Question:
How many <b>PROXIMAL Open RNYers</b> haven't gotten to goal or had to work xtra hard?

Insecurity and doubt talking here. I'm VERY proximal (my surgeon has told me he only bypassed 15 cms), and although I'm happy with what I've lost (69 lbs, 6+ months post-op), it's been a lot slower than many that i've seen on the boards. Now that i'm 6 months out, I wonder if i will have to work extra hard to get to goal? And now that I see my body at 158, i really don't think that 132 will be a low enough weight for my body (I'm 5 ft. 3/4" tall - I round to 5'1"). I know, i should be very grateful for what i've lost, and the fact that i really only have 35 lbs. to lose, but i am discouraged that i have been losing slowly since month 3, and feel that i won't get down another 35 lbs. without really working very very hard. It's even harder because i don't dump! Please give me feedback if you're a PROXIMAL on how hard it's been or whether you haven't reached your goal at all. Thanks! (Open PROXIMAL RNY, 7/7/03, 226/158/>132?)    — sweetmana (posted on January 23, 2004)

January 23, 2004
I am 9 months out, 5'3" and 135 lbs. I have 5 more lbs to meet my surgeon's goal. My surgeon only bypassed 25 cm. Feel free to take a look at my profile - I've had to exercise a lot to get where I am. Barb 4/07/03 235/135/130
   — Barbara C.

January 23, 2004
I am considered proximal with 150 cm bypass...I didn't think they could only bypass 15cm and be able to reach the pouch to reconnect...shows how much I know! :) In any case, I reached goal at 7 months, 2 days out with a loss of 116 lbs. I have however, worked very hard. From one week post-op (had lap) I have been in the gym 3-5 days a week, changing my workouts as my weight allowed. I now do about 3 spin classes and one yoga with 30 mins of heavy weight training 4x a week. I counted every calorie that entered my mouth and kept a balance of protein, carbs, and fat. Since hitting my goal, I have relaxed my eating habits a little, but not too much as I want to lose about 8 more pounds to give me a safety margin. Still count calories cuz I don't "trust" myself yet, but I've a bit of OCD, so that doesn't bother me a bit. Hehe. So, yes, I reached goal fairly quickly, but I worked very hard for it. It can be done! :)
   — Rachael B.

January 23, 2004
Forgot to add...I hardly dump at all on sugars and only occasionally on fatty stuff and I can eat comparatively large quantities of food since my first day of solid foods. Leads me to think I have some mechanical skulduggery going on, but my surgeon seems to have trouble taking my complaints seriously as I lost quickly. All that to say if you have true pouch function, you have one up on me.
   — Rachael B.

January 23, 2004
I'm 16 months post op, beginning @ 276 lbs, 5'3", 40 yo, and to date, I have lost 126 lbs, with "about" 10 more to go to reach my surgeon's goal. Because I had a surgical complication, I did not begin to exercise until about 8 weeks out (had lap RNY). I've worked and continue to work very hard, work closely with a trainer and a nutritionist. I definitely saw a slow down around 6 months, but had continuous loss of pounds AND inches. Of course, now it's even slower (only a few pounds per month), but it can be done and I WILL do it. Like Gina says, "Failure is NOT an option." I've read and been told that if you are engaged in a REGULAR exercise program, you can extend your weight loss up to 24 months. Heck, I don't know if there's ever a time when you can absolutely not lose any more weight IF you know you are not to goal. Bottom line, set your mind to it, effectively "work" the program (protein first, major amts of water (at least 64 oz.), stay away from the carbs, heart-pumping cardio balanced with a reasonable weight workout), and just keep doing it. All the best.
   — Kimberly L. A.

January 23, 2004
I am bypassed 75 cm , Iam 5'3 started at 275 and reached doc's goal at 1 year, i am now 5 pounds under and doing fine. 1 bad thing I have never really exercised and I know I should, you'll make it. dont give up.
   — terri R.

January 23, 2004
I would be very upset at my surgeon if he only bypassed 15cm. What would even be the point of going thru such a radical surgery? Good luck to you.
   — Delores S.

January 24, 2004
I am 5'3" and now weigh 186 which puts me right in the middle of the obese category. I'm 15 months post RNY (100cm bypassed). I do well with the food plan allowing myself a small treat once or twice a week. I am at the gym for 45 minutes 5 days a week. I take my supplements and drink 100 oz of water daily. I have fluctuated with 3 pounds since November (most likely holiday eating induced). I don't know if I will lose anymore weight, but I've lost 130 so far. I do need a tummy tuck but I still don't have much hope for ever seeing the 'normal' bmi weight range. I don't really want to work much harder than I already am knowing that I won't be able to do it for the rest of my life. I can maintain how hard I am working now, so I might just have to be satisfied. I don't dump either except on pasta which I don't care much for anyway, so it's been all up to me for a while now. Some of us just aren't meant to be thin. It's our build, genetics, metabolism.
   — Yolanda J.