Question:
How can I best maximize the
Hi! I've been watching from the sidelines for awhile now. You guys are a very informational and supportive bunch!I have learned alot from you all. Now I have surgery coming up Dec.2nd(RNY) and I have a question that will help me make my plan for success post-op. Is there any way that I can maximize the sixth month "Window"? I have about 200 lbs.to loose and am wondering what would happen if I stayed on protein shakes longer before going to solid foods? I'm just afraid that as I go through the stages of foods to solids, that I might not be able to loose enough in the first six months and will be dragging around the other 100lbs until I can DIET it off. I know I will always regret it if I do this surgery and could have done something to get most of it off and didn't do it cause I didn't try it. I know it's important to follow the Dr. orders, but is there any harm in stretching them out a little longer? Maybe by staying with shakes or pureed foods longer? Thanks for any advice. — Connie O. (posted on October 28, 2003)
October 28, 2003
I can't advocate doing what you're suggesting although I'm sure you'll talk
to your doctor about it before doing anything quite so drastic. I had
about 250 pounds to lose preop and have lost 200 at 15 months (and hope I'm
not done yet!) - been steadily losing about 10 pounds a month since the 6
month or so and that is with eating and zero protein shakes. I truly
believe in real food and others truly believe in real food plus
supplementing. I haven't heard of anyone living on a liquid diet for that
long though except under very strict doctors care as with the Optifast
liquid diet (where people went into renal failure and some died!). Ok, off
my soapbox...I just wanted you to know that you can be highly successful
and EAT some real food :>) Good luck to you!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 28, 2003
I can understand you wanting to maximize your 'window', but I think that
what you are suggesting may be counterproductive. The limited eating that
we are forced to live by puts your body in starvation mode in the
beginning. This is why most new post ops have a plateau at three weeks,
its you bodys way of saying....ummm hey!!! If you are not getting the
calories or nutrients you need, you body will most likely fight back. The
best way to maximize your window would be to eat sound nutritional foods
and avoiding the ones that we all know are bad for us. The problem that
most have, in my opinion, is that they get to the point where they CAN
tollerate any foods and eat the wrong choices. Thats not a slam on anyone,
I for one am guilty of that, its just what sometimes happens. If you are
committed to your goals you will succeed. I wish you the best with your
surgery!
— RebeccaP
October 28, 2003
Well, first, remove fingers from panic buttons. All of them. Wave them
around & let me see them. OK, dont' know where this 6 month thing came
from. I know peope still dribbling wt after 3 yrs. Not at hyper speed, no,
but moving. I lost til 14 months, then floated around for another 6 before
parking. I'm 9 yrs, will do protein shakes as long as I can buy them. But
I wasn't sure if you meant doing protein shakes ONLY or also with a
reasonable eating plan?
— vitalady
October 28, 2003
Michelle, I asked this same exact question to my surgeon at my one month
check up yesterday. His response..."This is not a race. In reality
will you be at your goal weight in 6-12months if you do protein shakes and
low low carbs..YES! However what happens then, you will not have developed
healthy eating habits that will help you maintain your loses for the rest
of your life. I'd rather see you eat a portion of pasta and know when to
say stop than live on protein shakes." The bottom line...this surgery
is a tool to help you develop healthy eating habits for the long run. It
just so happens weight loss is a wonderful side effect that goes along with
it. Slow down, relax, enjoy your journey..you will lose!!!!
— Michelle B.
October 28, 2003
Well you could take the proetin shakes longer than you are supposed to.
However, I understand your concern, I too, have to loose 200 pounds. I have
already lost 103 pounds, and I am just 4 months post op. My advise would
be, don;t get caught up in a liquid diet. The goal is to try and become as
normal of an eater as possible. I have not tried sugar, and will probably
stay sugar free. My doctor suggested that I should try sugar, but that is
my choice. I think once you have the surgery, you will see the weight loss.
