ObesityHelp

At 4'11" and 62, I would have been happy anywhere in "normal" or 124.  But my body decided 111-115 was better and went to there.  I have pretty much stayed there with no specific changes in how I am eating except I know I am more relaxed about it than before.  I'm RNY so maybe some VSG can tell you what they wanted for bounceback.  Congrats on your success. 

That is what I have been told, although, I don't agree with the no snacking part. I think planned snacks are okay due to the increased gastric emptying that occurs with the sleeve. Ask him about that. It is a real thing and I was told not to go more than 4-5 hours (or was it 3-4 hours?) without eating a planned meal.

Congratulations on your two year anniversary!!! You have accomplished an incredible amount in the past two years. I hope that you feel proud of yourself. Watching you along this journey has been inspirational to me.

Gail

Well, I generally agree with no unplanned snacking, but if I eat lunch at 12-1PM and go exercise after work, I need some fuel. At Fremont, the dietitians recognize that it is difficult to get all our protein in at one meal, especially in the early months. They said that if I have something left from a meal, I can use that food as a planned snack and their menus reflect that. The key is PLANNED, to prevent grazing. I don't mindlessly eat like I used to. I think the 3 meals/day is to prevent the mindless eating/grazing/snacking.

If I ate dinner at 4 pm, worked out, and didn't eat again until the morning, it would be very, very hard on my metabolism and my body.

I totally agree with the the surgeon's recommendations, but I really don't think that it is very practical for someone who exercises a great deal, including weight training.

When I started this journey, I told myself that I would follow medical advice and for the most part, I have been true to the advice. I have days and moments, when I'm not, but I am certainly not perfect. I follow medical advice, for the same reasons that you do, we don't want the weight regain nor do we ever want to regret not doing everything possible to maintain our weight loss.

I track my food and stay within a specific caloric range, although, that can vary on some days.

There are differences between the different programs. Also, there is increased gastric emptying for many sleeve patients. Ask your surgeon about that. Also, reactive hypoglycemia has been seen in sleeve pts. Another reason to always eat protein with your meals and not to go hours without eating. I think I was told not longer than 4-5 hours. I have to check on that one, RH is very real and has been documented in 3 cases by the Bariatric Internist in Fremont. She also heard about it, at a recent conference that she had attended.

Hope to see you soon!!

Congratulations on reaching your 2 year mark successfully!

Gail

I agree with Lee. I am almost 18 months out from the VSG and have been maintaining within a two pound window since mid-April.

I'm tiny like Price and have some problems finding pants that fit. I can wear some Girl's size 14 and I know Price has had a similar experience with finding clothes to fit. Tops aren't really a problem, since I am broad shouldered.

I think "bounceback" is more metabolic with the RNY surgery than with the VSG, since we don't have the malabsorption component.

Big Congratulations on your success!!

gail

Wow thanks ladies!

I am vigilant about the rules, so I plan on sticking to the rules and getting the vitamins, protein and water in. To lose and be able to maintain the weight loss is my main focus

This subject has caused others to pounce on me on the other board to the point I had to actually use the block button.  I was so saddened by ones response one night I thought my daughter was going to jerk the mouse out of my hand and do it herself.  I tend to get my feelings hurt waaaaay too easily.  I hate that, but I do.  This issue causes a lot of emotion in people, so I am always hesitant to give my opinion after being chastised for sharing my thoughts and what worked for me. Yes, I have encouraged people to go as low as they want, with their doctor's blessing, and not let anyone talk them out of it.   So this is my disclaimer...THIS IS MY OPINION...I am only saying what works for me.

I hit my goal and immediately bounced up.  At one point it was 8 pounds.  I take full responsibility because I got there pretty much effortlessly.  My goal was 128 I hit it, and I promptly got back up to 136.  First I stayed between 130-133.  Then it was 133-135. Then it was 134-136.  And that was when I said enough.  Today I weighed 132.  I would like to live in the 128 to 132 range.

I am 5'9" and 128 is the bottom of the chart for me.  I am small framed and wear a size 7.5 shoe, some 7's and wear a size 4/6.  Even at this weight and height, I still wear a 4/6.....no 0/2, and that is not my goal nor has it ever been my goal.

I feel the best at this weight, and in 2004 I weighed 148 after dieting and exercising.  I told myself 16+ pounds less after ungoing surgery was not unreasonable.  My labs are good and my surgeon is fine with me at this weight.  I had my two year appointment in January, and I actually gained 1.5 pounds, so he knows this is a maintenance weight for my body.  As long as I omit pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, crackers, most sugary foods, I have no difficulty maintaining this weight.    I jumped up towards 137 over the Holidays when allowed myself to eat like I did pre-op.  That stopped the day I saw 137-138 on the scale for the first time since while in the losing stage..

So  in sum....I made certain my surgeon was okay with my goal, my labs were good and picked a weight that I knew I could maintain.  I get flack because I am tall, but you can look at my photos, and I look normal...not overly thin.  We all carry our weight differently, so it all depends.