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.
Click Here to Return