Question:
When does the weight loss 'window' typically close?

   — jengrz (posted on June 15, 2003)

June 15, 2003
From what I've seen in the very large group I'm in, about 1 year. I lost until 16 mo.
   — ZZ S.

June 15, 2003
Wouldn't you keep on losing IF you are doing what your are doing right now? It's not like there is no effort here. We have to learn a new eating style. During that 'year' that some claim is the 'window', we are learning to eat differently. What happens outside this year to change that? I can't imagine eating any LESS than I am now outside my window year. I do know the exercise must increase. So what else?
   — Ginger M.

June 15, 2003
To answer the previous poster (Ginger), the window of opportunity is 12-18 months for a couple of reasons. The stomach does stretch to some extent (to about 6-8 oz from what I have read) and also the body has a remarkable ability to adapt and to attempt to repair itself. The cells in the intestine that is attached to the pouch adapt to absorb more as time goes on. My nutritionist put it this way at one of our grad support meetings. The pouch and the roux limb (the part that is attached to the pouch) are like new dance partners. At first, they don't work well together and they step on each others' toes all the time. Six months later, they are doing better, but there still are a few misfires. A year out and they're moving pretty well together. Eighteen months out, it's like they've been dance partners all their lives...JR (open RNY 07/17/02 -181 pounds)
   — John Rushton

June 15, 2003
My doctor says it's 18 to 24 months
   — jen091172

June 15, 2003
The window of opportunity as it is called usually lasts from 12 - 18 months but there is no reason you can't lose after that - it's just more difficult. I lost most of my weight in less than a year. Then I lost another 20 pounds of so in the next six months. I am 18 months out and I still lose about a pound a month - without trying. I eat pretty much what I want and get very little exercise because I am waiting for knee replacement surgery. I get about 1200 - 1400 calories a day. If I were more active, I would have to have more to maintain my wieght.
   — Patty_Butler