Unless you are eating pure fat, I think you will see a loss no matter what
you eat - at least in the beginning. I eat pretty much normal foods, and am
still loosing. Everything will be fine.
— Girl from B.
October 28, 2003
I think if you watch your calorie content (about 800 per day) and also
exercise for 20 to 30 minutes 5 days a week, you will see quite a bit of
weight loss. I started out at 248 so I was a lightweight and I had lost
about 90 pounds by month 6. Exercise is one of the real keys. It not only
helps to lose weight it gets fat off your body and firms and tones you up.
— Patty H.
October 28, 2003
A great way to maximize your window is to not stretch your pouch. Measure
your food from the start and keep a food diary. Studies also show that
those who see a nutritionist as part of their post op plan lose faster adn
more steadily. Most people can eat more at the end of 6-12 months because
they have stretched the capacity of their pouch but it is not neccesary and
with 200 pounds to lose not smart. I still eat less than 1/2 a cup at a
time but now that I am near my goal I just eat a little more often and
still keep it all protein. I think that people test out so many things
(carbs, sweets,etc...)way too early only to find that they can tolerate
them and in doing so they sabotage their window. Stick to the plan and you
will lose it all. Read profile after profile and you can get a lot of
information on how the very successful folks here did just that.
— Carol S.
October 28, 2003
In my opinion, the best way to maximize your window would be to follow your
doctor's instructions to the letter. These rules will be something like:
following a low carb diet, exercise, supplements, at least 64oz of water,
stop eating when satisfied. It's not a race to the finish line - there is
no finish line.
— Yolanda J.
October 28, 2003
My pre-op wt was 400 lbs, so far I have loss 147 lbs,in 10 months. I have
much to loss, but I'm not worried about it at all. I focus on getting in my
proteins, by eating meats, I don't buy protein drinks or mixes. my blood
tests are ok each time it's tested. I focus on getting my 64 oz or more
water each day. My exercise is walking 2 to 3 miles a day. plus sometimes
my exercise bike, or ski machine. Plus taking my vitamins and doing what my
doctor tells me to do. You will loss as long as you watch those CARBS. no
snacking on bad foods, other words being strict with yourself helps you
stay on track. Best wishes to you on your wl journey.
— Naes Wls J.
October 28, 2003
Connie, in my honest opinion, it is not just about the food. Yes what we
put into our mouths plays a big role, but I think you have to give equal
time to exercise. The physics of weight loss comes down to burning more
calories than we eat. My doctor told me that weight loss will stall if you
don't exercise. For the first 6 weeks I walked a ton (6-8 miles a day) If
I wasn't eating or sleeping I was walking. I joined a gym and when he gave
me the thumbs up I started working out. I decreaseed my walking and added
a LOT of cardio and weight lifting. I work out 4 days a week. This has
truly helped me. I am considered a lightweight, but am way ahead of the
curve in terms of my weight loss. The key things I focus on each day are
getting in my protein, drinking all my water, and exercising.
— jmusser
October 29, 2003
I think everyone here will agree that it's best to follow your doctor's
orders - which will most likely be eat protein first, drink at least 64 oz
of water, exercise. That is probably the best way to go. A lot of docs
are not in favor of supplementing with protein shakes, etc., because we
need to learn to eat properly. I'm using them sparingly myself, because I
find them unappealing. All that said, the first 6 months or so, I don't
see how you could not lose weight, except if your surgery wasn't done
properly. My son, bless his heart, had surgery on May 5. He's not the
most disciplined person in the world, and he's probably eating and drinking
stuff that a lot of post-ops would blast him for. But he is taking his
vitamins, eating enough protein and keeping hydrated. I don't think he
exercises much, but he's lost 125 pounds of the approximately 200 he would
like to lose. His doctor feels the "window" is probably open for
up to 24 months after surgery. So try to relax, learn to eat better, get
your exercise, and you will lose. Best of luck to you with your upcoming
surgery.
— Carlita
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