Question:
What is this phase people keep calling the honeymoon phase?

Is it real and does it happen to everyone?    — maureen (posted on April 22, 2003)


April 22, 2003
The only time I heard that term was when they were referring to the first 18 months post-op. It is the period where you will lose the most weight, so basically, doctors tell you to take advantage of the "honeymoon" phase since it will be the easiest time to lose weight (assuming you follow your diet plans!)...most people stabilize around 18 months ***Amy - LAP RNY 04-09-03, -16 pounds
   — Amy A.

April 22, 2003
They call it the honeymoon phase because it is the time in your life when everything seems perfect and some realities haven't hit yet. Like if you marry someone that you haven't dated for a long time, it's the honeymoon phase because you think you are so in love and you are both on your best, sweetest behavior, then after six months or a year goes by, you start seeing the "real each other", the real person who farts, scratches, eats peanut butter with sardines, etc. That's when the honeymoon phase is over adn reality sets in and people let their guard down! In realtion to wls, it's when for the first 6 months to a year you are dropping weight, people are complimenting you, you're buying new clothes, having more energy and adjusting to a great new lifestyle. Then the 'reality' of plateaus, no more buffets, no more cakes and candy, hanging skin, etc sets in. It's one trade for another -- I'll take some hanging skin over being obese any day!
   — beeda

April 22, 2003
The first poster is wrong. The first SIX MONTHS is the Honeymoon period. During the first six months you will lose fast! You pretty much can eat whatever you want and you will lose. After six months the loss slows greatly.
   — Danmark

April 22, 2003
The honeymoon period is the first six months where you will lose weight pretty much no matter what you do. Many people don't have much of an appetite during this phase. This is the "easiest" part of the weight loss. Doctors recommend that you optimize this time by re-learning how to eat and changing those old habits. Plus, the weight will never come off this quickly again, so the closer you stick to the rules, the faster it will come off, and the closer you will be to goal when your appetite finally does come back. Sometimes people don't use this time to relearn their eating habits since the weight comes off so easily. Then, after the honeymoon period when the real work begins, it's much harder to change those bad habits! (I can vouch for this unfortunantly).
   — mom2jtx3

April 22, 2003
I was told the honeymoon period was18 months because this is time that everything you eat is not being absorbed. You do however lose more the 1st 6 months because of water weight loss and the small amount you are able to eat. As you can eat more and want more it slows down. The rule of thumb I was given was 1/2 of what you are going to lose the 1st 6 months, 1/2 of the 1st 6 months the 2nd 6 months and 1/2 of the 2nd 6 months the last 6 months. You can still lose after that but it will really take efford. Now for the disclaimer, everyone is different and loses at different rates. So the bottom line is mind your P's and Q's and hope for the best. Good luck.
   — Cookie G.

April 22, 2003
The version I've heard is that the first 6 months is the honeymoon period because, as everyone else says, that's the easiest time to drop the most weight. The 18 month period is what is commonly referred to as "the window of opportunity." The thinking is that after 18 months you should be at goal, ready to maintain, your body should be adjusted to your new weight. That's a good reason they say to wait 2 years before getting pregnant! - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -123lbs.
   — Anna L.

April 22, 2003
The first SIX MONTHs is the so-called honeymoon p[eriod because of the way you drop weight so fast and easily. 18 months is the "window of opportunity" This is when your "tool" is still working for you and you have to work it also. Thw weight loss is slower than in the first six months.
   — Delores S.

April 22, 2003
My Honeymoon phase lasted exactly 6 months. Since then it has been an adventure in steady long and I do mean long horrendous plateau after plateau. Make no mistake this surgery is a tool and nothing more. If you had food addictions before surgery, you will be dealing with those same monsters after your hunger returns and you are slowly able to eat more and find your way to snacking. This is where I am at, no where near goal and not able to control my habits. Take this surgery very seriously, not every one receives the gift of severe dumping that is the fail safe measure that is suppose to keep you away from carbs, cookies, candy, sugars. I can eat them all. I am making no excuses. I am just being bluntly honest about what I am going through. The honeymoon is definetly over, and unfortunately there is no quickie divorce allowed here...lol. I just have to keep trying to make this work. I am 14 months post op, if 18 months is the extent of the window of opportunity I am never gonna make it.
   — SARose61

April 22, 2003
You body is a wonderfully adaptive organism. The absorption will increase as time goes on as the intestines attached to the pouch grows more villi and thus adapts to the bypass. This also explains why we can eat more sugar/fat as time goes on... our bodies are adapting and getting more efficient with the tools it has to use. To our bodies it is all a matter of survivial. <p> Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
   — John T.




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