Question:
Is my Window of Opportunity closed?

but I started out super-heavy (407). Do the same rules apply to me? I'm 11 months post-op and still have about 39 lbs. to go. Will I be able to achieve my goal weight??? I have already achieved a loss of approximately 180 lbs. and haven't seen a huge slow-down yet. I still tend to take off approximately 5-8 lbs. per month. I would think that people with 200-500+ lbs. to lose would have a bigger "window of opportunity," but I'm not sure. Someone on this site said most people stop losing at 12 months!    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 29, 2002)

January 29, 2002
The traditional "window" has been typically 12-18 months. I stopped losing at 11 months (about 7 pounds to goal). Now I just fluctuate, up four; down four. When I was hospitalized in October, I lost four pounds in three days. I didn't eat! After the holidays, I gained about five pounds. I cut my carbs, upped my protein and watched a bit better and I took it off. Don't give yourself limitations. You will always lose weight if you consume less than you burn. That goes for now and ten years from now! Congratulations on the great loss!
   — Jeannet

January 29, 2002
I don't think "the window" ever really closes. Rather, I think, it's always open...just a bit. I lost 150lbs. in 11 months...35lbs. short of my goal..Wham...I just stopped losing. That was three years ago. I was shocked (in Nov.) to see that I had gained 20lbs. over that three year period. I started doing all the right things and lo and behold...I'm losing weight again. I lost the twenty I gained and now I'm working on that 35. It's never too late. In your case, you probably still have more time. Most people have 12-18 months to maximize the weight loss.
   — [Anonymous]

January 29, 2002
I know your window isn't closed. I am 17 months post op and I am still losing. I am losing very slowly but I am still losing. I started at 469 and I am 5 pounds from goal. I have lost 329 pounds. Try increasing your water and protein and see if this helps.
   — DeeDubbs

January 29, 2002
I stopped losing finally at around 19 months (at least I thought that I did). I had lost all my weight PLUS 15 more pounds. It took me another year to gain back 10 of those pounds (I didn't look good too thin and had health problems) and now, after almost 3 years, I find that I am losing again. I lost 5 pounds this week alone and believe me, I don't need to. Therefore, I think that you can always lose the weight depending on what you eat and how you stick to things. Sounds like you are still on the right track and losing fine. Please don't think that eveyrthing you hear on the site is gospel. It's just everyone elses experience and yours might be very different than anyone elses. If I were in your position right now, I would have a great feeling that I was going to make my goal. sounds like you are almost there.
   — Barbara H.