Would appreciate some shared expereinces!
I'm new here. I learned about OH from my "potential" surgery provider. I feel like I've come "home" and it's the first place where I've felt like I fit in for a long time.
I know I definitely will be getting WLS. I know I am NOT getting a band as I think I need a stronger tool. But have some general questions that I could benefit from your answers!
For anyone who had to do a 6 month program before WLS:
How much did you lose?
Was there a danger of not getting surgery if you lost too much?
What programs did you try? and why?
For anyone who's already had WLS:
How did you feel immediately after? How long before you were back to "normal" as far as physical activity? How long did you take off from work etc? Anyone else have small children and tactics for dealing with them post surgery?
Any other general info anyone would like to share is very welcome also!
You guys are my inspiration!
I had to lose 50lbs before surgery, but it wasn't on a time-line. It was more like, when you lose it- then we can schedule you. In addition, I had to take 3 or 4 all day classes.
I believe that they take your starting weight as your baseline, so it shouldn't matter if you lose too much. Plus if you've got a BMI over 50, the more less the better the surgery.
Pre-op I tried EVERYTHING, you name it I tried it, Weigh waters, slim fast, juice fast, Nutrisystem, Atkins, you name it- I probably tried it! I ended up losing all 50lbs in 3 months by becoming obsessively dedicated. Here's what I did:
Bfast: 20oz Isopure protein drink
Snk: 12 raw unsalted almonds
Lunch: 20oz protein drink
Dinner: Lean meats and cup or two of veggies
Plus every month I'd allow myself one cheat day and eat whatever I wanted.
After surgery, I was very sickly, it lasted about 2 months- but then I was able to get in all my fluids and protein and I was swimming, walking on the treadmill and dropping pounds like crazy. I think that I was in the minority as most people don't have such a long recovery process, but it's just the chance you take.
Bottom line, I would do it again in a heartbeat...though I may have gotten a DS instead of RNY, but I don't regret my choice to have WLS for one second. Especially when I'm jogging, cycling, climbing mt.'s and living the life that I was meant to live!
If you have any more questions...ask away!!
:Danni
I believe that they take your starting weight as your baseline, so it shouldn't matter if you lose too much. Plus if you've got a BMI over 50, the more less the better the surgery.
Pre-op I tried EVERYTHING, you name it I tried it, Weigh waters, slim fast, juice fast, Nutrisystem, Atkins, you name it- I probably tried it! I ended up losing all 50lbs in 3 months by becoming obsessively dedicated. Here's what I did:
Bfast: 20oz Isopure protein drink
Snk: 12 raw unsalted almonds
Lunch: 20oz protein drink
Dinner: Lean meats and cup or two of veggies
Plus every month I'd allow myself one cheat day and eat whatever I wanted.
After surgery, I was very sickly, it lasted about 2 months- but then I was able to get in all my fluids and protein and I was swimming, walking on the treadmill and dropping pounds like crazy. I think that I was in the minority as most people don't have such a long recovery process, but it's just the chance you take.
Bottom line, I would do it again in a heartbeat...though I may have gotten a DS instead of RNY, but I don't regret my choice to have WLS for one second. Especially when I'm jogging, cycling, climbing mt.'s and living the life that I was meant to live!
If you have any more questions...ask away!!
:Danni
:Danni >>>AIDS/LifeCycle 10 & 11 Finisher: 545miles on the bike in 7 days <<<
HW390/SW340/CW 208/GW170
Thank you so much for the great information. I've seen your posts on other threads. You are a wonderful inspiration.
I know everyone's expereiences are different but it really helps set your mind up that you know what all can happen and you can be resolute to do it any way. I think asking these questions will help me when I make my final consult appointments for PSYCH and NUT etc.
I know everyone's expereiences are different but it really helps set your mind up that you know what all can happen and you can be resolute to do it any way. I think asking these questions will help me when I make my final consult appointments for PSYCH and NUT etc.
My surgeon wanted me to lose 10% of my body weight before surgery. At 456, that was 45 pounds. I only lost 29--and I tried extremely hard. Included in the 29 was 4 weeks of low carb/high protein pre-op diet (30 grams carbs max daily, 70+ pro)
There was never any discussion of losing too much--the more you lose with a BMI of over 50, the easier the surgery will be.
My experience after surgery isn't like the majority of people since I have rhuematoid arthritis and had to quit my meds for almost 3 months after surgery. I was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't that much pain associated with the surgery.
I don't have small children, but I do have grandkids. I had a hard time babysitting the first 6 weeks after surgery. I got tired very quickly.
Good luck! Welcome to OH.
There was never any discussion of losing too much--the more you lose with a BMI of over 50, the easier the surgery will be.
My experience after surgery isn't like the majority of people since I have rhuematoid arthritis and had to quit my meds for almost 3 months after surgery. I was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't that much pain associated with the surgery.
I don't have small children, but I do have grandkids. I had a hard time babysitting the first 6 weeks after surgery. I got tired very quickly.
