Question:
I am six months post-op and down 100 pounds from 325. I saw my surgeon last week for
a check-up and he was very upset that I had not lost more weight. I am now worried that I am eating too much and will never lose the next 90 pounds. He told me my window of opportunity is only two years and after that it will be almost impossible for me to lose. I am terrified that I may be doing something wrong, but I exercise every day with hand weights and on the bike for 30 minutes. I drink two protein shakes a day (400 calories for both) that give me 86 grams of protein for the two of them together. My surgeon feels this is too many calories and I should cut one out. I have just started growing my hair back in after having it fall out by the handfull since my third month, and it didn't stop till I increased my protein. I asked him how much of my small intestine he bypassed and he said about 100 cm. Was that enough. I am so darn confused and I am terrified I went through all this just to be back where I was at square one before I had the surgery. Please help me to gain some perspective. I am seriously trying to use the tool I have been given, but it seems as if I am at a loss for what my real expectations should be. Am I doomed to repeat my past, no matter how much I try? — Anna B. (posted on June 11, 2003)
June 11, 2003
I am really surprise that your Dr. thought you should have lost more weight
than a hundred pounds. When I reached my six month anniversary I lost
100lb. Most people on this board at six months has lost a least 100lbs.
Some lost more, some less. It really depends on your size how how much you
lose. I think you are in the normal range. I started out at 305 and now I
am 185lb, I am three years post op. I like being where I am on my weight.
Good luck to you on losing the rest of your weight. I know you will do it.
— Sharon T.
June 11, 2003
I am really surprise that your Dr. thought you should have lost more weight
than a hundred pounds. When I reached my six month anniversary I lost
100lb. Most people on this board at six months has lost a least 100lbs.
Some lost more, some less. It really depends on your size how how much you
lose. I think you are in the normal range. I started out at 305 and now I
am 185lb, I am three years post op. I like being where I am on my weight.
Good luck to you on losing the rest of your weight. I know you will do it.
— Sharon T.
June 11, 2003
I am really surprise that your Dr. thought you should have lost more weight
than a hundred pounds. When I reached my six month anniversary I lost
100lb. Most people on this board at six months has lost a least 100lbs.
Some lost more, some less. It really depends on your size how how much you
lose. I think you are in the normal range. I started out at 305 and now I
am 185lb, I am three years post op. I like being where I am on my weight.
Good luck to you on losing the rest of your weight. I know you will do it.
— Sharon T.
June 11, 2003
I am pre-op until June 25th. However, I have been researching items that I
will need post-op. It sounds like you are using a high-calorie protein
drink.
I have bought Nectar (tastes like fruit juice) with each drink about 90
calories and about 27 grams of protein. You may want to search
www.wlssuccess.com to check for yourself. My surgeon told me that you must
use protein mixes that have zero fat and zero carbs.
Good luck.
— David F.
June 11, 2003
I started at 329 and at my 6 months I had not lost 100 pounds that was my
personal goal but I did not lose that much. He is right the window of
opportunity is closing so just stay focused and do what you are doing it
will come off. I am over 2 years out and I wish I would have done more to
lose my weight in the first year. Now it is almost impossible to lose and I
have even gained 10 pounds I am trying to lose but for some reason it is
harder after you stop losing. Good luck to you and don't let anyone tell
you are not doing a great job because I think 100 pds in 6 months is
wonderful.
— susan V.
June 11, 2003
Hi Anna- I am still pre-op and weigh around 325. When I read your first
sentence, I thought "She's doing great! Hope I lose like that!"
Check out some of the profiles. According to most of them, you're right on
schedule. Maybe an appointment with a nutritionist would help. Good Luck,
Mea
— Mea A.
June 11, 2003
Anna,
First of all, 100 lbs in 6 months is fantastic! Really it is. Secondly I
agree with the previous poster about your protein drinks, you can get in
what you need for a lot less calories. The other thing that I notice is
your protein drinks contain 43 grams of protein each, normally people don't
absorb more than 30 grams so we can't expect we will absorb more than that.
