Time to face the music with my doc today

I'm 4 months out.  I have been feeling ok with my weight loss too, but lately I've been realizing I'm wasting this great new tool (I hate that expression, but can't think of a better word).  Why be thinner later when I can be thinner now!  No watermelon or crackers or popcorn are worth putting off feeling even better, so I'm turning over a new leaf.  Course maybe I have more to lose than you.  I'm not a LW in the true sense of the word.  I still weigh 248 lbs!  So I can only imagine what another 100 off will feel like and I want to speed things up!  :D 

My surgeon sees his patients.  I have seen his "helper" too... I prefer the Dr. 

I think 55 lbs in 4 months is pretty darn good.  Look at the average - its almost 14 lbs a month. 

And yes, I'd insist on labs at 3 months (4 now).  It CAN show deficiencies this soon out- AND, you'll start establishing trends to keep track as time progresses.  Be sure to get a copy of your labs (I have the Dr write on my lab order to send patient a copy).  I have an excel spreadsheet where keep track of them.  We have to be our own best advocates, because other's aren't always...

Here's a link to a topic MajorMom (gina) posted back in July with labs and other info for the different surguries.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/wls_lightweights/4214503/G ood-Morning-Vitalady-links-all-in-one-post/

Goodness, that's A LOT of vitamins! I wonder how much of that gets absorbed properly in the short time it travels through my system (RNY).  Well, I feel ready to start a new chapter of taking better care of myself so thank you for posting this.  I have it bookmarked and I'm printing out a copy as I write this. :)  

If you want a good indicator of how well you are doing based on averages check this link out....when you fill in the info use your starting weight.....I'd have done it for you but you don't have your weight listed.  I think you are doing fantastic if I'm going by photos alone......
www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/information/post+op+planner.php

My surgeon is Dr Jeff @ Unity.  I saw him for a 2wk follow up and then once a year forever!  Seems to be the norm.  They also only check labs anually. 

I'm in MN as well, we should meet up sometime!

Heather

 Wow! Look at you all skinny and smiley-faced. You look very happy in your profile pic. I would be too if I got down to 140lbs!  How hard has it been to stay at your goal?  

Thank you for the link.  I've been looking for a new system for tracking my weight, nutrition and exercise, so this came at the right time.   :)

Unity hospital is not that far from me. I live just west of Minneapolis. My surgeon is Dr. Drew out of Abbott Northwestern.  Yay! Another Minnesotan!  Do you meet with a group near you? I don't know of any except one out of Eagan, which is a little far for me. It would be nice to meet up sometime! Thanks! :)

I am very happy!  I was a little intoxicated when that photo was taken too......lol  I was sitting in the lap of a man I have a HUGE crush on.....what girl wouldn't be smiling ear to ear.......sooooo I'm not 140......I'm 150......which I'm fine with.  I hit 150 @ 8 months post op and have been maintaining 150-154 ever since.  I could get to 140 if I put effort into it but I'm very comfortable where I am.  I eat pretty much anything I want in moderation....I don't dump horribly at this point and push my limits at times.  Fortunately I have always been a great maintainer.....I put my weight on from a medication reaction and was never able to get the weight off after.  I always had the mentality that I'm fat anyway might as well enjoy whatever and as much of as I want......lol

I hope the link helps you to see things in a different perspective.....you are not doing as poorly as you think......what did Dr. Drew say??  I don't go to support groups.....I use this forum when I'm feeling the need for support........lol  I used to go to the MN forum but I found that is was very clicky and some people were very mean spirited....it just wasn't as welcoming as the LW have been.  I live out in Monticello  you should PM me so we can arrange a get together!

Heather

I saw my surgeon at 2 weeks, 5 weeks, 3months, 6months, 1year and yearly after that. Those were the standard appointments but I saw him 2 extra times due to complications and needing exploratory surgery at 7 months. I saw my NUT at 2 weeks, 5 weeks, 3months, 9months, 1 year and every 6 months after that.  I am also supposed to see a Nurse practisioner but I don't like her - she misdiagnosed my abdominal pain putting off my exploratory surgery for 3 months.  So, I refuse to see her anymore.  I just see the NUT and surgeon.

Kathy,
I think 55 pounds is great.  I would ask for labs also.  You need to be able to see the trend.  I keep a spread sheet that has my pre-op labs and all labs taken since surgery so I can see if anything is going up or down. 

I've seen my surgeon at every visit post-op except 1 and then I saw his PA.  I only have to go once a year now after the first year.

Good luck and let us know how your appointment goes.

Linda

We see the Dr at 3, 6, 12, then annually after that.  We see the Nut about every 2 weeks in the beginning, then as needed after we are on real food.
55 lbs is great.  Maybe you can do better, but I wouldn't be upset with 55 lbs.

55 lbs is an AWESOME accomplishment!!! Be proud of yourself!!
Yeah I also see the NP, not the surgeon...... From what I read Im guessing its normal