Good luck! Welcome to OH.
Distal RNY 6/11 SW 456 CW 311 Complications: Small bowel strangulation 12/23/2012, non healing surgical incision--ongoing. Still.
I had about a nine month wait from the time of my referral to the time of surgery. During those nine months, I had to do a 3 month program with kaiser. We were asked to lose 10%. I had started losing weight before I started the program, during and continued after. I ended up losing 85lbs during that time period.
I didnt do any diets - i ate a healthy, well balanced "diet" of about 1500-1800 cal/day. I exercised like crazy and ate a lot of protein (though didnt do low carb).
There was no way I could have lost too much to put my surgery at risk.
I am happy with my choice to have the VSG. My recovery was a little rough, some pain for the first month, and serious buyers remorse for the first 3 months. I feel fine now - even with some reflux and fatigue issues, eating is good, exercise is great, and life is just a lot better.
I didnt do any diets - i ate a healthy, well balanced "diet" of about 1500-1800 cal/day. I exercised like crazy and ate a lot of protein (though didnt do low carb).
There was no way I could have lost too much to put my surgery at risk.
I am happy with my choice to have the VSG. My recovery was a little rough, some pain for the first month, and serious buyers remorse for the first 3 months. I feel fine now - even with some reflux and fatigue issues, eating is good, exercise is great, and life is just a lot better.
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 
85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
Many programs ask for 6 months of nutritional education - and they may ask you to keep a food journal & meet for classes with a nutritionist -- I HIGHLY recommend that more people should get these classes, as so many of us need a re-education to really bridge old eating habits with new ones. So many folks having surgery just five years ago and longer, tended to have issues with malnutrition and not getting adequate vitamins & supplements - a lot has be learned and many new products are offered that weren't.
With what I called a "ramped" diet, I was already eating 1200 calories a day over a YEAR before my surgery, as I was trying to prepare myself, and also shrink my liver -- the main reason they ask you to lose between 20 pounds or the "ten percent". My surgeon did NOT require me to do all liquid diet two weeks before, as I had food journals and exercise logs to show my dedication to live a healthy life. If you have two meal replacements, one small meal, and two low calorie snacks, you WILL be more prepared for life after surgery. Protein is a BIG component of pre surgery blood work -- your blood will be tested before & after surgery to assess how much protein is in your blood - as you recover faster & will have to live more on lean proteins after surgery.
How much will a person lose? Cannot answer this, as we ALL are different in our approach, and the degree of physical exercise will also make you lean heavy, fat light -- in other words, two people can look the same size but weigh completely different weights, due to lean mass. BMI charts in my opinion are CRAP. Yup, even my family practitioner agrees with my verbiage, CRAP. I have not been losing weight as fast as I did right after surgery, but I am getting leaner - losing inches. So, my BMI is kind of irrelevant, when you consider I swim, on average, 3 miles a day, five days a week, I am pretty fit for someone who still weighs over 300 pounds.
Danger of losing TOO MUCH WEIGHT?! Nope. I do not think folks over a 50 BMI could possible do this in 6 months. Prior to surgery, the most weight I lost in seven months was 135 pounds - I was STILL obese, so had I been seeking surgery then, I would not have been turned away. The goal of a nutritional education period is NOT to prove you can or cannot lose weight, it is to EDUCATE and ready us to use our surgery in a correct & balanced way. Starvation will make anyone lose weight - but being followed & monitored, you do not stare after surgery.
My suggestion for "diets" is what I called the "ramp" or "modified fast" diet. Two MEAL REPLACEMENTS - not just protein shake - one balanced meal and two healthy snacks - 1200 or less calories a day. Water is important, and taking supplements prior to surgery will build your "bank" for after surgery. The first month after surgery you do not "eat" as you will, so you WILL lose a large amount of weight, as it is difficult to even get 800 calories in the beginning. See, if you are at 1200 calories, it will not be as shocking to your body after surgery. Too little protein, nutrients, water, WILL make you light headed & you will lose a LOT of hair sooner than average. Having your body prepared is the way to go.
I did take the pain medication after surgery, probably became too active too quick, but figure 4 days & you start feeling pretty good -- at least I did. Eating 5 times a day is HARD at first, I had to be asked, "When did you last eat?!" I hated eating so often, but it becomes second nature. As for young children, the last time I lost the 135 pounds, my daughter was 8, and she CRIED!!! "Mommy, I love you fluffy, stop getting smaller!" It is something you will have to approach with your own kids, but kids do get it if you explain it in terms they understand. "Mommy isn't going away, she is just getting a little smaller so she can do more things with you." Showing children HOW TO EAT HEALTHFULLY is the best thing you can do for your little ones. My daughter WAS obese, but with help, she is a normal sized young adult, and she "gets it".
Learn as much as you can, and be prepared for plateaus, and find some form of exercise you can do on a regular basis. Take the six months to ready your head & your body. Hope that helps, even if just a little.
