Question:
I know this question has been asked before.....
I am almost one year out from open RNY. I have lost 145 lb in that time frame. I still have 50 more pounds to lose. How long is our window of opportunity? 12 months? 18 months? Im certainly opening 18 months? The weight is coming off slowly now. Actually, I've been at the same weight for a couple of months and need to get it moving again. Could definitely use some encouragement. Thanks — MedTrans (posted on December 9, 2003)
December 9, 2003
For the first 6 months or so, there is a true honeymoon period where we
just don't feel hunger and where even the smallest bites of food fill us
up. Since the 6th month period, I do feel hunger, so I suppose that my
honeymoon ended. However, by never really pushing the limits of my pouch,
I find that I can get full on modest (healthy) amounts of food or by having
a protein shake or protein bar. At 14 months out, and past whatever
honeymoon period there may have been, I tend to maintain my loss (even
though I'm past my goal) by going into the Atkins induction phase diet for
a few days every month or so (where I boost my protein intake to over 80
grams and lower my carb intake to less than 20 grams a day).
To a certain extent, I think some aspects of this post-operative get
tougher the longer out we go. I fear that at some point I will stop losing
and be forced to consider how to eat to maintain my weight-- something I've
never had to do before. But, as long as spending a few days a month in
the Atkins induction phase diet works, I figure that I will always have a
safe means to maintain my weight. Good luck!
— SteveColarossi
December 10, 2003
The commonly agreed to window of opportunity is 18 months, however, after
the first 6 months, it slows considerably. Congrats on a fantastic weight
loss in just one year!! During the first 6 months to a year, the surgery
pretty much works on its own, limiting the amounts of food we eat. After
the slow down though, it then becomes work on our part to continue losing
and the pouch becomes the tool to getting to our goal. Being within 50
pounds of your goal, its understandable that its slowed considerably. At
this point, ensure that you are eating enough calories (too little and the
body will hoard fat) or that you aren't taking in too much. Small
frequent, mostly protein based meals work best and ensure that you are
getting in some good heart pumping cardio exercise on a regular basis. The
exercise boosts the metabolism which burns those calories at a faster rate.
You know the rest- protein, water, vitamins, low carbs and sugars...
— Cindy R.
December 15, 2003
Interestingly enough, I have been wondering about the "stop date"
postop also. I am 2yrs and 3+ months postop. I stopped after losing about
140 lbs at about 18 months at a size 10, and was satisfied. I weighed
about 153-155 lbs. (I'm 5 ft 7 in tall.) Then about 6 months later, I
suddenly started losing inches & weight again. No change in my diet or
exercise levels. I have now gone down to 144 lbs and lost enough inches to
go down to a size 4-6 top and a loose size 8 bottom, (actually I haven't
even tried on a size 6 pair of pants, but I bet I could fit into them in
most styles). I am still losing about 1 to 1.5 lbs per month. People have
noticed I'm losing again and have questioned me about it. I eat whatever I
want and I do mean WHATEVER! I eat what I want, when I want and eat
carbs/sweets/fats in moderation. I don't count calories or carbs/fats,
just proteins. I don't want to ruin my success, but I don't want to lose
anymore than another 4-5 lbs max. I just keep trying to balance things out
and if I get below 140 lbs, I'll go back to the surgeon and talk with him
about what I should do. So I think it is possible to keep losing and get
the rest of your last 50 lbs off in the next year, but you may have to work
a little more at it. I know I didn't expect to start losing again! Maybe
I just was on a huge plateau for about 6 months and now I'm finishing up?
It'll be interesting to see how this turns out. I have to admit that I'm
glad I can eat whatever I want, but I do still have to control total amount
eaten at one time, no drinking with food and chew things up or I'll
puke-a-rama, which I hate! From all the posts on this site, it seems that
if you follow the pouch rules and diet/exercise, you should be successful.
It's amazing how different each of our bodies are and how it works for each
one of us. I wish you all the very best as you continue your wls journey!
karen (open rny 9/6/01, 297/144)
— Karen M.
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