"Window" for losing??

Hi all,

I hope everyone is doing well...and that Spring is coming...at some point!!

I just have a question for the seasoned pros out there or even the newbies who have heard things from their surgeons or nurses...Does anyone know the general "window" for weight loss after RNY?  I know that there's a "honeymoon phase" I've heard people talk about...I'll be two years out in June and am just curious if people can still lose this far after.  I've hit lots of plateaus, which is normal, but I think I just want reassurance that things can still move past the 2 year mark.  Any first-hand experience or any info would be great.  I think I just need a little boost as I feel like I'm stuck at my current weight...or bouncing around within a few pounds of my current weight. 

Thanks in advance!!

 

My surgeon told me 18 months with greatest % in first 12 months.  I continued to lose until 24 months.  I stay on the bariatric regime my center has.  I haven't went back to old habits and eat a "clean" diet.  I put on 7 pounds last year with a back injury and it has been WORK to get it off!!  I'm 5 yrs post RNY.

Hope that helps.  Penny

Thanks for your reply!  I had heard that the "window" is 18-24 months as well...I think I'm just concerned that I'm almost at the two year mark now and I still have weight to lose to get to my own personal goal...I've reached the goal weight that my surgeon gave me, but I'm not where I would like to be personally.  I'm just worried I won't get down any more.

I appreciate your reply!!! :-)

I will tell you my timeline.  I was at my surgeons goal at 1 year, which was 178lbs.  I still felt fat, so I kept lowering my goals 10lbs at a time.  It took me 1.5 more years or at the 2.5 year post-op mark to reach my ultimate goal of 138lbs.  It was very easy to maintain until I hit the 4 year mark when eating the same meant I was gaining and not staying the same, so I had to start to lower my daily calories.  It is a combination of age and length of time out of surgery and activity level that determines how many calories you can eat and maintain.  I find what works for me is around 1000 calories 5 days a week and 1500 so on the weekends.  I am right around the 130+/- mark right now.  But I am sure I have gained a couple of pounds since I went to the doctor two weeks ago after the stomach flu.  Her scale said I weighed 131lbs which is typically 4 lbs heavier then my scale.  Right now I believe I weigh 132lbs but I do not ever step on the scale unless I know I have lost weight.  I hate to see gains, even ounces derail me mentally.  So for my own peace of mind I am on a little spring diet to get myself ready for bikini season.  My nine year anniversary is on Saturday.  I want to do something fun but I haven't figured out what yet.  I should go get that tattoo I have been wanting of a black widow spider in 3D....Hmmm maybe.

Thanks for your reply! I feel like it's stalled completely for me...I guess I would like to know that you can still lose weight after the two year mark...I definitely can see how you have to really stick on plan after you get further out!  I am always trying to make sure I'm concious of keeping my portions in check etc...

It is all sorts of checks and balances that keep me at goal.  If my size 6 jeans get tight I am dieting until they are not.  I have nothing above a size 6 or medium.  If anything happens I will be naked and too broke to replace my clothes and actually too broke to buy lots of food, so gaining would be tough.

Your greatest weight loss will be in the first 12 months. I didn't have that "honeymoon" phase many talked about. I lost slowly, plateaued

often and took a year and some to lose all my excess weight. You can lose forever - this tool is in place for the rest of your life. How you use

it is up to you. You'll see the most drastic weight loss in the first 6 months to a year. You'll keep losing if you need to after that but it will

be much slower. You can still use your "tool" to lose 5, 10 or 20 yrs out. It's always there for us. I'm 13 yrs out and can still use it to lose or

drop a few pounds when I need to. You're doing great. Slow losing is frustrating but in the long run you'll be much happier and your skin will

look better. You can lose after 2 years. It may be a bit harder to do but it's still do-able with your new pouch.

Jen 12+ yrs post op RNY

Thanks so much for your reply...that's exactly what I was wondering about this tool...if it will continue to work after 2 years or if there really is that "window" for weight loss.  It's encouraging to see someone who is 13 years out and still able to lose when needed.  I can handle slow losing, as long as it can still come off.  Thanks!!

I have also lost slowly and plateaued many times...very frustrating!

I think it just depends on your body. I lost until my twelfth month. Then I stopped. Haven't lost a thing since, but I'm at my goal weight. I wish I could lose ten more lbs. But my body is just stubborn.