New LW here

Hi All, I've mostly been posting on the RNY board, which has been very helpful but find I have a few questions that are different for LWs.

History...I got a lapband 7/2005, lost 95 lbs in about 18 months and my band slipped 1/07.  A good 10+ was after the slip, it's amazing how the weight falls off when you can't keep anything down.  It was repositioned and I had trouble with it from then on and gained 60 pounds over the last 4 1/2 years, 30 after a hysterectomy.  Fast forward to 9/2/11 I had a revision RNY.  

So far no complications, my pain is going away a bit more daily.  They sent me home with oxygen for the nighttime  because my oxygen saturation levels drop when I sleep.  I don't think it's apnea, I think it's shallow breathing from pain meds.  So I will have a home test done next week to be able to get off oxygen at night.  I'm hoping that being off meds, out of pain and having lost a few lbs will help.  I have a g-tube which I haven't needed for nutrition and I'll be happy to see gone.  I'm looking forward to being healed and eating something with some crunch : )

I'd love to hear about the rate that LWs lose?  What are some things you did to get your head in the right place for maintenance? For those that have RNY, what can we do to keep our pouches healthy - no ulcers?  If anything.  

Thanks!

Marti

Lapband to RNY 9/2/2011  5' 4"  205/194/125 

Hi Marti,

This is a great board and I encourage you to come every day as you will learn a lot.  This board is supportive and nonjudgemental.  Hopefullly others can answer some of your questions.

I know for me, I was on prilosec daily until recently and this has helped me not have stomach upset.  I read of many who stay on a PPI.  Lightweights do tend to lose at a slower rate but %% wise we do quite well.  For some the weight flies off and others it is a slow crawl.  I am thrilled so far with how I am doing 6 months post surgery.  I have seen many do well with revision from lapband so I wish you the best of luck.



~~Jennifer

Hi! I just joined this board today, too, and like you I have been posting mostly on the RNY board.

I think you will have better success with your RNY- sorry to hear about the complications you have been through.

I lost more slowly as a LW than many others, but I lost steadily. I have been at goal for several months and am maintaining well. Now I have to be careful to not lose any more.

I suspect the headset needs to be the same for all the surgeries- commitment to the work and self care, and followthrough no matter what the feelings du jour may be. I have to manage my carbs as an addiction, and avoid the slippery slopes.

Re: avoiding ulcers, I take daily Previcid and avoid NSAIDS.

Welcome to the board for both of us! And may your recovery be uneventful.

Welcome aboard! I hope things continue to heal and get better for you. We LWs lose about the same % wise as heavy weights, we just have less pounds to lose. 

I lost 21 pounds my first month, 10 the 2nd and 3rd months, 8 pounds the 4th, 6 the 5th month..hit normal BMI between 5 and 6 months and then it took 6 more months to lose the last 15 pounds.

Good to have you here.

--gina

Hi Marti and welcome to the LW Board.

I have heard some people say that they lost a little slower when it was a revision.  I think I lost around 18-20 the first month and then between 7 and 10 pounds the next 6-7 months.

Ulcers - I take the generic of prevacid every day.  Limit your caffeine and no NSAID's.  My pouch bothers me if I eat too much tomato products for several days in a row.  I guess it is the acid.

Good luck.

Linda

Of course I'm hoping the weight will come off quickly.  But if it's slower I guess I won't have to confess.  I'm 49 with a hubby and 4 kids, one SIL.  They all know I had my lapband out, but only my husband, daughter and SIL know I took it a step further and had RNY.

My large extended family whom I love dearly are all a bunch of naturally skinny people, a few of them put effort into fitness but mostly it's how they are.  They all knew about my lapband and I always fel****ched, KWIM?  I don't like the attention or the horror stories.  When I told them it would probably have to come out because of the problems I was having I was told that's good, you're weight has stabilized, you'll be fine.  STABILIZED????  Huh, I'm 60 pounds higher than my lowest weight and gained 30 the last 18 months.  Thankfully my DH and DD both understand that they just don't get it and support me in keeping it to myself, actually encourage me.    

So if the weight just falls of (wishful thinking) I'll confess if asked, I can't lie, otherwise, mum is the word.   

If you don't feel comfortable tellings others, you can always just say you are "eating less and moving more" which will still be true!!
I told everyone and their comments didn't bother me.  I had people telling me horror stories too and still do - I just ignore them.
Good luck.

 Welcome, Marti!

This is a great group. Hope you feel at home here. Sorry about your complications and hope they go away soon. Some of us had issues in the beginning, but sharing really helps.

Hi Marti and welcome. 

I lost pretty steadily, 100lbs over the year although it has really slowed down now to a pound or 2 a month.  That's ok, if I lose some more or if I stop.  I'd like to settle under 120.  I'm happy how I am eating so I'm not looking to change much for maintainance.

I have a cast iron pouch.  I've never had any food make me sick, have only had the foamies 2x when I ate too fast and didn't chew well enough.  I still take prilosec and no NSAIDs, don't drink and eat, but otherwise, haven't done anything special.  I do still eat really low carb, high protein and will, I imagine forever.

Glad you found this board! I had some pretty bad stomach issues before RNY thanks to a huge hiatal hernia..once that was repaired I don't have acid reflux at all anymore and I don't even take anything for it..I did for the first 6 months after surgery just to be safe..I lost over a hundred pounds in a years time..I eat pretty low carb and high protein..I guess I am in maintaince mode now but Im not really doing anything different at all, im very happy where I am and what I am able to eat at this point..