Brenda : )~
With what I called a "ramped" diet, I was already eating 1200 calories a day over a YEAR before my surgery, as I was trying to prepare myself, and also shrink my liver -- the main reason they ask you to lose between 20 pounds or the "ten percent". My surgeon did NOT require me to do all liquid diet two weeks before, as I had food journals and exercise logs to show my dedication to live a healthy life. If you have two meal replacements, one small meal, and two low calorie snacks, you WILL be more prepared for life after surgery. Protein is a BIG component of pre surgery blood work -- your blood will be tested before & after surgery to assess how much protein is in your blood - as you recover faster & will have to live more on lean proteins after surgery.
How much will a person lose? Cannot answer this, as we ALL are different in our approach, and the degree of physical exercise will also make you lean heavy, fat light -- in other words, two people can look the same size but weigh completely different weights, due to lean mass. BMI charts in my opinion are CRAP. Yup, even my family practitioner agrees with my verbiage, CRAP. I have not been losing weight as fast as I did right after surgery, but I am getting leaner - losing inches. So, my BMI is kind of irrelevant, when you consider I swim, on average, 3 miles a day, five days a week, I am pretty fit for someone who still weighs over 300 pounds.
Danger of losing TOO MUCH WEIGHT?! Nope. I do not think folks over a 50 BMI could possible do this in 6 months. Prior to surgery, the most weight I lost in seven months was 135 pounds - I was STILL obese, so had I been seeking surgery then, I would not have been turned away. The goal of a nutritional education period is NOT to prove you can or cannot lose weight, it is to EDUCATE and ready us to use our surgery in a correct & balanced way. Starvation will make anyone lose weight - but being followed & monitored, you do not stare after surgery.
My suggestion for "diets" is what I called the "ramp" or "modified fast" diet. Two MEAL REPLACEMENTS - not just protein shake - one balanced meal and two healthy snacks - 1200 or less calories a day. Water is important, and taking supplements prior to surgery will build your "bank" for after surgery. The first month after surgery you do not "eat" as you will, so you WILL lose a large amount of weight, as it is difficult to even get 800 calories in the beginning. See, if you are at 1200 calories, it will not be as shocking to your body after surgery. Too little protein, nutrients, water, WILL make you light headed & you will lose a LOT of hair sooner than average. Having your body prepared is the way to go.
I did take the pain medication after surgery, probably became too active too quick, but figure 4 days & you start feeling pretty good -- at least I did. Eating 5 times a day is HARD at first, I had to be asked, "When did you last eat?!" I hated eating so often, but it becomes second nature. As for young children, the last time I lost the 135 pounds, my daughter was 8, and she CRIED!!! "Mommy, I love you fluffy, stop getting smaller!" It is something you will have to approach with your own kids, but kids do get it if you explain it in terms they understand. "Mommy isn't going away, she is just getting a little smaller so she can do more things with you." Showing children HOW TO EAT HEALTHFULLY is the best thing you can do for your little ones. My daughter WAS obese, but with help, she is a normal sized young adult, and she "gets it".
Learn as much as you can, and be prepared for plateaus, and find some form of exercise you can do on a regular basis. Take the six months to ready your head & your body. Hope that helps, even if just a little.
Brenda : )~
Love love love so much of what you had to say here Brenda.
You are all fabulous ladies and your wisdom, expereience, and just general goodwill are making a huge impact on me.
Some of my questions are stemming from my husband's paranoia. When we went to our first seminar a lady really grilled the surgeon because she "claims" that the first time she attempted WLS that she lost too much and didn't meet the criteria to be a candidate for surgery any longer. I know that will NOT be my issue but I ask for him to I can provide reassurance.
I am hearing a lot of the same themes - protein, water, exercise. It makes sense. I know it works. It's worked in the past - but because I didn't have surgery when I fell off the wagon I didn't get back on. Which is why I am here. For the support.
I'll be finding a local group for support too. And maybe counseling.
My children are small enough that they'll understand simple explanations. I know they want me to play with them more. They don't understand why mommy doesn't crawl around on the floor with them like their grandparents do.
Thanks you guys!
You are all fabulous ladies and your wisdom, expereience, and just general goodwill are making a huge impact on me.
Some of my questions are stemming from my husband's paranoia. When we went to our first seminar a lady really grilled the surgeon because she "claims" that the first time she attempted WLS that she lost too much and didn't meet the criteria to be a candidate for surgery any longer. I know that will NOT be my issue but I ask for him to I can provide reassurance.
I am hearing a lot of the same themes - protein, water, exercise. It makes sense. I know it works. It's worked in the past - but because I didn't have surgery when I fell off the wagon I didn't get back on. Which is why I am here. For the support.
I'll be finding a local group for support too. And maybe counseling.
My children are small enough that they'll understand simple explanations. I know they want me to play with them more. They don't understand why mommy doesn't crawl around on the floor with them like their grandparents do.
Thanks you guys!
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