You could easily split one of those drinks in half and seriously cut down
on the calorie in take. What are you mixing your powder with? If it is
milk, try using water instead. As for the amount bypassed, I have seen
many people here with as little as 75 cm bypassed and as much as 200 cm
bypassed, it doesn't seem to mean one will lose quicker or to goal any
better then the next.
Continued success, you are doing awesome!
~E
— Elizabeth ..
June 11, 2003
I am using Nectar. I put two scoops in every shake. I was having a
terrible problem with hair loss and increased the amount of protein to help
with the problem. Two scoops is 46 grams of protein each, but 180 (200
rounded) calories. I mix it with water, not milk.
— Anna B.
June 11, 2003
How many calories a day (total) are you consuming, and of those, how many
grams of protein versus grams of carbs and fat are you getting? Has your
weight loss slowed markedly? It's hard to respond when there's only one
piece of the puzzle here --well, two, actually -- you appear to be using a
good protein shake, albeit with a bit too much protein than you can absorb
in two sittings, and your weight loss is wonderful! Did you surgeon just
react to the shakes, or to a slowdown in your weightloss rate (or to the
total number of calories you're intaking)?
— Suzy C.
June 11, 2003
I agree with the others that you can cut some calories out with the shakes.
Try one scoop instead of two and you will cut the calories in half. Also
be aware that our bodies can only absorb around 30 grams of protein at a
time so 43 grams is a little much and wasted. Definitely use water too. I
wouldn't let the surgeons comments upset you..we all agree that you are
doing wonderful and seem to have a great committment to making this surgery
work. All you can do is to continue to follow the pouch rules-trim the
calories a little (how many are you getting in a day?), keep up the
exercise and water. I don't see any reason why you cannot lose 90 more
pounds in a year-realistic expectations. Good luck.
— Cindy R.
June 11, 2003
I think that 100lbs in six months is fabulous! In fact, now that I think
of it, I had lost 100lbs at six months and I was pretty darn proud of
myself. You've gotten some good feedback regarding protein drinks, and
your exercise routine sounds very good (wish I was doing that good in
regards to exercise!). My only other suggestion would be to track your
food on fitday.com . That will help you see just how many calories you're
taking in, so you'll be able to easily see any "bad" food habits
that may creep in. Keep up the good work!
— Laurie A.
June 12, 2003
Personally, I think your Doctor is WHACKO!!!!!! 100 pounds in six months???
HEL-LO! With "his" 2yr window, that gives you 18 months to lose
the other 90...that's 10lbs a month...I'm still losing more than that a
month after almost ten months.....YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!!!!!!!LAPRNY 9/6/02
349/207/150
— Debby M.
June 12, 2003
I didn't hit my 100# til 8 months. I'm guessing I'd be doomed by your doc,
huh? But I do more than 120g protein per day, always have. I might point
out that doubling your scoops to 46g is kinda wasted money & wasted
calories. Stick to the 30g rule (1.5 sc). You could 3 per day, though, if
you wanted to maintain that protein level.
— vitalady
June 12, 2003
I agree with the others, your surgeon doesn't seem to be making a lot of
sense. Did he really tell you that you'd loose 190 pounds and weigh 140?
That would be like Barbie doll perfect and not in line with the statistics.
At 310 my surgeon said they usually see 2/3 loss, so I will probably loose
100 pounds which will put me at about 200. Some loose more, then gain a
little back to get their longterm weight. I would LOVE to be 160, but will
be very happy with 200.
As for protein/calories - the nutritionist said 60 grams of protein/500
calories will be the longterm diet. Cutting back a little on the calories
is probably okay, but I think you'll feel incredibly pressured to get to
140 by this surgeon and forget the whole reason you did this - was it for a
magic number or to be healthy?
You are doing great, keep up the good work.
— bethybb
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