Question:
5 Weeks Post Op: Is losing all this weight so fast healthy?

I am 5 weeks post-op and I have already lost 40 pounds and I am very happy about it. But on my bad days when I am so exhausted, feeling weak, can't eat more than 2bites of anything, I wonder...how is this healthy? I struggle with having energy and I am so frustrated with soft foods, but I can't eat anything else. I mean before the surgery doctors always said if you lose more than 1-2 pounds a week it isn't healthy....so can someone explain how this is???? Please know I am just frustrated right now and logically I do think in the long run I will be glad I did this, but right now I question a lot!    — Denise D. (posted on August 4, 2003)

August 4, 2003
IF you were to try and lose that rapidly long-term, then your health would likely be at risk, but this rapid loss usually slows down a bit each month and by 6 months many are losing at a slow but steady pace of 10 to 15 pounds a month (or less sometimes). This is one reason though, that it is soooo important to go to your follow-up appts!
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 4, 2003
My guess is it probally is'nt that healthy to lose it so fast. However it was'nt healthy to carry all the weight aroound to begin with. lol As far has not having energy, that will probally get better. But I am 27 months out and STILL have no energy. My doctors no doubt are getting very sick of my complants. But I'm scared and I know something is wrong. I've had every blood test they can think of and they can find nothing. But I'm not stopping the complants as something is very wrong when you lose 160 lbs and still feel "completely whiped out". I seem to be the exception to the rule to feel so dead ever since wls. More than likely in 6 months you'll be "very energetic". Remember, you just put your body through a very tough ordeal with major surgery. "IT" has every right to be tired and bitch, and let you know that enough is enough! Plus it has the added insult of not being able to get all the nurishement (bulk eating) that it is use to. ;)
   — Danmark

August 4, 2003
Original poster here: I just wanted to bring this back up to see what others thought!
   — Denise D.

August 4, 2003
Here is how I look at it: if you drop the weight fast, does that not decrease the work load on your heart and other organs significantly? How many people out there (me included!) have been able to go off B/P meds relatively soon after surgery? I think that is a good thing; nothing unhealthy about that in my book! I also was able to stop Glucophage XR 2000mg daily right before surgery (insulin resistant) and recently had a fasting insulin level that was normal, normal, normal. (Do I sound happy? You bet! I was on the road to diabetes!) We post ops (RNY) are no longer "normal". We have a stomach that only holds a couple of ounces and malabsorbtion in our intestines. For a normal person to lose more than a couple of pounds a week, they literally have to starve themselves. Also, it is also a matter of proportion. For a morbidly obese person to lose 10 lbs is more like a drop in the bucket, but 10 lbs is significant for someone who only needs to lose 30 lbs. Another thing about losing fast is that a lot of muscle can be lost when weight loss is rapid, that is why we really need the protein!
   — koogy

August 5, 2003
At 5 weeks post op many people still are wiped out from having major abdominal surgery of any kind, weight loss or not. It took me about 8 weeks to get back my energy. At 5 weeks I was wondering if I had lost my mind to have this surgery. At 10 months I know it was the best thing ever. After losing 110 # I have so much more energy and stamina. I feel like a new person. It really took 8 weeks tho to feel human again. You will eat more later and food will settle better in your stomach. And probably like every one else, when you hit a series of plateus ( we ALL have them) you will be wishing for the faster weight loss. since 6 months out my weight loss has held steady at 5 # a month in a freakish pattern of no weight loss for 3 weeks then 5 # in a week. go figure. my point that I am taking too many words to get to is... you will heal, you will feel better!
   — **willow**

August 5, 2003
Right after surgery when you lose that huge amount of weight right away......I would say that isn't too healthy.But the weightloss soon slows down to a steady pace and if you are getting your protein in,getting your water intake in and taking your vitamins then it's not unhealthy
   — jennifer A.