New to the board

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum..i didn't know that this existed. Just to give you my background: My BMI was over 60 when i had surgery in feb. I was 6'1'' 472 lbs at the time of surgery (i had the duodenal switch). It's 3 1/2 months later...and i'm down to about 350 ( i only weigh myself about once a week..once every 2 weeks...otherwise i'd drive mysef crazy). So that is a total weight loss of about 120 lbs since surgery. I consider myself basically recovered. If i went out to eat with someone there is no way they'd know i had surgery unless i told them. I can eat anywhere from 3 to 8 oz at a sitting depending on the texture of food. sometimes more sometimes less...depending on the day. Just a question for those of you out there...did you notice your body loses weight in different places faster then others?? I feel like it's difficult to find cloths that fit properly. I've lost a lot of weight in my neck and upper chest...but my stomach is still 60 inches around...and i've lost a lot of weight in my butt and legs (so much so that my wife went to pinch my butt and she couldn't find it..and exclaimed "you have not A$$****ep making a joke that i'm weeble wobble shapped ...you know the kids toys that are really round on the bottom and don't fall over...weebles wobble but they don't fall down? lol. I figured this would be the best place to post this question....with people that started in the same range as i did.. scott

Welcome Scott! 120 lbs in 3.5 months is amazing! I know patients who have the DS surgery lose fast, but, that is fast! Anyway, I had the lap rny just over 1 year ago. For the first 6 months, my weight loss really only showed in my face and shoulders. I'm now down 24 inches around my belly, but, it is still there and probably will be until I get plastic surgery, which I'm hoping I can do once I get to my goal weight and stay there awhile. I've done pretty well because I exercise alot. I hope you are exercising...that will help your body shape more than anything! Keep up the great work Scott! Lori 384/236/199

Hey lori, I really haven't started to exercise that much. I just went back to the gym last thursday and friday..and haven't gone back yet. (i know bad bad)...but at least i went back last week..and i'll go a couple of times this week. I know i should exercise more...i did before surgery...and then i got out of the habit of going to the gym. I know i hear all about the stories about people going to the gym like 3 days after surgery..i just wasn't one of them. I didn't have any side effects or issues after surgery...it just took me a few weeks to get my energy back and feel "normal"...esp. since it was hard even to sip water for the first 4 weeks...blah ...thank god i don't have to go through that again. I'm doing really well now though in terms of eatting and drinking water. I get in at least 90 grams of protein a day (on average) and about 100 oz of water a day. So i guess i can't escape exercise forever..lol...i'll go back tommorrow to the gym. scott

Scott, I didn't get gung ho with my exercise until I was about 3.5 months out. As you said, I didn't really have the energy. Start with walking, on the treadmill or on a surface that doesn't put too much damage on your joints. If possible, make an appointment with a personal trainer to start you out on the strength training. All in good time though. The big thing for me is that I was trying to avoid injury, knowing that would break my stride of getting the exercise in. The trainer started me out right. I was lucky. He was willing to work with me once every 6 weeks, which was just perfect. The amount of protein and water you are getting in each day sounds great! Are you taking all of the recommended vitamins as well? You are on the road to a whole new life. I can't believe how much my life has changed in this past year! I am at the point now Scott, and I never thought this would be possible, that I have to exercise every day. I'm addicted to the endorphins. It is a wonderful place to be in so many ways! But, I sure didn't start out that way, I drug my butt out to exercise whether I wanted to or not for the first couple of months. Lori 384/236/199

Hey lori, yeah i take suppliments everyday. I get in 3 bariatric advantage multis that are high in ADEK. I take 1200 mg of calicum citrate a day..various forms (my favorite is the caltrate soft chews...but they have 5 grams of carbs...so i save them as a "treat". I take a b-12 sublingual once or twice a week...and i just added zinc and biotin suppliments to help with hair loss. I'm getting everything my doctor said i need ...and a bit more. I will get my 3 month labs done during june (i had them done 6 weeks post op...so my doctor said that we could wait an extra month)...and i'll see how my vitamin levels are doing. I should be ok ...but am ready to make any adjustments necessary. scott

Welcome Scott, I'm new to the posting part of the board too. My surgery is Monday. Donna

Scott, You are welcome here and can post anything here. First, congrats , you've done awesome! Yes, I lost most of my weight in the upper and lower areas. My stomach is still really big to me and am losing slowly there. Even these last few months with no weight loss, I lost inches in my waist, but my stomach stayed the same. I figure eventually that has to go also.