Question:
Why do we have a *window of opportunity * to lose..some say 1 year some say 6 months.

what changes? we still have our new tool    — Kathy S. (posted on January 22, 2004)

January 22, 2004
Yes, we still have our tool, but over time, it does stretch a bit to allow for more food. It's not impossible to lose beyond that point, it just goes much slower the further you are out. I lost a little over 100 lbs. in the first 6 months and about 40 over the next 10 months. So it does slow down over time. I am faithful with my water, protein, excercise and keeping carbs to a minimum (most days on the carb thing). I get creative with food now. I don't eat it unless it tastes great, I figure why waste the chewing time. Each person is different, but even those that don't follow all of the rules will lose alot in the first 6 months, but maintaince is much easier if you change your habits during the "window of opportunity"
   — Dana B.

January 22, 2004
The window of opportunity is the time frame in which you lose the fastest. I definitely lost most of my weight (about 2/3) in the first six months. The reason that the window narrows (from what I understand) is that the intestines adapt and start absorbing more of the calories and by the end of the first year they are absorbing significantly more than earlier even though not all. Hope this helps.
   — Patty_Butler

January 22, 2004
You will always have your tool and if used properly it will serve you well as a post-op. Those who maximize following the rules during the window of opportunity tend to lose faster so that when further out and it slows significantly, they will have already met or come close to their goal.
   — Cindy R.

January 22, 2004
I've hit a big plateau at the six month period as well. It is now time for me to really put this tool to work, more so than I had in the past or the scale might not ever move lower than it has. It's a bit scary that it's no longer as easy for the weight to drop off, but I refuse to give up after coming so far, but it sure isn't as easy as it was early on. Rosa surgery 07/09/03 - 300/217/140-180
   — Rosa F.

January 23, 2004
My understanding has been- Honeymoon period (time it's easiest to lose the most weight) is 6 months. Window of opportunity is 18 months (time when your pouch is functioning at it's maximum) I think it's understood that after 18 months, you pouch has 'maximized' or grown a bit and the intestines start to make up for some of the mal-absorption. Anyway- that's what I've heard. I think it's different for everyone though. However, you have your tool for life. It is always there to work for you, if you work for it.
   — LMCLILLY

January 23, 2004
I think it's important to remember that everyone is different. In the first 4 months, I lost 42 pounds. In the next two months, I lost another 42 pounds. So for the first 6 months it was a total of 84 pounds. But I started out really slow. From month 6 to 11 (current month) I have lost 45 pounds. So I have continued losing at a pretty good rate for the 2nd 6 months.
   — Janet S.

January 23, 2004
My doctor, Dr. Olsen @ Centennial Medical in Nashville, TN said the pouch can't stretch because it's made up of thick fibrous muscle. The esophagus, however, can stretch. He also explained that the reason there seems to be such a variance in what the *window of opportunity* really is is because when you look at weight loss after surgery on a graphed basis there is still some slope to that curve until 18 months but the STEEPEST slope is from surgery to 6 months. Made sense to me. Pictures speak volumes!!! Hope this helps.
   — Rhonda C.