Question:
How hard is it really to loose weight once I have this

Hi All: Thanks so much for letting me post so many questions, seems the closer I get the more I have. Anyway, I know that this surgery is to be looked at as a tool, that nothing magical is going to happen. However, how hard is it to work with the WLS tool? I'm not talking about the emotional aspect (that I'm sure is another topic) I just want to know in regard to getting the weight off, and how you do it, and if it is hard (like a diet) or what? Would love your input. Thanks.    — Karen A. (posted on December 20, 2000)

December 20, 2000
Karen, I haven't found it very difficult at all. One thing that makes it easier is I don't get hungry, so I don't feel deprived or b*tchy (which I alway felt on a diet). Like Al said, though, follow your Dr.s orders, and you will be shocked at how well it goes. Now, the emotional side? Like you said- that is another topic all together!
   — M B.

December 20, 2000
It's not that difficult at all for me, and I am one of those who doesn't dump on anything at all - so I really don't have any built in deterrents to bad eating habits. Sure, sometimes I slide, but with WLS, I can ALWAYS get back on track again and continue to lose weight. When I slide, I slide for a day, not for months. I slide on two cookies and not 1/2 the bag. I do not deprive myself of anything, but then again, I don't DESIRE it like I once did. At bowling a couple of weeks ago, I wanted the buffalo wings, with ranch dressing and I got them - for the first time in months. I had 4 pieces and threw the rest away. That's all I needed. No more of that constant, gnawing head hunger in the back of my head. I'm eating like a normal weight individual...that's all there is to it. The trade off? I'm a slow loser compared to others on this site, but my weight loss is consistent and my doctor and nutritionist are very pleased with my progress - which by their standards exceeds their expectations. I have no doubt if I was better about water and exercise that I would lose faster, but then again, my skin doesn't seem to be sagging badly either because of the slower loss. Good question and Good Luck to you!
   — Allie B.

December 20, 2000
Been at this awhile now, but lost the bulk of the wt in 13 months. The wt came off very quickly, though a plateau of even a week can be frustrating. I never have "dieted", as such. Our doc is a quite specific about the formula for success and I've followed it. No milk, no sugar, no drinking with meals, no grazing are the basic no-nos and that's not hard so far. We DO supplement fully, which gives us the control to keep with part A, there. I never "want" for more than maybe 30 seconds. Cravings pass very quickly if they are just a thought passing through. Were I to have deeper cravings, I'd be looking for a protein shortage or other nutritional question mark. After these 6 yrs, I've learned now to just drink an extra protein drink whenever I think I might be headed for a trouble spot. I frequently drink one on the way to a dinner where I might get talking & eating or eating & talking and forget who I am for a moment. There's all kinds of healthy tricks I've learned to make this life nearly effortless.
   — vitalady

December 20, 2000
Hi -- of course you received wonderful responses from some long term post-ops but I thought you might like to hear from a new one too -- I am 10 days post from LAP RNY -- My doc has a post-op diet that consists of 1 week of clear liquids (broth, tea, jello, SF ice pops) of no more than 1 oz at a time and as much water as possible. I measured everything using the little medicine cups that I took from the hospital and each "meal" took about 20-30 minutes to finish -- For water I got the sport top 24 oz water bottles so I can just sip all day long. It keeps me from gulping. I went to modified liquids 2 days ago and am loving it. My docs plan includes soft foods, cream soups, melted velveeta, eggs, and pureed anything. I am starting slow as I dont want to hurt my new little tummy and want it to heal really well so I dont suffer. I eat 4x per day altho doc wants me up to 6x soon -- My meals per day are 1/2 poached egg with a pinch of velveeta, 1/4 soup for lunch, 1/4 cup soup for dinner and a couple of tablespoons of cottage cheese during the day as a snack. -- I am happy, satisifed, full, and healing so fast that I am amazed. -- I have a husband who eats enough for 3 (even tho hes thin) and 2 kids who constantly eat (but are also very thin). Ive been making them their typical dinners (steak, lobster, ziti, meatballs, pizza). I have no problem watching them eat as I know that shortly I will be able to enjoy it with them just tiny portions. I am already cooking half the amount I used to and will probably start saving at the food store soon. I take at least 1/2 hour to eat each meal. I use little glass dishes and my son's old baby spoon to eat. It is not hard at all -- remember that it is for such a short time in the grand scheme of this journey and that if you stick to your doctor's plan you will have success!! I sure am!! I have lost 22# in 10 days, feel incredibly good and have had no nausea, pain or dumping. Its not hard at all I promise!! Take care, be well and have a safe and healthy WLS journey..
   — darcieleigh

December 20, 2000
Well, I think that depends on you and your determination, although I will have to say the beauty if the Fobi pouch has lived up to my expectations of being a wonderful life long tool that will no doubt keep me in line. I did NOT find it difficult to follow the diet and exercise program post-op. I was very motivated to do well. Follow YOUR surgeons post-op program and you will be a success. <p> Open Rny-Fobi Dr. John Husted, Nashville, TN Beginning weight 367 now 178.. I'm one year post-op and loving my pouch it's the tool I never had..
   — Victoria B.

December 21, 2000
Hi Karen, I haven't found it to be difficult at all. I guess honestly the emotional aspect of the "dieting" is the hardest part. The cravings can kill you, the emotional want for eating is what gets me. But you have to learn to deal with it. But as far as the physical aspect of losing it and exercise, I found that once I lost weight it was much easier to maintain motivation to keep going. I am now 18 months post op and have surpassed my own goal of 135; I am 124 pounds now...Starting weight of 251 on a 5'2" frame. Hope this helps...Hugs~
   — Marni

December 21, 2000
Karen ... I wish to heaven I'd had my open VBG eight YEARS, instead of eight MONTHS, ago. I've never had weight come off like this, even when I was fasting and purging (another story altogether). I've lost 120 pounds to date, feel great, look better, and haven't found it difficult at all. Diets were difficult, because of what was "bad" and "forbidden"; I can eat virtually anything I want (with the exception of bread and rindy fruits like oranges -- just doesn't sit right), and not enough of it to do any damage. I also know that I have a part to play in my own success -- I need to exercise, drink my fluids, eat my protein first, and CHEW (versus my former habit of food inhalation). As I said, I'd do it again in a heartbeat -- this surgery is one of my life's great blessings. Warm happy skinny holiday thoughts,
   — Cheryl Denomy

December 22, 2000
Karen, for me (so far) this has been a breeze. I break every rule, and I'm still being amazingly sucessful. I drink while I eat; I eat WAY more food than everybody says you can (i eat at least 2 cups at every sitting); I eat high fat foods; I still eat WAY too fast. However, in less than 4 months, I've lost 112 pounds (about 65% of what I want to lose). On the positive side, I do walk for 30 min twice a day, I avoid sweets, I get plenty of fluids. Note i am not being undisciplined - this is EXACTLY how I planned on eating post-op (I drink my soup first; then eat green salad, which crunches down to nothing; then I eat my protein). I get mucho flavor and eating satisfaction without stretching my new pouch. Even now, I'm still losing 3 - 4 pounds a week. I'm sure it will slow down soon, but that's fine with me. Also, note I only eat twice a day. So, if I can be sucessful with my eating habits, I feel almost anyone will succeed who gives their best effort. Relax.... Kevin
   — meilankev