu\ym one day I think about how I wont be able to post on the board about it. And not that I feel anyone on here will judge me , its more like weigh****chers were you weigh in once a week so its more like answering to myself!  Welcome to the over 50 and look forward to many posts :)\ Estelle

I've also been working hard to get an exercise program going. I like to swim, so I try to make it fun. I do laps, but I have 2 different sets of flippers, a mask & snorkle, goggles and hand paddles. When I haul my bag of "toys" into the pool area, I feel like I'm equipped for an major expedition, but it makes the workout much more fun.

Try to add some fun so that moving your body is not such a chore.

And I totally agree with Estelle - it really helps me to post my activity. I want to be able to report that I worked on my fitness.