Question:
Before s RNY surgery, I was 291 lbs. It took almost a year before I had my surgery
and by my surgery date, I had lost 75 lbs. My surgery was on March 17th, '09 and I have only lost 23 lbs since then. My surgeon says I won't lose much more because I'm already below 200 lbs. But, I don't understand why - my stomach doesn't know that I lost so much before surgery, and I still have 50 lbs to go. Has anyone else lost a lot of weight prior to surgery and now aren't losing...I eat around 5-600 calories a day, and I am worried-I'm only averaging a pound a week right now. I'd love to hear from others who might be experiencing something similar. What if I start eating 1000 calories a day...will I start gaining weight? Christina57 — christina57 (posted on May 19, 2009)
May 19, 2009
Hi Christina, Your Dr doesnt seem very encouraging at all. I was 308 and at
surgery 235. 2/9/08 rny have lost down to 175. Below 200 is a crock. That
wasnt why we drastically and radically made this decision. You are going
to be your ideal weight that you want. I think you need to,as I do, to
start hitting up some support groups. Mercy on your surgeon!! You keep up
the good work, maybe stay off the scale for a while(I am speaking to
myself)drink lots of water, Drink more protein drinks and get in some
deliberate exercise. We need to be around encouraging people like the
elderly at the water arobics class. Let's take a walk on the wild side.
The worry thing, as you know, is vicious. You are not alone. Never forget
you made a decision to LIVE and this is the day that the Lord has made, let
us rejoice and be glad in it. Girl, my mind is blown by that quote about
the under 200 lbs. Yeah, we would have had drastic surgery to get down to a
sexy 200 lbs. Well, 200 is pretty sexy when you and I have hit the 300 appx
mark. You were wronged. We have got to get the ball rolling on getting
around people who even know what the heck we are talking about in these
matters. Is there any way you would go to the councelor that we have paid a
mint to and discuss this with him or her? YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE!!!YOU ARE
VICTORIOUS!! Feel free to contact me. Take Care and God Bless you! Pam
— prdurham
May 19, 2009
I wholeheartedly agree with Pam. I am so amazed at your success losing
75lbs pre-op. (I thought I had done pretty good losing 22lbs pre-op). I
also agree with Pam about the exercise and weighing less frequently ie
weekly to keep track of how you're doing without discouraging yourself.
Your body has adapted to the lower calorie intake before surgery and so
even though you are eating less the difference between what you take in and
what you burn is small enough that you are losing slower than you like.
Exercise is the only way to boost your baseline metabolic rate. You don't
have to train for a marathon. I am trying to establish a habit of regular
cardio activity and weight lifting. I'm not terribly vigerous at either but
I'm shooting for consistant right now. With exercise you will be able to
eat 1000cal a day or more and maintain your weight. For now continue your
5-600/day and continue losing. Obviously you are commited and doing well.
You will make your goal. It also sounds like you are setting up the eating
habits that will make you successful at maintainence. Kevin
— hapkidodoc
May 19, 2009
I am not a post-op patient, but I know from my pre-bariatric-surgery hope
days that losing one pound a week is OPTIMAL WEIGHT LOSS. In one year, you
will have lost 52 pounds!! Be thankful for that. If you want to speed it
up, I agree with Pam that exercise could speed it up for you. Good luck!
— lobo1056
May 19, 2009
Hey everyone - thanks for your answers - you're all very encouraging!
Thank you for the good ideas and words. I will definitely try to implement
them. And Pam, you sound like a Believer! Praise the Lord! I am trying
to trust in Him as I work at this life change. Thanks again! Christina
— christina57
May 19, 2009
I lost 100 lbs on my own pre-op and although I have like twice that left to
go, I think I am losing slower because I lost so much up front. At least I
keep telling myself that ;o)
— opheliafl
May 20, 2009
that doesn't seem like it is true at all. i was 260 and then at surgery
date i was 230 and now i am 210 (3 weeks out). I am under the impression
that as long as i keep doing what i am supposed to do, i will lose as much
weight as i need to-- certainly at LEAST another 50 lbs!!! best of luck to
you! you might be losing weight less quickly (but 3 lbs a week is
"normal") because you weren't as large when you had the surgery
or now.
— greenpunchbuggie
May 20, 2009
Greetings Christina: The other posters had very good advice for you. Yes,
it is very important to be around people who know what you are going
through -- in other words, join one or more support groups and regularly
participate. What you could be experiencing is the fact your body may be
holding onto your weight with dear life because you are not consuming
enough food to sustain life. In other words, your daily consumption is
less than your weight set point. I understand this set point to be
roughtly 800 calories. Again, the quality of the calories you consume also
makes a difference. You can eat all chocolates, and that will satisfy the
calorie need; but not provide your body what you need to lose weight.
Protein first and whey protein blend is considered the best with whey
protein isolate 2nd best. Go to my OH website, where you will learn more
about protein and how much you should be eating daily to lose weight. With
your RNY, you system is 50% malabsorptive. So, how much protein do you
consume daily and from what source is your protein? For me, I strive to
remain way above 100 grams of whey protein daily -- and all of this from
protein drinks. I was taught long ago that "protein drinks are for
nutrition, and meats, fish, and other foods are for exercising our chewing
muscles." Blessings, Christine Gibson, MS, MA, OH Life Coach, and OH
trained, North West Weight Loss Surgery Support Group, Kirkland WA. My
website is www.obesityhelp.com/group/BellevueWA.
— Christine Gibson
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