Question:
I am not doing anything right

In terms of suppliments, exercise, water, protein, etc. but am still pleased with my loss...50 lbs in four months, 1/2 way to my goal, averaging 2lbs a week, no plateaus, no complications, etc. My question is, how much will I pay for this, in the end? Will I be able to get to my goal of 150lbs by November? Will the weight stay off? Any opinions/insight would be appreciated...    — rebeccamayhew (posted on July 29, 2002)

July 29, 2002
This is just my opinion that is not based on any medical degrees but I've been told by my support group that the first year to year and a half is our window. We need to take our supplements so we don't end up with serious medical problems later on, we need to drink water because everyone needs to for brain and body function, we need to exercise in order to lose weight and keep it off, this will also keep our minds and bodies healthy, everyone, fat or thin, needs exercise and the protein helps heal our bodies from the traumas of surgery and helps to lose weight. Congrats on the weight loss, you're doing well, but please seek out the services of a dietician who can really help you maintain health! My dietician keeps me on track. I am a young woman and I don't want to suffer from vitamin deficiencies (sp?) that will either harm the children I have not had or end my life sooner that I would like and leave my 2 year old without a mommy. Take your health seriously, WLS is only one step of a really long journey!
   — jenn2002

July 29, 2002
First of all, I want to congratulate you on your loss. I am a bit concerned about your health in the long run. I guess the biggies (if in deed one outweighs the other) would be your calcium and protein. Your calcium may keep you from developing osteoporosis, and your protein will keep your immune system up and running. The other things are equally important in other ways. I assume your labs have been fine? or not? Your blood serum calcium level can be normal, but your bones could be being depleted by the body to keep your heart's electrical system up and running. It depends on calcium too. It is possible that you are eating well enough to get all you need, but I very seriously doubt it. You can't really be absorbing a lot from so little. I don't know your situation, or why you won't use them, but if you're afraid it will hinder or slow your loss, it won't. Please take care of yourself or this surgery will have been totally in vain. {{HUGS}}
   — Tina B.